Subarule

Right now my Sube is fully covered along with my Ford Escape, by The Hartford. But they did tell me they wouldn't know how to value it, which is worrisome. I am making a note of the classic car insurers mentioned here and will be contacting them. If if they are no cheaper than what I'm paying now, at least they'll have an idea of valuation.

Thank you - good info.

Are vintage Subarus considered classic cars? Specifically, those from the mid 1980s, that run well and are driven regularly. And if so,what insurance companies are worth looking into? Thanks for any help.

Powder coat is the only way to go. Otherwise road debris (gravel & such) will make spray-on paint look polka-dotted very quickly. You don't want that measle effect.

Comeback? No, because they never went away. I wonder what I could get for my 86' GL 4WD, 5spd., Weber-carbed wagon. No rust. I am am the original buyer and only owner. It's a daily driver.

Yes, it is a vacuum leak, most definitely. I know that exact symptom. Step on the gas and nothing much happens for a fraction of a second, a dead spot in the acceleration. Good luck in chasing down that leak. It's not worth your time, the Hitachi carb will always suck, in one way or another.

That stumbling before the car taking off was very common when I had a Hitachi carb on my 86' 4WD 5spd. Drove me nuts. I had the carb rebuilt but it was of no help. Dump the Hitachi and put a Weber on it. It will make all the difference. There will be a several vacuum lines you won't need with the Weber so that right there will avoid vacuum leaks. The Weber will give the car more power. You'll think the cost is too high to change to a Weber but over the long haul of driving the car you'll be glad of the investment. http://www.redlineweber.com/carb-kits/

Hitachi carb?

OK.

Possibly a fuel pump going bad.

The factory original on my '86 GL wagon.

I can't tell you how to connect it but did want to say that mine has never been disconnected and I do use it. Very useful thing to have.

Do you mean the rubber boot at the bottom of the shifter?

Getting a new clutch was not factored into the price I was quoted. If the flywheel is resurfaced would I need a new clutch? Not that I think hanging onto the old one would be beneficial. I would love a new clutch.

I'm not understanding this part: "No ussual to pull the trans to just resurface a flywheel." Do you mean it is usual, or is not usual?

A flywheel on an '86 GL 5-spd. With 4WD, if that matters. I'm wondering if the price I was quoted from a highly-regarded trans shop is typical. The quote includes draining & replacing the trans oil. Does anyone have experience with a shop doing this work and a fair price range? I don't want to give the quoted price here, just wanting to get some prices in order to compare. I am in SW Washington state.

Try this one: http://www.lovesubaruparts.com/Subaru-Part-Number-Index-p/15010aa004.htm

Vacuum leak, then.

Hitachi carb?

The heater on my '86 GL works well enough but the temp gauge needs to be at the half-way mark before any real heat comes out. I don't know if that is normal or not. I plan to have the HVAC all redone (AC doesn't work, needs compressor) in the coming year and that is something I will have addressed. I can't complain, the factory AC worked great for about 26-27 years.

Possibilities: blower motor needs replacing blower motor control module not working properly hoses are plugged AC system O-rings and/or gaskets need replacing (they might be leaking and that's why you feel cold air) Personally, I would start with replacing all hoses, since that is the least expensive way to go. That way you will know that at least the hoses are in top shape.

A gasket and a seal ought to do it. About 6 bucks total at Rockauto.

was replaced with a crate one from Japan in 2000 or 2001. After that it was no longer driven as a daily commuter car, but only around a small town occasionally. The engine was replaced but not because it was bad, but rather to make the car last for a long, long time. 10 years ago they were more plentiful. Now most of them have been Frankensubed....errr, radically altered, and barely recognizable any longer. Unaltered, stock, straight and clean is worth more. I don't know if one that has been Frankensubed has any kind of value as far as vintage car insurance goes.

I never see a nice one. Or if it looks pretty well taken care of (that's a rarity in itself) then it's an automatic. Or it's not 4WD. Or it's nasty on the interior. Or the paint has oxidized. I can never find one on CL, not even searching other large cities across the U.S. I think they are pretty rare anymore. Yes, $3K-ish is what I was thinking as well. Thank for the input.

I'd like to hear what you think a stock Subaru like this would be worth, if one could be found. 1986 Loyale GL wagon 5-spd. 4WD AC, luggage racks totally straight body with no rust no dents other than a few parking lot dings very clean original interior original paint in very good shape electric windows working door & hatch looks working in great running condition, capable of driving cross country What do you think?