My '01 OBW 5 speed manual never saw more than 24, but it had a four bike Yakima rack on top in 40,000 miles. I'm sure the rack cost a mile per gallon, or so.
If I hammered it, it got 22, if I babied it on highway rides, 24. Rarely did it ever have more than 2 people on board. Most driving was just me, 70% suburban, 30% open highway. Typical tanks got 23-23.5 MPG, on Connecticut's freaky gas blends.
I used Mobil 1 5w-30 changed every 5k, replaced air filters every 10k, and replaced the plugs @ 25k.
FWIW, I've now got a 2005, 6 speed manual, 4 liter V6, 4x4 Toyota Tacoma (all 4500 pounds of it!) with about 100 more horsies than the Subie, and it averages 19-20, with the same driver, on the same roads, in the same situations. At 3900 miles, the Toyota hasn't even seen synthetic lubes yet.
2002 Forester. Best just under 28mpg. Worst was 19 something. Average I can plan on is around 23 to 25. I have 50K+ on the car.
I notice some pinging or detonation rather frequently and wonder if going up a fuel grade might improve mileage. I normally burn Mobil or Speedway 87 octane.
I log all fuel ups and mileage, my 04 Forester XS, 5spd gets,
9.14litres/100kms (30.75mpg) on average since January 2005.
My best tank got 7.7litres/100kms (36.74mpg).
The average number includes 15,000km of combined driving including trips to Mount Washington (Vancouver Island) in the snow and some limited trailer towing.
I'd love to get 45mpg + but for an AWD vehicle with the Foresters practicality, not bad.
BTW, Our 90 Legacy, 5spd gets about 27mpg combined, although that car gets more city miles than the forester.
1998 Forester L Automatic. Just turned 227,000 miles this week.
23 city 26 highway with Thule 1600 cargo box on. About 1 mpg better on highway with it off. Oil changed regularly at 3000/4000 miles. Burns less than 1/2 qt between changes.....the same as when it was new.
Note that H is talking imperial gallons. In US gal he means 26.5 and 31.5 mpg respectively
My 95 Legacy, 5MT, 2.2 4cyl engine gets 7.5l/100kms (32 mpUSg) in commuting (95% Hwy). It's too bad that Subaru don't make a smaller engined car anymore. My next commuter will likely be a Corolla - I'll just suffer on snow days like (almost) everyone else.
95 Legacy 2.2L 5MT - best tank ever was 6.7l/100km (36 mpUSg): I drove
1000km on the TransCanada at the speed limit (90kph), cool sunny day, strong tail wind, and I drafted a semi for about 200km of it.
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