These old Subarus have a certain charm. Interesting to see a turbocharged Subaru without a top-mounted intercooler, but with a top-mounted spare instead.
Not all old Japanese cars had that. The Datsun 280ZXT, Nissan Maxima, and early Nissan 300ZX had a robot voice tell you to take the key out of the ignition.
UGH YES!!! I love that sound. my aunt had a Subaru and I loved listening to the dinging. I even like the sound of their Tsunami/Earthquake warning. It's not obnoxious like in the US.
We had that in our 1996 Mercury Villager minivan which literally was just a rebadged Nissan Quest my mom didn't like it so we took it back after the lease and got a windstar
My ‘83 had a 5 spd and a transfer case.....I put a Weber carb on it and a few other HP increases and made quite an off road vehicle out of it....had lots of fun for many years...miss that car.....
I had the 1988 non-turbo version. I loved it. It went anywhere and never left me stuck in the snow. Great little car that was way ahead of it's time when it was new.
Let's be real for a minute. The speed limit was 55 back then. Things were literally slower and simpler. I've had a car with 300+ HP and it changes how you drive; having all that power on tap at any time is addicting
This was 1983. The malaise era where cars were bogged down with the early cats and emissions. For a 4 cylinder thats pretty good for the era when the V8 Corvette in the early 80s made 180hp
The goal was for torque and longevity, not power. It was an OHV 1.8l as well. For comparison, my mom had a 1983 Datsun/Nissan Sentra, which had a 1.6l SOHC four, and it only mustered up 69hp. You guys gotta remember that it was tuned for low end torque. That little 69hp mill could smoke the front tires off if you wanted to, and pulling out in 2nd gear was a non issue. Thats something my 2018 ford focus 5 speed has a lot of trouble with(pulling out in second gear)...and it has 160hp.
I had one of these. It was a GL wagon with one option package which included power windows and an upgraded stereo. It was actually a pretty decent little car until things started breaking, such as the clutch cable (twice), the brakes (again twice), and assorted electrical and emissions components. It sounded like an old tractor or something which I hated, but it ran pretty well, at least most of the time.
My step-mom had one of these, but the more basic DL wagon. No turbo. Analog gauges. Not perfect, but a good little family car. I wish manufacturers would bring back wagons. They make a lot more sense than SUVs, short of going off-road or towing, which very very few people do.
palebeachbum Crossovers are just wagons with ground clearance. The most popular segment in the US is basically just this car made to look a little more like an SUV.
People in the USA didn't like wagons back then and most people still don't like them. That is why they are rare. Chrysler tried to get people to go back to station wagons with the 2005 Dodge Magnum, but by 2008 it was discontinued. Sales tapered off quickly after introduction. The cars most closely related, the Dodge Charger and 300C continued production for several years afterward.
Patrick Linkous Not really. If you got rid of the ground clearance, the lines are not wagon-like, everything is bloated and "thick" (especially look at the front fender area right in front of the windshield. Not car-like at all.). And as for storage, they are really more like hatchbacks than wagons--the back of them doesn't stick out as far as wagons do. Some are better/worse than others in that regard. On top of that, their fuel efficiency sucks compared to wagons because they aren't as aerodynamic.
Its not a wagon tho, more of a capacious hatchback. Legacy/Outback is what wagon version would be. And for current generations(2013+) Levorg that is sold in japan australia and europe. Its exact wagon version of crosstrek and WRX as its exacly the same platform with identical interior and front doors windshield. Also Levorg is a turbo model with 1.6 FB series turbo engine and newest one 1.8Turbo in Japan
Me too. Let the driver decide. I had a few Subarus: a wagon, a turbo sedan, a Brat and a Justy. Loved them all. Only used the 4WD when it was needed, and it worked great like that.
IMO out of all the Japanese car companies Subaru has stuck to what they started with AWD vehicles,and that explains why they have the best AWD system.When I go out 4 wheeling in my Jeep the only car I see on the trails is a Subaru.
I think the other reason Subaru has great AWD is because their cars were built around it. Subaru kept using a longitudinal engine and transfer case which was the ideal layout for AWD. Most other cars were built mostly as FWD cars and had a transverse engine. That was a great way to make a less expensive FWD car, but it meant that AWD cars had a less than ideal transfer case design. If you want to see the difference, just have a look at any Subaru WRX vs any Mitsubishi Evo.
+woohunter1 Good point. One reason Subaru uses boxer engines instead of inline or V engines is because they can lower the center of gravity of the car. Since high ground clearance means a higher center of gravity, anything that lowers the CG is extra special.
cadsux I owned an 88 justy. White, 5 speed, 4wd. Nothing more than a set of winter treads, that little bastard handled upstate NY winters with no problems. Plus it always ran beautiful
What I'd like to know is how did they get away with not having an official name in the US for so long. They finally started calling it the Loyale here for the 1990 model year. Before that they just referred to it by its trim designations.
