1984 Subaru GL GL10 Turbo 1.8Turbo

Summary:

I gave this car high marks because so far it has not left me stranded

Faults:

The Air flow meter (to the electronic fuel injection) started to fail, it would still run, but sound like it was being choked.

With the extreme turning radius this car has it's no wonder it blows out CV joints. With the new set installed I don't accelerate hard when making sharp turns.

The 3 speed auto trans sometimes tends to slip in first or stay stuck in second. The trick is to let it run a minute then put it in gear. The last time it stayed stuck in gear, I added some synthetic ATF and drag raced it a couple of times. That has seemed to remedy the problem for now.

General Comments:

The 4 wheel drive works great, you just press a button when you want it on or off on the go. It has a stable front end with decent handling and good ground clearance. Even though the brakes are not all that great, I upgraded them to semi-metallic pads (front) which helped a lot.

This model is the 4 door wagon, with the giant Subaru logo on the bottom of the doors along with the word Turbo and 4 WD. By today's standards it looks kind of silly being on a wagon. There's tons of room with the back seats folded down, I've been out camping and can stretch out easily in the back.

Even though this is the turbo engine, the turbo seems to work whenever it wants to, sometimes it will show that it is boosting other times it will just stay in the negative. It really doesn't affect how the engine runs. Other things to point out are the oil leaks, and not so great gas mileage. On a plus side there are no timing belts on this year model (84), which saves on this maintenance item.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th October, 2004

18th Oct 2004, 14:29

I have read a technical service buliten on this particular model it is normal to delay shifting when the engine is cold.

24th Oct 2007, 13:10

I have a 1984 Subaru Turbo for sale... it is a really sweet little car with less than 50,000 miles, electric windows, cruise control, moon roof, digital dash, automatic, 4-wheel drive, and more options than I can remember.

We bought the car for my 17 year old son from an older woman who idolized the car, there are lots of new parts...tires, muffler, tailpipe, CV boots and more.

Because it sat so much the oil pick up tube screen clogged causing a broken connection rod... basically it will need a new engine. The garage where we took it has located another motor with less than 50,000 miles on it.

My problem is I don't have the money to put the engine in it so I think our best option is to sell it AS IS.

If you are interested in this car please feel free to email me at nickirow@aol.com or call 301-733-3706 and ask for Nicole Row. Serious inquiries only please.

Thanks.

In reply to 24th Oct 2007, 13:10

23rd Jul 2012, 21:35

It wasn't the oil pickup. Your son didn't check the oil. It ran out, the oil light came on, but he kept driving it.

Ask me how I know, but that's what teenagers do with their 1st cars.

BTW.. not a good idea giving a young driver a car with a turbo. It will kill them. Breaking it was the best thing that ever happened to your family. It no doubt saved his life.

Turbos are not safe in the hands of a young driver. Ask me how I know...

1984 Subaru GL 4x4 1.8

Summary:

The ultimate go anywhere cheapy car

Faults:

Clutch cable needed to be replaced yearly.

Have done the brakes front and rear 3 times.

Fuel pump seized.

Carburator had to be rebuilt.

Front CV joints needed replacing at 175000km.

Driver's seat is tearing at 195000km.

General Comments:

Basically it looks like I had a lot done to it, but it's been 8 years and this car has never let me down.

Great on gas, about 25 - 30 MPG.

4x4 always works on the fly.

Leans a lot in cornering so I got adjustable gas shocks and stiffer springs, now it drives like my old Porsche 944 (well maybe not quite that good).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th May, 2001

24th Sep 2001, 22:10

My front CV joints also went and were replaced. Now after a year of them being replaced, my outer boot has split, and axle grease has been leaking out. The car makes a clicking when I turn to the left.

My question is, if I should replace only the boot on the right side (that's the one that's split), or if I should replace the whole CV shaft on the right, or if I should replace the CV shafts on both sides?

29th Mar 2003, 11:38

Dear fellow Subaru owner:

Only replace the axle shaft if has indeed gone bad, and don't buy re-manufactured axle shafts for your '84. I've had to trade in my joints three times until I gave up and bought the new ones. Generally the inboard boots on the re-mans kept bursting... good luck.

12th Dec 2003, 16:19

I have a Subaru GL wagon (1984) with 4-wheel drive with 130 K. I bought the car in 1987 for $6000 with 36,000 miles on her. She is a marvelous vehicle. I just laugh all the way to the bank when my friends spend $20,000-$30,000 on cars.

Over 16 years, I have had to do remarkably little to her. The big things I can remember are: two oil pump replacements at about 60 K and at 110 K; radiator replacement at about 85K; some electronic gizmo that makes the engine fan run at about 85K; rear differential joints at about 70 K; both CV boots in the past two years; 3 sets of tires; two sets of brake pads and I just replaced the clutch.

These are wonderful little cars. I don't call anyone crazy for loving them!

6th Jun 2011, 14:30

I have one (1984 Subaru GL). I love this car. But I am driving myself crazy finding spare parts. I need the vapor canister, can somebody help?