1986 Subaru Wagon GLF 4WD wagon from Germany - Comments

Bought it as a NAIL!

Exhaust rotten - replaced with a used one.

Drive-shaft shot - replaced with used.

Interior stank - despite cleaning it still stinks.

Totally neglected by a previous owner - TLC has rescued it.

I wanted a Scooby to replace my thirsty 4WD pickup, and paid $100 for it - it was a heap, but the substance was good. Spent a month fixing it, and love it more every day, although it's a bit gutless for an 1800. Fuel economy is also questionable, about 25MPG. Serious load carrier, and dependable in all weathers including 2 ft of snow.

I have a 1986 Subaru 1800 GL HB 1781cc with Hitachi carb. I bought it as a basket case out of a backyard for $300.

I am assuming that yours is a carburetted 1800cc too. As for fuel economy: The pollution controls get blocked up and fail. Strip ALL of the pollution crap off of it (it would cost hundreds to replace). Plug every vacuum port with a properly fitting cap (available from any parts store). The only things left should be the PCV and exhaust system after burn air supply connected to the air filter unit and the vacuum hoses to the distributor advance, and the dash controls.

With this configuration I get close to 40MPG on the highway, and power I can barely control in 1st gear (I can smoke the tires).

A tank of gas lasts over 400 miles. This is cruising at 70MPH. This car has 100,000+ miles on it and no internal engine modifications, but a huge amount of maintenance and every little thing fixed and replaced.

Keep it clean and replace and service as per the manual (I changed the manual transmission fluid, most people do not even know there is such a thing) and this car will go 250,000 miles and could still be rebuilt.

The factory radio sucks though.

I have owned Subaru GL Wagons both 1983 and 1985. 4WD Manual. I loved both of them and wish I had kept them. The 1983 transmission went out and I couldn't afford to repair at the time. Bought the 1985 from private owner and kept for 4 yrs and 200,000 miles. Hauled everything including 6 teenage boys to skateparks! Just loved both of them. I can't find one now and had to settle for another import. But I will keep looking!!

I fitted a 2 barrel WEBER carb to my 84 4wd with 1800 motor 12 years and 100000 klms ago and have never since adjusted even the mixture! It immediately added around 20% extra power!

Bought a 1987 GL wagon 4wd on the fly, 1800 cc manual transmission at the end of the model year. I got a screaming deal, 11800 for the vehicle, all options, new with 11 miles on it, last on the lot, included a 100000 miles extended warranty with that price. I've had it since, 17 years now, 236,000+ miles, 5 sets of timing belts (3 broke and stranded me, thank goodness for AAA and my wallet, 250 USD per fix), last set of timing wheels imploded, the bearings went, original at 220K. Main seal is leaking a bit, no engine rebuilds yet, exhaust if finally dead, going to just remove as per another comment. I get about 21-25 MPH, looking forward to the speculative 40, would be FANTASTIC to get that kinda mileage. I live in a rural area, so no emissions requirement :) Been from Mexico to Canada, East and West Coasts, toured the US many times in it, do long trips (700+ miles at a time one way), hauled bicycles, friends, slept in it for 7 years off and on traveling and more. It alone has saved me 20,000 USD in hotel and housing costs. I have put in maybe 10-12K USD for maintainence after the 100K warranty expired, and well worth it all. Just about the best decision vehicle wise I have ever made. Lately some rust showing in wheel wells, but other than that, well maintained and going strong, knock on wood.

01/02/04.