Gas Mileage: 90's vs. 2000's

[Bill Radio]

I am considering a Subaru Legacy wagon as our 2nd or 3rd car. We want
better gas mileage than the old SUV, but there is much disagreement among
the EPA figures, the Subaru dealers and fellow Subaru users.

I thought most pre-2000 models got 24 mpg in the city, and 2000 models and
newer get 22 mpg or less. The dealer claims that since all '99 Legacies
have 2.5 engines, they also have 22 mpg. To add to the confusion, my
neighbors claim their '98 amd '02 Outbacks both get 26 to 30 mpg in the
city...no difference! Other dealers claim the the 2.2 engine was the only
one that got 24 mpg, and it was only available on the Impreza in later
years. Huh?

So, have you had both? Was there a difference? Am I foolish to look for a
'99 or older to get good gas mileage? Is there a web site with these
answers?

-Bill

 

[Snowcatcher]

I am considering a Subaru Legacy wagon as our 2nd or 3rd car. We want
better gas mileage than the old SUV, but there is much disagreement
among the EPA figures, the Subaru dealers and fellow Subaru users.

I thought most pre-2000 models got 24 mpg in the city, and 2000 models
and newer get 22 mpg or less. The dealer claims that since all '99
Legacies have 2.5 engines, they also have 22 mpg. To add to the
confusion, my neighbors claim their '98 amd '02 Outbacks both get 26
to 30 mpg in the city...no difference! Other dealers claim the the
2.2 engine was the only one that got 24 mpg, and it was only available
on the Impreza in later years. Huh?

So, have you had both? Was there a difference? Am I foolish to look
for a '99 or older to get good gas mileage? Is there a web site with
these answers?

-Bill

Hey Bill,

I can only speak as an owner of a 2003 Baja. I've had it for almost a
year, picked it up at the end of jan '03. We avg about 22 mpg. Owners of
the 2004 turbo baja on NASIOC have mentioned avging 21mpg so far. I'd
check NASIOC, do a search on the topic.

I'd say your neighbors are pulling your leg on the 26mpg city figure.

 

[Stu Hedith]

I am considering a Subaru Legacy wagon as our 2nd or 3rd car. We want
better gas mileage than the old SUV, but there is much disagreement among
the EPA figures, the Subaru dealers and fellow Subaru users.

I thought most pre-2000 models got 24 mpg in the city, and 2000 models and
newer get 22 mpg or less. The dealer claims that since all '99 Legacies
have 2.5 engines, they also have 22 mpg. To add to the confusion, my
neighbors claim their '98 amd '02 Outbacks both get 26 to 30 mpg in the
city...no difference! Other dealers claim the the 2.2 engine was the only
one that got 24 mpg, and it was only available on the Impreza in later
years. Huh?

So, have you had both? Was there a difference? Am I foolish to look for a
'99 or older to get good gas mileage? Is there a web site with these
answers?

I had a '98 GT sedan (2.5L DOHC) and averaged about 24.5 mpg. If I
drove it hard, maybe I got only 24mpg and if I drove miss daisy i only
got about 25 mpg. Now my '99 A6 avant (2.8L V6) will get 24mpg if I
drive miss daisy and 14 mpg if I drive it hard. A typical tank is
19-21 mpg. Oh yeah, and the GT was much quicker.

Stu

 

[Edward Hayes]

Every vehicle I've owned (Jeep,Volvo,Saab, Dodge) and Subarus have gotten at
least as good as the EPA ratings IF I drive without my foot on it too much.
My present 2000 Forester XS AT gives me 21-23 in local suburban driving and
26-28 on expressways at 75 mph. The EPA ratings are 22 & 27 mpg. It might be
wise to compare vehicles' EPA ratings as personal driving habits vary too
much to expect a realistic comparison. eddie

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

[posted and mailed]

I am considering a Subaru Legacy wagon as our 2nd or 3rd car. We want
better gas mileage than the old SUV, but there is much disagreement among
the EPA figures, the Subaru dealers and fellow Subaru users.