Too bad every last example of these were completely rusted away by the mid-'90s. I grew up in Vermont and my parents had one of these in "Astral Gold Metallic" but I remember my dad griping about excessive rust by the time it was 4-5 years old. They sold it off in 1990 for a Corolla AllTrac wagon... such Vermonters they were.
You would have to search where there is no snow and no road salt. However, Subarus didn't sell so well there, since people got along just fine with 2WD cars and trucks. You might be able to get one of these cars using the following process: Some people buy old Mitsubishi compact cars and junkyard parts from an Evo, so they can build an Evo III, IV, or VI for use in the USA. I suppose people could combine a good 2WD Subaru and junkyard parts from an AWD Subaru to get a clone of this car.
I heard that those 1980s Subaru engines started burning oil too early in their life, and that is why they were gone quickly. Rebuilding an engine or swapping in a low mile engine would often be too expensive in a car with no collector's value. Since this model was rare, finding a low mileage engine could be very difficult and could make rebuilding the only option.
I remember seeing alot of these Subarus in the 80s, they unfortunately rusted away due to the salt belt roads here in the Northeast, especially subframes.
I had an '83 GL-10 without the turbo. It had an awful problem with the transmission. After startup, and initial driving, it would take about 30 seconds to properly engage and drive at speed. It was like it was in third gear. Also, it could fit six passengers for a trip to see the band Suicidal Tendencies, three in the back seat and one in the cargo area. A bit cramped for a four hour drive though.
I liked their distinct styling and they look way better than the next model that came after it with ruler straight angles.Funny how they went from curves, to square then back to curves for the 1990s.
These were popular in the Boston/NH/Maine area in the 80s but some parts had to come from Japan and my friend's father had to wait 3 weeks to get it back on the road
My dad had one of these when i was a kid, maybe a little older model but we'd pile in and go on vacation as a family of 6! We'd fold down the back seats and all us kids would lay back there. My dad later told me he couldn't keep brakes on it, that they'd go bad quick and constantly. seems to be a common problem with these according to other owners.
For 1983 there were quite a number of advanced features. Auto up and down windows, turbocharged engine, electronic displays. This would’ve been a nice car for a mother with young children or a small lady.
95hp with turbo - and the turbo came with a mandatory 3sp auto. IIRC Subaru didn't do a turbo with manual until a year or two later after the sedan and wagon went to the new body (the boxy one that became the Loyale) which at least had a LOT more room.
They essentially still make this car; it's the Outback. It's still looks surprisingly the same but a little bigger. Still 4wd/awd with over 8 inches of ground clearance and a wagon. This was the original crossover.
Oh the memories of driving my parents 1981 GL Wagon as a teenager! Only 71 HP but had the high and LOW selectable 4WD! Had that car on 3 wheels in the corners and had it in offroad situations that one would never think was possible of a station wagon! Gawd she was slow though......
I can't believe cars were regularly sold with unbalanced brakes. I know that was one of the Chevy Citation's many problems. Nowadays its taken taken for granted that any car, used beater or brand new, Subaru or Ferrari, will stop in a straight line.
compaq deskpro our 1992 Plymouth Acclaim braked in the same manner. Scared the crap outta me one time when I had to lock up the brakes at highway speed and the car started sliding sideways.
@@palebeachbum I found out about this for the first time, in a Chevy Suburban. I was scared shitless and next day got some brakes and rotors that were better than OEM
I swear, you guys at motorweek have the perfect timing. I just saw one of these wagons a couple of days ago. It was rusted to bits, and loud, but it was a cool 4wd wagon, and I was wondering what it was. Badass!
God dang it. I had an 85 when I was 18 and I got rid of it because it wouldn't idle right and was down on power. Could have still had that sweet 4wd button if I knew how to diagnose a fuel and ignition system back then. Shit!
It was hard to diagnose many computerized engines back then. That is why some people would put electrical tape over the "check engine" light and try not to think about it. In addition, the maze of vacuum hoses made the problem even more difficult to deal with.
+Kyle Soler The Ford EEC-IV and some GM cars had OBDI systems that worked very well. However, scan tools were expensive back then. People weren't exactly excited when OBDII arrived because in the early days, those scan tools were also expensive.
I drive an 81 4x4 hatch. Yesterday my road turned to a foot of wet Nestle quick, climbed the 35 degree hill in 4lo 1st gear. Pickups struggle where my car just goes, they hate that. And that goof demonstrating the legroom had to try really hard to make It look uncomfortable, I'm 6'2" of mostly leg and it's really quite nice, not big but saying 5'6" is the limit is ridiculous. Motorweek wanted to keep Detroit in business, that's for sure.
