one eye Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 So my neighbor has an 86 GL Wagon, It has been sitting next to the road for the last 11 months, My dad and I called him up and asked him what the deal with it was, and he said that he had put some new stuff on it before he parked it, CV axles and some other stuff that was little. It just needed a starter, So I put one in that I had sitting around. I got it started and it has a very loud tick in it on the # 3 cyclinder. I don't know if it is the T.O.D. But you can sure tell that it is there, Idling or driving down the road. He said that he wants to get rid of it, and Since I'm trying to own every Subaru in the world I figured I would pick it up. It runs Very well but has that tick and 279,XXX miles on it. How much do you think I should offer to him, I don't want to offend him but He asked what I would give for it. It is an 86 GL Wagon D/R no dents or scrapes, The hatch light stays on like the gate is open all the time, but its closed, the muffler is rotted off, some of the stripping on the side where it says Subaru is missing, the power steering does not work, and all the seats and carpet looks brand new. I don't know how much to offer. I think 500-600 bucks would be the max but, it has it real goods and real bads. Let me know what you think. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Mileage is too high, and the 86 interior is teh-suck. $200 tops with that kind of mileage and the problems you mentioned. That's a money pit, or a drive-it-till-the-wheels-fall-off kind of Subaru. There's not a single part on it that's desireable - engine and tranny have far, far too many miles to be worth reusing, and the rest is just a carbed shell. Otherwise pass on it and let him stew over haveing $200 or having a worthless beater sitting on the street. In a few days I wager he reconsiders if he turns you down at first. There's way, way too many of those on craigslist and in the paper for that much or less. If a bird shat on that car it would total it out here on the west coast. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audio_file Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 two fiddy. didn't you just get one for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I got it started and it has a very loud tick in it on the # 3 cyclinder. This would be a good time to Sea-Foam the engine, oil and gas, see if that helps (if you buy it) the muffler is rotted off, some of the stripping on the side where it says Subaru is missing, the power steering does not work, and all the seats and carpet looks brand new. I don't know how much to offer. I think 500-600 bucks agree with GD.. way too much.. Jeff Lets say the engine doesn't stop ticking after the sea-foam... then a main bearing goes out... or what ever... you shouldn't have to be paying for a "may-be it isn't a problem" when for $500 you can have a good running roo, less miles and only have to put a front axle in or something... so.. no.. it's not a good idea to start at $500.. didn't say how the tires were? bad tires, price comes down... a good deal for you would be $100 tops... however, the owner may be a bit proud and go for $200 I have seen some very good running subaru's sold for $200 or less... but it depends on what's available, how your cash flow is and how bad you want it and how handy you are to work on the cars... also I have seen some rusted roo's sell for alot simply not many around... in your area I can't imagine they are hard to come by? play him alittle... throw out a $100. at him and see what happens... so what if you offend him... there will be another in a month or so just like it.. my 2 cents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 That ticking is what scares me the most. He said its been like that for the last 75,000 miles witch could mean it could end (blow up) anytime.:-\ Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 two fiddy. didn't you just get one for that Yeah I did, My brother-in-law is using it to go back and forth to bellingham for the week. I just put some Seafoam in it and it helped clear up the little flat spot it had going on. But I don't know if seafoam could clear this one up to make it run better. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 If it's lifters, and they have been going at it for 75k, then nothing short of replacing them, and doing a complete lubrication system reseal will stop it. On the other hand they could keep ticking for another 100k.... chances are the bottom end won't last that long though. Most times the EA engines don't get much past 300k without throwing a rod. There are exceptions, but they are comparitively rare. If you get it - figure it's parts, and any miles you get from it are iceing. Don't drive far from home. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Wow, So if I where to go through it it would maybe be ok for another 25,000 mile or so, then I could be running on barrowed time after 300,000 miles? Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Wow, So if I where to go through it it would maybe be ok for another 25,000 mile or so, then I could be running on barrowed time after 300,000 miles? Jeff ??? don't know if it is a solid number 300K but, yea, that is alot of miles for any engine, so lets say you pick it up for $100 (good tires? +$), $50 to relicense and misc., then a motor goes, find a replacement ea-82 for $200, your still o.k.. as you have a $300 running roo. Or it may be fine and go to 400K miles... who know's? It has been said here before, at that age and millage they should be paying US to take them off their hands... an 86 is like 22 years old, in dog years.... that's a bunch more... :-p , so cheap as cheap can be is the game plan or what ever you can afford. Promise him it will be going to a good home and all you have is $100. I got a nice 84 Hatch in my drive way that way, some issues but we call it our bonding time as I fix them. (G.D. $200 is a