1988 Subaru Wagon Reviews

Usual wear and tear - belts/tires.. etc.

This is the best car! I call it Scooby Subuy! Very tough/long lasting; just a great car that will run forever! I see lots still out around the same year... 1988!

When I bought the wagon, it ran well enough to transport. I brought it home and began to read about the breed and gather parts. I bought another Subaru, a 1988 RX Turbo, as a donor car. I later found that the two models shared fewer parts than I had hoped, so it donated little.

The GL leaked some oil and coolant. The carburetor needed some attention as well; it idled high and roughly. I bought a repair manual and set to work. My plan is to disassemble the engine to the block, replace gaskets and reassemble the engine. I currently have the heads removed and am in the process of cleaning up the surfaces.

I hope to have the engine reassembled and running this winter (2008/2009), inspected and on the road by spring.

The body is in almost perfect shape for the age. I felt obligated to bring it back to life.

Normal wear and tear for brakes, battery, and tires.

Replaced alternator and serviced air conditioning after 19 years.

Replaced c-v joints at 90,000 miles.

Replaced front-end bushings at 135,000 miles.

Have replaced a few exhaust systems over time.

Timing belt and water pumps at 60,000 mile intervals.

Rust has taken over at the rear quarter panels and hood leading edge.

We purchased the Subaru DL wagon with automatic transmission and air conditioning in 1988 for $10,100 as we were expecting our second child and had to replace one of our two two door coupes.

The car was spartan, with a rougher, noisy ride, but was also reliable and low cost to drive and maintain.

This has been a great family car that we have passed on throughout the family over the years. I am finally at the point of letting go due to the extensive body work that will be required to keep it on the road. 140,000 miles with an engine that is no where near ready to quit, but leaks oil.

I would buy another new if I could.

Most problems have been due to neglect (I ride motorcycles most of the time). Battery has gone dead from sitting too long, exhaust system rusted out.

Not terribly exciting to drive, but as reliable a car as I've ever owned. Best "foul-weather" vehicle I've ever owned as well.