I believe that 1.8L boxer was also the base engine in the wedge-shaped Subaru XT coupe, which came out a few years later. There's only a 1988 XT6 video on this channel.
One of the greatest lines in a car review ever came from P.J. O'Rourke when reviewing a Subaru- "It makes a bingy bingy bingy noise on hills when filled with unleaded regular."
I do like those cars somewhat. My mom had a 1985 Nissan Maxima and I loved it. However, it cost a fortune in repairs. However, most 80s Japanese cars usually cost far less than others in repair bills.
Digital dashboards became rare because: 1. Many of those displays didn't last long. 2. New units were usually expensive. 3. Repairing the existing unit was either expensive or just impossible.
I've always found this generation Subaru (both sedan and wagon) to be quite attractive. I'd buy a 4wd wagon in a heartbeat if someone had one for sale.
Were digital gauges an option on this car or mandatory? During the 80s, many cars had digital gauges as an option. However, certain engine options made having digital gauges mandatory. One example of mandatory digital gauges was the 1984 Corvette. I think the turbo Buick Regal came with digital gauges, but standard models did not. One example of digital gauges being completely optional was the late version of the Datsun 280ZX and early version of the Nissan 300ZX. When ordering an oil pressure sensor for those cars, you have to tell the parts man non-turbo and analog gauges turbo and analog gauges non-turbo and digital gauges turbo and digital gauges I worked at a company that needed to order a sensor. Someone who wrote the work order specified the wrong oil filter for a 1987 300ZX. The filter spun on normally, but seconds after starting the engine, the oil pressure blew the filter off the engine. The filter took out the oil pressure sensor when it was blown off of the engine.
I had the exact same car, except in Australian trim; rhd, no turbo (it coped but it would have been nice!), 13 inch wheels, which meant 5 identical wheels, no space-saver. Known as the 'Touring Wagon' here, it was an extremely capable vehicle that could not be compared to any other as it was the only one of its type on the market at the time.
One of the best Subarus ever. I wish I could go back in time and buy one. Stick my cassette of the Flashdance soundtrack in the cassette player and cruise some dirt roads. I feel like the Forester is an ode to these old GL wagons. In sort of a Crossovery package. (You’d think Outback…but the Outback is big and chonky now and drives more like a car.) Lastly I’m laughing at the fuel economy. My Forester gets exactly the same gas mileage as this GL. But I run Falken All Terrain Tires.
I have a Forester. This traction wagon is cool but just love modern tech my Forester has it's large enough for taller friends without having to buy something larger.
A friend of mine many years ago bought a GL10 turbo sedan for 50 dollars. Car ran n drove fine, the person selling it, didn't understand how flat four cylinder engines sound, and he got sick of trying to find a misfire that wasn't there.
The sadan as I recall, was amongst few of the early automatics imported after the second world war. It was lion proof but I got in trouble for hoping out that time at Orana park. Not, sure. It was near Christchurch. I blame the child to this day. The lion stopped before chewing in me or the car. Good times there.
And those who bought these little cars new had the last laugh, too, I suspect, if they maintained them and treated them appropriately. I've seen a couple examples of this car with upwards of 400,000 miles on the clock. Not sure you would find many Celebrity, Estate, or Cutlass Cruiser wagons of the same year with that many miles still trekking down the highway.
Do you think anyone in 1983 would believe that this small quirky car company would go on to be a massive hit in the US market, and the single company to keep the station wagon design alive and well?
The opening monologue is highly politically incorrect, which is a great thing. As far as the Subaru goes, it rivals the SAAB in styling and in turbo technology. 4WD is a plus. Good stuff, and good American quad square headlights. Looks like mini Peterbilt.
I'm not sure that it rivals SAAB in turbo tech. In 1983, SAAB invented a boost controller that was operated by a knock sensor. Once a tiny amount of knock was detected, the boost was then lowered. You got the boost that the fuel octane allowed. They called it "APC" and knock sensors controlling boost wouldn't appear on other cars until years later.
Well, it depends on what cars are sold where you live. You could get power windows in a Cadillac during the 1950s, but very few Cadillacs were sold outside the USA and Canada.
I have an '84 wagon (EA81 pushrod non turbo, carb). when the heads are back on, i cant wait to feel the whopping 70~hp. The turbo traction wagon would have been much better.
Wow Subaru, you've really come a long way. Not that these weren't nice cars, all of the issues here are long gone (except for the lack of power with base engines).
Heaven knows, how automobile history had developed, if anyone had come over the idea to marry Subaru to Alfa Romeo, merging the this concept with the Alfasud, to an upcoming "turbo 33 P4"
I thinks the looks are underrated. I always thought 1980s Subaru's were cute
This is the kind of car that Doug Demuro would love.
Doug is the kind of guy who would wonder why it didn't have power cupholders.
AZDuffman haha 😂
Emphasis on thhhiiiss!
