1983 Subaru Sherpa Deluxe review from Australia and New Zealand
"A car that the oil company's hate"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I bought the car with a broken down engine. The previous owner some how dropped a nut into the combustion chamber. So my uncle got another engine and gearbox and literally picked up the engine and gearbox and put it in.
The second problem was rust in the rain drain below the windscreen and water getting and on to the drivers feet.
The final problem is hubs they aren't strong enough I have replaced the front hubs about 4 times.
General comments?
These little cars for the size of the engine go brilliant and are very very easy to work on. I read in a magazine that the Japanese Sherpa's also got a supercharger and fuel injection and produce 41kw. Anyone after one talk to an importer and order a gear box, CV joint's and hubs.
I had my Sherpa off the clock going down hill. It would have been doing about 145-150km/h. only 110km/h to slow.
The best L/100km I got was 3L/100km and that is awesome economy by using synthetic 10W/30 oil and running a performance air filter.
Recommended Reviews:
  | 1984 - Sherpa Deluxe 0.65 petrol 2 cylinder An incredibly cheap, comfortable, reliable and cute car |
| Cheapest car to run with space to burn |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 655cc Manual |
| Performance marks | 10/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 125500 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 175611 kilometres |
| Previous car | Mazda 323 |
| Date of Entry | 16th March, 2003 |