1984 Subaru Wagon 2wd GL review from North America

Well, unfortunately quite a bit.

Carburetor went bad; rebuilt with $82 dealer rebuild kit; kits only available from dealer.

Distributor now needs replacement due to badly worn bushing, a common problem.

Used availability is poor and new cost is very high.

Auto tranny shudders under acceleration.

Some minor wiring problems have come up.

Many underhood rubber and plastic parts are not of high quality, and have become brittle with age.

Rust is a serious problem for all Subarus of this vintage.

I've owned Several Subarus, which are very well suited to driving conditions in Colorado. They are excellent in snow, even 2wd models. The older models had more ground clearance than other cars, and 4x4 models had an honest-to-goodness dual-range transfer case. These features make the car a viable choice for back-country exploration, and they will go places normally only accessible in off-road vehicles.

The major mechanical components are capable of running reliably beyond 200k miles if well maintained.

This particular model, with the auto trans, is also a very nice cruiser, with good quiet ride, surprisingly decent handling, and amenities like power windows and a sunroof. A/C and heater are both powerful. General comfort is good; head and leg room is plentiful, though the seats are only average.

On the downside, service accessibility is horrible. Jobs that should be simple are often a nightmare on this car, so it is not ideal for the do-it-yourselfer. Subaru was also notorious for mixing and matching parts from different suppliers, and as a result parts availability can be dismal, whether new, used or aftermarket. For this reason, running costs are higher than they need to be.

Performance is also a weak point. With the auto, hills often require a shift to second gear and a speed of 40-45mph. Mileage is in the 20-30 range depending on use. Steering lacks feel but brakes are quite good.

Despite the negatives, an older Subaru is an excellent choice, if you can use its do-everything versatility, don't mind paying for professional servicing or a fairly high level of general quirkiness, and don't want the hassles and expense of a larger SUV-type vehicle.