1988 Subaru GL Wagon 1.8 from North America

Summary:

Very reliable and comfortable for a 15 year old car

Faults:

CV joints went bad at 100,000 miles.

Timing belt broke at 50,000 and 125,000 miles.

Starter motor replaced at 105,000 and 118,000 miles.

Brakes replaced at 60,000 and 120,000 miles.

Some of the trim inside the car has started to crack.

Front Fenders starting to rust.

The car has had an oil leak since 80,000 miles dealer said it would be $1700 (US) to fix so I've been adding about a quart of oil every month or so.

General Comments:

This car has been very reliable and is still running great now.

Excellent gas mileage (23 MPG) for a car this age.

Four wheel drive works great in the snow.

With the exception of the rust on the finish and the interior trim the finish of this car looks the same as it did when it was new.

My only complaint is terrible acceleration takes almost 20 sec to get to 60 mph when getting on the highway and if the A/C is on its even worse.

This car has been great I'd like to replace it with a new Impreza WRX soon, but we'll see, have had 3 Subarus and they have all been excellent cars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2003

1988 Subaru GL Wagon 1.8L. Fuel Injected from North America

Summary:

Good, economical, long distance traveling car

Faults:

I needed to replace a passenger side axel.

Transmission has a slight, correctable fluid leak.

Oil pressure indicator doesn't work.

Power locks stopped working.

Passenger side ball joint was replaced.

General Comments:

This car responds well to all road conditions.

Having four wheel drive has been a plus during snow.

Very strong to drive, I have driven it to New Orleans, Chicago and Rhode Island all from Philadelphia, PA.

Having a wagon was great for gear, such as mountain bikes and ski equipment.

This cars gets very good gas mileage when tuned up, and serviced.

Handles nice at higher speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2002

1988 Subaru GL Wagon from North America

Summary:

It's great for offroading

Faults:

Exhaust system fell off.

Radiator blown.

Fan broken.

Marker lights broken.

Windshield cracked, frame rusted.

No rear seat belts except the center.

One front driver's side brake (no other brakes).

Suspension shot.

Check engine light is always on.

General Comments:

If you need a good offroad vehicle, nothing beats a Subaru Wagon. Me and my friends have put it through a lot and it's still running fine, except for all the stuff I already mentioned. It can even knock over a tree.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th November, 2000

6th Apr 2001, 20:45

Hell yeah dude Subaru's rock. My friend and I used to offroad all the time and they never get stuck. rock on.

28th Aug 2002, 01:39

I was screwing around out on these old logging roads and found a steep grade with some ford 4x4 sky jacker types, since they had winches, I felt confident in really testing the sube, on the second try, I flew up the hill and almost caught air cresting it! The rednecks were astonished! Go Subaru!

30th Jul 2003, 21:45

1988 DL, Paid $300 for it and have put 60000 miles on it. Put timing belts and gas into it and that's all. Has 175000 miles on it and runs great.

21st Feb 2004, 14:50

I have to agree on the off road abilitys of the car. I have pulled down trees with it. I have loaded it with hundreds of pounds of firewood, were the wheels are almost rubbing and it still will pull itself up a steep muddy incline. I have a friend with a 4x4 bronco and I go anywhere he goes and it really ticks him off.

18th Oct 2004, 14:37

Well I must be brave, but I have a 2 wheel drive Subaru GL. I try to get it stuck, but I haven't succeeded yet. I park it in snow banks to check it's limitations. I have yet to find them.

28th Sep 2010, 13:49

I tear it up in my 88 Subie.