1988 Subaru DL Wagon 1.8 EFI from North America

Summary:

Subaru's are durable workhorses!

Faults:

Timing belt changed at 80,000 miles.

CV boots need repairs (not done yet)

Engine leaks oil since 85,000 miles.

Loses about a quart of oil every 300 miles.

Oil spots on driveway are annoying.

Needs a new muffler (not done yet)

General Comments:

Basic no frills car (only Auto & A/C that has served its purpose well.

Presently my commuter car, about 6K miles annually.

Get around 23 mpg on combined city/highway.

Bought the RH/passenger side outside mirror from the Subaru dealer when car was bought used. Just minutes to install.

Basic AM/FM radio still performs well.

Since no roof rack, added Yakima crossbars from my previous car for biking and canoing trips.

For a 16 y.o. car, it still runs and looks good in & out, no dents no rust, all original wheel covers.

Will be hard to say goodbye, since still in decent condition, may keep it anyway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th April, 2004

1986 Subaru DL Hatchback 1.9L unleaded from North America

Summary:

This would be the Energizer Bunny's Car

Faults:

I remembered something caused it to overheat. I think it was a faulty thermostat.

Driver's seatbelt was too loose. It was replaced.

Nothing else went wrong.

General Comments:

It went great in the snow. It laughed at the big expensive 4x4 SUVs stuck in the ditches.

It never broke down on us ever!

It got great gas mileage.

Too bad it was a 4-speed manual instead of a 5-speed.

The car never failed to start. It would always start on the first try, even on cold winter mornings.

Very few cars at this time had a faulty stop lamp warning light. Whenever I stepped on the brake, the "Stop lamp" light would come on if a stop lamp light was burned out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2003

1987 Subaru DL 1.2 from North America

Summary:

I wish they still built them this way

Faults:

I replaced the CV boots, Spark plug wires, front disc brake pads and had a general tune up at 32,00 miles when I bought the car.

The car needed new tires at about 45,000 miles.

Installed a new timing belt at 55,000 miles.

The car was given a tune up at 97,000 miles.

Installed a new timing belt at 105,000 miles.

At 132,000 miles the exhaust system, rear struts, front rotors and breaks had to be replaced.

General Comments:

I found an almost new set of front seats in a junk yard and replaced the original seats at 60,000 miles.

I have been delighted with this vehicle. I am now in the enviable position of having a great running car that just isn't worth much to anyone, but my self so it has taken on the roll of back up car for my wife's Subaru and my Land Cruiser.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2002

20th Jul 2004, 09:53

I have a 1987DL Hatchback and I think it is perhaps one of the best cars still running.

Like you, I have very little to complain about.

As long as you keep up a regular maintenance regimen, these cars last forever.

I have had the seats covered

The exhaust needed work at 130,000 miles

The radiator needed replaced at 150,000 miles

The wheels needed replacing at 156,000 miles

I love my car, but my fiance says it's too old and ugly. However, his car (a 2000 VW 1.8T) is constantly in and out of the dealer's shop for recalls.

So, all I can say is, old Subaru's are more dependable than faulty in my opinion. :) I cannot wait to buy another and newer model... if this one ever dies that is.

1980 Subaru DL 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A reliable car for a reliable person

Faults:

Changed the piston rings at 195000 km.

Changed CV joints (both) at 210000 km.

Changed the master brake cylinder at 250000 km.

The doors are very rusty, however the rest of the body is not.

Mechanics charge more than for a more common car (in Australia, anyway).

General Comments:

The car is very reliable, even driving continuously 12 hours (with stops for petrol).

Can tow a large / heavy load with no problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th August, 2001