Lol, the bathtard thild of Thay Leno.
This lamb concurs.
These old Subarus have a certain charm. Interesting to see a turbocharged Subaru without a top-mounted intercooler, but with a top-mounted spare instead.
Pre warmed tire in case of a flat in January
That way you can at least burn rubber on the spare.
I miss the dinging of the old Japanese cars when the key is in the ignition
Not all old Japanese cars had that. The Datsun 280ZXT, Nissan Maxima, and early Nissan 300ZX had a robot voice tell you to take the key out of the ignition.
UGH YES!!! I love that sound. my aunt had a Subaru and I loved listening to the dinging. I even like the sound of their Tsunami/Earthquake warning. It's not obnoxious like in the US.
Skyline Fever i hated the buzzer noise my moms Miata made. It literally made me sick then depressed... 🤢🤢🤢🤢
That's what i noticed too... i had an 83 Subaru GL...without the turbo. A quirky car, but it had some appeal.
We had that in our 1996 Mercury Villager minivan which literally was just a rebadged Nissan Quest my mom didn't like it so we took it back after the lease and got a windstar
My ‘83 had a 5 spd and a transfer case.....I put a Weber carb on it and a few other HP increases and made quite an off road vehicle out of it....had lots of fun for many years...miss that car.....
I do not know how people think the Subarus are ugly, they are so beautiful... So cute...
I had the 1988 non-turbo version. I loved it. It went anywhere and never left me stuck in the snow. Great little car that was way ahead of it's time when it was new.
i love this Subaru is great cars
Besides all of this . The Traction Wagon just sounds great . It is fun to drive a slow car fast than driving a fast car slow .
A one-touch up and down power window on the driver's side! That's forward thinking for 1983. Sad that even with a turbo it couldn't break 100hp.
harrismi7 They could break 100 hp but sales and marketing department controls the products.
Let's be real for a minute. The speed limit was 55 back then.
Things were literally slower and simpler. I've had a car with 300+ HP and it changes how you drive; having all that power on tap at any time is addicting
This was 1983. The malaise era where cars were bogged down with the early cats and emissions. For a 4 cylinder thats pretty good for the era when the V8 Corvette in the early 80s made 180hp
The goal was for torque and longevity, not power. It was an OHV 1.8l as well. For comparison, my mom had a 1983 Datsun/Nissan Sentra, which had a 1.6l SOHC four, and it only mustered up 69hp.
You guys gotta remember that it was tuned for low end torque.
That little 69hp mill could smoke the front tires off if you wanted to, and pulling out in 2nd gear was a non issue.
Thats something my 2018 ford focus 5 speed has a lot of trouble with(pulling out in second gear)...and it has 160hp.
The 83 Civic wagon only had 67 hp out of a 1.5 liter. Many encoboxes only had under 80 hp at the most.
I had one of these. It was a GL wagon with one option package which included power windows and an upgraded stereo. It was actually a pretty decent little car until things started breaking, such as the clutch cable (twice), the brakes (again twice), and assorted electrical and emissions components. It sounded like an old tractor or something which I hated, but it ran pretty well, at least most of the time.
I had an early 80's Subaru GL wagon. Front wheel drive, flat 4, and a 5 speed. Loved that car. Would love to find another one like it
Subaru is great and solid cars
I miss these unique cars from back then. I’m a Subaru fan and kinda miss that big old button
My step-mom had one of these, but the more basic DL wagon. No turbo. Analog gauges. Not perfect, but a good little family car. I wish manufacturers would bring back wagons. They make a lot more sense than SUVs, short of going off-road or towing, which very very few people do.
palebeachbum Crossovers are just wagons with ground clearance. The most popular segment in the US is basically just this car made to look a little more like an SUV.
People in the USA didn't like wagons back then and most people still don't like them. That is why they are rare.
Chrysler tried to get people to go back to station wagons with the 2005 Dodge Magnum, but by 2008 it was discontinued. Sales tapered off quickly after introduction. The cars most closely related, the Dodge Charger and 300C continued production for several years afterward.
palebeachbum just get an outback, they're wagons.
Skyline Fever The magnum wagons are finding resurgence amongst the African American and Hispanic/Buy Here Pay Here crowd
Patrick Linkous Not really. If you got rid of the ground clearance, the lines are not wagon-like, everything is bloated and "thick" (especially look at the front fender area right in front of the windshield. Not car-like at all.). And as for storage, they are really more like hatchbacks than wagons--the back of them doesn't stick out as far as wagons do. Some are better/worse than others in that regard. On top of that, their fuel efficiency sucks compared to wagons because they aren't as aerodynamic.
2:58 John: Long journeys with bent legs can aggravate more than one long forgotten football injury! LOL
Sorry which leg are you referring to lol. Thanks
@@kenlee9874 how funny
what they should have called the crosstrek:
"Turbo Traction Wagon II"
They’re not turbo though...
forester
You mean NA Traction Wagon?
