As you can see, I took the Subaru from Maryland to Utah: 4,559 miles and 157.556 gallons of gasoline.

What else? Well, the Subaru averaged 28.94 MPG with the best average mileage of 33.05 MPG on a tank from Glenwood Springs, CO to Castle Rock, CO. The worst mileage, which was still better than the average mileage to date, was in the Denver metro area that was driven entirely with two bikes on the roof. This partial tank averaged 25.45 MPG. Overall, the Subaru’s lifetime average fuel economy increased from 22.9 MPG to 24.4 MPG. The longest day of driving was the first day from Maryland to Missouri, and which covered just over 1000 miles.

During the trip the load ranged from two to four bikes, luggage/camping gear for one to two people and one to three actual people. The bikes were inside the car for the most part, but occasionally were mounted on the roof. Average speeds stayed within about 5% of posted speed limits, which are 75 MPH in Colorado and Utah.

Aside from driving, we also rode the Kokopelli trail in Fruita, CO, Slickrock in Moab, UT, and the Apex trail near Denver, CO.

The Erkisen made it back to the Kent Eriksen shop where it received a professional tune-up, new cassette, chain and handlebar. The cassette was more worn than I thought, and the Wippermann chain was causing (or at least contributing to) chain suck. The Titec handlebar died at Moab where a strategic fall ripped one of the end plugs out of the bar with some of the titanium…

Our ’07 Outback Sport hit 10,000 miles earlier today. How did this happen? Well, it took 388 days and approximately 430 gallons of 87 octane gasoline at a cost of about $1280. This fuel estimates cover a little over 9800 miles; the Subaru had about 40 miles on the odometer when we bought it, and the last fill up was a few miles ago. So, the mileage so far breaks down to an average of 22.9 MPG, a maximum of 28.9 MPG and a minimum of 19.6 MPG. The price of a gallon of gasoline during this period ranged from $2.60 (on the first tank) to $3.26 (last month) with an average of $2.97. Need more?

Other operating costs: The Subaru required no repairs, so that would be a big $0. Maintenance costs were $72.50. This is a little high because I flushed the tranny and differential oil after a stream crossing; two oil changes were done, one free from the dealer and one I did for $18. Other than that, I’ve added a rear differential skid plate ($62) and swapped the rear sway bar and front springs for OE WRX parts ($102).

The 10,000 mile mark was achieved shortly after a ride at Schaeffer (an 8.3 mile, 50 minute, 10.3 MPH average speed ride, since we’re counting). To celebrate I stopped under the Chicken and Subaru sign off of 355 in Rockville. I can’t comment on the chicken (I’m a vegetarian), but I can say that the Subarus are good.

Final thoughts: I’m very happy with the Impreza. I’m glad I didn’t buy the WRX, refer back to chart detailing the cost of gasoline, and I can’t really think of anything I would have done differently. I would like to see better mileage, but the seven minute commute to work doesn’t help. All of the occasions where the Impreza averaged over 25 MPG we mostly highway (most of those had a bike on the roof), and the remained of the tanks are mostly city. I’m taking the Subaru from Maryland to Colorado soon. One leg of the trip will be sans-bike, the rest will be two to four bikes on the roof/hitch rack. This should give a good indication of the highway mileage potential. I’ll post results sometime in June.