1989 Subaru Justy GL II 4X4 1.2 from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Fast, reliable and tough
Faults:
I had to adjust the tick-over as the previous owner had neglected to service the engine very often.
Slight wear on the rear seating.
General Comments:
A very swift ride, have only done a few hundred miles so far, but enjoyed the excellent road traction the vehicle has displayed.
The 4X4 feature is useful, given that I live in a rural area. Have found no problem with the transmission in either 4X4 or 2WD modes.
After adjusting the engine's tick-over, she ran like a charm. I would say that the Justy is a smooth, reliable car with plenty of power under the bonnet. It's surprising the velocity you can pick up given that this engine only has 3 cylinders.
Overall I recommend this car to people who live in rural, country areas for it's work-horse charm and excellent maneuverability (just perfect for slim winding lanes.)
Not so hot for motorway use, despite it's powerful nature the car is still preferred for countryside usage, although I'd recommend it over a Fiesta or Clio.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th February, 2003
14th Aug 2003, 09:01
I have owned four Subaru Justy's, two '87's, an '88, and a '89. One of the '87's was a 4wd, the others were all 2wd. These were not popular cars in America as most purchasers did not understand how to drive them. I agree with Steven that their best use, and real charm is in a rural setting where speeds do not exceed 60mph. Beyond that point, their braking capability diminishes greatly, and their short wheel base gives very twitchy handling characteristics. In Japan, these were known as "K" cars as they met a certain set of Govt. insurance requirements based on their various dimensions. Utilized within that format, these are really excellent cars, and built to a much higher quality than might be expected in a micro car. In my town, Fredericksburg Virginia, there are only three Justys still running, and parts are a problem as there are only six Justys in salvage yards in a four county area. Pity. The carburetted versions never idled smoothly, and the injected versions never ran right. Still, the Justy series were very tough cars that demanded little, and took a lot.