Lost the timing belts at 240,000 miles. Since I bought the car with high mileage, I suspect that this wasn't the first time they were changed.
All oil seals around that cam and crank shafts leaked from time of purchase until they were repaired at 240,000 miles.
Four wheel drive no longer engages.
The body is rusting in several locations.
The front-end wheel bearings seem to last only 30,000 miles before they need to be replaced.
The vehicles computer failed at 210,000 miles.
The boots on the Constant Velocity (CV) joints are torn.
The main pulley off the crank-shaft that powers the alternator, power steering, etc. fell off at 283,800 miles.
Can't get the smell of dog out of it.
This vehicle refuses to die.
The Boxer style engine is indistructable and extremely easy to work on. The opposable cylinders maintain compression even after a couple of hundred thousand miles.
Removing the engine to replace the leaking oil seals was simple.
Most problems associated with this specific vehicle were due to its age, high mileage, and lack of maintenance.
Very good snow car with or without the 4 wheel drive option.
This car took unimaginable punishment and continues run.
My sentiments (for my '88 DL, 220,000 miles) exactly. I bought an '05 Forester for the convenience and safety of some newer features, with a baby on the way and all. But somehow I haven't managed to get rid of the old workhorse just yet. After driving it for 12 years (I bought it in '92), you'd think I'd at least be tired of it by now.
It sounds like you have my old wagon!!!
I got rid of mine after I pulled away from a stoplight and the groceries were falling out on the road through the HUGE rust holes in the back over the wheel wells!!!
But what is that SMELL??? I had a FUNKY odor in mine for the last 3 or 4 years --STRONG-- like a wet dirty dog (which I never had).
The car sat for about a year when the timing belt broke, and after sitting --closed up-- it had that smell forever. I tried everything - bags of charcoal (to absorb the oder), various deodorizers, just bunches of stuff AND STILL STANK ---- BAD!!!
Anyhow, even old stinky rust-bucket was STILL RUNNING STRONG when I let her go for 50 bucks - what a car!!! (what a smell!!!)
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