The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi Everyone looking for so words of wisdom.
I am about to buy a late 80's Subi the choices are a couple of
L series 5sd manuals with 300k + kms or a Leone auto with 170k kms on the clock.
Are the auto's any good off-road?
And is a 300k+ engine likely to last much longer?

Depends what you want to do with it.

Wagons are good cos they are a wagon, ya can fit more stuff in the back. Unfortunately they are underpowered

But the Leone turbo has a bit more grunt and the auto can be reasonably easily swapped for a manual.

Although 300k km is getting up there, these engines are known to last. (unless you overheat them)

Anyway, an engine swap out of a newer subaru (liberty, impreza ect) is pretty easy too.

id go for the leone turbo- much better power. Auto boxes are good offroad particularly in sand. and yeah a gearbox swap isnt too difficult if you want a manny.

Certainly 170,000kms is alot more attractive than the ones with 300+ (although if looked after a Suby can go well beyond those kms). The only drawback really in the sedan is much less boot space. The Autos reportedly go very well offroad but if you find you perfer manual the conversion isn't too hard or expensive to do.

Guys - I don't think he actually mentioned the word Turbo anywhere.

Autos are great in sand

Just ask Steve of Rising Sun considering you are in Adelaide - he mated one (well several) to his 'little red car' (EA82T++) but blew them all befrore going a GT forester AWD box.

I would say buy the higher milage, then also the EA82T package in the for sale section and you'll be laughing.

(I have no conflict of interest re: the turbo conversion!)

Sven

Get the wagon and do an EJ22 conversion and you will not look back. Less Ks on a car dont really mean alot if you are going to start playing with the drivline

I've heard the later auto's especially with a turbo EJ driving them are quite good offroad, but I would have my doubts about an EA82 and 3 speed auto in a Leone. (Definitely Turbo would be better but I didn't see you mention Turbo Willkat). I'd certainly be looking for something with dual range if you're wanting to offroad and not planning on doing a conversion.

buy them all? I bet it won't be your last anyway !

Thank for the replies. I missed the Leone by 15 minutes so I'll see what comes up towards the weekend.

wanna bout the L series?
do you know how much is on it?

Waiting to here about L wagon 1992 White Grey trim, FWD 1.8ltr Dual Fuel 4sp Auto, another buyer is looking at it as I type if I don't hear anything in the next half hour I have mist that one.