The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Not Exactly SVX

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-31-2013, 04:54 PM
wohnson89's Avatar
wohnson89 wohnson89 is offline
At home in the flatland
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Posts: 132
Registered SVX
1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

I'm looking to get a beater that I don't have to worry about parking dings and keying idiots. Among other things I found a 86 dl or gl sedan (seller doesn't say what it is). It's got a 4speed, awd, and only 120K miles. Since I've never owned a "classic" Subaru, and there seems to be quite a few of you here that have, I have a few questions:

-What kind of millage do these get? The seller claims a magical 40 MPG!!!11!1
-Does the trans hold up ok?
-What are some things to watch out for?
-I know they are not thunderbolts, but how good or bad are the engines? Can they reach highway speed? (80 round these parts)
-What do you think would be a fair price?

Attached pic is of the car.

Thanks in advance.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 3L83Jc3Hb5G85s95tad6ec8940788d08d18d9.jpg (50.8 KB, 244 views)
__________________
1992 Subaru SVX LS-L Pearlie
1989 Mazda RX7
2005 Mini Cooper S
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-31-2013, 06:42 PM
North Ursalia North Ursalia is offline
Hi Mr. Penguin!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 373
Registered SVX
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

DL had two headlights, GL will have four. The biggest issue is rust- never had a Subaru of that vintage have serious engine or transmission problems. We always ended up getting rid of them for rust (or when I totaled a Volvo that pulled out in front of me with one). They will do highways speeds, certainly. They are rather light comparatively speaking so the low HP isn't a huge issue. Zero to 60 times are still going to be 'there by tomorrow' but they are good in the snow.

If you do buy it, have the VIN checked for the control arm recall (rear control arms can rust clean through leaving you with a tire at 45 degrees to the road).
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-31-2013, 06:46 PM
SVX92-97's Avatar
SVX92-97 SVX92-97 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Watertown, CT
Posts: 1,983
Registered SVX
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

Those are dogs if they are carbed. You could pedal faster on a bike
__________________
1995 POLO LSI 76K MILES SOLD
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-31-2013, 06:50 PM
North Ursalia North Ursalia is offline
Hi Mr. Penguin!
Subaru Silver Contributor
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 373
Registered SVX
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

Come now, the carbed version had about 80 hp and the SPFI had 90
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-31-2013, 11:38 PM
bishop bishop is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Aumsville, OR
Posts: 354
Registered SVX
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

yeah, carbed cars werent that bad.

We've had an 88 loyale wagon for nearly 15 years with the spfi engine, 5spd manual, and dual range 4x4. Awesome car, we rebuilt the engine, put a new clutch in it, has been awesome since, only needed more maintenance recently.

I've gotten 40mpg out of it on the highway, usually around 25 city.
__________________
1992 SVX Pearlie: AmsOil signature synthetic 10w40 and Ea15k20 filter, Cobb crank pulley, Outlaw Engineering spacers and tb bypass, LGT 5spd, Slotted Crossdrilled rotors and ceramic pads, 11:1 compression, EGR delete, Port & Polished heads, SaikoMichi catch can, A/c delete.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-02-2013, 06:00 AM
dcarrb dcarrb is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: none
Posts: 3,430
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

Actually, the headlight thing is the other way around, at least for MY 1986: GL=2, DL=4 (old-style sealed beans for the latter, as I recall).

I had an '86 GL wagon, 1.8L w/carburator, 5 speed MT, dual-range "On Demand" AWD, AC, cruise, no power steering, oil pan skid plate. Drove it hard to the tune of 200,000 miles. No significant mechanical issues. Could indeed run 80 MPH, downhill with a brisk tailwind. MPG probably high twenties, as the gas pedal had to be floored to get anywhere. But I loved it. Outstanding off-road and in snow. Subaru should sell an updated version of this thing.

The original clutch was slipping and it smoked like wet pine straw on a campfire when I let it go, but what really killed it was rust. Check rocker panels, rear inner fenders, rear quarters. Good luck.

dcb
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 08-02-2013, 09:34 AM
Conn SVX's Avatar
Conn SVX Conn SVX is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: NW ,Connecticut
Posts: 2,833
Registered SVX
Re: 1986 Subaru GL or DL questions for a guru

I had a 1989 GL wagon, 1981 GLF 2WD got 41 mpg ,1983 wagon worst car. , 1984 GL turbo, 1984 2WD GL FI ,got 40mpg ( my favorite car did 110 in that.) 1992 Sports sedan turbo. Got 36 MPG quite fast. And then 2 SVX early 81 to 84 had head gasket problems. All had rust issues. All mine were 5 speed. ( except one SVX ) had a guy buy a 1984 with 140,000 miles on it. Was going to keep it while he restored his 92 Chevy Monti, beat it to death for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Girl friend totaled it. Not balls of fire but capable of running 80 all day long.
Est 0 to 60 in 9 sec.
Story about 83. I blew the motor ( distributor blew a bearing and out of time fired. # 4 out of sequence and put a hole in piston . I drove it 350 miles home. Smoked like wet straw on a bonfire ( sorry for stealing that I liked it )
84 was rare black with RED cloth interior multi port Fi all options . I want it back.
__________________
When I was in school I sucked in sports. Then I found out I can buy trophies and now I am great at everything.

Last edited by Conn SVX; 08-02-2013 at 09:37 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122