RE: Subaru Justy: PH Heroes

[Robertos88]

This has brought back memories. I had one before I legally learned to drive. It was used on the farm. I remember having a lot of fun getting it up some steep slopes, basically trying to see where it couldn't go. Once I passed my test I remember thinking that on the road it wasn't as much fun...

[StescoG66]

Yertis said:

Article said:

When the Justy arrived on UK roads in 1987 four-wheel drive wasn't bought by those wanting to make a lifestyle statement,

Anyone who was remotely interested in cars in the 1980's will know this to be incorrect. Audi's whole success at this time was founded in large part on four-wheel drive being part of a lifestyle statement.

Always pisses me off how Audi take all the credit for 'mass market' 4WD when really Subaru did it long before them with the 'Leone' - badged DL/GL/Station Wagon I think. Although it could be argued Jensen did this and ABS first.......

[Sford]

I've got one on the drive that is used for moving things around the fields. Not been taxed in years but still starts on the button every time. Perhaps I should spend some time sorting it out.

[chandrew]

The lady of the estate which my grandparents house backed on to had one of these. Great thing about these old Subarus is they were truly classless.

How about this one from here in Switzerland. Looks mint with 55,000 km. Price to match

Swiss Justy

Edited by chandrew on Thursday 7th January 20:18

[poing]

Martin_Hx said:

Is this the same as the one in the Cannonball Run film(s) which Jackie Chan at the wheel?

It's my first thought every time I see one. Need to watch that film again

[MentalRental]

I saw this on the Huddersfield ring road a couple of weeks ago. Then came home to see a pic of it on here saying to be featured soon. It really caught my eye and had a real retro cool about it. Very nice.

[to3m]

My mother had one of the 1.2L CVT switchable 4WD ones in the mid 1990s (don't ask me for exact model... I have no idea), 4 doors and white, which I used to drive sometimes. Maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but I don't recall its engine sounding especially distinctive, and the CVT wasn't especially noticeable either. The 4x4 bit on the other hand did seem to work quite well.

(BTW, regarding engaging the 4WD, I'm sure the manual told you to switch it on or off only when stationary, or at very low speeds.)

Aside from the way its interesting technical aspects weren't actually very noticeable, there was nothing wrong with it in general as I recall, and I used to like driving it. Performance was fine for the sort of car, interior space always seemed OK, transmission tunnel wasn't too intrusive. The automatic was a nice novelty too, and with a good-sized chunky gearknob.

[Krikkit]

chandrew said:

The lady of the estate which my grandparents house backed on to had one of these. Great thing about these old Subarus is they were truly classless.

How about this one from here in Switzerland. Looks mint with 55,000 km. Price to match

Swiss Justy

Edited by chandrew on Thursday 7th January 20:18

That'd sit very nicely as a winter runabout outside your chalet in the Swiss Alps. £5k isn't that bad really.

[cailean]

nice write up

[Crimson Dynamo]

These Subarus have possibly the worst front seats in the free world.

More like ironing boards with a bend in them otherwise an interesting little vehicle.

[DaveEvs]

Thanks for an excellent article, which brought back fond memories of the 89 I learned to drive in, and the 92 the followed it.

Mine got a real thrashing on the roads and tracks of Mid Wales, rarely getting stuck and always making me smile. The biggest smile came from seeing a magazine (which one, I can't remember) putting the then new Freelander through its paces on a track we regularly drove with mountain bikes on the Justy's roof.

[Squadrone Rosso]

We bought a Panda 4x4 over the Justy back in 1987 as the simplicity appealed.

Always had a soft spot for small "utilitarian" vehicle hence I love my current daily, a 4x4 Panda Cross.

[Bjam99]

it's outrageous what they replaced this cool car with....UGH!

[FRA53R]

Can't believe no one has mentioned that there is one for sale!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/subaru-justy-4x4-/121844...

Seems pretty decent for £525 might need some sticker removal though

[henrycrun]

(apart from the Panda) what other small modern alternatives are there ?

[Kolbenkopp]

Don't think there is a lot of choice currently. Suzuki had an AWD Swift on offer, Daihatsu used to have some odd small cars with AWD -- but they left the European market. Perhaps there are some small SUVs that retained AWD? And price wise a 4x4 Duster could qualify.

Personally, I have no real use for a 4x4 mini. But I totally get the Justy described here. My gran used to let me drive her Panda 4x4 way before I had a license. Snow filled fields out in the sticks in Austria, heater on full blast, puny machine and noob driver conquering (a very small part of) the world. Bliss!

[Essex V6]

In response to an earlier post, this was Trevor Crowe's WRX engined Justy which he used to campaign out here in NZ

[Integrale Tim]

God I remember that back home in NZ... It went very well to say the least...

Tim

[GravelBen]

Trev is still rallying that Justy last I heard - Rwd with a mid-mounted ~400bhp WRX motor, it goes quite well!

[chandrew]

Kolbenkopp said:

Don't think there is a lot of choice currently. Suzuki had an AWD Swift on offer,

They still do in some European markets