wp96

Im looking at an 86 GL, 5sp, 91K miles, from a local independent used car dealer, asking $1995. Ive seen online pics. Body and interior look fine in pics. What I know now is AC not working and cracked windshield. Local dealer Im confident will be "light" on any other details regarding cars history. Says he acquired from the pricipal owner of the local Subaru dealer. What would you advise I look for that might be a good indication of the cars mechanincal condition. Ive never bought a 20yo car before, I can look for oil/valve covers/oil pan/leaks and the such, but is there any thing specific I can grab hold of? Its for my son. He will purchase totally so I/we can only afford so much. I know ANY used vehicle is a crap shoot, but Id like to be better informed when I go see it. Thanks.

Thanks for the feedback. Doubt it is an OE clutch kit. Most likely a off brand. Im going to take it back to see what they can do. Ill mention the items you have all suggested.

96 OBW, 148K miles. Had the clutch replaced around 142K at a private garage. No doubt it was bad. Now when the car is cold, first start in AM and after a full work day I can disengage the clutch no problem. Minimal revving and nice smooth clutch release. BUT...after the car warms up or is restarted soon after shutdown it is virtually impossible to releast the clutch without any SERIOUS shaking. I swear I drive it no differently at either time. Ive looked at all 16 pages of posts but did not see a good answer for me? Thanks for any advice you have.

thanks. i did some searching in previous threads and found those same pics. all the advice has been great. ONE final question.... Where do I get these contacts? Googling leads me only to parts suppliers selling whole starters. Maybe Im missing a step or not searching properly. Thanks again. Youve all been a great help.

There was corrosion (white powdery stuff) but it was only under the bracket holding the battery in place. The battery posts look fine and I did tighten the cable clamps when I cleaned it all up. Ill inspect the cables better when I get home. Could that corrosion be a leak of some sort? Thanks.

The past 10 days: Turn the key and CLICK (just one) Turn again and CLICK (just one) then a couple days later Turn the key and START I pulled and cleaned off the battery posts. Retightened the connections and it started again. then a couple days later again Turn the key and CLICK (just one) *repeat* Yesterday and today the car started fine. ???? ps if it matters...146,000 miles and a 2.2 manual transmission

Anyone with experience? Is this a hard job. If not to big I will do myself, but Id like some advice before I buy a new starter. Otherwise Ill have a real mechanic do it. Thanks

I had suspected it for the past few weeks on acceleration just after shifting into 3rd. There has been a subtle difference from the norm at the highway merge where it is a slight hill, not too steep, but the other day after releasing the clutch in 3rd and accelerating it really slipped with RPMs going nuts before I backed off the gas. I have not really tested it for any other patterns. That seems to be the only place Ive noticed it. Starting from a stop seems just fine. And oh by the way .... 145K miles. Thansk

OK...then is there anything an oil changing level mechanic (me) could possibly do?

I want to do whatever I can prior to taking it to service but Ive never messed with a clutch before. Ive been suspecting a problem for the past couple weeks (dont drive the car much) but was confirmed the other day. Ive looked at the manual and see no mention of clutch fluid which someone suggested a low level as a potential cause. Is it run with or as a part of the master cylinder? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.