The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hello Folks,

Im looking to buy a car, a mate has had a good experience with his old early 90s Liberty in terms of reliability and longevity, so im looking hard at the various Suba models in my price range.

That price range is around the $5K mark, which is rather limiting.

Anyway, my question is, in terms of value for money and reliability which of these would be the go?

- Liberty
- Impreza (very very few in that price range obviously)
- L Series
- Brumby (a tad impractical but so much character!)

Would mostly be used for the daily commute in winter (ride a motorbike in the better weather) and the occasional camping/diving trips. Like the idea of having AWD.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Shaun

AWD Gen 1 Liberty is wt i reckon wuld be good.

For 5K you could have a well set up early Liberty. You can find them with AWD and dual range for around $2000 these days quite easily. Add some lift, wheels and tyres and away you go.

Or for $5000 you could be looking at a Gen 2 Liberty. Not many around at that price just yet, but there is a few.

Personally I would buy the Gen 2.

buy the best gen2 you can get with the money you have.

Very few Gen2 in the pricerange, i forgot to mention it must be a manual

As already said there are plenty of Gen1 Liberty's around that are cheap that would net you a well setup one for your 5k.

Libertys are built better than all the other options listed. The pick of the bunch.

Yeah I agree above - get a Liberty - you can find Gen2 at that price range but it takes time, I believe Gen2 Lib is a better build than Gen1 Liberty - better upgrade options and prices of parts is same as Gen1.

Get AWD manual, wagons comes with Dual Range - Sedan only comes in single range - be aware. Also some Gen2 wagons/sedans are FWD manual - dont rely "AWD" on the back of the car (because I have came across to "AWD" emblem but it was FWD when I looked under it and told off the salesman and he shrugged - so what he said) - you have to look for a diff in rear or dual range selector lever after gearstick.
Cheers
AP