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Article Comments - 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel

72 messages,  Last post on Mar 04, 2009 at 10:42 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Diesel, Sedan

 
European First Drive: 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel - Kenichi Yamamoto, the man in charge of the development of this car, makes no secret of Subaru's lofty ambitions for the 2008 Subaru Legacy Boxer Diesel, which features the world's first horizontally opposed diesel engine for passenger cars. (more)

Messages Page 7 of 8

#53 of 72 Re: Outback Diesel [rsholland] by pilot1226

Aug 10, 2008 (5:59 am)

Replying to: rsholland (Jun 26, 2008 8:58 am)
I filled up with 87 at Costco Wholesale for $3.53 a few days ago. Diesel the lowest I have seen is $4.42.
 
http://www.boxerdiesel.com/en/index.html
 
I've heard Diesel gets better acceleration for highway driving.
 
At quick glance, it shows 5.6 Liters per 100 km.
 
1 liter = 0.264172052 US gallons
5.6 liter = 1.47936349 US gallons
 
100 kilometers = 62.1371192 mi
 
1.47936349 US gallons per 62.1371192 mi
(62.1 mi per 1.5 gallons) = 41.4 mpg
 
$4.42 / 41.4 = 10.67 cents per mile
 
Subaru 2.5i Gasoline Engine = 24 MPG Combined
 
$3.53 / 24 = 14.74 cents per mile.
 
Diesel, although more expensive up front, gets about 38% more bang for the buck.
That being said, it's also more difficult to find a diesel station up here in NJ. Once you're out of the major metropolitan areas, you're looking at an extra 5-10 minute drive out of your way - sometimes more - to find a pump.

#54 of 72 Re: Subaru Diesel [automotivebuff] by pilot1226

Aug 10, 2008 (6:04 am)

Replying to: automotivebuff (Aug 09, 2008 9:36 pm)
If you were to try and do this, it would probably add thousands to the cost of the car. You might have to pay a tariff, and you'd definitely have to revamp your exhaust system. I'm pretty sure that most places in Europe just don't require catalytic converters and other EPA-mandated stuff.

#55 of 72 Re: Subaru Diesel [pilot1226] by gagrice

Aug 10, 2008 (7:04 am)

Replying to: pilot1226 (Aug 10, 2008 6:04 am)
I think the Subaru meets the EU4 emissions. That is not as strict as the EPA emissions. Only vehicles that are for the US trade can be imported as new. I am not sure how the EPA deals with older vehicles. I know you can bring in 20 year old vehicles no problem, if that makes any sense.

#56 of 72 Re: Subaru Diesel [gagrice] by ateixeira

Aug 11, 2008 (10:53 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Aug 10, 2008 7:04 am)
I read that Subaru still had to add stuff to the engine to get it to meet CARB standards, so this will take a while (and increase the cost).
 
Having said that, a 38% gain is rather enormous. More than I expected.

#57 of 72 Diesel vs gas by ncskibum

Aug 13, 2008 (1:37 pm)

I have a 2000 VW TDI Beetle and a 2005 Toyota Corolla. From my calculations, based on mpg and fuel costs, diesel has to be more than 30% higher than regular unleaded to make the Corolla more economical to drive. The new VW diesels are reported to get even better mileage. The only question is if Subaru has improved the engine design enough to where you don't have to replace the water and oil pumps every 30 - 40K. Like I did with my 82 Subaru wagon. I would love a new TDI Jetta Sportwagen but would also like to see what the competition brings forth.

#58 of 72 Re: Diesel vs gas [ncskibum] by ateixeira

Aug 14, 2008 (8:10 am)

Replying to: ncskibum (Aug 13, 2008 1:37 pm)
Subarus have changed a lot since 1982.
 
Galvanized steel, for starters, so they don't get rusty after 4 years any more.

#59 of 72 of 58 Diesel vs gas by ncskibum by watkinst

Aug 14, 2008 (3:52 pm)

Not to mention that the late 90's and on Subarus tend to run 180,000 -200,000 miles with no major problems - besides the funky external head gasket issue but in my case Subaru fixed it even with the car 40,000 miles past its warrenty. VW would never do such a thing.
 
150,000 miles on my 2001 legacy which has towed boats all over CA and seen plenty of nasty off road miles. Oil pump is original and when checked at 120,000 miles during the timing belt change the mechanic said it looked new no leaks.
 
Wife's VW is a whole other story 2001 with 50,000 miles on it - its had many issues ranging from breaks - internal engine parts- even driver side door hinge came undone! We don't drive it anyplace but around town. The 150K Subaru is doing a 1100 mile road trip for the 2nd time this year at the end of August. Not a single worry about it doing the job.

#60 of 72 Re: of 58 Diesel vs gas by ncskibum [watkinst] by ateixeira

Aug 15, 2008 (8:48 am)

Replying to: watkinst (Aug 14, 2008 3:52 pm)
Was the VW a diesel? Perhaps their diesels are better.
 
Actually, CR ratings even for the diesels aren't good.

#61 of 72 Re: of 58 Diesel vs gas by ncskibum [watkinst] by xwesx

Aug 15, 2008 (9:34 am)

Replying to: watkinst (Aug 14, 2008 3:52 pm)
I had my '96 Outback to 220,000 miles and it drove like a top to the bitter end. Granted, I did do some engine work (replaced head gaskets at 192,000, replaced camshaft and crank gaskets), but the oil pump was original. Water pump went out at 174,000 miles, but that was my fault for not replacing it at 144,000 when I had the engine out of the car for the gasket replacements. Ah well. Aside from its electrical gremlins, I loved that car and am still sad it is gone, nearly two years later.
 
I concur with the overall consensus that while Subaru vehicles may have some initial finish issues, they are built for the long haul.

#62 of 72 Re: Subaru Diesel [automotivebuff] by cptplt

Aug 24, 2008 (9:56 am)

Replying to: automotivebuff (Aug 09, 2008 9:36 pm)
dunno about now but in the 80s if its not federal compliant (and its not just emissions, even things like the turn and head lights and dash warning lights, bumpers) customs will refuse entry and then crush it for you if you don't take it out of the country!! could you make it compliant - only if you are Warren Buffett or Bill Gates and have that sort of money in your spare change holder in the dash!!

Messages Page 7 of 8

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