variant13

...done this weeks ago. Hi there. My name is James, I am a 43 year old historical archaeologist for the federal government. I currently live in Rawlins, Wyoming, but I was born in New Jersey, and lived most of my life in Phoenix, Arizona. I plan to be in 'Raw-Town' as it is lovingly known, for the next 1-2 years; after which I hope to move on to a slightly larger venue (I'm hoping for Casper or Fort Collins). I am a long-time car enthusiast; I have owned numerous cars from a 1953 Mercury to a 1957 DeSoto Firedome, to a long, long string of 1950s and 60s full-size Pontiacs, all manner of air-cooled VWs (mostly Type I and Type III) and most recently I was toying with Model T Fords (this last ended in tears). In the 1990s I ran tight on spare money and was driving Toyotas almost exclusively, but in the last 6-8 years I've been driving modern Subarus, and have caught the bug. My current daily driver is a New-Mexico born 94 Nissan pickup that is honestly disgustingly clean, its only fault being that it is two-wheel drive. I am on the quest for an 82-84-ish GL wagon with a manual transmission and DR 4WD. There's one up in Casper, but I need to coordinate my schedule with my ability to get a ride up that way, and hopefully soon there will be a nice GL in my driveway. I want to thank those that have already given their comments and suggestions on my posts, and I look forward to a long relationship filled with laughter and tears. Peace! J

Hey, I really appreciate the scope-out. I've been inundated at work, but I think that this is a project that I don't really need. The 83 up in Casper is better than this, and other than the colour, it's the car I want. I just need to line up the timing of the owner and a ride up that way. And now I'm looking at an 03 Forester XS. It has a manual, and climate control. Very ritzy stuff. In the event that you're out this way, feel free to drop me a line and I'll buy the adult beverage of your choice. James

General D - that is EXACTLY what I needed to know. My dad taught me to drive a stick on a 1953 Mercury, and for a long time I didn't use my clutch at all, except at stoplights. I can do the rpm shift thing no worries, I just didn't want the bearing to have some weird side effect like scoring the input shaft or some other nonsense. NOW I just need to find a ride up to Casper. And of course, it's snowing. Sigh.

Looks like I'm getting my new toy, but I'm playing Satan's own hand at Whist trying to get my hands on a trailer out here. I need to drive it 120 miles back to my house, with a reportedly bad throwout bearing; I have not heard it, so I don't know how bad it is, nor if it's actually the T/O or not. Exactly how much damage can a bad throwout bearing do on one of these? If it will just eventually seize, then I can call a towtruck once I'm on my way. If it will score/screw or otherwise diddle with my transmission seals/input shaft, I won't chance it. Advice?

Chap with the 92 Legacy says it's super clean, manual trans, FWD, go anywhere, anytime. But, I don't need another 2WD vehicle, so the search continues! Thanks for the updates! With luck that 89 in SLC will be worth it, or the 83 DR wagon in Casper will.

I'm contacting them. I have the Nissan P/U so I don't absolutely HAVE to have a wagon, I just prefer them. I do have to have a manual though, so we'll see what they say. Thank you for the tip!

Still looking. The guy with the 83 GL has a weird work schedule, and since I can't technically tow it with my 94 4-cyl Nissan p-up, I have to run up to Casper with someone else, and that is complex. Have you heard anything about that 89 in SLC?

That would be awesome. SLC is only 4 1/2 hours, and that's not so bad. If you feel comfortable that it'd make the jaunt to beautiful, sunny Rawlins, 81K miles might be worth a repaint. Even if it does look like it was originally beige. The paint kinda scared me, I'll be honest. But the interior looks pretty good, considering. I honestly don't think that there's a body shop in Rawlins. My work is good work, but I'll be glad when I have more seniority and can live a LITTLE closer to civilisation. The 89 feels to me like it's hiding problems, and the guy rubs me the wrong way. The 4WD had a really shockingly strong grip, is it a full-posi rear or something? It sounded like my old 74 F350 4x4 when turning. I'm sure I could hear posi clutches moaning. I'll snap some pics of the 83 if I can, and report back. I sincerely appreciate the guidance. I tend toward the optimistic in cars, and I usually pay for it. J

Hey hey, thanks for the heads-up! I'm going to Casper today to look at a green 1983 GL with a dual-range 5-speed that needs a clutch. Supposedly otherwise clean, pictures look pretty decent. It looks to be 1968 Pontiac green, but that's better than gray. He claims that the throwout bearing is screaming, but only occasionally. How hard is a clutch on such a creature? Looks like it's about the same as a Beetle, but easier, because a cherry-picker could lift the engine out very easily and quickly... ? There's also an 89 GL wagon (5-speed, big, red, push-button in the shifter for 4WD) here in town, the guy wants $1200 for it, but it's kinda rough. Not much rust, but it's got a bent bumper and RF fender. Brakes feel soft, and I know that I'm being pissey, but it was a smoker's car, and it's foul inside. It also has what I would think was lifter noise, but the guy is a 'certified Subaru mechanic,' and assures me that is just the 'Subaru Sound <tm>.' Even though he's a Rawlins native and the closest Sub dealer is 100 miles away in Laramie... Just seems shady. Still bummed about missing out on a 57k mile Scooby, though. :\

Sigh. Guy sold it today. So, if anyone knows of a nice dual-range wagon, I'm back in the market.

Good point, about overheating. That's what happened with my 98 Forester. Got from south Denver to Longmont, stopped for gas having noticed that the guy following me was using his windshield washers a lot. Come to the gas station, anti-f literally pouring off the bottom of the entire car. Sigh. But I'm excited! :banana: I would be probably happier if it were an 82-84, but still, it's red and has 57k miles!

...with 57k miles on it. Pics look good, the guy seems to be pretty decent. He wants $1850 for it. I make the assumption that the price is good assuming the car checks out; what should I look for? He says he drives it from Ft Collins to Casper all the time with no worries... I guess I'm also kind of begging folks in the area to give me a shot at it, I've been without a Scooby since February, and I'm jonesing. Thanks for the input! James

OK, learn sumpin' new ever' day. I've never come across a car that the e-brake locked anything but the rear wheels. /shrug Forester can't be towed with any wheels on the ground. Or, so am I told. I appreciate the help! James

Wait, e-brake on? Tow with the rear wheels on the dolly? I'm just confused, as my 00 Forester needed to be trailered, and I don't want to hose rears or transfer cases. So, in 2WD, in neutral, rear wheels off the ground, e-brake on?

I may be getting a 1983 GL Wagon, manual with the DR 4x4. Can I tow this across 150 miles or so with a two-wheel tow dolly from U-Haul, or will I need to get the whole trailer?