The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hello, Forumers

I'm new to driving and still on my first car, a 1983 MY (which until a few days I ago I was calling an L-series I'm still learning)

My poor old dear has some issues that I don't believe are worth dealing with so I'm looking for a new car now. I've been looking for ages but haven't found what I want yet. I'm here to soak up some information so I can make a good choice in my next car.

I'm open to advice, of course and will be spending some time reading some of the older threads which no doubt have lots of info in there for me.

thanks for having me

Welcolm, nice to see some more South Aussies!
As long as your next is a subaru your fine.
Do you want a ute? wagon? sedan? coupe? and what is its purpose? offroad? camping? everyday?
These things would help and we could sugest a very suitable car for you?
Cam

Welcome to AUSubaru!!!

Got some photos of this MY? Is it a wagon, sedan or a super rare coupe?

Unless its rust or major structural damage, im sure we can sort it out.


What seems to be the problem?

Hi BK, I just assumed that car=subaru Ive looked around and Im not interested in anything else.

I'm looking for a car for city and offroad. I need to learn to offroad for my job (this is how I justify it anyway, hahaha) I spend more time driving to and from work but it's the camping holidays that I want to be prepared for.

I have been thinking options and Ive come up with a few but not sure what is really do-able with no mechanical knowledge and no workshop, etc.

The number one choice is find an EA81 that has somehow avoided aging and is super perfect. Second to that is finding one that is decent. Or maybe a decent body that I can put a reconditioned motor in? Unfortunately, the only one Ive found looked pretty on the outside but under the bonnet was rusty- I am guessing it was taken for a swim at the beach?

The next thought was to get an L-series and put an EJ in it, seeing as Ive heard little positive about the EA82. Of course, Id have to pay other people to do this, so I wonder if it's not just a dream... Gosh, they are good-looking cars though!

Yesterday I was suggested that maybe a Liberty would be good. I have avoided thinking about them till now because I find them ugly (no offense to the Libby Lovers out there- I may be joining your ranks soon ) also, they have lots of carpets and cupholders and stuff which turns me off. I like cars that are plain. However, they have the EJ which is a positive and apparently some of them have manual and low range. I've only just started looking and I haven't found one that fits this bill yet.

ok, sorry that was so long Hit me with your advice!

ok, the current car has been converted to LPG and takes no petrol. I am not comfortable with that. I was well-warned by the guy who was selling it, but I was buying with my heart not my head. Also, it's served me well till now, so Im not complaining! It's just not what I want.

Also, the electrics are not very reliable. Instead of replacing the ignition, the previous owners put it on push-button start. Which is kind of fun but it means there is no fan, no defrost (which means in winter I have to drive with my head out the window so I can see ahead of me!) and sometimes the electrical stuff just all stops working. Oh, and the battery runs down over night and I keep forgetting to unhook it, which means hours of time spent waiting for it to recharge with an extension cord leading out of the house and down my driveway, lol. Ive had enough of that

If you love it, i would redo all the wiring. Buy a new loom or something. otherwise, get a Brumby! lol.
They're great offroad, so are L series depends what body you want wagon, sedan or ute.
Cam

I'd love a brumby! but I have a toddler. It's kind of not really a responsible choice, even if you can get seats to put in the tray as has been suggested to me. Definitely need wagon format.

If it was on petrol, I would do the electrics. However, putting it back to normal electrics and normal fuel is just too daunting. I'd be paying someone else to do it, so I can't help but think it's easier to find something else.

Yeah get a wagon. You can't put seats in the back, well not legally.

How does your mum go with her Liberty, BK? Does she like it? Is it fun?

Yeah she loves it. No upgrades . It never goes on a dirt road she is over protective of it. While we have it, it wont live to its potential unless dad or myself drive it
Cam

oh no, that's so sad That is one reason that I'm scared of getting a Liberty- they're so fancy with their fluffy seats and carpets and cupholders... and I don't want to get all precious over a car.

Its more mum than the car, it wouldn't matter what car it was but i know what you mean!
Cheers Cam

firstly subaru... smart choice... secodly what do you want for your LPG,d MY ? it sounds like a beautiful canvas for my intentions... thirdly whats your budget... fourthly whats your occupation (answering that is optional)... fourthly most of us know mechanical and are happy to help out if needed... im never busy hahaha

There is no choice... only subarus can give me what I need There are no other cars that make sense for my situation.

I haven't thought about how much I would want for LPG. I was thinking of selling the set-up with bonus car attached. However, if you're really bored and need something to keep your hands busy, some kind of swap or barter might work. I'll do some research and get back to you. You might want to see if it's fit for your use first.

I'm an archaeologist - I need to learn to drive so I can get out to sites and communities! At the moment, I only work in the lab, but I'm planning to study Environmental Studies next year.. and I joined a 4WD club, too, so lots of outdoorsy stuff in future

I'm intrigued by your LPG intentions...explain to me? link me to a thread?

i havnt really made a thread yet as im still finding a cheap lab rat basically i intend on making a HHO generator large enough to run a small subaru iv had so many thoughts on what i do it to i dont really car on the id prefer ute but eh but basically an lpg set up vehicle is ideal mostly due to hho gases and lp gases are injected much the same way only difference being lp is pressurised where as hho is vacuume but all the modules injector set up is near enough identical... also means engine is less likely to blow up when the gas is injected either that or i do it to my car as the motor is already near dead but when i think about it a rocker cover for my benz is worth more then an entire running EA engine so yea

I bought a 1987 L-series and so far it's all good. I like it. I took it in some mud briefly last weekend, my first offroad experience. That was fun Looking forward to more!

I'm not planning on doing too much to it, just enough so that I can get a little offroad. First stop, a little bit of lift. I'll be cruising the forum looking for ideas for a bit.

I still have the MY to deal with. It's so super kewt I don't want to get rid of it but I suppose I should. MK, you have first dibs on lpg if haven't already sourced a system. I have no workshop, so it will be a u-pull-it situation, I'm afraid. PM me if you like.