Subaru Liberty 1990 Problems

Subaru's largest passenger car, the Liberty, has a well-deserved reputation for toughness and reliability with Australian buyers. The Subaru Outback is an interesting variant on the Liberty station wagon. On the market since 1996 it is intended as a halfway step between a conventional station wagon and a dedicated 4WD.In its earlier models Subaru Outback had a tougher appearance than the standard wagon because of the additional protective plastic facings on the doors. These were discontinued with the new generation of 2003 to give the vehicle a more upmarket air, though there are many Subaru advocates who preferred the tougher look of the original.Since 1995 only all-wheel drive Liberty models have been sold in Australia, prior to then there were also front-wheel drive versions, even by 1995 these were comparatively rare because buyers had already sussed out the advantages of driving all four wheels.Unusually for Japanese cars, Libertys and Outbacks, indeed all Subarus, are popular with country drivers as well as those from metro areas. Libertys and Outbacks are much loved by snow skiers because their permanent all-wheel drive system makes them safer and more capable in slippery conditions than a 2WD vehicle.Subaru Liberty first arrived in this country in 1989 and struck a chord with local buyers almost immediately. These older models are generally getting long in the tooth so may be near the end of their lives. You’re probably better off avoiding them.Liberty is sold as a four-door sedan and a five-door station wagon, with a much larger percentage of wagons being sold than in other models in the mid-size class. The combination of the traction of all-wheel drive and the practicality of a wagon rear end is a strong one.The engines have a flat ‘boxer’ layout to lower the centre of gravity for improved road holding. Engine capacities in the four-cylinder models are 2.0, 2.2 and 2.5 litres. The 2.0 actually has more performance than the 2.2 being a later design.Flat-six engines began with a 3.0-litre unit in the Outback and later the Liberty range, its capacity increased to 3.6 litres in September 2009. Subaru calls the flat-six engines the H6 - ‘H’ for horizontally opposed, but most owners tend to retain the use of flat-six or boxer for it.There are a couple of high-performance Subaru Liberty variants. The Liberty RS has a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit and was introduced here in 1992. It was on sale for less than two years, when it was upstaged by the smaller and lighter Subaru Impreza WRX, a car that went on to be a huge success.The Liberty B4 sports machine has a twin-turbo 2.0-litre. It first came here in August 2001 but was somewhat of a disappointment in Australia because the engine had to be significantly detuned from the one offered on the Japanese market to run on our lower-octane petrol.These Subarus are reasonably easy to work on and most routine jobs can be carried out by an experienced home mechanic. However, safety items and most areas of the high-performance variants are best left to the professionals.Spare parts prices are about average for a car in this class. The Subaru dealer network, though relatively small, works efficiently. Because of Subarus’ popularity in country areas there are dealers in comparatively remote areas.Insurance charges on all but the turbocharged high-performance Liberty RS and Liberty B4 are moderate. The turbo models can be really expensive to cover, especially if you are a young and/or inexperienced driver. Living in a high-risk area further increases charges. Be sure to get a quote before falling in love with a turbo Liberty as premiums can be scary.Look over the interior trim and carpets for signs of damage, though they usually hold up well to all but the most outrageous of treatment. Mud or a real buildup of dust may indicate a lot of time spent of the beaten track.Check out the luggage area for signs of harsh treatment caused by carrying big and/or sharp loads. Have a look underneath a car, particularly the Outback, for signs of damage through it coming into contact with the ground. Some owners really do treat them as though they are ‘real’ 4WDs.The undersides of the bumpers, especially on their corners, are usually the first to suffer. Be sure the engine starts quickly and immediately idles smoothly no matter how cold the conditions. The sixes are naturally smoother than the fours, but the latter should be pretty good as well. Manual gearboxes should be quiet in operation and gearchanges should be smooth and light. Automatics which tend to hunt up and down the gears, or which are slow to go into gear, could be due for an overhaul. Rust is not common in Subarus, but if one has been badly repaired after a crash it may get into the metal. Call in a professional inspector if there’s the slightest doubt.

The Liberty, released in 1989, was front-wheel drive – a transition model for the company as it made its way into an all-wheel drive future. The Liberty was a medium-sized sedan or wagon suitable for most families, even though it wasn't as big as the cars coming from the local manufacturers.It was cleanly styled with neat, simple lines forming a wedge shape with plenty of glass to give the interior an open, airy feel, and good visibility. Inside, there was generous leg, head and shoulder room, even for taller occupants. The shape of the rear seat made the Liberty essentially a four-seater, but there was room for five if really needed.Vision was clear with plenty of glass and well-designed pillars that didn't interfere with the view from the driver's seat.All the controls and switches were laid out sensibly and drivers were generally able to find a good driving position with plenty of seat adjustment, allowing everyone to establish a comfortable relationship between wheel, pedals and seat.The Liberty's performance was adequate without being particularly sporting. A 2.2-litre fuel-injected four-valve, horizontally opposed, four-cylinder engine provided sufficient performance with particularly good mid-range torque, giving it the sort of flexibility that makes for a comfortable driving experience. When asked for its best, the Liberty's engine would produce 100kW at 6000revs and 189Nm at 4800revs.A pleasant and efficient five-speed manual gearbox transferred the engine's output to the front wheels. In normal use, the Liberty returned quite commendable fuel economy with 10.5-litre/100km on average. The Liberty's ride was comfortable and compliant with plenty of control to swallow bumps without disturbing the inner peace, while the handling was predictable and precise with good road-holding when pressed through corners.The LX provided the entry point to the Liberty range and it came with a decent amount of equipment with tilt-adjustable steering column, illuminated vanity mirrors, cup-holders, remote boot release, power mirrors, AM/FM radio cassette sound, and driver's seat height adjustment.The Liberty enjoyed an enviable reputation for build quality and reliability and came with a three-year 70,000km warranty, which was unusually long for the time. But remember, the Liberty is now up to 15 years old and that means it must be approached with caution and the understanding that you're buying an old car that is nearing the end of its useful life.Use of galvanised steel in the body meant it was resistant to rust. But listen carefully for engine rattles and knocks during the test drive and have someone follow you to observe if there's smoke from the tailpipe. This may suggest an engine rebuild is needed.Check the condition of the oil. If it's dark and dirty, it hasn't been changed in a while, which will be indicative of the level of servicing that has been done.No airbags here, so it's down to good old sheetmetal and belts. In surveys of road crashes, the Liberty is rated above the average for occupant protection.Check seatbelts for any sign of wear.It's not a bad idea to replace the belts as a precaution, particularly if you're putting your kids in the car.