thinking about buying, looking for advice...

[Phaed]

I've been a GM guy my whole life, but now i'm in the mood for something efficient and reliable. The more I hear about Subaru's the more I like them. I'm just looking for some first hand testimonials. I'm looking to get somthing from mid 80's to early 90's. Are these cars tough? Reliable? Fuel effecient? Expensive to maintain or repair? How good is the ground clearance and awd? I live in Saskatchewan and we get serious winter here. Also, i realize that these are flat 4's, but is it possible to have them tow a light trailer. I know it's a stupid question, but my 650 Honda is my real baby. It's a relativly small bike and is only about 450 lbs. I move around alot, and would like to be able to take my bike with me. If it's a pipe dream, I'd welcome any suggestions on alternatives.
Anyway, that's it. Anyone who's owned or worked on 80's to 90's subarus and would like to weigh in with some advice, it would be grealty appreciated.

[nhibbert]

I can't give you any first hand advice about 80's/90's models (I have a 2003 Impreza), but Subaru's, like all Japanese cars are known for their long term reliability. Outside of North America people tend to keep their cars for a lot longer so they are designed with that in mind. Legacy's have set a number of world records for production cars (i.e. 1989 - 100,000km in 447 hours, average speed 223km/h). But, I don't know how easy it is to get parts for 80's/90's models, as they are not that common (unlike Honda's etc.). Rust is a problem. I don't know if they use as much salt in Saskatchewan as they do in Ontario.

Almost all post-2001 Subaru's have the 2.5L flat-four (165HP). In the smaller models (Impreza) that means a lot of power. In the larger models (Legacy, Outback, Forester) that's adequate power, but not great. For towing you may want to look for an Outback with the H6 3.0L. I don't know when this engine came out. Prior to 2002 the 4 cylinder engine was a 2.2L that produced about 140hp (I think).

AWD is great, and unlike SUV's Subaru's have a relatively low centre of gravity, so you can really have fun with them in the snow without rolling over.

Flat engines aren't known for their fuel efficency. My 2003 gets about 20 mpg in the City and about 26 mpg on the highway (advertised as 26 city, 30 highway).

[freakray]

Originally Posted by nhibbert

Prior to 2002 the 4 cylinder engine was a 2.2L that produced about 140hp (I think).

Flat engines aren't known for their fuel efficency. My 2003 gets about 20 mpg in the City and about 26 mpg on the highway (advertised as 26 city, 30 highway).

I have to address these 2 comments, or should I say misconceptions.

Firstly, prior to 2002 there 3 engines available in the Impreza, the 1.8, the 2.2 and the 2.5, the 2.2 was most common in the L models, the 2.5 was obviously in the 2.5RS which was introduced on US soil in 1998.

Flat engines not known for fuel efficiency?
I think that is more the driver than the engine!
I just sold my 1998 2.5RS, right up until I sold it I was getting 25 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway, for a 5 year old car with an apparently non fuel efficient engine, that sounds pretty good doesn't it?
I replaced the '98 with an '03 last week. The only real driving I have done with the car since picking it up at the dealer has been highway, I am getting 32 mpg highway driving (I normally cruise at 75 since the speed on the highway is 65).
If you're getting less mileage on a tank of gas than is advertised, you need to look at why.
Is your car an automatic?
Do you tend to speed a lot?

[nhibbert]

Originally Posted by freakray

Flat engines not known for fuel efficiency?
I think that is more the driver than the engine!
I just sold my 1998 2.5RS, right up until I sold it I was getting 25 mpg in town and 30 mpg on the highway, for a 5 year old car with an apparently non fuel efficient engine, that sounds pretty good doesn't it?
I replaced the '98 with an '03 last week. The only real driving I have done with the car since picking it up at the dealer has been highway, I am getting 32 mpg highway driving (I normally cruise at 75 since the speed on the highway is 65).
If you're getting less mileage on a tank of gas than is advertised, you need to look at why.
Is your car an automatic?
Do you tend to speed a lot?

You may be right about it being the driver. Most of my driving is in the city. But the best mileage I have ever got is 26mpg, on a long distance highway drive at 120km/h (75mph). It's an AT which doesn't help either.

25mpg city and 30mpg highway is pretty good for a H4, but it's not in the range of a Corolla or Civic (29mpg city/38mpg highway).