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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 1132 of 1176

#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

#11309 of 11746 Re: Dino fuel AWD will be too expensive [jay_24] by ateixeira

Aug 08, 2006 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: jay_24 (Aug 08, 2006 8:02 am)
Escape hybrid is too pricey. $28 grand plus is too much to pay to save a little fuel, when "normal" models cost $6 grand less.
 
Saturn Vue Greenline will be a hit, I predict. The price is right - under $23k. But....we're talking very limited supplies, here. It won't put a dent in anyone's market share.
 
The RAV4 that gets 30mpg is FWD. The AWD model in automatic gets the same 23/28 as the Forester auto. The next-gen Forester is coming soon, so we'll see how Subaru responds. The RAV4 is a hit, sales have boomed.
 
I think the Forester is competitive. It needs to grow a tad, else people will cross shop with the cheaper Jeep Patriot. The Jeep even LOOKS like a Forester.
 
-juice

#11310 of 11746 Outback and Legacy by jbrew7

Aug 08, 2006 (12:22 pm)

Ok, this may be a stupid question, but what is the general difference between the Outback wagon and Legacy wagon? I know about body style, but what else. Generally, Legacy's do seem to be a lot cheaper. Is that because they are not as good.
Also, just got a quote from a dealer in Sac saying he will sell for 100 dollars over invoice, plus the rebates for both the 2006 Legacy and Outback wagons. Good deal?

#11311 of 11746 Re: Outback and Legacy [jbrew7] by rsholland

Aug 08, 2006 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: jbrew7 (Aug 08, 2006 12:22 pm)
It's not a question of one being better than the other. They're aimed at different customers.
 
Think of the Outback as a heavy-duty Legacy. The suspension is HD and raised, and it has larger tires. If you travel a lot of bad roads the Outback the better choice. if, however, you prefer great handling, the Legacy is the better choice.
 
Bob

#11312 of 11746 Re: Outback and Legacy [rsholland] by ateixeira

Aug 08, 2006 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Aug 08, 2006 12:27 pm)
Agreed, and I'll add a few things.
 
The OB is pre-wires for trailers, so if you tow that's the way to go.
 
You also get the roof rack w/cross bars. Fog lights and that sort of thing. Heated seats are standard on the 06s, as are heated mirrors and wiper de-icer up front.
 
So the price is higher but so is content. If you can make use of those things, it's probably worthwhile.
 
The Legacy is a better value if you do not need those items.
 
-juice

#11313 of 11746 Re: Outback and Legacy [jbrew7] by shrinermonkey

Aug 08, 2006 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: jbrew7 (Aug 08, 2006 12:22 pm)
I just got a Legacy Wagon 2.5i SE for invoice -$2000 Rebate from Subaru and 4.9%apr. Salesmen said that they sell 10 times as many Outbacks as just standard Legacy Wagons so they seem ready to deal on them. Invoice for my car said they purchased it in Nov '05 so it was sitting on the lot for a long time. They also gave me a fair price for my 2001 VW Passat in trade. I am really happy with the deal that I got and love the car so far.

Messages Page 1132 of 1176

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