@@angelsepulveda8393 exactly
Its not a wagon tho, more of a capacious hatchback. Legacy/Outback is what wagon version would be. And for current generations(2013+) Levorg that is sold in japan australia and europe. Its exact wagon version of crosstrek and WRX as its exacly the same platform with identical interior and front doors windshield.
Also Levorg is a turbo model with 1.6 FB series turbo engine and newest one 1.8Turbo in Japan
I love how it had a on off 4WD button wish they still had that in more modern AWD models.
Me too. Let the driver decide. I had a few Subarus: a wagon, a turbo sedan, a Brat and a Justy. Loved them all. Only used the 4WD when it was needed, and it worked great like that.
IMO out of all the Japanese car companies Subaru has stuck to what they started with AWD vehicles,and that explains why they have the best AWD system.When I go out 4 wheeling in my Jeep the only car I see on the trails is a Subaru.
I think the other reason Subaru has great AWD is because their cars were built around it. Subaru kept using a longitudinal engine and transfer case which was the ideal layout for AWD. Most other cars were built mostly as FWD cars and had a transverse engine. That was a great way to make a less expensive FWD car, but it meant that AWD cars had a less than ideal transfer case design. If you want to see the difference, just have a look at any Subaru WRX vs any Mitsubishi Evo.
Mr- T don't forget they all and still have boxer engines
+woohunter1
Good point. One reason Subaru uses boxer engines instead of inline or V engines is because they can lower the center of gravity of the car. Since high ground clearance means a higher center of gravity, anything that lowers the CG is extra special.
It became the Outback and launched a movement. What a great car.
Before the outback there was the alpine edition and the 'gt' wagon built from the Gen 1 legacy.
The granddaddy to the Outback
Absolutely, I miss my 2000 Outback. I only sold her because the transmission was going bad, and I didn't have time to fix her.
It’s ok, all Subaru’s are garbage. Luckily you sold it to some fool that probably poured money into a money pit.
What a gem of a video! There's hardly any information on this vehicle nowadays. I'm sure Motorweek has a Justy or XT review somewhere.
cadsux I owned an 88 justy. White, 5 speed, 4wd. Nothing more than a set of winter treads, that little bastard handled upstate NY winters with no problems. Plus it always ran beautiful
Love the review of the XT and Brat from Motorweek
What I'd like to know is how did they get away with not having an official name in the US for so long. They finally started calling it the Loyale here for the 1990 model year. Before that they just referred to it by its trim designations.
cadsux they do xt6 and justy in the snow
This is such a cool old car, even if it is slow and steers itself under braking. I bet collectors would want a pretty penny for one now
Too bad every last example of these were completely rusted away by the mid-'90s. I grew up in Vermont and my parents had one of these in "Astral Gold Metallic" but I remember my dad griping about excessive rust by the time it was 4-5 years old. They sold it off in 1990 for a Corolla AllTrac wagon... such Vermonters they were.
They actually aren't worth a whole lot yet. The last couple of mint condition examples I've seen for sale seemed to be fetching around $10k.
You would have to search where there is no snow and no road salt. However, Subarus didn't sell so well there, since people got along just fine with 2WD cars and trucks.
You might be able to get one of these cars using the following process:
Some people buy old Mitsubishi compact cars and junkyard parts from an Evo, so they can build an Evo III, IV, or VI for use in the USA. I suppose people could combine a good 2WD Subaru and junkyard parts from an AWD Subaru to get a clone of this car.
@@skylinefever I have one, and restored, and I love it. Since 1984 for me is like vary rare to see and strange attractive
How do you have a car called a Traction Wagon and not watch the review???? Immediately one of my most favorite Subarus ever!
I’m fascinated by 80s Subarus, between their nonexistent rustproofing and unpopularity I can’t recall having ever seen on in person that isn’t a BRAT
I heard that those 1980s Subaru engines started burning oil too early in their life, and that is why they were gone quickly. Rebuilding an engine or swapping in a low mile engine would often be too expensive in a car with no collector's value. Since this model was rare, finding a low mileage engine could be very difficult and could make rebuilding the only option.
These motors were incredibly reliable. Nearly agricultural, but deadnuts reliable.
I remember seeing alot of these Subarus in the 80s, they unfortunately rusted away due to the salt belt roads here in the Northeast, especially subframes.
i wouldn't mind driving one of these around. Its a cool little wagon
I had an '83 GL-10 without the turbo. It had an awful problem with the transmission. After startup, and initial driving, it would take about 30 seconds to properly engage and drive at speed. It was like it was in third gear. Also, it could fit six passengers for a trip to see the band Suicidal Tendencies, three in the back seat and one in the cargo area. A bit cramped for a four hour drive though.
