ScoobieNoobie Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 I have a 1989 GL, 3sp auto touring wagon with all of the usual Subaru bells and whistles plus only 55k and no rust (well, maybe a little). It's been a while since I owned a Subaru so some of these questions may seem basic but... What is the difference between a touring wagon and the "regular" wagon (besides the raised roof)? Do the all sound like a manifold gasket is letting loose or is there one letting loose? Does anyone make touch up paint in a spray can? The dealer only has the little vials and I need to clean up the roof... What should I expect for gas mileage (on average)? It's a little (very) slow off the line and doesn't pick up until the revs climb a bit then it starts to pull well. Is this normal? I know that that's a hard question to answer, but it barely spins the front wheels in the dirt if that helps... Are there any aftermarket cd players that would fit the stock dash opening? Mine currently has the receiver/cassette combo where the cassette player is a little smaller then the receiver. Do you follow the maintenence schedule in the owners manual or are there other things that I should be doing regularly? I think that's it for now, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezapar Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 I have a 1989 GL, 3sp auto touring wagon with all of the usual Subaru bells and whistles plus only 55k and no rust (well, maybe a little). It's been a while since I owned a Subaru so some of these questions may seem basic but... 55k only!! WOW! Very young! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ What is the difference between a touring wagon and the "regular" wagon (besides the raised roof)? I had one, couldn't figure out any differences besides the roof. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do the all sound like a manifold gasket is letting loose or is there one letting loose? One of your "Y-pipe" gaskets is probably bad. Pretty easy fix, gaskets are cheap enough. Will quiet it down, will also add a little Uumph to the power. They hate exaust leaks, they drain lots of power. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Does anyone make touch up paint in a spray can? The dealer only has the little vials and I need to clean up the roof... Paint stores can match paint to just about any color you want. Or, just get enough to paint the whole roof a similar color. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should I expect for gas mileage (on average)? That's debatable, but somewhere between 25 and 30 oughta be normal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's a little (very) slow off the line and doesn't pick up until the revs climb a bit then it starts to pull well. Is this normal? I know that that's a hard question to answer, but it barely spins the front wheels in the dirt if that helps... The 3 speed auto is also refered to as the "autoslushy". It is completely normal for the car to be gutless off the line with that tranny. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are there any aftermarket cd players that would fit the stock dash opening? Mine currently has the receiver/cassette combo where the cassette player is a little smaller then the receiver. There are adapter plates that can be found at stereo shops that will allow you to install an aftermarket deck of your choice. You'll have to cut out the hole in the console, then the adapter plate will go over the outside. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you follow the maintenence schedule in the owners manual or are there other things that I should be doing regularly? Both. Regularly changing all your fluids will make that car last a LONG time. 250k miles is not unusual for one of those models. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I think that's it for now, any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance... Hope this helps. -------------------- Eric Zap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogsubie Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 Go to an auto paint store and have them mix you up some paint according to your color code and they can put it in spray cans for you. If you have any sort of metallic paint it won't come out quite right as in my case with a honda, but it should be close enough. Also, if your car has clear coat, you'd need to get some of that as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 SN: I own an 89 GL10 TW with turbo (a rare model I'm told). I don't know of any differnces except for the roof, and rear hatch. You should be able to find most parts you need from similar trim lines (ex. if yours is a GL, from other GL's). They may have used different colors on the TW's. I know mine has a shade of red I've never seen on any other Sube model from that era. The stereo has been done successfully by many Sube owners, including myself. You'll need the aftermarket adapter piece that brings your dash out far enough to fit a modern CD stereo. All the other issues you mention are pretty much standard. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owners manual, and attack any problem that comes up right away - especially anything having to do with the cooling system. good luck, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 If the car is light, go white, if it's dark go a complimentary color (blue/grey, red/tan ... etc.). No matching problems, it'll give the car a bit o' 'class' and maybe even keep it cooler inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobieNoobie Posted September 24, 2003 Author Share Posted September 24, 2003 Thanks to all who have replied. I am a little disappointed that I will have to use the dash adapter to fit a radio with CD as I hate that way it looks. Does anyone know if there was a cd available from the factory? It was 1989 and if I remember correctly, cds were catching on (although, they'll never last...). The car that I speak of sat around for 3 years with very little run time. When