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Subaru Legacy/Outback

11746 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2011 at 12:51 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 1131 of 1175

#11299 of 11746 Dino fuel AWD will be too expensive by luvmbooty

Aug 05, 2006 (10:04 am)

As prices rise and dino fuel becomes scarce, AWDs will cost $$$. What happens when gasoline prices reach $5? Unless they start using alternative fuels like diesel.
 
All 2006 automatic non turbo models EPA mpgs:
 
 Legacy sedan/wagon: 23/30
 Impreza sedan/wagon: 23/28
 Forester: 23/28
 Outback: 22/28
 Baja: 21/28
 Tribeca: 18/23 premium only
 
As of right now, these mpgs aren't bad, but I live in the city and really don't need AWD. People who live in an area that needs AWD, these mpgs are probably the one best you can find (except for the Tribeca).
 
Interiors of Subarus could be a little roomier for people who have families. Like the Legacy, with a 93 cu ft interior, is classified as a midsize sedan, but for a growing family of 5 I think would need at least 100 cu ft interior.
 
Otherwise I think Subarus are one of the best and original makes out there. There are AWD alternatives though like Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Caliber, Ford Five Hundred, Dodge Magnum, 2006 Toyota Rav4 (which has an optional 3rd row), Honda Pilot (with standard 3rd row for a total of 8 passengers), and others.

#11300 of 11746 Re: Wish Legacy came with a choice of 2WD or AWD [rsholland] by luvmbooty

Aug 05, 2006 (10:18 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Aug 05, 2006 7:32 am)
How about if they offered a FWD with standard traction and stablility? This would allow mpgs to rise, would help prevent skidding and keeping it standard like the AWD.

#11301 of 11746 Re: Wish Legacy came with a choice of 2WD or AWD [luvmbooty] by jfl

Aug 05, 2006 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 05, 2006 10:18 am)
Subaru in the US almost folded when they tried competing against Toyota, Nissan, and Honda in the 2WD category. They were rescued by AWD and the Outback campaign. It's unlikely they will venture down that path again. Subaru simply does not have the volume to compete in that specific arena. Today's challenge is to retain their niche (and market share) while everyone else is coming out with AWD vehicles.
 
MPG should really be compared between like vehicles.
 
Jim

#11302 of 11746 Re: Wish Legacy came with a choice of 2WD or AWD [luvmbooty] by rsholland

Aug 05, 2006 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 05, 2006 10:18 am)
You're missing my point. It's all about marketing and positioning the brand. Subaru has spent a ton of time and money marketing themselves as the only company in the world that's 100% AWD. They're not going to change that.
 
Bob

#11303 of 11746 Re: Wish Legacy came with a choice of 2WD or AWD [rsholland] by luvmbooty

Aug 05, 2006 (7:25 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Aug 05, 2006 3:44 pm)
OH, O.K.

#11304 of 11746 Re: Dino fuel AWD will be too expensive [luvmbooty] by ateixeira

Aug 07, 2006 (1:36 pm)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 05, 2006 10:04 am)
Subaru is tiny compared to Honda and Toyota, and can't compete directly with them. Last time they tried they nearly went bankrupt, sales took a nose dive to 100k/year back in 1995.
 
Where they'd succeeded is at being a niche player, AWD wagons mostly. The OB and Forester have done quite well and now sales are nearly double that level, selling more profitable cars at that.
 
Remember something - common sense does not apply to Subaru. Think about it, they DROP half their lineup (all FWD, Justy, SVX), increase prices dramatically, and sales DOUBLED!
 
Sure, they could come out with a FWD Legacy, but it would probably still not match the Accord's 26/34 mpg and so the fuel misers would still buy the Honda. They could probably get about 25/31 out of a FWD Legacy, but it would be smaller than the Accord and they have only half as many dealer outlets to sell them from.
 
Now, look at it differently. You're shopping for an SUV that gets 16mpg, and suddenly an Outback's mid 20s mpg seems quite reasonable. It is a legit alternative to what most people use SUVs for. Bingo. Jackpot.
 
Forester's 23/28 doesn't seem that great? Well guess what? It's best in class, matching the 4WD RAV4 and besting the CR-V, which takes 3rd place. Bingo again. Jackpot #2.
 
Those are the models that sold well. FWD Legacys from 1994 and earlier were a disaster Subaru is better off forgetting about.
 
A FWD Legacy is less efficient than an Accord.
 
An AWD Outback/Forester is more efficient than an Equinox/Vue/Escape. That's why it works.
 
-juice

#11305 of 11746 so in short by krzyss

Aug 07, 2006 (6:07 pm)

Subaru is piggy backing on SUV craze.
It seems to be ending so what will be the next move?
 
Krzys

#11306 of 11746 Re: Anyone tracking city mileage? [luvmbooty] by bat1161

Aug 08, 2006 (7:06 am)

Replying to: luvmbooty (Aug 03, 2006 10:07 am)
A little late to chime in here but I can tell you that I have a 06 LL Bean Wagon (H6) and have been tracking my mileage since I picked it up at the end of October. overall I am getting 17.396 mpg with the worst being 13.31 and the best 26.06. It is an AT, and I live on Staten Island.
 
Hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Mark

#11307 of 11746 Re: Dino fuel AWD will be too expensive [ateixeira] by jay_24

Aug 08, 2006 (8:02 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 07, 2006 1:36 pm)
Sorry, I'm going to have to disagree. At least partially.
 
The Vue and Escape have hybrid versions that get hwy milage in the 30's. Yes they cost more $$, but the milage is there. Even a Chevy Tahoe is improving mpg (up to 22 mpg)
The new GMC/Saturn/Chevy SUV coming out soon is an 8 passanger that is reported to get about 24 or 25 mpg. Its an improvement over the old Trailblazer and 22mpg. I wonder what the hybred Tahoe will get? maybe 24mpg? The RAV4 can get 30mpg and can carry 7 passangers. The v6 4wd RAV gets 28mpg. Size and power wise thats more like a Tribeca.
 
Yes most big SUVs are still less than a little Forester, but 4 to 6 mpg isn't a big deal.
 
Recent years Subaru has gone more to worse MPG for sake of performance. Look at the turbo models.
 
How about a Hybred? or Flex Fuel model? or something that gets slightly better MPG.
 
Most (All?) the other companies are showing improvements in MPG. Where is the improvement from Subaru?

#11308 of 11746 Re: so in short [krzyss] by ateixeira

Aug 08, 2006 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: krzyss (Aug 07, 2006 6:07 pm)
The next craze is crossovers, which is sort of what Subaru has been doing all along.
 
The products are well positioned, the only question is how much new AWD competition will appear and how will it affect their sales.
 
-juice

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