good target) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 26, 2008 Author Share Posted February 26, 2008 Right on. Well I'll shoot low to begin with and see what kinda reaction I get. If it is neg. I'll just walk. I have the parts, time and knowhow to get it going again but I don't want to work my butt off putting a motor together just to have a tranny go boom, or nickle and dime my self to death till I end up replacing every moving part on the car. Thanks for the Info to everyone. I'll let you guys know what becomes of this down the road. Jeff:headbang: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 i had an 86 carb wagon that was just up and given to me. single owner with over 300,000 miles. the cankshaft had about 1/8 inch of back and forth play. the car was rusted out enough the fuel lines ripped apart while baja'n. i kept the car going with a gas can under the hood. eventually the car was parted ut and the heads withtheir lifters continued to live on on another bottom end. 200 bucks is a fair price. since you dont have to deal with rust, you can always drop in another motor that you have laying around if this one craps out. but i say you are good to go. the car probably needs to see some 4-5,000 rpm revs for a 15-30 second duration, you would be surprized if that makes the ticking go away. i would tell you it probably ticks because it has been sitting around, and not because of the mileage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 On the other hand they could keep ticking for another 100k.... chances are the bottom end won't last that long though. Most times the EA engines don't get much past 300k without throwing a rod. There are exceptions, but they are comparitively rare. I don't agree with this staement. I've never seen a non-turbo EA throw a rod. The exception being dumba**es who decide to put a brick on the gas pedal before they junk it, or those who run it out of oil. But I've had and seen lots of EA82s with 250k+ that I would drive cross country in a heartbeat. Hell, I bought an 86 once with 267k at 7pm in Portland OR. Left at 10 AM the next day and drove it to Kenosha WI. With my girlfriend and son. Only thing I fixed was a HeadLamp fuse. 2 years and a trip back to Oregon later, I sold it to my friend. He regularly takes it snowboarding. It'll turn 300K very soon and is still running great. I'll bet it's TOD, and it seem even wore with a bad muffler. Being an 86, it may not have power steering If it seems solid, any where from $250-400. Almost any running, solid car you can drive away, is worth 250-400 bucks. As low as you can get him. Sounds like a good start on a wheelin rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddy Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 here's what i think if u take care of ur suby early in its life and thru out its entire life better said then he will live forever. on the other side if u treat ur suby like crap in its infant years (u kno let him fall and not help him up) then he will pass away very early but not without making ur life impossible first. i would check how good that suby was treated and yea offer him 100 bux if u feel its rite. he has to accept if he wants to get rid of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I don't agree with this staement. I've never seen a non-turbo EA throw a rod. Not only have I seen it, but I have done it myself. So have many others on this board - most of them before you joined. The rod's nearly always break out the top of the block beneath the intake manifold. What's worse is that there is almost no warning. The power is good, and the noises are miniscule till right before it blows. It's similar to a lifter tick noise, but goes away without load. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 Being an 86, it may not have power steering quote] It has the pump on it, just not the work end of the deal. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Being an 86, it may not have power steering It has the pump on it, just not the work end of the deal. Jeff Most EA82's, including virtually all GL's had power steering. My 85 had it, and even my 84 EA81 GL has power steering. It was very uncommon on the EA82's to see manual rack steering. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 27, 2008 Author Share Posted February 27, 2008 I got one Just last week it was an 85 wagon it has not pump or any power stearing lines anywhere on it, and its a GL. Looks Like I got a one of kind, Lucky me. No power Stearing:rolleyes: That's my luck Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfolsom Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 I got one Just last week it was an 85 wagon it has not pump or any power stearing lines anywhere on it, and its a GL. Looks Like I got a one of kind,Lucky me. No power Stearing:rolleyes: That's my luck Jeff My carbed d/r 5 speed 85 GL wagon does not have power steering either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 Most EA82's, including virtually all GL's had power steering. My 85 had it, and even my 84 EA81 GL has power steering. It was very uncommon on the EA82's to see manual rack steering. GD I've owned 3. All were 86s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one eye Posted February 28, 2008 Author Share Posted February 28, 2008 Today my dad talked to the guy who owns the wagon, I had talked to my dad about what everyone one the board had said, My Dad asked him what he wanted for It and he said 800 bucks firm. So the deal is over. My dad didn't bother to try and explain anything to him or even give him his price so This Subaru can sit for ever for that much money for all I care. I do have to say thank you to all of you that replied to my post. I give you guys alot of the credit for saving me or my Dad from buying a P.O.S. Jeff PS I do get $50 out of the deal for putting in one of my starters, So it is not a complete loss to me:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now