I thought most pre-2000 models got 24 mpg in the city, and 2000 models and
newer get 22 mpg or less. The dealer claims that since all '99 Legacies
have 2.5 engines, they also have 22 mpg. To add to the confusion, my
neighbors claim their '98 amd '02 Outbacks both get 26 to 30 mpg in the
city...no difference! Other dealers claim the the 2.2 engine was the only
one that got 24 mpg, and it was only available on the Impreza in later
years. Huh?

So, have you had both? Was there a difference? Am I foolish to look for a
'99 or older to get good gas mileage? Is there a web site with these
answers?

I have found this web site to be pretty bang on for gas mileage numbers:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

 

[BoB]

I am considering a Subaru Legacy wagon as our 2nd or 3rd car. We want
better gas mileage than the old SUV, but there is much disagreement among
the EPA figures, the Subaru dealers and fellow Subaru users.

I thought most pre-2000 models got 24 mpg in the city, and 2000 models and
newer get 22 mpg or less. The dealer claims that since all '99 Legacies
have 2.5 engines, they also have 22 mpg. To add to the confusion, my
neighbors claim their '98 amd '02 Outbacks both get 26 to 30 mpg in the
city...no difference! Other dealers claim the the 2.2 engine was the only
one that got 24 mpg, and it was only available on the Impreza in later
years. Huh?

So, have you had both? Was there a difference? Am I foolish to look for a
'99 or older to get good gas mileage? Is there a web site with these
answers?

-Bill

'99 or older 'may' need to provide considerably better mileage to
offset the additional maintenance that may be required, depending
on the care it received by previous owners. If mileage is a primary
concern, a Subaru may not be where you should be looking. I don't
know of anyone who chose their Subie based on mileage.

Our 2nd subie was a '95 Legacy wagon. It got a few mpgs less than our
'90 Legacy sedan but it had much more carrying capacity. We thought
the lower mileage was a good trade-off. Our '02 ForesterS is the best
of both worlds. Smaller, but good useable capacity, better visibility,
and about the same mid-20's mileage around town. I'm not a lead-foot
nor do I find a need to exceed the speed limits since we have 70 mph
on the major freeways.

BoB

 

[No Way]

Every vehicle I've owned (Jeep,Volvo,Saab, Dodge) and Subarus have gotten at
least as good as the EPA ratings IF I drive without my foot on it too much.
My present 2000 Forester XS AT gives me 21-23 in local suburban driving and
26-28 on expressways at 75 mph.

you would do better at 55 than 75 by about 20% )

I have had 38 mpg Canadian from my impreza 2004 wagon 2.5 4 cyl engine.
but I drive with snooze control set at a modest speed

 

[L. Kreh]

I get 28-30 mpg highway with my 99 OBW (2.5L engine). This seems
pretty typical from what I've read here.

 

[Bill Radio]

Bob,
You bring up a very good point! Money saved on gas may be lost in repairs.
A review at edmunds.com shows that with current incentives, an '04 STD
Outback wagon can be had for less than $22k, less than $1k over what we paid
for my wife's '01 Forester, bought new in '00.
Looking at the actual $ figures for gasoline for an '04 over one year, the
differences among 21, 22 and 24 mpg are actually small.

-Bill

 

[nicklebon]

Hey Bill,

I can only speak as an owner of a 2003 Baja. I've had it for almost a
year, picked it up at the end of jan '03. We avg about 22 mpg. Owners of
the 2004 turbo baja on NASIOC have mentioned avging 21mpg so far. I'd
check NASIOC, do a search on the topic.

I'd say your neighbors are pulling your leg on the 26mpg city figure.

My 2003 Baja has yet average under 25 mpg a tank. Best ever tank
was 28 and some change. Mixed city/hwy driving

 

[Bill Radio]

I found a dealer who offered below what I expected to pay for a new '04 OBW,
traded in my bigger SUV, and am going through the break-in period. First
tank: 27.1 mpg, 20% city, 80% rural...no interstates. While I did baby the
engine, that first report was music to my ears. And as an engine 'loosens
up', I expect better. Whew. Subaru definitely was an improvement for gas
mileage.

-Bill