ScoobieNoobie

I have an 89 GL touring wagon with 4wd and 3spd auto. I can't answer your first question, but your mileage seems a bit low. I get about 23-24 on the combined cycle so 16-17 seems low to me. When was the last tune up? You are right about the gutless comment though. I feel like I sometimes need to wait until the intersection is ENTIRELY clear before I'll pull out. That's OK, it's my wifes car and she likes it so I can't complain.

When I first start my 89 GL touring wagon, it revs up pretty high like an old carbed model (around 3k). Once it warms up (or if you put it in gear) it drops back down to normal. Now, everything that I've ever heard says to not rev an engine when it's cold as it does more damage to it. Is this normal or do I need to investigate?

I can go by tonight and check it out for more details but I'm pretty sure it's got the usual bells and whistles that come with the GL. I can't remember if cruise control came standard or not, but it's got it. It's yellow(ish) and like I said, it's pretty tired. Doesn't look like it's been washed in years and it's parked under a tree. The roof rack looks good. From what I was told, it's mechanically sound but then again, she was trying to sell it. It's located in Rehoboth, Mass. If you don't know where that is, you're not alone. It's between Taunton and Providence, RI. For $150.00, if the engine is good, you'd get your money's worth out of it.

Sounds like a good day. By the way, I just realized that I made a mistake, it's a 1984 GL wagon.

I wouldnt' call it a daily driver, I'm pretty sure that it would be unsafe for it to get rejected here. Not that Mass is lenient, just that I've seen some cars on the road that looked pretty bad (with rust) that were passed. This one wasn't so it must not be very good underneath.

I was out for a ride last night and saw a 1983 Subaru GL wagon for sale for $150.00. I stopped to talk with the owner to get an idea about the car and found out that it had failed the Mass state inspection because of rust along one of the sides. It didn't look that bad to be, but I didn't crawl around under it to see. But, the important stuff: Engine has 66k on it, 3spd automatic, 4wd, inside of the car looks OK (not great) with the dash in good shape. I didn't hear it run (dead battery) but was told that "when it's running, it runs good" (how's that for an endorsement). I figured I'd post it here to see if anyone was interested in a parts car and lived in Massachusetts. Let me know and I can get the number off of it for you.

I got my 1989 GL Touring Wagon (non turbo) with all the usual stuff in it (power this and that), 3spd auto, only one spot of surface rust, 53,000 miles (yup, original), runds perfect and has the fin on the back for $500.00. Sounds good to me. It was one of those things where it hadn't been started in about 1 year and only started periodically for the previous 2 years before that. If it died, I was out $500. If it lived, I got a good deal. IT LIVES!!!

It's nothing major but, I was just seeing what was around my area for when I did actaully need something (right now, it all works ). I found 3 wagons and a sedan there. Each one had a different peice of the literature that came with the cars when new. I was able to get the owners manual for my car (the right year) along with all of the warranty stuff, a Pre-sale check list, a booklet gising people answers to why Subarus are different and better so that they can spread the gospel to their friends. Pretty funny actually. There was a bunch of other "paper" stuff that I grabbed. The guy just told me to take it as he didn't want any of it. Nice guy. I've gone back to give him my business since but he just seems to like to give me things for free.

Jeez, I thought mine was low. I am so used to driving small cars that it was a bit of a shock when we got the Subaru. We had an 87 VW Quantum Synchro wagon before which has full time all wheel drive so I expected low mileage but with the the Subaru, it's part time. I thought it would go up. It didn't. When I see other here mention their mileage, they seem to say in the upper 20s. Maybe it's just the 3at that eats gas.

I actually have a Haynes manual but don't remember seeing it in there. I guess I'll have to remember my glasses the next time.

I get about 23mpg in mixed driving, mostly city, in my 89 GL Touring Wagon 4wd with the same set up. Sounds like you're a little low but in the ball park. When was the last tune up?

I asked once before but have not been able to figure it out but... My front drivers side power window (89 GL Touring Wagon) does not seal correctly when closed. I have replaced the weather strip twice but no luck. I pulled off the door panel and found two adjusting brakets that are used to stop the window on it's way up. My problem is that I have not been able to get them correct. The window either lets in wind noise when closed or rests on top of the gasket so that the rear of the glass is away from the seal. I have played with this more times than I can count as it has become a bit of a quest. I got it so that I get a pretty good seal when I close the door with the window up already, but if I open and close the window when the door is closed, I lose the seal. I REALLY don't want to pay $70.00 an hour for a Subaru dealer to fix it but winter is comming and it's my wifes car so... Anyone have any ideas or experience with this particular problem? Anyone know the "Secret" to adjusting the stops? Thanks for any advice, it's very appreciated.