Colorado residents loved their 1980's Subaru GL series cars, they were everywhere in the Rocky Mountains!
The antenna shaking in the wind is so hilarious nowadays. Miss the days of an erecting radio antenna when the 8 track was turned on.
these cars were a staple for young skiers in So. Lake Tahoe in the mid 80's..they were everywhere.
I liked their distinct styling and they look way better than the next model that came after it with ruler straight angles.Funny how they went from curves, to square then back to curves for the 1990s.
Who remembers Rusty Jones on the rear window???
Yup! And don't forget Ziebart as well.
I do
We just had a Ziebart open in Quakertown PA. LOL !
These were popular in the Boston/NH/Maine area in the 80s but some parts had to come from Japan and my friend's father had to wait 3 weeks to get it back on the road
My dad had one of these when i was a kid, maybe a little older model but we'd pile in and go on vacation as a family of 6! We'd fold down the back seats and all us kids would lay back there. My dad later told me he couldn't keep brakes on it, that they'd go bad quick and constantly. seems to be a common problem with these according to other owners.
I have a 1990 subaru justy 4x4. My push button 4x4 is red and is on top of the 5 speed shifter.
For 1983 there were quite a number of advanced features. Auto up and down windows, turbocharged engine, electronic displays. This would’ve been a nice car for a mother with young children or a small lady.
95hp with turbo - and the turbo came with a mandatory 3sp auto. IIRC Subaru didn't do a turbo with manual until a year or two later after the sedan and wagon went to the new body (the boxy one that became the Loyale) which at least had a LOT more room.
You aren't kidding.. I miss the 4wd button on the shifter.
Oh yeah, 1st lol
i drive a 93
Is the '93 a Loyale?
@@Kiss__Kiss loyale or leone 1,8 turbo
They essentially still make this car; it's the Outback. It's still looks surprisingly the same but a little bigger. Still 4wd/awd with over 8 inches of ground clearance and a wagon. This was the original crossover.
They sold the shit out of these things in the NE. I owned a coupe hatchback non turbo with a five speed went like a champ in the snow.
There were always stories about the front mount spare saving lives...
Nothing like roasting your spare all the time until you actually need it!
be sure to pack oven mitts incase you have a flat...those metal parts are going to very, very hot!
I would have taken it out and put it in the back behind the rear seat
I had the GL coupe with the spare tire warmer...that's what I called it LOL.
owned one for 3 years absolutely loved it the only problem the body disappeared after 3 years of canadian winters.
Oh the memories of driving my parents 1981 GL Wagon as a teenager! Only 71 HP but had the high and LOW selectable 4WD! Had that car on 3 wheels in the corners and had it in offroad situations that one would never think was possible of a station wagon! Gawd she was slow though......
I can't believe cars were regularly sold with unbalanced brakes. I know that was one of the Chevy Citation's many problems. Nowadays its taken taken for granted that any car, used beater or brand new, Subaru or Ferrari, will stop in a straight line.
compaq deskpro our 1992 Plymouth Acclaim braked in the same manner. Scared the crap outta me one time when I had to lock up the brakes at highway speed and the car started sliding sideways.
@@palebeachbum a Plymouth Acclaim. Now there's a car I haven't seen in a long time.
@@palebeachbum I found out about this for the first time, in a Chevy Suburban. I was scared shitless and next day got some brakes and rotors that were better than OEM
My family had a maroon wagon. I took my high school sweetheart to the junior prom in that Subaru. I ❤ it.
I swear, you guys at motorweek have the perfect timing. I just saw one of these wagons a couple of days ago. It was rusted to bits, and loud, but it was a cool 4wd wagon, and I was wondering what it was. Badass!
That was such a long time ago. 1.8 turbo producing 95hp... A 1.8 turbo today can easily double that if not more.
1.8 without turbo doubles that and the turbo versions quadruple.
No 1.8 has 190 hp without turbo...
to put that into perspective a 1983 Opel Kadett 1.8 GTE (non-turbo) made 115hp.
I agree, the best for power small normally aspirated 4cyl engines were the Lotus 2.2 @180hp and Porsche 3.0 @208hp.
+GT6SuzukaTimeTrials
Acura/Honda Integra Type-R. Can't think of any other examples, but that one springs to mind.
Respectful 13.5 seconds to 60 LOL
Back in 1984 a car was considered quick if it could accelerate to 60 mph in under ten seconds.
nobody could do that more like 10-50 in 10 seconds most cars were slow
Trickle-down technology to the new Crosstrek lol
You think that’s bad? Try 18 to 19 seconds in my Suzuki Samurai
My 99 explorer does 60 in 8-9 seconds. :D
It's funny how skeptical they were of Subaru back then
0-60 time of 13.5 seconds is "respectable". Yup, it's the 80's.
