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Junkyard Gem: 2000 Subaru Legacy GT Limited Sedan

Due to the runaway success of the Subaru Outback wagon based on the third-generation Legacy, which appeared in North America for the 2000 model year, nearly all of the discarded 2000-2004 Subarus I find in my local Denver junkyards are these dime-a-dozen longroofs, mostly with H4 engines and automatic transmissions (though I do manage to run across the occasional rare H6 model). For a discarded example of the super-rare non-Outback Legacy GT sedan with manual transmission, I had to travel all the way to a Northern California car graveyard. Here it is! The GT Limited came with bigger brakes, faux-wood interior trim, and a bunch of winter-weather extras that probably weren't very useful in coastal California. All Legacies, wagon or sedan, had all-wheel-drive at this point. The "wood" didn't come from trees, but the leather did come from cows. I have a 2004 Outback wagon of this generation, complete with 5-speed manual transmission, and I must describe the driving experience and fuel economy as truck-like. Still, it has been very reliable during its 140,000-mile career and— when shod with proper winter tires— laughs off any kind of winter driving conditions Colorado can throw at it. If you're building a car-parts homemade boombox, be sure to get one of these weather-band-equipped Subaru radios. It's not a boombox party until you can listen to the robotic weather broadcasts. Although Americans seem less interested in sedans with each passing minute, Subaru still offers the four-door Legacy. Remember, the Outback wagon has always been based on the Legacy, not the other way around. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This car was built in Indiana, but we're going to look at the Japanese-market commercial for the turbocharged Legacy sedan because it's so action-packed. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. In Israel, the Legacy sedan swam with sharks in a parking garage.

Which is quicker in the standing mile, a Subaru WRX STI or a Porsche Cayman?

The 2015 Subaru WRX STI and 2014 Porsche Cayman are both saddled with unfair reputations. The STI with its huge wing and gold wheels has the title of the ultimate boy-racer. On the other hand, Porsche brand snobs look down on he base Cayman as just a wannabe 911. In reality, they are both pretty fantastic performance cars. But what would happen if the two of them lined up at a stoplight, and maybe the guy in the suit in the Cayman started throwing some revs at the young man in the STI? Automobile decided to find out in a recent video pitting the two stereotyped hot rods against each other in a standing-mile drag race.
In terms of raw numbers, they are surprisingly close. Both use flat engines and six-speed manual transmissions here, but the Subaru has more power and torque. However, the Porsche makes up for it with 300 pounds less weight. Neither should have a problem with traction either thanks to the STI's sophisticated all-wheel-drive setup, and the Cayman's mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout.
The comparable specs certainly show themselves in the real world for the race. We're not going to give away the winner here because it's too exciting, but let's just say the finish is very, very close. Scroll down to watch both of them shrug off their stereotypes and show off their real performance.

Poor sales prompt Subaru to kill the Crosstrek Hybrid

The Subaru XV Crosstrek is a major hit. It's high off the ground, offers enough seating for five, and has Subaru's iconic all-wheel-drive system, which is exactly what modern consumers want. As we pointed out last year, Subaru posted impressive sales figures thanks to its crossover lineup, which includes the Forester, Outback, and XV Crosstrek. It turns out, though, that Subaru owners aren't interested in the hybrid variant of the crossover, as Subaru plans to axe the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, reports Cars Direct. The discontinuation of the XV Crosstrek Hybrid is due to the crossover's poor sales figures, claims Cars Direct. Subaru introduced its first-ever production hybrid, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, in 2013 and after just three years the vehicle is being killed. As we pointed out in our review of the vehicle, the hybrid's larger price tag and marginally better fuel economy made it a tough choice over the non-hybrid models. The XV Crosstrek Hybrid starts – sorry, started – at $27,245, while the base 2.0i model has - had - a price tag of $22,445. That's $4,800 more for a vehicle that gets seven mpg better in the city and only three mpg more on the highway at 30 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. We reached out to Subaru for a comment, but haven't heard back yet. We'll update the story when we hear back from the automaker. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid: First Drive View 53 Photos News Source: Cars DirectImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Jonathon Ramsey Green Plants/Manufacturing Subaru Crossover Hatchback subaru xv crosstrek subaru hybrid discontinued subaru xv crosstrek hybrid