Slushbox in White: 1985 Subaru Leone Turbo AWD
Back when I was in college (in the late 20th Century, A.D.), I had a friend who always drove when we went on a road trip. It wasn’t because he was the best driver or had the biggest car or even the nicest car…no it was much more simple than that. He had the car that would always get us to our destination and back… and his car was a mid 80s Subaru Leone wagon. It didn’t have a turbo or all-wheel-drive like today’s example, but it always got a load of college kids to/from a concert, camping, or wherever college kids needed to go. He sold the car years ago, but I can only assume it is still being used by college kids to get around, or at least I hope it is. Anyway, if you want to make a political statement get a Tesla, but if need a car to get you places, get this 1985 Subaru Leone Turbo AWD offered for $6,000 near Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
From the seller:
1985 Subaru 4×4 Wagon
condition: good
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: 4wd
fuel: gas
odometer: 102000
paint color: white
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: hatchback
Rare gem…
1985 Subaru Turbo 4×4 Wagon. Automatic, 4 door, rear hatch, completely original and only one owner since new.
This is an Aptos car, born and raised. Literally owned by a little old lady since purchased new in ’85. NEVER seen a dirt road, always cared for and serviced properly. These are hard to come by in this condition and white is even harder still.
102,000 original miles. All paperwork to back it up.
There is a small patch of rust (see pics) on the rear hatch just below the window. An easy fix for someone who cares. Other than that, this car is as pristine as can be for a 35 year old car with original paint and wheels.
Vehicle starts and runs fine. A tune up is probably in line, as it has sat for a bit.
Call or text to discuss a showing… eight 3 one – five 7 eight – 5 seven two 3
Serious offers will be considered, but please…do not contact with lowball offers or any trades.
Thanks for looking!
4 wheel drive subie subru camping 4-wheel-drive
See a better way to just drive? tips@dailyturismo.com
Unfortunately, in the current “troubles†there are far fewer college kids needing to get around, and far fewer places they can get around to.
I sold my ’99 Brighton Legacy wagon. I didn’t want to sell it as it was mint, but an Abarth came into our stable forcing it out. There’s something about these older Subarus, the no-nonsense interiors made out of thick, stout pebble grained plastic, the bullet proof fabrics and in the case of mine, an unkillable EJ22 engine.
My hooptie: https://i.postimg.cc/3rpf968H/Subaru-Wagon-Legacy.jpg
And a recent visit to a town entirely populated by Subaru wagons:
http://davesanborn.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-infinite-subaru-wagons-of-jackson.html
I traveled to the Sierras frequently during the ’80s and ’90s and these Subies could be found everywhere in the region. They were one of the popular choices for year-round resident locals (friendly crunchy mountain folk) in Truckee, Lake Tahoe, Reno, etc. But then two things happened… SUVs became ubiquitous and salted winter roads increased the rate of attrition on rust-prone Japanese cars.
I remember seeing a few still lingering in driveways and parking lots occasionally about 20 years ago, but they were sporting rust-colored “speed holes” on every body panel, especially around the wheel wells. At the time, I probably could have picked up a strong runner for under $500. They were literally selling at about 3 for $1000. But now, I think they’re all gone.
This one is a lucky survivor because it never went off road, though it did live a life near the salty ocean. In Santa Cruz, the cars rust from the top down vs. bottom up like in Tahoe. The salty fog rolls in almost daily, settles and wreaks havoc. This car is really tempting, but I’d be hesitant to use it in the environment it was designed for because it would lead to its demise, which would be a shame.