Considering their popularity as cult cars, and their reputation for durability, the pre-1990s Subarus seem to have largely disappeared from the roads. Perhaps, as with Alfas, you’ll see more of these if you’re in the Subaru (or Japanese Classic Car) scene, but for your average Johnny-on-the-street, they might as well have gone the way of the Peugeot or the Yugo. While they’re not terribly fast, and in fact are slow, they get bonus points for being leaders with the all-wheel-drive wagon package, and having a flat four engine. It’s not an original question, but what has been done to retrofit the older cars with turbocharged powertrains? While you’re contemplating that question, take a look at this 1986 Subaru GL 4WD wagon, listed for a mere $1400 in Santa Clara, CA.
Granted, there’s not much you can gather from night time pictures taken with a low-resolution cell-phone, but 27-year-old Subarus generally look more beaten than this car does, and the nice ones go for at least twice this money. The paint does appear to be glossy in some shots, and the car looks largely straight and unhit. Unfortunately, the short Spanish-language listing gives no additional details or pictures of the engine or interior, except to say the engine runs well and the car needs a new ignition switch. The car is also said to have 110,000 miles, which seems low for a utility vehicle.
Brush up on your Spanish and check this one out – a low-mile, good-condition 1980s Subaru wagon would be worth it!
Rusty But Trusty 
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