KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1988 Subaru XT6 for $3,500

Rear Full Car EA82 XT6

So far 2016 seems to be the year that great nostalgic Subarus are showing up everywhere. If the optimism of 80s Synthwave music were to ever appear in a physical form, this 1988 Subaru XT6 would be it. For $3,500 it may not require an entire kidney, but you might have to punch someone in the kidneys to grab it.

ER27 Engine Bay EA82 XT6

When it was released in 1985, it came sporting the same EA82 flat-4 found in all Subarus of the era. The original engine was great for the standard wagons and sedans but, in the sports car market, against six-cylinder Supras and Zs, even the turbocharged engine was woefully underpowered. So in 1988, Fuji Heavy Industries released the XT6, sporting a 150-horsepower 2.7-liter flat-6, which put it right on par with its competitors thanks to its 2,200-pound curb weight.

Front Left Hood Shut EA82 XT6

The noise this engine makes is second to none. Imagine a Subaru rumble combined with air-cooled 911, and that’s the sound you get. What made it stand out from the Supra and 300ZX however, was the full-time 4WD system, which helped greatly with power delivery off the line and in the handling department.

Front Hood Shut EA82 XT6

Originally, the XT chassis came equipped with air suspension, which improved the ride but was prone to leaking later on in life. The current owner has swapped it to standard coil springs, which is great for practicality. If the non-originality of coil springs bothers you, the original air suspension systems can be found floating around occasionally on Subaru forums, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Another huge plus to the XT6 over older XT models is the addition of 5×100 lug pattern hubs, as opposed to the old 4×140 lug pattern. This improves greatly the chances of finding aftermarket wheels, which previously stood at impossible.

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This Oregon example is in surprisingly good condition, as these cars more often than not fell into a state of disrepair and would rust away if left unattended for any period of time. The owner states only minor blemishes can be found, namely cracking of the rear bumper and some peeling on the clear coat.

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What is surprising to me, however, is the condition of the original wheels. Generally, they can be found either extremely oxidized or painted with a poor coat of spray paint. The rear bumper isn’t much to fret about, as the owner also has a donor car which can be used to complete a full restoration.

Inside the car, the interior is surprisingly clean. The only blemish appears to be a crack on the dashboard. Possibly the donor car can provide this as well. The door panels boast copious use of tweed and there’s a great velour finish to the seats. Very 80s. The XT models also had much sportier seating, with large side bolsters and a myriad of adjustment possibilities. It is a crime that this car was never used in Miami Vice.

Although not very well photographed, the XT features an odd, right-angle steering wheel consisting of two spokes in an L shape. The rest of the console was based off the the Fuji Heavy Industry military training aircraft made of the same era, with almost all of the interior controls being within reach of the drivers hands while keeping hold of the steering wheel. Even the gear selector resembled the joystick of a fighter plane. Note that the car is still equipped with the original tape deck and graphic equalizer, which sounds relatively good compared to many other cars of the era.

Unfortunately by the time the XT6 came to the stage, its original competitors had moved on with the turbocharged MA70 Supra and the kouki 300ZX turbo. Despite this Subaru XT6 was either put at the bottom of the full-blown performance car category alongside such as the 300ZX, Supra, and RX-7, or at the top of compact sports car class with the AW11 MR2, Integra, and Celica All-Trac. It boasted larger interior space than the AW11 MR2 and a better performance-per-dollar price point than the Celica All-Trac. If Subaru had put this car into more motorsports during this era, collectors would be singing its praises today.

Side Shot EA82 XT6

The Subaru XT6 is a great addition for any collector attempting to complete a collection of Bubble Era sports cars, or a Subaru enthusiast looking for a great restoration project. Or, if a resto-mod is more your style, like other EA82 chassis Subarus it also has its engine mounts positioned to easily accept modern Subaru engines.

The value of these have been pretty stagnant historically but with the recent deluge of quality classic Subarus hitting the market, interest is gaining and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a spike in value in the coming years. If you long for a 4WD, boxer-engined Bubble Era sports car to add to your garage, check out the craigslist ad right here.

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39 Responses to KIDNEY, ANYONE? 1988 Subaru XT6 for $3,500

  1. Scotty G says:

    Super (super!) rare car, especially in 4WD and 5-speed trim. Those #$%! automatic seatbelts are such a buzzkill, though; ugh. But, man, what a great car!

