1989 Subaru GL Touring Wagon 4WD review from Australia and New Zealand

50,000 kilometers, hole in radiator, $1600 Australian dollars from Subaru Dealer to get repaired.

125,000 kilometers, CV joint was making noise, had to be replaces (Not with Subaru dealer, fed up with prices)

This is where the major problems have started with the car.

245,000 kilometers, oil leak in the car has become apparent from the steering, got that fixed $1345.

260,000 kilometers, timing belt blew 2 minutes from home after doing 600kms that day straight, $300.

312,000 kilometers, the automatic transmission blew, when starting off from lights one morning $2750.

315,000 kilometers, a rear oil seal leaking, not spending the money to get it fixed could be up to $2000.

333,000 kilometers oil leaking a few drops per day, mechanic said to use thinner oil because carbon was clogging up holes in the engine, still leaking, I put stop leak thickener in to stem problem, some success.

This car has been a great car however the problems have been very expensive to fix. I would love another Subaru, maybe and Outback H6 however at $43,000 it very expensive.

The car has enough power to get around town and on the highway it also very quick, however not a rocket.

Fuel consumption is respectable with it 60 liter tank doing about 500 to 600 kilometers.

However if you open it up on the highway and do 110 kilometers it registers 3750 to 4000 on the rev meter and the fuel is chew away very quickly.

The car is very comfortable it seat 4 Adults with ease and 5 with a little bit of a squeeze.

It is a tough car that can be put along a dirt track to your favorite fishing spot, just don't try it with real 4WD terrain.

The only quibble we have had is with the Dealer; their service was excellent, as it should be for their prices!

However the prices could not be justified, when we left Subaru they were charging $90AUD an hour for an apprentice mechanic. We simply had enough. We went to our own mechanic.

For 13 and 1/2 years this car has a very good innings.