Been looking for a car for a while and I found a sweet 1983 Subaru DL, 5mt with only 94 thousand miles.  I'm officially the second owner.  Great to have a subaru, but my biggest question is what can i expect. LOL

With good maintenance, you can expect 300,000 + miles out of it.

 

Congratulations on the acquisition, but we really really like pictures here. Care to share?

 

Do the important things right now, change the oil even if it looks clean, check and replace any cracked belts, cooling hoses that look old and soft, etc.

Oh. Shoot. LOL.  I will post a photograph of her tomorrow.  As well as a photograph of my first question Which can wait until tomorrow when there is light outside.

 

Oil was just changed.  After seeing the amount of corrosion on the old battery I bought a brand new battery as a precaution as the old one had been put in back in 2007.

 

Also bought the Haynes 1600 manual for her.  But I am sure I will have a  ton of questions as this will the first manual I've ever owned and I intend to memorize this subaru from top to bottom. . (I'm more of a human mechanic than a car mechanic -  Medical provider here.)

 

 

Thank you in advance for answering my questions in the future.

Good call on the battery, it was probably going to fail soon anyway, and now you have side lined any chance of a falling battery damaging your alternator (that can happen sometimes).

 

Good move on getting the Haynes manual too, while not perfect, it is a great resource.

 

The main thing to worry about with these vehicles is body and frame rust. If you intend to keep the car for awhile, try to add the very least localize any rust spots by treating them with a rusty inhibiting paint to at least slow it's progress.

If possible cut it away and repair it.

 

Most of all, enjoy it! Go for a drive and wave to other people driving old quirky cars. It's a treat!

NICE!! so is it a 4x4? I know the DL usually are not, but it has a 5MT?

 

thats strange for an 83 right? thought they were 4 speeds. but if it has the 1.6L I could see that being an option??

 

anyone?

NICE!! so is it a 4x4? I know the DL usually are not, but it has a 5MT?

 

thats strange for an 83 right? thought they were 4 speeds. but if it has the 1.6L I could see that being an option??

 

anyone?

 

83 w/ 5spd will be a FWD.....also 1.6 means it's FWD in 83 too.

working on loading the photographs

Edited November 23, 201411 yr by doogie

Photographs as requested.

 

NICE!!!

Ty!   And by all accounts quite the Unicorn.  

 

By the time I get done memorizing both the Chilton and Haynes, I should know my way around her like the back of my hand. :)  LOL

If you can find it, get the Larry Owens book "How to Keep Your Subaru Alive" it has been a great resource and is an entertaining read, even for non-mechanic types. Much more user-friendly than the regular books.

I have a copy. PM me if interested.