1989 Subaru Leone Royale GL 1.8 from Australia and New Zealand

Faults:

The CV joints got really noisy at about 155000 Kms and had to be replaced.

Also replaced the timing belts at around the same time.

Rusts pretty easy. Some rust appearing on the bonnet for no obvious reason.

All speakers had to be replaced when I got the car as they weren't working or were in bad condition.

At the moment it needs new brakes and the handbrake also needs some attention.

General Comments:

Cars got a fair bit of go considering the engine is small and its not the turbo/fuel injection model.

Handles beautifully round corners. Takes dirt tracks fairly well too, even thou my tires aren't really fit for off road.

Large boot size considering how small the car is.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 2004

1989 Subaru Leone DL 1.6 from Finland

Summary:

Reliable and simple car, but not for bad roads

Faults:

Rear wheels support frame corroded, broke and had to be rebuilt.

Rear brake pipes had to be replaced because of corrosion.

Radiator replaced.

Blower regulator broke.

Intake air heater regulator was taken out and made manual... did cause carburetor freezing below - 15 C.

Gearbox is noisy on I and II gear... will be changed soon.

Clutch squeaks while engaging... will be changed soon.

Rusting in various locations.

General Comments:

On a smooth highway and light load this car runs like a real luxury.

The 1600 push-rod engine has low power and extremely low torque, but it is reliable, simple to maintain and has excellent gas mileage.

The surface treatment is very bad, Subaru rusts easily and everywhere.

The wheel suspension and the whole body is very weak and light. This car handles very badly on rough roads and harsh winter conditions of Finland (this is not 4WD which is only little better).

The heater and defrosting is inadequate for northern climate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th December, 2002

16th Oct 2006, 14:13

AFAIK Winters in St.Petersburg, Russia are far more frosty than ones in Finland. But I have no problems with heater at all. I have a 1989 4WD Turbo-Wagon and bought it with engine broken. I've repaired it myself - its rather easy and inexpensive even in Russia. The EA71 engine you have is rather old device and not powerful enough. The front wheel driving system is not enough, too. I`d say, Leone without 4WD and non EA82 engine is not a Leone at all. May be that is the reason why you don`t like it.

I think such Leone as mine is the best of its best at Subaru - cheap, fast, everywhere to go car.