0 to 60... Eventually.
God dang it. I had an 85 when I was 18 and I got rid of it because it wouldn't idle right and was down on power. Could have still had that sweet 4wd button if I knew how to diagnose a fuel and ignition system back then. Shit!
It was hard to diagnose many computerized engines back then. That is why some people would put electrical tape over the "check engine" light and try not to think about it. In addition, the maze of vacuum hoses made the problem even more difficult to deal with.
Skyline Fever very true. I took a look under the hood and saw everything that was going on and then closed it in frustration.
Thank goodness for OBDII, the earlier ecu vehicles had flashing lights that you had to read (pain in the ass as it's easy to miss them).
+Kyle Soler
The Ford EEC-IV and some GM cars had OBDI systems that worked very well. However, scan tools were expensive back then. People weren't exactly excited when OBDII arrived because in the early days, those scan tools were also expensive.
Im sorry to hear
My dad had one of these he bought it used in 1985 and loved it. He got rid of it in 1991 when it got wrecked in New York City.
I drive an 81 4x4 hatch. Yesterday my road turned to a foot of wet Nestle quick, climbed the 35 degree hill in 4lo 1st gear. Pickups struggle where my car just goes, they hate that. And that goof demonstrating the legroom had to try really hard to make It look uncomfortable, I'm 6'2" of mostly leg and it's really quite nice, not big but saying 5'6" is the limit is ridiculous. Motorweek wanted to keep Detroit in business, that's for sure.
I believe that 1.8L boxer was also the base engine in the wedge-shaped Subaru XT coupe, which came out a few years later. There's only a 1988 XT6 video on this channel.
this one is ohv the 85-94 was sohc made 92 hp non turbo
Owned a 1600 version in '96 I called it the gravel rat. Went anywhere. Rust got it in the end. Such a fun car.
Ah those sealed beam headlights. That front ends reminds me so much of the early days of the Chevrolet Cavalier station wagon.
One of the greatest lines in a car review ever came from P.J. O'Rourke when reviewing a Subaru-
"It makes a bingy bingy bingy noise on hills when filled with unleaded regular."
I love and miss strange and quirky 80s Japanese cars.
I do like those cars somewhat. My mom had a 1985 Nissan Maxima and I loved it. However, it cost a fortune in repairs.
However, most 80s Japanese cars usually cost far less than others in repair bills.
I think that digital dash is now a rare find on these cars. I remember that door chime "ding", my uncle had one in the 80s when I was a kid.
Digital dashboards became rare because:
1. Many of those displays didn't last long.
2. New units were usually expensive.
3. Repairing the existing unit was either expensive or just impossible.
"Seats are still flat with only adequate support". I own a 2018 Crosstrek. Still relevant.
I've always found this generation Subaru (both sedan and wagon) to be quite attractive. I'd buy a 4wd wagon in a heartbeat if someone had one for sale.
To be fair, the tester had ugly graphics. I always thought the cars looked both cool and different
I could do without the digital display. I'd much prefer analogue gauges any day. I think most Subarus featured analogue gauges up to this point.
Were digital gauges an option on this car or mandatory? During the 80s, many cars had digital gauges as an option. However, certain engine options made having digital gauges mandatory.
One example of mandatory digital gauges was the 1984 Corvette. I think the turbo Buick Regal came with digital gauges, but standard models did not.
One example of digital gauges being completely optional was the late version of the Datsun 280ZX and early version of the Nissan 300ZX. When ordering an oil pressure sensor for those cars, you have to tell the parts man
non-turbo and analog gauges
turbo and analog gauges
non-turbo and digital gauges
turbo and digital gauges
I worked at a company that needed to order a sensor. Someone who wrote the work order specified the wrong oil filter for a 1987 300ZX. The filter spun on normally, but seconds after starting the engine, the oil pressure blew the filter off the engine. The filter took out the oil pressure sensor when it was blown off of the engine.
My current car, a 2015 Dodge Dart Limited, has an entirely digital display. It's the first car I've owned that had that.
Just search Denver Craigslist.
There's still tons of em on the roads in Colo, and minimal rust.
Poor corrosion protection is why these cars are no longer around. Subarus were swiss cheese after 3-5 new england winters.....
The new one in the video already looked rusted.
And in NE Ohio
One of the best cars ever!!! Super reliable and it will go anywhere.
I had the exact same car, except in Australian trim; rhd, no turbo (it coped but it would have been nice!), 13 inch wheels, which meant 5 identical wheels, no space-saver. Known as the 'Touring Wagon' here, it was an extremely capable vehicle that could not be compared to any other as it was the only one of its type on the market at the time.
"ooh ooh Subaru" darn, i guess im not old enough to get the joke...
I had an '86 gl-10 sedan. Power everything except turbo and awd. It was fun first car.
