1998 Ford Contour vs. 1996 Subaru Legacy

To start off, 1998 Ford Contour is newer by 2 year(s). Which means there will be less support and parts availability for 1996 Subaru Legacy. In addition, the cost of maintenance, including insurance, on 1996 Subaru Legacy would be higher. At 2,544 cc (6 cylinders), 1998 Ford Contour is equipped with a bigger engine. In terms of performance, 1998 Ford Contour (195 HP) has 40 more horse power than 1996 Subaru Legacy. (155 HP). In normal driving conditions, 1998 Ford Contour should accelerate faster than 1996 Subaru Legacy. With that said, vehicle weight also plays an important factor in acceleration. 1998 Ford Contour weights approximately 1 kg more than 1996 Subaru Legacy. So despite on having greater horse power, its additional weight may have an impact towards its acceleration in comparison.

Because 1996 Subaru Legacy is four wheel drive (4WD), it will have significant more traction and grip than 1998 Ford Contour. In wet, icy, snow, or gravel driving conditions, 1996 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, 1998 Ford Contour (224 Nm) has 14 more torque (in Nm) than 1996 Subaru Legacy. (210 Nm). This means 1998 Ford Contour will have an easier job in driving up hills or pulling heavy equipment than 1996 Subaru Legacy. 1996 Subaru Legacy has automatic transmission and 1998 Ford Contour has manual transmission. 1998 Ford Contour will offer better control over acceleration and deceleration in addition to better fuel efficiency overall. 1996 Subaru Legacy will be easier to drive especially in heavy traffic.

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