1991-1994 SUBARU LIBERTY RS TURBO
BODY & CHASSIS
After almost 30 years’ exposure to mud and rain, even well-built Liberty bodies may be starting to rust. Look at window surrounds, the bonnet lip, doors and sills. Underbody damage is likely too; check the lower front bumper and sills for crush damage. Liberty headlights weren’t much chop even when new and tarnished reflectors cut output to a glimmer. Be prepared to purchase some replacements which cost around $250 each including freight. If your RS is a wagon, make sure the cargo door struts can support its weight. Frameless doors rely on rubber seals to keep out wind and water and wind whistle reveals they are no longer doing their job.
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Engines that are almost 30 years old will in all likelihood have been rebuilt at least once, so ask for receipts to see what’s been done and when. Cylinder heads leak oil and head gaskets may need replacement. Heat is the big enemy of turbocharged cars and the cooling system must work efficiently. Check as best you can all of the coolant hoses and budget for full replacement as soon as possible unless they have recently been replaced. Smoke of any kind indicates expensive work is imminent. Oil needs changing more frequently than the recommended 10,000km interval. The transmission will most likely clunk due to worn CV and universal joints but avoid cars with constant gear whine or differential noise. Clutch shudder is common, repair including parts costs around $1000.
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
RS Turbos struggled to stop even when the brakes were new and it’s unlikely any are still running with their original rotors. Unless you are addicted to authenticity, head to a performance brake place for some meatier rotors, uprated calipers and pads matched to your driving style. Bigger wheels might be needed. Suspension struts that creak and chatter over bumps need replacement. Steering in these should be razor-sharp and more than 20mm of free-play at the steering wheel means the rack and column joints need to be checked for leaks and component wear.
INTERIOR & ELECTRICS
The seat cloth used in RS Turbos is of high quality and a lot of cars will today have original trim. The plastics suffer from sun exposure and even cared-for cars will likely have dash cracks. Controls including column stalks can literally crumble if the car has been exposed to high interior temperatures. Check carpets, especially in the back, for dampness and that the seats in a wagon lay flat when required. Repairing faulty aircon is costly and also check that the heater isn’t stuck due to a faulty control module. Power window switches and motors fail with age and cost $200-300 each to fix.