1992 Subaru Loyale 2.3 from North America

Summary:

I can't believe they stopped making them, it was an extremely reliable car

Faults:

Nothing major when I owned it.

General Comments:

I first had an automatic Loyale, this seemed underpowered so in 1992 I traded it in for a manual and I liked this much more.

It handles like a sports car.

Extremely roomy interior.

Stores like a small truck.

The dash was all right there for you, the radio controls were easily acessible.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th June, 2005

1992 Subaru Loyale 4wd from North America

Summary:

She was a great car to drive, but expensive to fix.

Faults:

I had valve problems. The hydraulic valve lifters kept failing, which made the engine clatter noisily and consume a lot more fuel than necessary.

They were extremely expensive to fix ($400 each, and I replaced 4 of them), but I was away from home and needed the car to get back.

The radiator went at 160000, but I think this is pretty normal.

The big thing was rust. I live on the east coast, and the suspension mounts had rusted clean through before the car even had 180,000km. No passing the safety inspection for my Subey.

General Comments:

Other than the rust and the valve lifters, I absolutely loved the car. I would happily buy another one if I could find one in good shape.

It was an absolute pleasure to drive, and though it looked like a box, it cornered like a proper sports car. The inside is massive, and with the seats down you can haul as much as a compact pickup.

Acceleration was really good, and you always had plenty of pep on the highway. People that complain that these are gutless usually drove an automatic. What do you expect?

The car tracked very well on snowy highways, even while in 2 wheel drive. In four, it was good for deep snowy tracks.

And with all the problems, it never once left me stranded. More than I can say for any other vehicle I've owned.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th April, 2005

12th Apr 2007, 18:03

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Subey. It has 236,000 miles on it & still runs like a champ. It is one of the best cars ever in the snow. This car is as dependable as my Toyota's & I don't say that lightly, it really is. If I can find another one for a good price I will deffinately consider buying it!!

1992 Subaru Loyale 4wd wagon EA 82. 1.8L TBI from North America

Summary:

This car has lasted 275k abusive miles

Faults:

Clutch at 263k miles.

Timing belts.

Water pump leaks.

02 sensor.

Stained and dented from many years of abuse.

General Comments:

The 4 wheel drive system will get you out of a lot of situations.

It is ugly enough to not care about dents and scratches.

It has a cavernous cargo area once the seats are folded down.

The fuel economy is excellent considering how many miles it has on it and my lead foot.

This is a great car for a poor college kid who is mechanically inclined enough to do some minor repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2005

16th Aug 2005, 23:56

Couldn't have said it better.

1992 Subaru Loyale 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Like the car, great 4wd, pricey to fix

Faults:

Both front axles.

Rear brakes, wheel cylinders, master cylinder.

Front brakes.

Front wheel bearings (both sides)

Gas tank rusted out and needed replaced.

Timing belt.

Alternator.

4 tires.

Fuel pump.

Heater is miserable - blows cold air unless the air temp. is above 20 degrees F.

General Comments:

Let me start off by saying I like the car (a wagon) and the 4 wheel drive is fantastic.

I always change the filter and fluids at the specified intervals, rarely concern myself with where I drive it and rarer still actually wash the thing.

It drags me my boat, dogs, friends and all my stuff around without any problem--EXCEPT it has No Power whatsoever.

The radio sucks, the heater in the winter, (I live in the Midwest) is almost painful to put up with it is so cold inside the car. This can also be kinda dangerous if I am unable to see through the window due to all of the ice and blowing snow.

When it runs its great which in all honesty is most of the time. The main problem is whenever anything breaks it is usually very pricey to have repaired. I have put about a 1000 dollars a year into a car I paid 1800 dollars for. Sometimes I feel like an idiot when I tell the mechanic to go ahead and do the work.

If it had another 50 horsepower and could run for 6 months without something breaking I would have a great car. I should replace it, but I keep telling myself that the 1000 bucks I put in the thing every year would only pay for the sales tax on a newer vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2005

31st May 2011, 05:39

There is no reason to be paying 1000 a year for repairs.

If you can sew, if you can cook, if you can change a tire? Then you can do the simple fixes on Subarus.

A clutch job may be too much for many, even the easy Subaru "timing belt-water pump job" may be too much trouble for many... but Subaru designed it so most all other repairs are simple and easy...

Please... all you young drivers... please... learn to do things like brakes (not breaks) and timing belt (if you are up to it... it's easier than you may ever imagine) all the rest of normal repairs are a piece of cake!... Seriously!... It's NOT a big job on a Subaru to do the alternator or starter or a valve cover gasket, and even a fuel pump is very easy... (And the vastly more important fuel filter every 2-3 year is honestly a 2 min job!).

Paying for things like this is nonsense.

Can you change a flat? Then you can keep your Subi running for the price of parts.

And if you are really lacking funds, get the parts at a u-pull-it salvage yard. It's soooooo cheap and... it's fun on a Subaru to fix the simple stuff... and most things on the SOHC Subarus are in fact easy...