1997 Subaru Vivio LE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Just a side light not working.

A chugging while driving along, as though it had dirt in the carburettor.

Radio not working.

A really reliable little marvel, I have fallen in love with it, and would be prepared to go any distance to get the parts for it.

It is loud as others have said, but as for the suspension, it is as smooth as velvet in comparison with the previous car.

The chugging in the motor apparently could be something to do with an electric sensor on the fuel air mix, (according to mechanic), and the part new costs 75, but I am hoping to get it from a dismantlers.

Since buying it, I have seen 5 of them in the last month, which is quite a lot considering none of them are younger than 97.

Since writing the review, I have discovered the car was in need of servicing, found another one to replace the broken side light, have yet to replace the window which had been broken sometime and perspex put in its place, and the sparks and leads needed replacing, so probably does the oil and air filter. it is going great at the moment, fingers crossed. long may she continue!

I would just like to say that although the Subaru Vivio is an economical, easy to park Japanese hatchback, I would not buy a Subaru again. That person who had a Suzuki Alto has not moved up in the world by purchasing a Vivio. If anything they have moved down. The Vivio's parts a damn near impossible to find, and when you do find them, they are ridiculously overpriced. I am also experiencing the rattling bookshelf, and dodgy radio. Those issues are odd ones.

The chugging engine is strange, but myself and a mechanic came to the conclusion that the car is simply sensitive when it comes to the petrol in the tank. I have owned it for 10 years and wonder where all the others are, I have only seen about 8 in that time, most of them 1992.

There are few on the road now because Subaru sold tiny quantities of them in the UK, they were hardly even advertised. Most people who wanted a small 4x4 went for the larger, faster Justy, the Vivio being designed as a "kei" car for Japanese roads. (tiny dimensions with an engine under 660cc for cheap tax) I'd like one, what sort of MPG do they get? how fast?