Comments: 1-15, 16
Front half-shafts and bearings... the only thing wrong with the car that I can see. Everybody I know has had to replace them at least once. I've already replaced one side twice, although that may have been a bad installation on the first go around.
One of the best cars I've ever owned. I bought it with 101k miles and immediately drove it from North Carolina to Los Angeles, CA and back with no problems. I've been driving it regularly since then, and it's still going strong.
Half-shafts always go quick on these because of their insanely sharp steering (wears them out quicker). I had this same car for several years until I was t-boned by a maniac in a Full size ford. The car took a big hit, and had a whole lot less damage than anyone would have thought. They are nice, heavy steel cars, and very safe in accidents. I upgraded to a 93 wagon when this one died, which has been perfectly reliable for several years now.
I love my 87 Subaru! Great car, still fun to drive, excellent visibility. Mine now has over 300K miles and although I had to put in a new engine a couple of years ago, overall it is still low maintenance and runs well. I plan to keep this car forever, partly because the trade-in or resale value would be very low and partly because I can always use it as a backup vehicle.
I bought an 86 Subaru Gl sedan in 2001 for $100. It has been a great car to drive the 300 miles a week that I drive. It just died today with 200,000+ miles on it I have put 80,000 on it since I bought it. I am in the middle of getting another 86 Gl-10 running that I paid $50 for to save it from the crusher.
I just bought my grandmas 87 GL wagon from her for 400 bucks. she drove it several times from northern Washington to California and Mexico, and also Ohio, the four-wheel drive still works excellent and the 220,000 miles on the motor haven't seemed to affect it's performance at all, the only problems I have with it seem to be the CV-Joints, but my grandma told me that she has replaced them twice and I am ding them a third time. other than that it is an excellent car just to drive or have a little fun in ;)
I bought a 87 subaru 4 wheeldrive for $700 and it had 296,000 original miles on it, but the poor little guy died on me at 306,000. damn those things go anywhere it kept up in the snow with a 87 ford 150 with 31s. If you want somthing that lasts long and can go anywhere get a subaru, I'm looking for another one right now.
I have an 86 GL hatchback and all of you are right. They go everywhere; snow isn't an issue and neither are Kelly Humps (until a CV joint went after jumping about 20 but we still made it home). And that's the only problem I've ever had with it, even when a school bus hit the left front fender. All that happened, besides very minimal body damage, was it got knocked out of alignment. 284,000 miles through Hell and back and it is still running strong. AWESOME CAR!
I bought my 89 wagon for $1250.00 Canadian funds in 2006. It has 250,000kms.
I welcome the snow - driving in the snow feels like driving any other car in the dry.
A bit noisy (I may need to have the exhaust looked at).
I've had the CV and wheel bearings replaced, but that's all the drama I've had with the wagon.
Climate control works very well.
I'm 6'0 and there is more than enough leg room.
My girlfriend hates the rusty front fenders. The rest of the car is totally rust free.
The Subaru wagon 4X4 is up there with the Honda Civic for value.
I bought a 1987 GL Dual Range wagon in OCT 2006 after surviving a hit and run in a Loyale (it totaled). Like a mini-monster truck to drive. Stiff suspension, carburated. Fantastic fuel mileage (30s and 40s). 104k miles for 500 bucks.
Looking forward to the snow and ice, where my memories of my previous old Subarus will always deem it legendary. I finally realized how extraordinary these old Subarus are after they were gone.
Replaced bad axles as usual, I gave it what it needed cheaply. Replaced 20 year old body panels and welded what I always wanted to. The car doesn't creak and moan or pop over bad roads or hard turns like I remember the older carbed versions do. They are a nice car once simply learned.
The stiff tall suspension allows me to spot this model a mile or more away!
I bought my 1987 Subaru GL for 600. I've put in about $300 for the timing belt, but other than that, the car runs great. Real reliable and heavy. Has 255,000 miles and it runs without stalling or any problems.
Purchased my 1987 Subaru Wagon GL, back in October with 112,000 miles on it. Had been sitting in a yard for 4 years without ever being started or moved. Popped of the air intake cover, dumped some fresh fuel in it and a battery, and it fired right up. Drove it home, about 7 miles and spent the last few months fine tuning and going through the whole car. The woman wanted $1200, I got it for $350. Awesome car, great shape, and I am looking for another one now.
I have a 1987 Subaru wagon four wheel drive and it is my first car. My parents bought it when I was born, and it now has three hundred thousand miles on it and it's strong running. It's a beast in mud and snow, and the Subaru is also very fun to take to rally events.
And with my custom exhaust, it sounds just like the new subies, if not better. It's the best car I have ever been around!!!
I have a '87 dual range turbo 5 speed. I moved to Washington where it snows a lot. I found this GL (for 600 bucks) with 200K on it. I have a 150 foot ice and snow covered driveway that this car just eats up. I love it.
In June this year I bought a 87 Subaru GL-10 turbo 4 wheel drive for 1000 bucks with 240k miles. I 4 wheeled it about everyday for 5 or 6 months, just beating the crap out of it.
When I bought it after 15 miles down the freeway, it would overheat, then after taking out the thermostat it was working perfect.
So 6 months go by and the steering was going out then the clutch was going out. So I buffed out all the scratches and sold for 1100 bucks. And am now getting another one for Christmas. I love subys.
Me and my friend found a 86 Subaru GL Wagon at this shop that we work at. The guy gave it to us for free because they couldn't find the title. When we got it running we drove it everyday, put about 100 bucks into it.
After a few months we found this abandoned house and there was hundreds of acres of woods behind it. So we cut the fence and got it through fallen down trees bushes everywhere. Made trails leading to other pieces of property and went wheeling every day. Loading about 10-12 friends in the back.
After a while we wanted a project and decided to cut the top off and made it a truck. Mounted the gas tank in the back, ripped the dash off, mounted the radiator where the spare tire goes over the motor after hitting a tree. We had 17 people in it after that, and nothing has broke on it since.
Where do you find these awesome cars? WE WANT ONE.