One of the best Subarus ever. I wish I could go back in time and buy one. Stick my cassette of the Flashdance soundtrack in the cassette player and cruise some dirt roads.
I feel like the Forester is an ode to these old GL wagons. In sort of a Crossovery package. (You’d think Outback…but the Outback is big and chonky now and drives more like a car.)
Lastly I’m laughing at the fuel economy. My Forester gets exactly the same gas mileage as this GL. But I run Falken All Terrain Tires.
I have a Forester. This traction wagon is cool but just love modern tech my Forester has it's large enough for taller friends without having to buy something larger.
Mine is an 84 gl10 turbo still California registered LA84KAT LA OLYMPIC tags
A friend of mine many years ago bought a GL10 turbo sedan for 50 dollars. Car ran n drove fine, the person selling it, didn't understand how flat four cylinder engines sound, and he got sick of trying to find a misfire that wasn't there.
In the early 90’s we had a accident with this car I got ejected from the subbie and still lived so it is safe on the inside and out of it .
The sadan as I recall, was amongst few of the early automatics imported after the second world war. It was lion proof but I got in trouble for hoping out that time at Orana park. Not, sure. It was near Christchurch. I blame the child to this day. The lion stopped before chewing in me or the car. Good times there.
And those who bought these little cars new had the last laugh, too, I suspect, if they maintained them and treated them appropriately. I've seen a couple examples of this car with upwards of 400,000 miles on the clock. Not sure you would find many Celebrity, Estate, or Cutlass Cruiser wagons of the same year with that many miles still trekking down the highway.
With the off-road enthusiast today, these should be brout back
Back in 1983 me and my stoned buddies realized that SUBARU backwards is U R A BUS 🤣
They were fun decent cars that ran pretty well. However here in New England they rusted out really fast!
they were everywhere in NM in the mid eighties...they rusted out there, too...most of the Japanese vehicles did, actually
Poor corrosion protection is why they rusted out quickly
The grandfather to the Outback.
Travis Pastrana has one of these... with 860hp!
Do you think anyone in 1983 would believe that this small quirky car company would go on to be a massive hit in the US market, and the single company to keep the station wagon design alive and well?
AWD and 4WD saved them
I have a 2011 Forester and as much as I love it, I'd trade it for the one in this video!
The opening monologue is highly politically incorrect, which is a great thing. As far as the Subaru goes, it rivals the SAAB in styling and in turbo technology. 4WD is a plus. Good stuff, and good American quad square headlights. Looks like mini Peterbilt.
I'm not sure that it rivals SAAB in turbo tech. In 1983, SAAB invented a boost controller that was operated by a knock sensor. Once a tiny amount of knock was detected, the boost was then lowered. You got the boost that the fuel octane allowed. They called it "APC" and knock sensors controlling boost wouldn't appear on other cars until years later.
Please make the next Retro Review an Infinit QX4 if you can! I just bought one and would love to see what John Davis had to say about it!
Type motor week Infiniti qx4
Electric windows in 1983, wow! I saw them for the first time in the 90's.
Well, it depends on what cars are sold where you live. You could get power windows in a Cadillac during the 1950s, but very few Cadillacs were sold outside the USA and Canada.
Subaru went south when they began installing CVTs in the lineup.
Problem is that too many people don’t care ( I’m not one of those people).
Most of these things rusted into extinction.. but an STI swap in one of these would be amazing!
Had one, same equipment. Guess it was the predecessor to the gl 10. Had a bad turbo when it was bought. Cool car.
Gotta love a classic Subaru especially this gem!
I love my old school subarus I have a 4" lifted 86 Subaru RX it's my go anywhere car
that door chime is the best....
It's amazing how far we've come in such a short time ;)
I have an '84 wagon (EA81 pushrod non turbo, carb). when the heads are back on, i cant wait to feel the whopping 70~hp. The turbo traction wagon would have been much better.
Motorweek can you please put up any reviews of the 2000-2005 Buick Lesabre please and thank you!
Junk.. There u go
Type it in it's their
What a beaut! I wouldn't mind getting my hands on those gold badges
Wow, the Impreza' Outbacks great grandpa! How cute.
I like to think I have the most modern version of that gem. I own a 19 crosstrek and I love it. No turbo tho
the days when subaru was cool and unique...
02:38 - 03:03 "ding-ding, ding-ding..."
Milesamanjaro got the same chime as the Nissan
Only the cool soccer moms had one!
I miss that warning chime, my ‘86 GL wagon had the same one.
Wow Subaru, you've really come a long way. Not that these weren't nice cars, all of the issues here are long gone (except for the lack of power with base engines).
Heaven knows, how automobile history had developed, if anyone had come over the idea to marry Subaru to Alfa Romeo, merging the this concept with the Alfasud, to an upcoming "turbo 33 P4"