  2. Brett says:

    Always loved the XT.

  3. Cesariojpn says:

    Please nobody modify it…….

  4. Ryan Senensky says:

    Scotty, You’re in Minneapolis/St. Paul too?

  5. janine says:

    Have you sold your subaru xt6?

  6. janine ramsey says:

    Do you still have your subaru xt6 for sale ?

  7. Rick Baldwin says:

    Hey Buddy! Nice…I happen to have an 88 XT6 in less than perfect condition. But I just found a “donor” car for basically a ton of little things. I was wondering, since they are very hard to find, what remains of your donor car? Again, nice going. If you email respond I will send you a pic of mine. Thanks Rick

  8. Adrian says:

    Hi all, this truly is a great car, I drive an XT 4WD as my classic/hobby car. But I would definetely love to have an XT6. Where is this one to be found? If not too far away from a harbour I could consider starting negotiations.
    If no longer available: would anyone have original alloy rims 14″ available for sale? I would love to have those to replace my current Leone alloys.
    Thanks

    • Billy says:

      Yakima Washington I have a white xt6 auto I did the coil strut conversion it’s a rare daily driver. I also have a 88 xt donor car blue in color. Clean titles on both. The xt 4cylinder 5 speed standard was my daily before I got the 6 and needed donor parts still have alot of extra parts for the air suspension I’d someone is interested

      • Adrian says:

        Hi there, appreciate your reply! Wouldyou have alloy rims for my XT? preferably 14″, but 13″ would do as well. Thanks again.

      • Randall B. says:

        Hello!

        Just noticed your post about having extra aud suspension parts. I have a suvivir xt6 hardly any miles but the air suspension just came on recently and has started to droop affer the engine is offf, it reinflates when started but would like to resolve the problem before it gets worse.

  9. Too bad rust hit them so bad here in Ontario Canada. Had one that rotted out. I saved the engine if any one is interested.

  10. Adrian says:

    Hi there, I would be interested in the engine. Would it be possible to ship it to the Netherlands to power my “ordinary” XT?

    • What is your address, I will get a price

      • Adrian says:

        Kerkstraat 12
        6665 CG Driel
        the Netherlands

        thanks!

        • Sipping to The Netherlands would be approx. 700.00 euro.
          The engine is 500.00 euro

          • Adrian says:

            Hi Frank, since I received your message I have been considering things. Above the (realistic!) price you calculate, I would have to add import charges and taxes, which would at least triple your original price. That is too much for the fun I am sure it would bring.
            I do hope you find someone who intends the same as I do, get it running in a real XT.
            Thank you for your trouble. I will try to check out the forum while I am busy getting my second XT running.
            Kind regards,
            Adrian

      • Mark says:

        I run a Subaru Omega rally car with one of these engines (but twin turbo) here in NZ. Could be interested in your engine. I wonder how hard it would be to ship here?

        • Frank Meiboom says:

          What is your address, I will get you an estimate for shipping. You will need to ask your customs office to see if there would be any duties. Can’t imagine there would be. You can’t buy one there.

  11. John says:

    The Xt6 is a Great Car, i know because i have one 😉
    had mine for 10 years still love it and driving is a blast..

    Also is AWD 5 Speed

  12. Roy Jay says:

    Pearl white Subaru XT6 1988 for sale-can make it run if hood can be opened. Been sitting for a while no rust in sunny southern California. Will entertain any reasonable offer

  13. Sherrie kurtzer says:

    I have a 88 xt 4wd 5 speed engine if anyone is interested in it I’m in Marysville wa

  14. Billy says:

    Yakima Washington I have a white xt6 auto I did the coil strut conversion it’s a rare daily driver. I also have a 88 xt donor car blue in color. Clean titles on both. The xt 4cylinder 5 speed standard was my daily before I got the 6 and needed donor parts still have alot of extra parts for the air suspension I’d someone is interested

  15. Niraj Patel says:

    Had one 20 years ago. Loved it. Want one now. But 2200 lbs curb weight it was not. 2850 it was. Not bad for a 2+2, I-6, AWD, upscale coupe, but not certainly wasn’t as light as my track-prepped Miata.

  16. Jessica Penquite says:

    I’m going to have one for sale here soon. the underbody is rusted. I have with it another engine and transmission and other parts Roo. my plan was to keep it going for years. however I don’t do body work.

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