~06 Subaru Legacy; +30mpg possible?

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K2e2vin

K2e2vin

Senior Member
I've been looking for a new car and have been considering a 2012 Focus since I can't find a 94-95 Accord Wagon with MT. I've looked at other wagons(VW Jetta TDI, BMW, etc.) and completely forgot about the Legacy. The EPA mileage looks about the same as what an Accord gets but is AWD; so would it be possible to push it past 30mpg(hwy) with minor mods?
 
I doubt it. I had a hard time breaking 25 mpg with my 2.5rs... and that car is lighter. but, that was a 99. Maybe they got a little better on the 2.5, but i doubt much has changed. MAYBE 30 on FLAT highway at 55mph. but not 'real' driving.
 
Well, there's a lot of hills around here and I was looking for a car that would basically be a DD for work/school and still be able to go to the beach or mountains. I guess that's a no go for the Legacy...I just wish there was more feedback on the Focus before I commit to buying it(the Titanium edition is pretty expensive for a "Focus").
 
Get the Legacy. Insert a fuse into the diag AWD control box under the hood. Disables 4WD temporarily. Poof, 30-35 mpg driven conservatively.
 
For real? *Looking it up* :)

Even though a new car would be nice, I just hate monthly payments.
 
Mileage may vary. The AWD generations of the Subarus have this diagnostic port under the hood. Insert a fuse and it will disable it for troubleshooting. The dash lights a red warning that says "2WD" in red while it's bypassed. Known to work for Imprezzas 97-2005. Heard it works in Legacys. Find the port and test it before buying.
 
No savings in gas, and a bad way to fuck up a decent new car.

Best way to get better gas, is lighten the foot on your driving habits, put lighter wheels and tires on the car, and keep your maintenance on the tune-up's up to par.

My 07 Outback got around 28mpg constantly stock, until I put one kayak on the roof, it dropped to 23, and I have been extending the oil changes to 6000 miles...it dropped down to 20. I tossed on another kayak and it dropped to 18mpg. I could easily take the kayaks off, the roof rack off, and do a tune up and expect 28 mpg's again. When I was driving it in MA, the hills got me around 32mpg.

All that on the stock wheels and tires. If I had the bank, I would toss on some Volk wheels and lighter tires...and would expect a little better MPG....but the extra price for expensive wheels and tires would never be offset for the few dollars saved at the pump.

Payments on the car was nothing as long as you had a decent down payment. My subby is now paid off, and I got the title about 2 months early...and right when it hit 100K's.
 
Right and wrong, the diag mode on the Subaru has no ill-effect. But Airjockie has proven that simple things such as side mirror designs, lighter wheels and other seemingly-simply air dragging things can REALLY toast mileage.

just taking a few pounds from the wheels will see substantial improvements.

Edit: Also, your wheels bend when you hit the slightest pot hole.
 
Airjockie said:
No savings in gas, and a bad way to fuck up a decent new car.

Best way to get better gas, is lighten the foot on your driving habits, put lighter wheels and tires on the car, and keep your maintenance on the tune-up's up to par.

My 07 Outback got around 28mpg constantly stock, until I put one kayak on the roof, it dropped to 23, and I have been extending the oil changes to 6000 miles...it dropped down to 20. I tossed on another kayak and it dropped to 18mpg. I could easily take the kayaks off, the roof rack off, and do a tune up and expect 28 mpg's again. When I was driving it in MA, the hills got me around 32mpg.

All that on the stock wheels and tires. If I had the bank, I would toss on some Volk wheels and lighter tires...and would expect a little better MPG....but the extra price for expensive wheels and tires would never be offset for the few dollars saved at the pump.

Payments on the car was nothing as long as you had a decent down payment. My subby is now paid off, and I got the title about 2 months early...and right when it hit 100K's.
Click to expand...

Very True. My step brother's 2010 wrx goes from 22mpg to 18 when he adds snowboards, the rack, and a couple passengers.
 
I think I'll just invest in the Focus. I mean, I need basically a car to haul crap aroun(bikes, coolers, kayak, etc), that's not a truck yet can still double as a DD, and seems like the Focus will do it easier. From what I gather, running the Legacy for prolong periods would result in a "worn" center LSD...seems like a lot of hassle. The only plus it has over the Focus is the AWD would make it so much better to drive through snowy mountain areas and mud(though I haven't had an issue at all with my FWD Accord and the Falken/Barum tires on it).
 
instead of a fully loaded Focus, why not get a I4 SE Ford Fusion still get 30mpg but more room for the same price as the Focus
 
They basically brought over the Euro Focus(actually made it the same for all markets), I've always been a fan!

I haven't really looked into the A3s but at that price, that's pretty good. I just remember looking at an S4 and noticing the price tag, lol. Though, the MPG doesn't look that much better than my Accord.

I am specifically looking for a wagon or hatchback. If the Fusion was available in a Wagon body, I would have got one years ago.
 
go with the leggy...and don't look back. A few pennies more for gas, but having comfort and reliability is awesome.
 
If it doesn't have to be a hatch, and you want 2 more cylinders instead of a turbo check out the Lincoln LS. The 5 spd V6 is peppy, and gets a consistent 27 mpg. The V8 is awesome, but auto only. And the body is very well proportioned - It handles surprisingly well.
 
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