Hi I've been trolling around for a little bit my second car was an old 84 2wd GL which sadly was totaled when a truck hit it.

 

I'm an avid snowboarder and I'm heading off to college within the next year and a half and while I'm still making some money I'd like to build a reliable but snow worthy subaru. I'll probably be going to WSU or WWU (I live in Olympia WA now) Looking for something thats going to get me decent gas mileage for around town and for trips back home and also not have to worry about coming over the pass in the winter and have no problems getting me up the mountain in the winter.

 

Ideally I would like to take it into a little bit of off road snow but nothing to big as far as mud just some camping trails at the best so I don't think I'd be needing a lift.

 

I'm looking for a subaru right now my inital budget is around $1000-1500 I'd like to get something that ran now just so I wouldn't have to hassle with it that much, but I've done plenty of motor swaps in the past so an EJ22 swap wouldn't be that far of a stretch for me. I guess I'm just looking for any suggestions or recommendations on models/year ranges and modifications that I should be looking into.

 

Thanks,

Tosh.

Alrighty, first things first: Any subaru (even 2WD models) will get you up the mountain.

 

There are a few models to consider: Brat, Wagon, Hatch, Sedan, & Coupe. I prefer the wagon to carry cargo and people (a roof rack is nice). Then you can consider EA81 vs. EA82: the later will probably be easier to implant an EJ engine into but either model would work. EA82 has a few more options like a 5th gear on the D/R tranny (with Hi/Lo). EA82 also has AWD in some models and more common turbo charged engines. That being said, I have a blast in my EA81 wagon w/ an EA82 5-SPD and lift.

 

Anyways, whatever you choose will work fine I'm sure especially if you have snow tires. Even w/out a 4WD Sube will do well; my cars have done great in the snow even w/ dead tires on.

 

Good luck.

Samo is selling his Loyale in the marketplace section:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=59198

 

I bought his other old Loyale from him, and it was better than he described. This one looks like it would suit your needs very well, and it's not too far away.