1990 Subaru GL 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Noisy, slow, but a little tank!

Faults:

Nothing so far, touch wood. I've only done 7000km, so its early days yet.

The engine gives out strange noises, but apparently that's typical of this model.

One of the CV joints will probably need replacement because there is always a knocking sound whenever I do left hand turns.

General Comments:

This is my first car, and so far I have had no troubles at all.

Very smooth to drive and it takes corners well.

Lots of room in the back, in fact I've already purchased a mattress for the back, which is highly recommended for anyone with a station wagon.

Fuel economy is average, providing you drive it the way it likes to be driven. City driving is about 10km/liter, and freeway driving is about 11km/liter. That could be better for a 1.8l engine.

It doesn't have much grunt, but I can see it has a big heart and will go the distance.

My mate has one of these cars, and has driven it from 220000 to 300000 without many troubles. There was plenty of road trips in that car with a lot of 4W Driving. There's not many places these cars can't go.

I'm hoping mine, which I purchased quite young (166000km), will do the same.

For anyone that likes a bed on wheels and a road trip vehicle rolled into one, this is the car for you. Just don't expect to race off from a standstill.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th October, 2004