we bought it it had not been started at all for a year. We've been running it since June and think that we have the bugs worked out but it's hard to tell. Is it possible for the 4wd to not be engaged when the dash light is on? I also wanted to find out if anyone knows were I can get the 4wd sticker for the back (and if there was any other badging specific to the touring wagon)? Would the dealer be the best option or is there another source that you know of. Again, sorry for all of the questions, but my wife and I really like the car, everything works, A/C, cruise, windows (although slow), locks... everything, It is also very complete in that it has all of the "stuff" that sometimes gets lost on an older car (roof rack complete, cargo cover works and is in great shape). All of this said and the fact that it's only got 55k on it means that it should last quite a few years at 10k a year if I can get it to not rot out... Plus... there is no-one that I know of in my area that a) has one, would be into taking care of it... Anyone from Mass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted September 24, 2003 Share Posted September 24, 2003 SN: If you find a source for the emblems, please let us know. My 2wd Turbo model has some cool graphics I'd like to duplicate when I get around to restoring the body. You've definitely got something unique in a 4wd TW. Take good care of it, and you'll have a collectors item some day. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobieNoobie Posted September 25, 2003 Author Share Posted September 25, 2003 Does anyone know if a CD player was an option when they changed the name to Loyale? I think it ran up to '94 so I thought maybe... I also thought of another question, does the car I have have 1 or 2 timing belts (and more importantly, is it non interference?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 2 timing belts, non-interference.. and there may be a cd player, but I have never seen one.. I used the adapter piece.. no cutting involved and it looks nice and clean. WIll post a pic if you like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobieNoobie Posted September 25, 2003 Author Share Posted September 25, 2003 Thanks calebz. I actually already had an aftermarket radio w/changer in it but just didn't like the way it looked in the dash. The trim piece looked awful IMHO. I think it's because it such a big piece and a different plastic. Anyway, I suppose I could just get a cd changer that attaches to the antenna:) My wife hate them though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thealleyboy Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Ive never seen a stock CD player in an EA82 era Sube. I think the problem is lack of clearance because of the heating ductwork. Your engine is "non-interference", and will not junk out if you snap belt. You'll just be stranded, that's all. If you are close to 60K it's about time... John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
electryc_monk Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 here is what I did to allow for a nice CD stereo setup. sorry but yahoo doesn't like it when i try to link a picture so goto my page here: http://www.geocities.com/electryc_monk/Headunit_mod.html but if your not to fond of the kit design welllll... (shoulders shrug) there is always the legacy trim kit and spending some time plastic cut-sanding the kit to fit.... but hey its only time right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobieNoobie Posted September 26, 2003 Author Share Posted September 26, 2003 That looks pretty good. Just that with a regular (single DIN) sized head unit (hehehe), that adapter seems to be a bit much. I'll just add a changer connected to the existing head unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosens Posted September 27, 2003 Share Posted September 27, 2003 What is the difference between a touring wagon and the "regular" wagon (besides the raised roof)?*****My touring can take up to 15 gallons at times-might be a little bigger tank,besides that it's just better looking,touring has smaller roof rack,getting a rear window or trim can be VERY difficult,unless you have good board buddies... Do the all sound like a manifold gasket is letting loose or is there one letting loose?*****typical used Subaru Does anyone make touch up paint in a spray can? The dealer only has the little vials and I need to clean up the roof...*******ise bleach and hot water.Read the label on the bleach bottle.You'll be loving life,as for paint try the dealer,ask them to check the distributor if they say they don't have it. What should I expect for gas mileage (on average)?******upper 20's lower 30's It's a little (very) slow off the line and doesn't pick up until the revs climb a bit then it starts to pull well. Is this normal? I know that that's a hard question to answer, but it barely spins the front wheels in the dirt if that helps...*****tune up,treat it righ and use hightest 92 octane minimum,oh and it's an automatic so forget about ever having it feel strong again unless you get a new transmission which will cost more than the value of the car. Are there any aftermarket cd players that would fit the stock dash opening? Mine currently has the receiver/cassette combo where the cassette player is a little smaller then the receiver.*****not sure,getting too old,I still have an 8track player and AM radio LOL Do you follow the maintenence schedule in the owners manual or are there other things that I should be doing regularly?****Religion my friend,make it your religion.....oil changes,tune ups as your manual says...right about now you should be considering changing the timing belts,cam seals and O rings.Even though it's low mileage you still need to consider that your seals are 15 years old almost.Smart to replace the front main and oil pump seals,as well as the water pump gaskets and O ring for the tube. Use NGK plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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