Learn me - Subaru XT6

Half decent winter beater? Or about as smart as trying to DD a Biturbo?

This one just turned up on the Sacramento CL: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/2629221512.html

Only thing I can see wrong with it is you haven't bought it yet.

And the automatic trans...but that can be fixed.

No digi-dash? I am disappoint.

they're like 60 years ahead of their time.

Putting an XT6 and a Biturbo in the same sentence is flat out an insult to the XT6. Come on, man.

Anyways, I've driven 4, and cut one into pieces head to toe. They are sought after because they contain the magic pieces to convert any pre-Legacy/Impreza Subaru (aka: Loyale, L-series, DL/GL/GL-10/RX) to the later Impreza/Legacy suspension and brakes.

The flat six isn't that powerful. At all. Subaru's subsequent 4-cylinder engines make better power and torque while maintaining better fuel economy all day long...but the ER27 (XT6 motor) makes a great sound and is pretty bulletproof. It is also non-interference, and timing belts are on the easier side of a two-hour job.

Most (all?) had crazy air-powered height-adjust suspension on them, complete with a compressor and tank driven by the engine! It does not work on 95% of the examples left out there. It is admittedly really cool when it works, though if not really of any performance benefit. There are lots of swaps done to later Legacy/Impreza parts.

Most were "Full Time 4WD" (open center diff, LSD rear) with a 5-speed manual, but autos are pretty common. However, there was also a FWD version made, so be sure to check (a lot of people just assume they were all 4WD).

Rust is the enemy. Check the frame headers below the firewall, the rear suspension mounting points, and the windshield frame. Luckily, Subarus rust pretty obviously, so use your best judgment.

The seats are extraordinarily comfortable and adjustable. They also look really Star Wars-y, like the rest of the interior. The interior is awesome. It is the biggest reason to have any XT. Seriously. It rocks. Pictures don't do it justice, when you sit in it, you will understand.

Overall, they are pretty tough, easy to work on, and goofy, provided they're not totally clapped out. Don't expect a true Supra fighter, though. (Or a Biturbo)

More info/forums: www.subaruxt.com www.ultimatesubaru.org

There is or was a near twin to this car for sale in Jacksonville, Fl. Differences? Manual transmission, for starters. Color was a more "honest" red than this one, miles were not quite half the miles of the Sacramento car, and the price was 3 times what the asking price in this ad is. Oh, and it has/had a luggage rack that kills the space-agey looks somewhat.

A couple of XT's are on my "lottery list". One nice original 4WD Turbo 5 spd, one in modern STi-swap trim. I've always like them. Somewhere in my house, I still have a dealer brochure from 1985 when my mother bought her first GL wagon.

Well, I've just emailed the guy, given that I'm potentially going past there anyway on my way to San Francisco today.

Y'all are a bunch of enablers, y'know?

Whoa, I think that steering wheel is even goofier than the single spoke citroen one.

Ah, turns out it needs some money throwing at it - the car is advertised on subaruxt.com as well and it sounds like it might need the usual "cheap car" grand throwing at it.

Hmm.

http://subaruxt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12290

Both front axles and some window regulators for $200.

They are fun cars, not real fast, but a lot of fun to drive.

I love those interior shots. Rutger Hauer should be driving this while being chased by Harrison Ford. His plate would read REPLCNT. (Bladerunner reference for the young)

mine had a little lighted graphic of the vehicle on the dashboard. when i hit my ride height button up or down, the image on the display would also raise or lower.

Ahhhh, the spiritual predecessor to the modern Subarus. Much of this chassis made it into the '89 Legacy, onto which all later Imprezas, Legacys, and Foresters were based. And that ER27 is a sweetheart. Buy it already!

woody beat me to posting it. its like a friggin spaceship inside.

An Aunt of mine had a Turbo 5 speed one taht I got to drive once. It was cool, like driving a French car in a way.

The 3.3L from the SVX will fit.

I outran an NSX in one so equipped on the Dragon.

Very quirky, fun car.

I always liked those cars.. but have not seen one in years

Just saw two in the JY on Thursday. Interiors were gone though.

friend had an XT turbo in HS... her dad did auto body on the side... was a dark metallic blue with silver stripes (so fitting to the car) with a sparkle/glitter in the clear coat.... the car wasn't fast (the h6 helped a lot in power as I recall vs the H4 turbo)... but it was a GOOD looking car IMHO :)... I tried to buy it at one point... but no dice

"I thought we'd agreed you'd buy another Subaru."

"But Dad, I did!"

My Mom had a turbo 4 XT from 86-? I remember being a young lad and the copious smoke that the front tires could make if you got one just a little wet and then hammered the gas and got on the boost. Functional hood scoop. The digi-graphic for the height selection. Don't remember what happened to it. Guess that's a sign of too many cars over the years.....