1984 Subaru GL 4x4 1.8 from North America
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
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?
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?