Thanks. I'll have to check the adjustments on the window as I have pocked and prodded at the weather strip for the past couple of days. It all seems to be in there. Thanks again.

I am having a problem with my drivers side door window glass. I was not able to get a complete seal when the window was closed (it was away from the rubber in the upper right corner). I replaced the weather strip with another and now the window hits the strip and lays down on top of it creating even more space than before. With the new strip, if I lower the window and raise it back with the door closed, it seals perfectly. Has anyone else had this problem (inherent to the no window frame design I assume) and if you have, how did you fix it?

Anyone know of a good Subaru machanic in the south eastern Massachusetts area? I feel comfortable doing some of the minor stuff myself, but when it comes to larger jobs, I would rather have someone who knows what they are doing, do it.

I've seen a lot of references to Marval Mystery Oil on the board and wanted to ask how often you add it? How much? Do you use it preventatively or only when she starts a-clickin'?

That looks pretty good. Just that with a regular (single DIN) sized head unit (hehehe), that adapter seems to be a bit much. I'll just add a changer connected to the existing head unit.

Absolutley! She does ride in a seat (as you say not only illegal to not, but potentially fatal). It's just that the rear belts are actually two piece and if they are adjusted for safety, they don't allow her to move much at all (the shoulder belt is not retractable).

Thanks calebz. I actually already had an aftermarket radio w/changer in it but just didn't like the way it looked in the dash. The trim piece looked awful IMHO. I think it's because it such a big piece and a different plastic. Anyway, I suppose I could just get a cd changer that attaches to the antenna:) My wife hate them though

Anyone know of a safe way to replace those unbelievably annoying rear seat belts ('89 GL, touring with 3AT)? I have a 3 year old daughter who rides in the back and absolutely hate the way the belts are designed.

Does anyone know if a CD player was an option when they changed the name to Loyale? I think it ran up to '94 so I thought maybe... I also thought of another question, does the car I have have 1 or 2 timing belts (and more importantly, is it non interference?)

Thanks to all who have replied. I am a little disappointed that I will have to use the dash adapter to fit a radio with CD as I hate that way it looks. Does anyone know if there was a cd available from the factory? It was 1989 and if I remember correctly, cds were catching on (although, they'll never last...). The car that I speak of sat around for 3 years with very little run time. When we bought it it had not been started at all for a year. We've been running it since June and think that we have the bugs worked out but it's hard to tell. Is it possible for the 4wd to not be engaged when the dash light is on? I also wanted to find out if anyone knows were I can get the 4wd sticker for the back (and if there was any other badging specific to the touring wagon)? Would the dealer be the best option or is there another source that you know of. Again, sorry for all of the questions, but my wife and I really like the car, everything works, A/C, cruise, windows (although slow), locks... everything, It is also very complete in that it has all of the "stuff" that sometimes gets lost on an older car (roof rack complete, cargo cover works and is in great shape). All of this said and the fact that it's only got 55k on it means that it should last quite a few years at 10k a year if I can get it to not rot out... Plus... there is no-one that I know of in my area that a) has one, would be into taking care of it... Anyone from Mass?

I have a 1989 GL, 3sp auto touring wagon with all of the usual Subaru bells and whistles plus only 55k and no rust (well, maybe a little). It's been a while since I owned a Subaru so some of these questions may seem basic but... What is the difference between a touring wagon and the "regular" wagon (besides the raised roof)? Do the all sound like a manifold gasket is letting loose or is there one letting loose? Does anyone make touch up paint in a spray can? The dealer only has the little vials and I need to clean up the roof... What should I expect for gas mileage (on average)? It's a little (very) slow off the line and doesn't pick up until the revs climb a bit then it starts to pull well. Is this normal? I know that that's a hard question to answer, but it barely spins the front wheels in the dirt if that helps... Are there any aftermarket cd players that would fit the stock dash opening? Mine currently has the receiver/cassette combo where the cassette player is a little smaller then the receiver. Do you follow the maintenence schedule in the owners manual or are there other things that I should be doing regularly? I think that's it for now, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...