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A rare bird in Atlanta...


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Hi folks. I happen to have come across a 1985 Subaru XT turbo at a nearby Carmax auction. To make a long story short, it's beautiful, the price was right, and I bought it.

 

There are two things that I would like to get a little more detail on since this is such a unique vehicle in the automotive cosmos. The engine in this car turns at around 2800 rpms when it's going at about 57-58 mph. I'm wondering whether this car came with an overdrive and, if so, whether that gear is no longer working in this vehicle. Since I more or less need an airport car and will drive the thing less than 60 mph it's not a huge concern. But I'd rather know what's going on and possibly save some money at the gas pump while I'm at it.

 

The other thing is that I have never seen a car with a removable sunroof before. Is this an aftermarket add-on or did Subaru just decide to be a bit more quirky than usual. The thing is huge and it borders on making the car a convertible. The engine in this thing seems bulletproof. I let the vehicle idle for about a half hour and the temp gauge didn't move one bit. Whoever had it before me must have maintained it well, but maybe the lack of an overdrive car, or the overdrive gear going out, may have motivated the person to trade it in.

 

Hope y'all are having a great weekend... enjoy your ride.

 

macarose

new owner of a 1985 XT Turbo

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turbo models have a 3.700 final gear ratio, which is actually taller than the non turbo models.

 

it is absolutely normal for a subaru to cruise at 3000-3500 rpm at highway speeds. soob motors are happiest between 2500 and 3500 for cruising, and likes to pull 4500 between gear changes

 

if you notice it takes less gas pedal to cruise a given speed at 3000 rpm vs 2000 rpm

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I think you missed something Miles. He said it needed a over drive. It obviously has a Auto Tranny in it :-\ Its normal to run at 3200rpm/65mph. Unfortunatly, altho you did get a nice car, the AT's that Subaru put out are of not top quality. Do a search here for some of the problems that arise from these. Some of the fixes are easy, but the hard one is to swap trannies, and put in a 5spd.

The moon roof is stock, and yes - its huge (thats for the ejection seats. J/K) Its good that the cooling system is working well, on the Turbo's this is essential. Keep a close eye on it. And welcome to the board, your in the right place.

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