I just returned from a 6000mile road trip driving my Outback (5-speed)with, now, 207k miles on the odometer. What gas mileage have you guys been experiencing while cruising at 75mph oh the highway (approx 3500rpm)? I've been getting from 20-24mpg, but if I go 65mph I will get 27. Something fishy is going on. I've also driven a '00 2.5RS and noticed that the engine feels 2x as powerful as the SOHC version in my car. I'm thinking that I may have lower compression due to 200k miles of wear and tear. Using that premise, I hypothesize that under load I may be experiencing some creeping past the rings under load. But I may be wrong.
I've replaced the spark plugs and plug wires, verified the throttle body is clean, and air filter. Could a failing coil pack(s) reduce gas mileage to SUV levels? Or am I expecting too much out of this station wagon?

 

Not sure there's anything wrong. I get 19-22 in mixed driving, and max out at about 23-24 if I'm really taking it easy on a road trip, but I've got an auto. I'm spinning closer to 3k at 75mph, though.

170k on mine, burning some oil, so I'm sure I'm losing some compression pas the rings too, but hey