It’s difficult to chart the projected path of a future classic. I thought I was ahead of the curve when I snagged an original owner 1988 Subaru XT6 a few years ago, only to learn that while appreciated by enthusiasts, there were significant drawbacks to ownership that limited their appeal. Still, I have a warm place in my heart for cars like this 1989 Subaru XT here on eBay, a four-wheel drive example listed for $2,800 or best offer.
The recipe for what makes a vintage car desirable is multi-faceted, from parts availability to ease of modification to the enthusiast network behind it. For my car, the six-cylinder variant, parts supply was extremely limited due to no other modern Subaru being equipped with that motor. As a four-cylinder car, there’s a fair amount more component sharing with other Subaru models of the era, so this one won’t be nearly as hard to find parts for – unless you’re looking for rust-free fenders. More on that later.
The desirability factor is a bit low with this model as it’s a four-cylinder saddled with the automatic. It is at least 4WD, as the lowest of the low is a front-driver with the autobox. The interior presents quite nicely, and the fragile plastic dash trim is well preserved. My biggest gripe with all Subarus is their tendency to understeer and mine was no different; 4WD may be fun in the snow but unless you’re packing 300 b.h.p. or better, it’s not that much fun to hustle (in my purely non-expert opinion).
One of the areas that impressed me the most was the condition of the cardboard partitions in the trunk. Subaru stopped making trunk seals for the XT decades ago, meaning many of them have musty trunks that let water in with disappointing regularity. My panels were all warped, as were the ones in any junkyard car I found. If the seller accepts $2K for this XT, it’s worth a look – but the passenger side fender will need replacement, and let me tell you: rust-free body panels are very hard to find. If you buy it, I can point you in the direction of some junkyards that may be able to help.
Fun cars! Like grandkids, they’re fun to play with but always great to give them back to the parents! Haha
Lovely looking car. I remember when the Subaru XT was first introduced to the USA. At the time, I found it more attractive than either the 4 door sedan or the wagon of the same era. So it has a dent or two. So what? As long as it’s drivable, I’d buy it.
I had the seats out of one of these in a DJ-5 (mail jeep) they were very comfortable
Great Under-rated cars. The SVX was the other sports cars that was expensive and unknown.https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=a1viVGAB&id=34A8EC6220D4389A7DB9B24D61AE3316EA17A31E&thid=OIP.a1viVGABaWQ_BOZy-nqpigHaEu&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2f13252-presscdn-0-94.pagely.netdna-cdn.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2017%2f05%2f5925caf6818d9_DSC_2897-940×600.jpg&exph=600&expw=940&q=subaru+svx&simid=607996238516781820&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
I owned the identical car back in the early 90’s. Don’t remember what I paid (not much) but it was the “stripper” model with a parcel shelf in place of the back seat. These and the SVX’s were both fun but very underappreciated.