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G'day, number one son has 1990 L series wagon that he has had for couple of years and is looking to update the vehicle for something a bit more modern (you know how they are!). He wants to spend round $5000 to $100000 for another wagon that he can use for mostly city driving but capable of handling the odd fishing, touring and camping trip. We are not sure of all the models and their capabilities/pricing/economy etc etc. Any ideas?, suggestions? Thanks!

Subaru Liberty would be way to go.. if you want! Worth getting late 90s (gen 2 Liberty or early Gen3 wagons) with AWD and if you get manual they're dual range.
You could find nice 95 Liberty wagon for close 5 to 7 grand
Cheers
AP

Newsoob wrote:G'day, number one son has 1990 L series wagon that he has had for couple of years and is looking to update the vehicle for something a bit more modern (you know how they are!). He wants to spend round $5000 to $100000 for another wagon that he can use for mostly city driving but capable of handling the odd fishing, touring and camping trip. We are not sure of all the models and their capabilities/pricing/economy etc etc. Any ideas?, suggestions? Thanks!

What ratio of TARMAC Vs DIRT does he do...?

Exactly how serious does he take his offroading...?

If he is weighted towards staying on the bitumen with the odd beach drive, then I'd say go the LIB or OUTBACK gen I or II as they handle real nice n smooth for what they can do offroad. But if he really loves going bush, getting down n dirty, I'd recommend an early model Forester. You wouldnt comprimise too much storage space in a Forry. Ive been going bush 4WDing regularly for over 5 years watching both Libs n Forrys do the same stuff and the Forrys tend to do slightly better than the Libs/O-Backs, mostly in regards to entry and exit clearances at front n back. The Libs on occation loose a bumper here n there. But if he's real keen on a Lib, tell him to remove the huge plastic sump protector shield and replace it with a proper steel sump guard. Ive seen many a Lib or Outback lose this item on a sand dune or large rock.

L-Raiser

Thanks L Raiser and AP. He is 90% tarmac and no SERIOUS off road but loves his camping and fishing and would occasionally go bush to remote river for trout fishing or over to the beach. He needs something to get him to work and back comfortably in Melb and then up highway to home. Is there any great difference in economy in models? He needs to pack swag etc and his gear. He would go for a manual. Thanks again. Newsoob.

L-Raiser wrote:What ratio of TARMAC Vs DIRT does he do...?

Exactly how serious does he take his offroading...?

If he is weighted towards staying on the bitumen with the odd beach drive, then I'd say go the LIB or OUTBACK gen I or II as they handle real nice n smooth for what they can do offroad. But if he really loves going bush, getting down n dirty, I'd recommend an early model Forester. You wouldnt comprimise too much storage space in a Forry. Ive been going bush 4WDing regularly for over 5 years watching both Libs n Forrys do the same stuff and the Forrys tend to do slightly better than the Libs/O-Backs, mostly in regards to entry and exit clearances at front n back. The Libs on occation loose a bumper here n there. But if he's real keen on a Lib, tell him to remove the huge plastic sump protector shield and replace it with a proper steel sump guard. Ive seen many a Lib or Outback lose this item on a sand dune or large rock.

L-Raiser

Newsoob wrote:Thanks L Raiser and AP. He is 90% tarmac and no SERIOUS off road but loves his camping and fishing and would occasionally go bush to remote river for trout fishing or over to the beach. He needs something to get him to work and back comfortably in Melb and then up highway to home. Is there any great difference in economy in models? He needs to pack swag etc and his gear. He would go for a manual. Thanks again. Newsoob.

Economy - I know I've driven L series but honestly I didnt really pay attention to it - someone else here will be able to help you. But I can tell you from mine - its 1996 Liberty wagon with standard EJ22, I can get upto 550-600 kms on highway & 20% city driving. I havent actually done any constant highway driving since got the wagon, but I know you could get over 600kms to a tank on highway. Tank holds 60litres.

Cheers
AP

Newsoob wrote:Thanks L Raiser and AP. He is 90% tarmac and no SERIOUS off road but loves his camping and fishing and would occasionally go bush to remote river for trout fishing or over to the beach. He needs something to get him to work and back comfortably in Melb and then up highway to home. Is there any great difference in economy in models? He needs to pack swag etc and his gear. He would go for a manual. Thanks again. Newsoob.

Sounds like a Gen I or Gen II Lib would be the choice then if it were me, if I was doing majority highway driving. I'd go the Forry easilly for offroading. Fuel economy wise, I dont think there would be a dramatic difference between an early Forry than a Lib. Althought the Forry has a 2.0L and the car is marginally lighter than the Lib and the lib has a 2.2L. There's bugger all between em I recon, fuel usage wise....I cant say for sure as I've never owned one.

any 2L n/a subaru is gutless. Its amazing how much harder the 2.2 goes. However i would personally go a foz. Nice street car that can also be taken to the beach with no modifications.

To be honest, the libertys will not go offroad stock. They need to be lifted to achieve any sort of ground clearance and offroad ability.

+1 for foz.

alex

Number one son has found 2000 model Forester Limited with high K's(270000) at very reasonable price $8000.00. Are the K's too high? The car has log books from Subaru dealer. Supposed to be excellent condition. We going to have a look tomorrow. Will she be good for another 200000K's. Will it suit him for city and his off road ventures. He has 1990 L series and if he gets Forry will he be happy with its performance against the L? Thanks again for previous replies. Newsoob.

just be careful of high km like that. Could have head gasket issues etc. Things also tend to get worn out at those km. Like alternator, radiator, cvs etc.

and it will flog all over the l-series. He will be happy with its performance.

just be aware that problems do happen with high km motors, even if theyve been serviced properly their whole life. But then again ,it could last another 200k with no problems at all! 6 of one or half a dozen of the other really.

alex

Newsoob wrote:Number one son has found 2000 model Forester Limited with high K's(270000) at very reasonable price $8000.00. Are the K's too high? The car has log books from Subaru dealer. Supposed to be excellent condition. We going to have a look tomorrow. Will she be good for another 200000K's. Will it suit him for city and his off road ventures. He has 1990 L series and if he gets Forry will he be happy with its performance against the L? Thanks again for previous replies. Newsoob.

Sounds OK to me...does it look like its been offroad much...? Or mostly highway use...? Coz if it mostly highway you should be safe. But if its done a lot of Kms offroad...it ages the car and its componants ten times quicker.

Biggest thing to check with subes is their timing belt, religiously change them after every 100kms or earlier! Later models like the 2000 can do valve/cyl damage if they let go while driving, unlike the ol L's and MY's, you lose a timing belt on them, no valve damage whatsoever.

One other thing to be wary of, is that later model subes Spare Parts NEW are not cheap! Subaru are not known for their cheap parts prices. BUT, they are very very reliable. Id use a gen sube part any day over an aftermarket part.

I hope your son has happy and safe motoring!

Regards,

L-Raiser

I've driven an L for some time and I'd have to say that my choice of subi to move in to would be the foz - pretty much as alex has said.

High K's on subi's are not uncommon - just beware that around 300,000km the motor may be due to pop a head gasket, its also a good time to clean out the radiator and make sure other components are in good working order - this will easily see the subi do another 200 odd thousand km...

But for me, for now I'm sticking with my L - its easy to work on/modify, parts are cheap and relatively easy to come by when looking for common bits (I'm after some special gear atm, having some fun too...)

Also, interestingly, mates of mine that I've known to drive an L have all gone for the foz, those that haven't moved to a later model are dreaming of a foz some day...

Good luck with the hunting.

Cheers

Bennie