1984 Subaru GL -10 review from North America
"The only thing reliable about this car is that the next month there will be something else to fix"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Well, what can I say. This car has been nothing, but a headache and a money pit.
Nov 18th (210,000km) -bought car.
Dec (212,000km) -Car would not accelerate and lost power going up hills. Losing antifreeze, gaining oil??? Replaced transmission modulator chip. ($600)
Jan (214,000km) -Dead of winter, car takes 1/2hr to warm up and if you let it go for 31min. coolant spills out everywhere. There's no overflow tank for coolant. Neither cooling fan is working. I, concocted a pop bottle to use as a overflow bottle and then replaced both fans. ($450). Driver's side window will no longer roll down, didn't fix that-instead I just go through drive-thrus back wards.
Feb (216,000km) -Car will not keep heat and stalls at every red light or when I turn a corner. Figured out I must keep RPMs up at all times and make sure I have 3 bars of heat before moving it. Placed cardboard in the front grille to try to keep heat. Also, radio will not switch stations sometimes.
Mar (218,000km) - Fan belts blew. Brand new from Jan. ($150)
Apr (221,000km) - Car starts smoking out of hood. My oil leak has now become the river Nile flowing down my drive way. Replaced all seals and head gasket. ($1500)
May (224,000km) - Radio is completely in-operable and stuck on a country station.
June (228,000km) - A distinct squealing coming from my back end. Brakes, boots, shocks, etc. (I can't even remember it all) replaced for all four tires. ($1100)
July (231,000km) - I can hear a clunking in my back end ever time I step on the brakes when backing up, I think to myself "self, I'll fix it next month".
Which takes me to now...
Aug (235,000km) - Car is sitting in my drive way and not about to move anytime soon. The CV joint on the drivers right front side has cracked completely and I can only make left handed turns. Cost for this repair... $1000. I can't justify this hunk of junk anymore. Yesterday I went and bought myself a new vehicle. It's called a bus pass.
General comments?
This is a very expensive and time consuming car to fix, all parts must be brought in.
Unreliable.
Good on gas, when you can afford it after all the repairs you've got done.
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| I gave this car high marks because so far it has not left me stranded |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 1984 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 2/10 |
| Reliability marks | 0/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 210000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 235000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 20th August, 2005 |