Subaru's New 2000 Legacy GT Limited Won't Break the Bank
By Ben Miller
Contributing Editor
The new 2000 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
Sedan isn't a Taurus or similar full-sized sedan. But then, it
doesn't try to be.
You can't get the peace of mind of all-wheel drive in a Taurus
or other big lumbering sedans from U.S. manufacturers. But then
you're not going to cram six people into the Subaru.
Subaru's mantra used to be "inexpensive, and built to stay
that way." That went by the wayside when the company started
introducing non-inexpensive products like the ill-fated SVX coupe.
Now the company is trying to get back to its roots by building
solid, economical (remember, inexpensive is a relative word),
all-wheel drive vehicles.
The all-new 2000 model is the third generation of Legacy models
to come from Subaru. Again, this sedan isn't designed to compete
against the big four-doors from the U.S., but rather, against
all-wheel drive competitors from overseas.
All-wheel drive competitors in about the same financial ballpark
include the Audi A4, which costs thousands more than a similarly-equipped
Subaru. Comparably-equipped sport utility vehicles from any manufacturer
will also set you back a lot more money.
The Legacy GT Limited Sedan is zippy, but will get whomped off
the starting line by any of Detroit's big sedans. It's powered
by a 2.5-liter, 165 horsepower engine that would be too small
underneath the hood of a Taurus, but is just fine in the Legacy.
Gas mileage is better than a full-sized sedan, too, with an automatic-equipped
Legacy GT Limited rated at 21 miles per gallon in the city and
28 on the highway.
The all-wheel drive system keeps the Legacy stuck to the road,
even during drenching Panhandle rainstorms.
Inside, there's not too much you can add to make the drive more
pleasant. Standard features include a CD player, leather seats,
and a stereo system that includes the weather band. A keyless
remote entry system is also standard.
Keeping you safe are features like standard side impact air bags
to complement dual front air bags, anti-lock brakes, and for a
little more peace of mind on slippery streets, limited-slip rear
differential.
Other standard features include air conditioning, power sunroof,
16-inch alloy wheels, and power windows-locks-mirrors. The base
price of the car is $24,295 and there's not much more you can
add. A test model came equipped with a six-disk in-dash CD changer
($510) to go along with the standard one-disk changer (a wee bit
of CD player overkill, one might say) and floor mats ($74). The
total price of the test model was $25,374.
If you're a big family of five or more, you're probably going
to be looking at alternatives like an all-wheel drive minivan
or a sport utility vehicle.
But if your family is smaller, you still want to keep gas mileage
a consideration, and you still want a bit more than a modicum
of luxury without breaking the bank, it would be wrong to steer
you away from the 2000 Legacy GT Limited Sedan.
