Subaru has a history of developing cars in Japan for the global market. However, the XT broke that mold, with the North American market the primary focus. With an emphasis on advanced aerodynamics, the XT was anything but a shrinking violet. This 1986 example is a one-owner classic that has led a sheltered existence. It presents exceptionally well and is in excellent mechanical condition. The seller has decided that the time has come for the Subaru to head to a new home, listing it here on eBay in Cumming, Georgia. Bidding sits at $4,050 in a No Reserve auction.
The 1980s was a decade when vehicle styling became bold. Harsh lines were the order of the day, and the sculpted look of the 1970s had faded. Subaru took the concept to a higher level with the XT. The company focused on aerodynamic efficiency, with its “boxer” engine helping the XT achieve an extraordinarily low nose. The appearance divided opinions, but one thing it wasn’t was subtle. This XT rolled off the line in 1986 and is a one-owner classic. The seller confirms a previous repaint in the car’s original Liberty White, and its condition remains very impressive. The paint shines nicely, the panels are straight, and, as a garage-kept vehicle that has never been left exposed to the elements overnight or driven in the rain, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The pop-up highlights operate as they should, the trim and wheels are excellent, and the vast expanses of glass are clear.
The “hard-edged” exterior styling theme continues into this Subaru’s interior. There is barely a curve to be found, and there are some pretty funky design elements. The major controls are situated on column-mounted binnacles, and the shifter bears a striking resemblance to the iconic pistol grip that was so popular in the 1960s and 1970s. The rear seat, which is a “kids-only” zone, features a folding backrest for trunk access. However, the XT’s low nose forced Subaru to relocate the spare tire from its traditional engine bay location to the trunk, and its position restricts access to that area from the interior. This classic has the hallmarks of a car that has been treated respectfully. The upholstered surfaces feature no significant wear, and the carpet is excellent. There are acres of plastic, but it hasn’t succumbed to age or UV exposure. The owner handed this XT to a Subaru specialist to update the air conditioning to R134a refrigerant. The winning bidder also receives power windows, power mirrors, an AM/FM radio, and a cassette player.
Some readers will be disappointed that this XT isn’t the Turbo variant. Its 1,781cc flat-four engine should send 97hp and 103 ft/lbs of torque to the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. That means that the drivetrain is standard Subaru fare from the period. It won’t make the XT lightning-fast, but it will not only cope admirably with city traffic and open-road cruising, but also return impressive fuel consumption figures. The seller recently fitted a new battery, new belts, a new spark igniter, new ignition coil cables, fresh oil, and coolant. The car has no oil leaks or mechanical maladies. Potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition.
This 1986 Subaru XT may not be the more desirable Turbo version, but it is an exceptionally tidy vehicle that can turn heads forty years after leaving the line. The bidding action has been subdued, and the overall condition and originality could see the current figure double before the hammer falls. If it doesn’t, that would not only make it a potentially affordable weekend cruiser but also a practical and fuel-efficient daily driver. The No Reserve factor means that it is guaranteed to find a new home in a few days. If you aspired to own an XT when they were new, could you be tempted by this one?
Haven’t seen one of these in ages. They weren’t that popular when new and yet here this little car is. I would almost guarantee at most gas stations some this going to as you about your car. Never have driven on so I have no idea how it goes around corners but it’s definitely not much in an acceleration run. It’s an early Subie could be a fun little car.
Looks in really nice shape. Haven’t seen one of these on the road in forever. Awesome shifter, and odd location of the fan speed/heat controls. Really enjoyed this article Clarkey đź‘Ť
Interesting car, always seemed like something out of a 80s dystopian movie to me. As polarizing as the outside is, the interior is a disjointed mess, especially that steering wheel. That’s just my opinion, I know people that love these.
