questions (pease help)

[drake13]

So I just got a 93 loyale wagon 5 speed 4wd (not the awd) and I don't know much about it. Can someone tell me the good, bad, or otherwise?

Edited April 20, 2013 by drake13

[Ibreakstuff]

The good:
decent gas mileage

NA ea82 motor is pretty reliable

easy to work on with a basic metric tool set

 

The bad:

leaks like sieve (usually from cam seals or oil pump)

rust if you live where they salt the roads

 

Congrats on your purchase!

[man on the moon]

We could write books...might be easier if you ask a few more specific questions to kick start the conversation. What movitivated you to get this car over another? What is your goal with it? How does it run? Notice any odd or curious things with it?

It is a lot easier to address specific things, at least at the beginning of a conversation, than to just write rambling randomness. There is also a search function that will bring up lots of other conversations that have happened (or are happening) about these cars, and those are a good start, too.

[Ibreakstuff]

Man on the moon hit the nail on the head.

I find that the best way to search this forum is using google, example search string:

site:ultimatesubaru.org ea82 pros cons

[MR_Loyale]

So I just got a 93 loyale wagon 5 speed 4wd (not the awd) and I don't know much about it. Can someone tell me the good, bad, or otherwise?

 

 

 

The good: Great mileage and easy to work on. USMB has just about every answer for anything that can go wrong. Even if the timing belts break, the engine won't be damaged.  They don't burn oil even after hundreds of thousands of miles.

 

The bad: What is the mileage? If it is close to a multiple of 60K chances are the cheapskate previous owner dumped it on you before having to pay to do the timing belts.

 

The ugly:  They do tend to seep and leak oil. Just keep it topped off.

[man on the moon]

I've had a few minutes to ruminate. Mechanically I stand by my first answer, but I'll give you some of the other things we don't discuss here too often.

I like:

• The rear seats fold flat if you pull up the bench part. The bed is at least six feet, and comfortable to sleep in. Just don't sit up too fast if you're tall.
• Rack is cheap and easy to install. I think I paid $50 off craigslist for four towers and two crossbars. Another $50 for the bike thing. I put lots of stuff up there.
• Never yet gotten stuck in snow, and I've TRIED. Not to say it can't or won't happen, but I've put it to the test more than once. I think the longest it's taken me to get out is two minutes, and I had high-centered (intentionally) on a plow drift in a parking lot. Ditto for going up and down hills in ice/snow, even in worn all-weather tires.
• The cargo area is big. You can fit a lot of stuff in there.
• It's easy to work on. All parts of the car are readily accessible with minimal removal of other parts. Maybe an exception or two, but nothing like having to remove the engine to do a spark plug (looking at you, certain American cars). Anything requiring regular or interval maintenance is easily accessed, anything requiring a major project is almost as easy to access

I can't think of too many things I don't like. I want more power, but that's fixable (I just haven't done it yet). That's really about it. You'll fall in love with it, so get used to seeing it around

[drake13]

Like I said its a 93 it has about 115k on it just starting to seep from the passenger's side valve cover. I got it for 750 and it is still 100% stock plans are still in the air until I find out more info about it like trans issues (that mine may or may not have. No noises, just don't know durability of them). Would like to find a 5 bolt lug conversion. My brother had a 92 legy and had the viscous coupling for the awd ruptured destroying the gears in the trans. He still swears by subie 100% and has tried to get me into one for years.

[l75eya]

It's slow. Don't be afraid to wind out the gears, my GL sees the redline usually once a week, at least.

Don't use the 4wd on ANYTHING but slippery surfaces like snow ice mud and loose gravel. If you use it on pavement you will break something. Its not the same as AWD. Treat it well and it will treat you the same.

[l75eya]

It's slow. Don't be afraid to wind out the gears, my GL sees the redline usually once a week, at least.

Don't use the 4wd on ANYTHING but slippery surfaces like snow ice mud and loose gravel. If you use it on pavement you will break something. Its not the same as AWD. Treat it well and it will treat you the same.

[Zekeuyasha]

I can attest to the timing belt. If it snaps, chances are the engine will be fine. Though they are a maajor pain to get at. 

You'll have entered The Brotherhood of The Subaru. Ever since I started driving my Loyale, other older Subie drivers flash their lights at me and honk and wave, its awesome. 

All the parts can be relatively cheap and you can do the work yourself.

 

175 is right, these cars don't get out of their own way unless you really let each gear see the 4 or 5k range on the tach. Even if parts are cheap and you can do the work yourself, you'll be hard pressed to get at any of them. You have very very little room to work with doing things like valve cover gaskets or radiators, I'd invest in long thin tools. 

 

I'm actually quite jealous. I have a wagon like you, but its got an automatic from the late 1970s. I would kill for a dual range 5 speed like yours! Post pictures!

[Gloyale]

I can attest to the timing belt. If it snaps, chances are the engine will be fine. Though they are a maajor pain to get at. 

You'll have entered The Brotherhood of The Subaru. Ever since I started driving my Loyale, other older Subie drivers flash their lights at me and honk and wave, its awesome. 

All the parts can be relatively cheap and you can do the work yourself.

 

175 is right, these cars don't get out of their own way unless you really let each gear see the 4 or 5k range on the tach. Even if parts are cheap and you can do the work yourself, you'll be hard pressed to get at any of them. You have very very little room to work with doing things like valve cover gaskets or radiators, I'd invest in long thin tools. 

 

I'm actually quite jealous. I have a wagon like you, but its got an automatic from the late 1970s. I would kill for a dual range 5 speed like yours! Post pictures!

 

His 5 speed is only single range.