kdixey

You know I just assumed the GL10 steering wheel had an airbag from the photos (it had that airbaggy look). Ad far as aftermarket goes...I hate to sound so pedestrian, but I kinda like the way the GL10 wheel looks. :-\

Has anyone had any experience swapping a steering wheel? I am looking for an alternative to the MOMO way to replace the peculiar school bus sized steering wheel in my GL. 1. I assume a steering wheel from a GL-10 would bolt right on (although would the airbag work?) Any thoughts?

because I'm cheap

...meaning would a steering wheel from say...a newer Impreza fit into a 86 GL? Anybody tried it? Basically, I'm looking to do a steering wheel replace and don't want to spend more on the steering wheel than I did on the freakin' car

I have a confession to make... I have an 02 WRX and just a few days ago I picked up an 86 GL Wagon (4WD) for a trail car/beater run about. After spending a few days puttering about, helping my mom move and thinking about all the little tweaks I'm going to make on it, I have come to the conclusion that I actually prefer the poop brown wagon to the WRX. Now, I'm sure that the wagon cost me less than 2 car payments (including registration and tax) helps, but I am also finding that there is something different (like being a kid again) about it in a way that my WRX is not. Don't get me wrong...I love driving the WRX. It's fast and fun but it lacks the strange charm of the GL wagon. Also mods to the WRX would put me in the poor house where I can work on the wagon with abandon and not have to decide whether or not I was going to to eat that day. Finally, I took my 3 year old son out to go for a hike and he christed my car "brownie" and informed me that he loved it and didn't want to ride in the "race car" ever again. ...and in a funny way I think I can see what he means.

then there'd be a whole lot of returns because I have yet to see one with a closk that works

...mmm lifting... BTW, small perfomance enhancements are fine, I'm not expecting to turn brownie into a racecar (besides I rather like brownie's offbeat character) I'm really just looking to maximize what's there and smooth out some of the edges.

I haven't been on the forum for a while...but back several months ago I was looking to pick up a 4WD wagon beater to use as a trail car. As luck would have it I live in Washington State so Subarus are pretty plentiful. I ended up with an 86 4WD (dual tranny) GL Wagon (poop brown) with 182K on it. My 3 year old son nicknamed it brownie and informed me he loves brownie. It's pretty clean (although has seen a few too many snowdrifts with the front bumper). The engine is super clean, it has new CV boots, new timing belts, brakes and new water pump. My father-in-law is a mechanic and while he doesn't know Subaru's he says the exhaust manifold is leaking (the muffler is a mess and I can see more than a few holes). ...and of course the clock doesn't work. Overall it drives well (surprisingly well for a 20 year old car) and I'm thrilled with it. So next up for brownie is some performance enhancing. There are some cosmetic things inside I need to fix (broken knobs etc.) and what I would really like to do is to peppy it up (a little) and give it some additional trail worthiness. I'm a graduate student that goes into the back country meaning I'm living on the cheap. So, I'm here at the temple of all things Subaru asking for some advice. Any suggestions??? BTW, I just saw the EA performance page on this site (lucky me it uses an 86 GL Wagon as an example). :cool: kevin

I just went looking and I have to say WOW there are quite a few decent looking older cars. I am going to call on a few and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks for all the advice. I've been coming to the sam conclusion...that the car is just too expensive for what it is. Since I'm not in a HUGE hurry I can afford to keep looking. I am thinking now that I may just hop uop a few notches in price and look for something in the $1500 - $2500 range. Something that is newer and with less miles(although I'm always open to the $500 super bargain dream car). I may be a broke college student but figure I can probably scrape that together in a few months with a little creativity and some extra hours. To be honest, I have a two year old and I just couldn't see myself being comfortable putting him in that beater. I'll let you know what I turn up.

Okay, I'm NEW to all of this and you all have been very helpful giving me lots of advice on what to look for in trying to find an older Subaru. So...over the weekend I found a car that might just fit the bill. It's an 88 GL Wagon that has 229K miles on it and has seen better days. I think it has potential and was wondering what you folks think. The Negative Damage to passenger side doors (both, low) Missing back driverside wheel (riding on spare) Needs tires that aren't bald Front seats beat to hell Some rust and oxidation on hood Overall, dirty and mossy (WA state) Hole in muffler the size of the Hulks fist Runs rough and has engine light always on (O2 sensor I'm guessing) Sloppy 1st and 2nd gear Lots of broken knobs and handles Lots of internal trim missing or lying around inside cabin The Positive The dash is in remarkable shape (as in REALLY nice) newer removable CD player that works Doesn't smell inside New battery Engine seems clean (no oil sprays in the engine compartment) It runs (albeit very roughly) everything seems to work (lights, wipers, 4WD etc) Asking $500 I figure It'll need $500 - $750 just to make it drive worthy (if I get creative). I figure (and have already gotten some good advice to this effect) that a fairer price is in the $300 range. I've never done this and like the idea of a rescue but I do need to consider that what I am looking to achieve is cheap reliable transport to last the next 3 years (until my wife and I get out of grad school). Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

So, I need a bit of advice (being new to this) I'm looking at picking up an older Subaru SW and I was wondering what everyone thought of getting one without an engine (assuming I could get it for cheap). Is that somethng that makes any sort of sense? I know I can find used engines. Any sage advice? I myself am not particularly adept at such things (although I can manage oil changes and simpler maintenance things), but I have a good friend that has several older soobs IS particularly adept at such things and if he's reading this right know (yellow wagon) I'll probably see what I could do to coax/talk/bribe you into helping.

Yeah, I'm headed into a Masters in Environmental Science and will be spending a lot of time in the back country as well. I'm headed out to look at a 90 Loyale with 210k on it for about $900. It's supposed to have been babied and have a clean looking interior. 4WD, 5 speed Wagon.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll keep you all informed as to my progress...and of course once I find the car I'll be back getting bugging everyone about fixing it. Do you happen to know the friends name? BTW, I'm finding that there are quite a few older Subaru to choose from in Bellingham. Not so much at the dealers up the Guide, but plenty through the papers. Thanks again.

I'm starting grad school and my wife and I (and wee little son) need to get a car, but given the fact that grad student = broke, so we're looking at getting an older Subaru. I've had an Impreza before (and loved it). What we need now is a cheap reliable car that can make it the next 3 or 4 years and if possible squeeze in 4WD (we live in the Northwest). We've been looking at mid 80's GLs up to early 90s Loyales (We're limited to about $1,000). I've been going through the forum and looking at the posts (I've just read the "things to Fix" post and found it to be a real help). Do any of you kind souls have any advice as to what models would be best to look at, and what to look for (as in common problems). Links to threads that be useful or your own experiences were be great.