capecove Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Hello folks! My wife and I have a 1990 Ford F150 and a 2007 Ford Focus, both of which have been a joy to own. In fact, such a joy that we have put on over 30,000 on the Focus in a year and a half. We needed a third car as a daily driver to take some pressure off the Focus (the pickup gets 16mpg on the highway, so we can't justify the cost of gas). So, last Thursday as we were driving down the road we spied a used 1992 Loyale 4WD wagon on the side of the road for sale. We stopped, took a test drive and bought it on the spot for $1,400. It is extremely clean, straight, has a clear title and no apparent rust. It does have 230,000+ miles on it, but it starts right up, doesn't smoke and it runs fine as we have put 550 miles on it since last Thursday. It is a 5 speed manual transmission. I have tested the 4WD system and it does engage, drive and disengage with no issues. We have previously been big time Volvo owners, loyal to our 240 series Volvo cars, so we are familiar with the term "shade tree mechanic" and we are not really afraid of tinkering some. I guess I am wondering what we need to be concerned about, what may be a great benefit (like the fact it has a non interference engine) and any personal stories that may assist us along the way to putting on the next 230,000+ miles. Thanks for your input, let me know your thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 their awesome cars, 230 k is nothing, allot of us abuse them off road, and they hold up surprisingly well, I live 3 miles off the pavement and have 2 gl wagons and a 91 loyale, they never get stuck, (on road) a 4 foot snow drift doesn't count....and we have allot of mud in the east.. have fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Keep up on the oil changes and use good quality oil filters. Napa filters made by Wix are good, Frams are a big no no. Also ea82's don't like to be overheated so keep the cooling system in good shape. Timing belt replacement looks daunting with two belts but is surprisingly easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capecove Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Excellent, so far. Thanks! So, not trying to start a riot, but would any/all of you suggest synthetic fluids in the engine and gearbox? Maybe just the engine? Maybe neither? I want this thing to last and am willing to put synthetic into it if it means the tranny and engine will be happier because of it. Also, do they require diff services like my pickup (and should those be with synthetic fluids as well?)? Should I have them serviced since I am unsure of their last service? Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Excellent, so far. Thanks! So, not trying to start a riot, but would any/all of you suggest synthetic fluids in the engine and gearbox? Maybe just the engine? Maybe neither? I want this thing to last and am willing to put synthetic into it if it means the tranny and engine will be happier because of it. Also, do they require diff services like my pickup (and should those be with synthetic fluids as well?)? Should I have them serviced since I am unsure of their last service? Jason No in the engine. Gearboxes, sure. If in doubt, I would change the gear oils. Thanks for reminding me to do mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrfan Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would never start using synthetic in a high mileage engine. If it doesn't leak or burn oil it will. Besides I've seen ea82's go well over 300k and never see synthetic oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capecove Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Excellent, so change the gearbox oil, synthetic is okay for that. Engine Oil, maybe Castrol GTX and Wix filters from Napa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 That many miles, burn in the engine whatever will stay there. I have only used napa oil for the longest time, that or Walmart oil. No oil wars here, if you really want to get that heavy into it oil discussions, go to http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpholz Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 welcome to the subaru world! the ea82 is a great lasting engine just search for the "what is your ea82 milage" thread, that with a 5 speed will run forever. and as far as oil never ever trusted a synthetic oil it's all additives, eeks. and once you drive the suby for a lil while you'll forget all about those fords. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 welcome welcome welcome. Be glad you didnt get the auto. These are fun little cars expecially with the 4wd. Will blow your truck away in the winter. Check previous maintence with the previous owners but these vehicles like mostly stock components. NGK plugs and wires. Factory caps and rotors. Soon youll be looking into a disc swap and EJ motors. We like to see pictures so POST EM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capecove Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Well, I have two photos here, let me know what you think. welcome welcome welcome. Be glad you didnt get the auto. These are fun little cars expecially with the 4wd. Will blow your truck away in the winter. Check previous maintence with the previous owners but these vehicles like mostly stock components. NGK plugs and wires. Factory caps and rotors. Soon youll be looking into a disc swap and EJ motors. We like to see pictures so POST EM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdjdc Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Welcome to the board and the world of old school subies. you will not be dissapointed in your purchase. It looks like a nice clean car. I used synthetic in one of my GL's and was sorry I did. It started leaking and was still doing so when I sold it. I used to take some of mine thru the deepest mud and I NEVER got stuck. These are robust little wagons Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Holy crap that things nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capecove Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) Well, sorry, not trying to brag about it. You guys requested pics, so I added those two. I suppose for a 92 model year vehicle it looks pretty good. The front bumper appears to be slanted down somewhat, across the entire front of the car, but I don't think it's worth trying to get resolved. So far, it appears to have been babied. It was a trade in vehicle at a local dealership just a couple weeks ago, was purchased by a friend of the dealer and then sold on the side of the street, near his sons radiator shop. They really don't have any information on the vehicle. But, I have done a little investigation. First, the car came complete with the owners manual and other original paperwork, including a small plastic card in a paper insert which describes it as not being a credit card but another type of card dealing with service requests. Next, that the car was purchased new in Bend, Oregon in January of 1992. The lot which sold the car didn't even have the name Subaru in it, something like Thomas Service and Welding, Inc. (I don't remember the exact name). Finally, that the previous owners must have loved the car because they kept immaculate records of the fuel purchases. We have years and years of mileage records in little spiral bound notebooks. They denote odometer, trip, gallons purchased, mpg and price per gallon. At the top of most entries it reads "ministry miles" so it was evidently owned by a clergyman of some kind (a bit ironic, considering I am currently attending seminary). Anyhow, the wife and I have spend some time babying it and hope that it continues on without issue. I went down to NAPA last night and bought two filters. Since oil didn't seem to be a big deal I didn't make it one. I got 10w30. Well, my journal entry is done now. Thanks again folks... Holy crap that things nice Edited March 31, 2009 by capecove Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivantruckman Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Well, sorry, not trying to brag about it. Well, my journal entry is done now. Thanks again folks... brag away thats a good find, kinda like treasure hunting, for me anyway I live in the rust belt. not many cars make it that long without rusting badly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrentr Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I bought a 91 Loyale wagon in Feb w/ 48K on the clock. Wish it was a 5 speed, but it was for my 16 yr old daughter so she will live with the lower mpg. I think you'll find that parts are readily available at NAPA, they have most everything I have needed so far to replace hoses, belts, valve cover gaskets, filters, etc and seemingly good quality. I use the Wix filters also, they're the best for the buck. This forum has really helped me out, lots of good subie owners on here and very willing to share expertise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Abides Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 You live in the subaru capital. You can pick up a front bumper for nothin. Soon youll be swapin those Steelies for some factory wagon wheels, or pugs. LSD rear, Disc Brakes, STI engine, Nos Fogger System. Oh wait thats my wish list. 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