1984 Subaru GL GL10 Turbo 1.8Turbo from North America
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
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.
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...
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.