I realize coming from Wisconsin, (Rambler/AMC) I have no business ripping on oddly styled cars, for the most part, we wouldn’t be seen in a car like this. I always thought of these as the car with the big butt. Subies are great cars, but I think this was a swing and a miss for them. Like many imported car makers, their designers threw what THEY thought we’d like, but didn’t transfer into sales. Initially, had some success, ’86 being the most sold, about 23,000, but by 1990, that number dropped to about 1200, and was dropped. Serious, SERIOUS rusters, the ones you did see, hardly made it one winter in the salt without decomposing. Amazing to see one at all,,
NOW,,,in case you haven’t noticed, the site is beginning to feature cars for sale with PLAUSIBLE prices, sometimes, too plausible, like the red Corvair. I think it’s a move in the right direction for the site. It’s pure economics 101, less desire means a drop in prices, except at the grocery store, but I do believe the car hobby will survive, but at a lower level, and I want to thank the staff for doing that.
I always thought these were neat, unique looking Subbies. I’m with all the above, thats a great “pistol grip” shifter. I also haven’t seen one of these in I couldn’t even tell you how long. The fact that this has had such a great caretaker, I certainly hope that the new owner takes just as good a care of it. Thanks for bringing back a memory of a neat Subaru Adam, I enjoyed it.
These were interesting cars at the time – a sort of “hat tip” if you will to the infatuation with space travel and all things associated with “space” that the Japanese have henceforth the quirky interior design. This is definitely a well preserved time capsule that “might” net someone a good purchase if they want that “Back to the Future” feeling sitting in their driveway…and yes I know the car was a DeLorean in that movie but I’m referring to the time period and “space travel” – still a great find and excellent write up. The Turbo version is the much sought after variant however given the fact there can’t be many of those left this might have to do.
If memory serves, didn’t Subaru also offer a six-cylinder model of these? This was quite an unusual car even for the 80s too. This one looks quite preserved. Would I give more than $5k for it? Probably not though it may become a car that increases in value over time.
Yes – besides being very “aerodynamic” it was available with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, and offered a range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines. Not sure what the displacement was however.
Yup, the XT6 variant had a boxer six, available from mid-’87-on when all XTs also got a mild facelift with redesigned bumpers, notably making the front bumper look less blocky by adding a full-width recessed grille slot across the middle.
Some may complain about the styling of these, and yes, there were some weird choices, such as the steering wheel. But at least in this era the designers were trying! No one would mistake this for anything else on the road. Can’t say that today. Designers aren’t even making an effort. This would be a fun little car to have. And, boy, what a conversation starter!
These are an object example that good aerodynamics don’t have to mean jellybean styling, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.29 that’s still impressive even today.
Speaking of the designers trying, engineers wanted a faster backlight for ideal aerodynamics, whereas stylists wanted more of a formal upright coupe roofline, so they resolved the conflict by experimenting in the wind tunnel with models having a variety of backlight angles and shapes, until they arrived at the most upright angle that didn’t sacrifice anything in drag. Note how the greenhouse starts to taper narrower along the rear quarter windows, then tapers more severely into the wraparound corners of the backlight.
I remember some versions of this engine had major issues early on.
I fell in love with the commercial advertising of this car when they came out. I don’t think anything I brought home would surprise my father.
I owned the turbo version and it ran fantastic. That little v-4 would fly. I totalled it twice and rebuilt it twice. It had 350,000 miles when I finally sold it to a guy who parted it out.
I’d love to own this one but I’d have to put a turbo on it. Lol
Nice find! It makes me think of a hard-edge version of my front wheel drive 1988 Cutlass Supreme 2 Dr.
Subaru dealership tech from the 90’s. Worked on many of these. Good cars and well thought out. If this has the air ride run for your life!!!!!!
I had a 1989 XT6 AWD in 2002. Bought it off a Ford dealer on the used lot with 89,000 miles for $1,900. Was a previous one owner. Car was super quick and capable even on the level B unmaintained roads. Sadly the air ride suspension went south and no one around where I lived knew how to repair it.
I gather it’s possible to just replace the stock air-ride setup with regular coil springs, tho’ you do lose the adjustable ride-height feature to raise ground clearance on rough terrain.
I’m not sure offhand if that was only equipped on the XT6 or other AWD XTs as well, but it wouldn’t be on FWD versions like this one.
I knew a guy that owned one of these with a huge Kicker sub in the trunk – he delivered pizza at my then girlfriend’s shop. You could hear him coming because that luggage rack on the trunk would rattle with every beat!
SOLD for $6151.51.
17 bids.