1988 Subaru Legacy Wagon

[Kamelot]

Ok, im looking at a 1988 Subaru Legacy Wagon, 4 door, it has Fuel injection, a total motor rebuild, and it has 275 thousand miles on it, for all looks and appearances it is a solid car, i am doing a compression test on it to make sure it is the risers clicking, not the pistons.

The body is straight, slight rust on the end of the tailgate, is it worth 800 bucks?


Runs smoother then any older subaru ive heard, has a small exaust leak as well. Minor things

 

[intothatgoodnight]

275K on the motor and trans? Is it an AWD model, or front wheel drive, only?

What is the mileage on:

• brakes

• steering

• suspension, to include struts, control arm bushings and ball joints

• starter

• alternator

• power steering pump and steering rack

• A/C compressor

Did you check for rust:

• down the inside of the fender wells,

• tire well

• under back seat

• a complete inspection of not only bottom side sheet metal/floor pan, but mounting bosses where subframes, suspension and other major connection points connect to the body

• corrosion in and around the battery tray area


intothegoodnight

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Well..... my 1987 GL 4x4 wagon has about 370,000 on the car, one of those Japanese "take-out" engines at 300,000. It lost a timing belt about 10,000 miles ago. I really like the little 4x4, with its 1.6:1 low range on the transfer case. But it's been idle lately, because it's losing a bearing inside -- pinion bearing or near it. I have another, a 1985 that's been rolled, so am looking to swap transaxles.

I guess what I'm leading up to is this: They are neat utilitarian little cars. But any car with that many years and miles on it can suddenly come up with a little problem that will take more labor dollars to fix than the car is worth. It's always a gamble. If I had sense, I'd know when to cut my losses, dump the car and just find another. I get too attached to fixing the ones I have.

Get your $800 Subaru. Once you have gotten $800 worth of use out of it, just assume you're even and home free. If it goes bad, you can simply junk it and find another. That's a more practical, and probably more cost effective, approach than my habit of hanging onto all my sick vehicles.

The tires on those little cars are pretty inexpensive. They don't use much gas. And they are tougher than they look.

Good Luck

 

[end game]

Keep looking. I just picked up a 92 subaru loyale wagon for $1495 with 34K on the odometer. It was owned by an old lady who didn't do much for the exterior as far as care goes, but it is mechanically sound. The loyale series cars and wagons have little demand because of their age and ugly factor. However, a good one will go forever. The legacy is the updated subaru from that era and the prices are usually higher.

 

[Kamelot]

My mistake it is a Subaru GL 4x4. I am having my father look at it to make sure I am not getting ripped, he used to rebuild old bugs and such for fun so I trust him over the auto shop teacher. But odds are I will purchase it. Thank you for all your help .

BTW Hamilton, yes they are fun little cars, my dad has a 1990 Legacy LS Sedan which I adore.

 

[ainitfunny]

Boy, don't overlook those "little old lady" cars, they DO exist! I bought my mom's 94 (4WD )Subaru SW with 30,000 miles on it. Like her, I'm not putting a lot of miles on it since I quit work to stay home and take care of DH. Runs like a swiss watch and only politely sips fuel.