Any Subaru Fans? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JEBalles · #1 06-07-2012, 03:59 PM

After four splendid years, I finally had to let go of my beloved MB. Just couldn't hold onto it any longer, to risky and costly. Just need to wait til I get on my own two feet before I replace it.

For the interim, I'll be inheriting a 1989 Subaru GL. 95,000 miles, 5-speed, on-demand 4WD. Touring edition so I get a few extra inches on top in the rear. Little rusty, but nothing like my old MB. Just about every works and it looks like a swell little wagon that just needs some lovin'. Glad I could keep my car older than myself.

Anyone else a Subie fan? They appear to have a pretty strong following.

tbomachines · #2 06-07-2012, 04:02 PM

I'm a fan but never owned one. My brother's got a WRX that he's treated like crap for 10 years and it still runs like a top. I nearly got a STI hatch last year but decided the gas mileage sucked too much to be practical.

There's definitely a soft spot for the XT turbo and the SVX with me, this year at the Philly auto show they had an XT, SVX, RS Impreza, new STI and BRZ all lined up next to each other.

catmandoo62 · #3 06-07-2012, 04:05 PM

my brother used to have about a 79 or so subie.engine was super easy to take out to do sleeve seals.

E150GT · #4 06-07-2012, 04:06 PM

I lusted after a WRX shortly after I bought my Mazda. I got over it though.

JB3 · #5 06-07-2012, 04:12 PM

The OD subaru guy is JimB.

My GF is considering a new one, but it seems like no one hates a subaru, which is a testament to their design.

you got rid of your 240D with a 300D engine swap and 4-speed? too rusty?

Honus · #6 06-07-2012, 04:12 PM

I loved our slightly-modified 1997 Impreza. Really interesting, well-designed cars. I have yet to meet a dissatisfied Subaru owner.

JEBalles · #7 06-07-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

The OD subaru guy is JimB.

My GF is considering a new one, but it seems like no one hates a subaru, which is a testament to their design.

you got rid of your 240D with a 300D engine swap and 4-speed? too rusty?

Yeah, I did, too rusty and other problems that I had put off before were catching up to me. Just wasn't worth it to fix the problems at that point and I wanted to get rid of it while it was still on the road, hard to sell it otherwise.

I don't regret anything, though, and I plan to start over once I get the chance.

JB3 · #8 06-07-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEBalles

Yeah, I did, too rusty and other problems that I had put off before were catching up to me. Just wasn't worth it to fix the problems at that point and I wanted to get rid of it while it was still on the road, hard to sell it otherwise.

I don't regret anything, though, and I plan to start over once I get the chance.

thats exactly why I sold my 5cyl turbo 4-speed conversion too. What amazes me is that they just won't die. I get a text every 5-6 months or so from a dude I used to work with who tells me he sees that car all over town, still running, must be way past 400K now.

elchivito · #9 06-07-2012, 07:05 PM

I owned and drove the pee out of several late 70s and mid 80s subies. They happily went places they were never intended to go with nary a whimper and I put hundreds of thousands of miles on them and didn't maintain them all that well. I think dropping the low range and the on demand 4WD in favor of full time AWD was a mistake, but my son is currently driving the pee out of a 2000 Outback wagon with 230K miles on it, asking it to do the same absurd stuff I asked my old ones to and so far he loves it and it hasn't let him down.

I recently had a shot at a decent shape 79 DL wagon up in Flagstaff with almost no rust for 700 bucks but by the time I drove to Flagstaff the guy had already sold it.

Jim B. · #10 06-07-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dropnosky

The OD subaru guy is JimB.

My GF is considering a new one, but it seems like no one hates a subaru, which is a testament to their design.

you got rid of your 240D with a 300D engine swap and 4-speed? too rusty?

#1, '95 Outback 2.2 AWD with 123k on it the day I traded it in on #2, a new 2.5i, March 2008 (SEEN IN FRONT OF MY TRADE)

Here is the 3rd one a 2.5i Premium, already with 21k, a 2011 model, last month:

Bought new April 3, 2011

All 3 have been bulletproof, very versatile, and great in snow and back roads.

I have been told the Subaru jumped from #2 to #1 this year for reliability insofar as the Outbacks are concerned according to Consumer Reports..

retmil46 · #11 06-08-2012, 02:01 AM

Had an 87 GL wagon, 5 speed manual dual range 4WD, picked one with a 2 barrel carb as I didn't really trust gasser fuel injection systems at that time. Paid 12 grand for it brand new. Let it go 18 years later with 170K on it, only things wrong with it were the paint was faded out on the roof and the digital clock had long since quit working. Only two times I had reason to cuss that car - when the timing belts let loose long before they were due, and left me stranded at the side of the road.

Other than that, it was a bloody tank, and very easy to work on and maintain.

IMHO, 1987 was a VERY good year for cars.

MBeige · #12 06-08-2012, 02:49 AM

I'm growing to be one. We got an '11 Forester last year, it's my wife's daily driver.

t walgamuth · #13 06-08-2012, 07:37 AM

Never owned one. Understand they are great reliable cars. I would be in the market now for one if
1. The sedans got better fuel economy
or
2. The little pickup would haul 4500# trailer.

They are very popular in the scca autocross, and very competitive.

jaoneill · #14 06-08-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Never owned one. Understand they are great reliable cars. I would be in the market now for one if
1. The sedans got better fuel economy
or
2. The little pickup would haul 4500# trailer.

They are very popular in the scca autocross, and very competitive.

About the fuel economy. I bought the better half a new 2011 legacy 4 door sedan with all the bells and whistles. It now has 68K miles on it with no repairs, only maintenance. She averages 32mpg, never less than 30, quite often 35-36 on a road trip. Dealer indicates that this is common amongst his customers. One just has to get used to the variable tranny with no defined shift points, a bit like driving my belt driven UTV.

Jim

elchivito · #15 06-08-2012, 09:22 AM

The biggest problem (for buyers) with Subarus is their resale value. Check Craigslist at any mountain town out west and look at the subie ads. They all have a jillion miles on them and are apparently undercoated with solid gold, or something. Parts aren't cheap either.
I had a timing belt job done on my Suzuki Sidekick for 500 bucks including labor, the kit alone for my son's Outback is nearly 400 bucks.