The Subaru Leone has roots dating all the way back to 1971 and was the brand’s top model for quite a bit of the car’s lifespan, which came to a halt at the end of the 1994 model run. In its earlier days, it was also the only Subaru offered for sale internationally. The car became known in North America and some other markets by its trim level, such as the GL or simply L-Series. If you’ve been on the hunt for a smaller station wagon and could use a four-wheel-drive equipped example, this 1981 Subaru GL Wagon just might be a good contender. It’s located in Boise, Idaho, and is up for grabs here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $7,000.
This one is for sale by a car dealership called Classy Autos, and it’s one of several vehicles they are currently offering on eBay. The Subaru is said to have had multiple owners in the past but it’s always been well taken care of, and although there is a bit of rust here and there it still has a straight body. Kudos to the seller for not only providing a multitude of photos but also for a few close-ups showing some of the body issues, which don’t appear to be all that severe. The paint is showing some imperfections and fading, but at least it’s got a patina that would be forgiving if you decide to hit some terrain where that 4X4 feature would come in handy.
The Subaru is just one mile from having traveled 132k miles, and the 4-cylinder engine is stated to be solid as can be and operates smoothly, quietly, and comes with a notebook of service records. The manual transmission is also praised for how well it shifts, with the brakes, electrical system, and differential all stated to be in good shape. We also get to view a 7-minute long video that shows the car starting cold on a 20-degree morning, and it fired right up.
Some inside pieces are showing their age, including the seats and a few cracks in the dashboard, but if you’re just going to use this as a short-distance driver some seat covers and a dash pad should do the trick. Down below where it matters more seems to be pretty solid overall, with several photos of the underside provided including this one, and the car’s height can also be adjusted in both the front and rear. All in all, this seems like a decent little station wagon- what do you think?
Those were extremely rust prone and just dissolved away on their own after any road salt exposure.
My dad had one in Australia which he used for a rural mail run of 200 km per day. Ten years later and 500,000 km on the clock it was still going great when he sold it. Original untouched motor and one set of CV joints.
Where I live that’s a $500 car all day long. $7k is absurd.
Please tell me where you live. I’d like to check out the local FBM and CL and buy these for $500. Thank you.
7k is a lot but worth way more than 500 these days.
Beautiful car. I remember when Subaru cars looked like this. This would be a perfect all weather, all terrain taxicab. I’d buy one if I didn’t already have a car. :)
Yeah tell me also .. I want to buy at least three ..
this must B a 2nd gen as mine was so much more rounded (’71-?5?), BRAT wuz 2nd gen like this base model (yet above pic still 4WD). Subie wuz “the 4WD”, SAAB “the turbo” back then. My 1st gen hada luminum blk w/4 steel sleve liners for the up’n down pumpers. No head gasket problems of the middle yrs. I got over 32 MPGs w/a 1600cc motor and I think 5 speed (either the dull yellow or typical beige of those cars then). No 4WD , probably my 1st FWD (as I ran alphas, lancia, fiats’n a Chevy van then). Oh, 1 rambler merican vert & several slant6 waggys too.
I’ll stick with my 2020 Outback, thank you.
The first thing I would advise any possible buyer to do is check the air filter box- when getting tired, there is often blow-by residue under the filter and possible staining on the lowest surfaces. I had an 86 Brat 1800, and at about 135,000 miles it was definitely in need of an overhaul. Average mileage with a daily commute of about 40 miles, mixed freeway and rural /residential streetrs, running between 70mph at top and stop and go in other areas, average fuel economy was about 19.5 mpg. I found a Japanese “take-out” engine in a “Pick your part ” yard, which looked as though it had not run in the hatchback it was installed in. The easy way too tell the Japanese take-out engines for the Subaru pushrod engines is a sticker on the rocker covers stating ” Do Not Adjust Valves.” The US vehicles had solid lifters, where the JDM engines all had hydraulic lifters.
Shortly before the engine find, I had purchased a 2001 Forester with 82K miles on it, and it was returning 24.2 MPG, so I never got around to installing the JDM engine in my Brat. Sold it to a friend and neighbor, and he is thoroughly enjoying it since installing the fresh engine. For those not aware, the Japanese smog laws required that after a certain number of miles driven, the engine must be removed and replaced with a NEW on, not a re-man of the original. The removed engines were then sold by the container load as an alternative to having high mileage engines rebuilt. This made it possible to replace the old engine with a nearly new one with less down time for the owner, less shop floor time for a garage, and often a lower cost as well.
Great cars, no not 7k great, but would love to find this for 1000$, you can grt a suzuki xl7-gran vitara or sidekick for 1/2 the 7 k .
This is a ea81, this is the no timing belt motor, i wish they kept the gears.
Its a carb and not a ton of power, so my foot was always in it. For me under 25 mpg
On a tough winter day the heater and wipers left a lot to be desired. How about and icy popsicle for a windshield wiper on an ice cold windshield with one little clean spot.
The 4wd and 13 inch tires would go thru Anything until the snow got to high and your tires were floating
Simple cheap reliable, not the greatest highway rig. But super if you find one good enough to rebuild or put a newer drive train in
I agree. Maybe if it were in nicer condition it might’ve fetched at least $5k. But certainly not $7k.
These rusted terribly in New England . I was working in a salvage yard in the mid 1980s and these were coming in all the time , running, but severely rusted, body and suspension. . We used to buy them from local Subaru dealerships who took them in trade but couldn’t sell them , and these were only 5 -6 years old. The yard guys used them for lot vehicles as the motors could take a beating
What was Fuji thinking when they decided to build these cars without any rust prevention?
I’ve always loved Subarus of the early 80s. I loved the fact that while you still had to move a lever or push a button, depending on the year, at least you didn’t have to exit the car to lock and unlock the hubs to engage and disengage 4wd.
If only more pics were posted on ebay of this car. I don’t think there should be such thing as too many photos, particularly when it comes to the exterior of the car.
Hi guys,
just found a one owner, 1980 wagon 2% rust 1800cc in running order full of mice droppings in a barn in Queensland, Australia for $500, there still out there. Will have to put a bit of money into it but overall good condition. Keep chargin, regards, Rick.