1989 Lotus Esprit vs. 1997 Subaru Legacy

To start off, 1997 Subaru Legacy is newer by 8 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1989 Lotus Esprit. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1989 Lotus Esprit would be higher. At 2,172 cc (4 cylinders), 1989 Lotus Esprit is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1989 Lotus Esprit (264 HP @ 6500 RPM) has 150 more horse power than 1997 Subaru Legacy. (114 HP @ 5600 RPM). In normal driving conditions, 1989 Lotus Esprit should accelerate faster than 1997 Subaru Legacy. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1997 Subaru Legacy weights approximately 21 kg more than 1989 Lotus Esprit.

Because 1997 Subaru Legacy is four wheel drive (4WD), it will have significant more traction and grip than 1989 Lotus Esprit. In wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1997 Subaru Legacy will offer significantly more control. With that said, do keep in mind that many other factors such as speed and the wear on your tires can also have significant impact on traction and control. Let's talk about torque, 1989 Lotus Esprit (353 Nm @ 3900 RPM) has 183 more torque (in Nm) than 1997 Subaru Legacy. (170 Nm @ 4400 RPM). This means 1989 Lotus Esprit will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1997 Subaru Legacy.

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