...without looking under the hood. I'm often conversing online or via phone with non-enthusiast sellers, or car dealers who know nothing about these cars. How can I help them help me?

well it may be a gl10. many were. but some are MPFI. most will say turbo on the sides.

they will be in the 85 to 89? years most likely.

It sems to me that 87 had a lot of turbos produced.

I would be leary of buying a car from some one who does not know whats under the hood. they probably never check the oil either.

1) If its a GL-10, or has GL-10 badges, chances are, its a turbo.. This is not a guarantee since there are also NA GL-10s, but the odds are in your favor.

2)Every EA82 turbo car I have had says TURBO on the rear doors and tailgate(I have had a bunch of wagons..no sedans or coupes for me )

3)If its a wagon with a D/R 5 speed, 99% chance it is NOT a turbo.

4) Full time 4WD 5 speed in my experience, always = turbo.

5) Rear discs. All turbos .. and I mean all.. came with rear discs.. Non turbos did not.

6)If it says RX on the body, Its a turbo

 

Often, if I run across one on ebay or something I will request underhood pics.. sometimes I get em, sometimes not

 

Added note.. Loyale only came turbo in 1990.. so if it is a 91-94, no turbo

 

Edit.. Have heard rumors of a very few 91 loyale turbos.. never actually seen one.. so that cuts at least a couple years off your search.

 

 

 

PS.. look familiar?

Another thing to look for is a "Turbo" indicator light on the dash. Every turbo I've ever seen, whether GL10 or GL, digi, or analog, has one. Turning the key to the "on" position will light up all the indicators.

good luck, John

That one doesn't light up wihen you turn the key on.. at least none of mine have...maybe 85-86 is different?

Cal:

I'll check that out. I could be mistaken, but I thought the "on" position performed a self-check on all the major systems.

Good catch, if I'm wrong...

John

The 86 digidash has the little icon and also says turbo, when the ign is turned on. The analog has it printed on the panel with a light also. usually the badging will tell you if its a turbo or not.

Turbos will have those little neato plastic thingys on the front side of the rear wheel well....like a reverse mudflap if you will....off to find a pic...

Checked my 89 GL turbo wagon with an analog dash. The turbo indicator does come on in the "on" position (though not in "Accessory" position).

Knowing the way Fuji does things, I would assume that all factory turbo models can be identified by the dash idicator. Body graphics will give you some clues, but may not be helpful if the car has been repainted.

good luck, John

Thank you all for your help. If anyone knows of any EA82T cars for sale within 500 miles of Cleveland for around $400-$800, that'd be great. I'm having almost no luck on ebaymotors, autotrader.com, and cars.com.

First thing I do when I see a subie sedan approaching is to look underneath the front. You can plainly see the exhaust pipe either doing the Y thing, or coming across the front of the engine sump - you work the rest out

 

We only get turbo pre 88 sedans in Australia, so if a wagon has a turbo pipe sure thing it will be an enthusiast!

Thank you all for your help. If anyone knows of any EA82T cars for sale within 500 miles of Cleveland for around $400-$800, that'd be great. I'm having almost no luck on ebaymotors, autotrader.com, and cars.com.

I'm down here in C-Bus, and I'll keep my eyes open for you. There are a couple other guys in the area that are into older EA82's.

You might have better luck finding one in need of repair (like a blown head gasket). People that have good-running turbos usually hang onto them. Especially around here where just about any EA82 in decent shape is scarce.

good luck, John