Setright Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Greetings fellow Subarians I've owned a 1992 Legacy, a 2006 Forester, and still own a 2000 Impreza. I'm considering expanding my horizon by purchasing a 1988 XT Turbo. I'm in Europe and I don't know if you guys also had the 1.8 turbos? Anyway, is there anything specific I should be looking for in terms of pending expensive repairs?? I do my own servicing and minor repairs, so I'm savvy with the usual used-car stuff, but I have no idead what weakness the XT had. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky92 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I dont know how your rust issues are....but thats a big factor with them ( yes we have the 1.8 turbos here) the front unibody likes to rot away. They are also very very prone to headgasket failure..all EA82Ts are..If it has the air suspension..thats another failure point and can be extremely expensive to fix unless you just do what most of us do..and swap it over to coil over.It can also be hard to find parts for...but all in all they are a fun car...I have an XT6 model and once all the bugs were worked out its a fun car. so basically..head gaskets,air suspension,unibody rot, and brittle wireing are some issues..I am sure others will chime in on more things:) Also go to http://subaruxt.com/forum for all your XT needs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 best bet is to swap the suspension to coil over and get rid of the air suspension. overheating, head gaskets, and turbo failure are typical problems with a 20+ year old EA82T. they also crack heads far easier than non-turbo EA82's. your best bet is to plan on putting some maintenance into it right away - new hoses, new turbo hoses and gaskets (coolant/oil), radiator check, new water pump, thermostat (subaru only), etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calebz Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 We have 1.8 turbos. A lot of people don't like them. If kept reasonably stock and well maintained, they are cool little motors. I have one, but it is making some funny noises. http://www.element-z.net/subaru/16gnr.mp3 Any advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Another question: Is the XT permanent 4WD? Or is it 2WD until you engage the system? OR, is that switch only there to lock the center diff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 if the switch is in the center console it's to lock the center differential. in this case it's FTWD. if the button is on the shifter then it's PTWD and is, as you said, 2WD until you push the button, then it's in 4WD with the center diff locked. in the states the 87.5 model i mentioned earlier would be FT4WD, then earlier models would be PT4WD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 10, 2007 Author Share Posted November 10, 2007 I love this website Had a test drive today: Yep, it's the real AWD deal, switch on the centerconsole and rectangular holes in the headrests. The car has 130k miles on it. The driving experience was quite a pleasant surpise. It all feels tight and well cared for. No slack in the steering, nothing but smooth power from idle to rev limiter. All the electric bits work. It's still on air suspension, but I'll keep in mind that coils are the future if I get a failure. Rust: Passenger side rear wheel well, or the actually the lower part of the trunk edge was under attack, but no holes and it's only a cosmetic worry. The bottom of the car is solid - I pounded it with a blunt screwdriver. HOWEVER, rear of the engine room, just below the chassis number, there is rust in the seam weld. I also tapped that with the screwdriver, and it made metal noises and didn't seem to have run away. Does anyone here know if rust there is a sign of something serious? Like, did it come from inside and will it expose a huge rust attack when I sand it down? The car has had numerous anti-rust treatments, and the rest of it looks and feels good in terms of rust. We are planning to buy this car as a daily-second-driver. My gf needs it to ferry her to and from work, a 30 mile roundtrip. At the price (Denmark remember!) if it can go for a year it'll be a good deal. If it lasts two years it's a really sweet deal. Oh, the radiator is looking old and I'll be sure to replace it, and the thermostat, hoses, and pressure cap upon purchase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted November 10, 2007 Share Posted November 10, 2007 that rust spot doesn't sound like anything to me, but i've only owned 20-25 XT's so who knows?!?! i haven't done much body/rust work on them though but i do live in the "rust belt" over hear where things rot if they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 (Denmark remember!) I had forgotten.. Are you danish, or did you emigrate there? Your English is Excellent!!! good luck on the XT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 11, 2007 Author Share Posted November 11, 2007 I am in fact, Danish. Grew up in Singapore and attended the American school there for the first six years of my education. How do you like that? I am looking forward to becoming an XT owner Here's the car in question: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joostvdw Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I had forgotten.. Are you danish, or did you emigrate there? Your English is Excellent!!! good luck on the XT Almost all well educated europeans speak english, english classes here in the netherlands start at the age of 12 and continue for 6 years, so yeah, our english is atleast understandable anyway, the XT looks good! like any other almost 20 year old car it will need regular maintenance and it will break down, but it's a very easy car to work on (except for maybe 2 hoses that are hard to get to) so if you're somewhat good with wrenches, you're good to go have you already checked http://www.subaruxt.com/forum/ ? there is a FSM (Factory Service Manual) available to download and that's very handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 Joost...keep an eye out for it...I work for Océ and plan to visit Venlo and the Nürburgring in the XT....maybe....:-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Almost all well educated europeans speak english, english classes here in the netherlands start at the age of 12 and continue for 6 years, so yeah, our english is atleast understandable And so, for the second time in five minutes, I must post this. Daeron == Anyhow, good luck with the XT, whether its this one or another. I'll go back to my corner now :-p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky92 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Thats a nice XT!!! I wish you the best of luck...many of the member from the XT board frequent here..but the knowledge on them is amazing over there.There is a new user approval thing over there but if you let someone like joost or me or turbone or grossgary know..we can let them know and get you approved I have to say..I have also found that our friends from native non-english speaking countries speak and spell english much better then we do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I have to say..I have also found that our friends from native non-english speaking countries speak and spell english much better then we do. speek fer yerself, laydee. I aint never met no better speeker of eenglish than me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 12, 2007 Author Share Posted November 12, 2007 Okay, Setright is a user on the XT forum! But where do I search for the factory manual??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky92 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Just sent you a PM with a link:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 We've bought the car Ordering in a new rad, cambelts...I'll get some photos in the gallery as soon as I can... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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