Le Red Jr. 1992-2024
Well, that's the end of an era. I donated Le Red Jr. to the local Volunteers of America (which turns into a charitable donation credit I can't really use). They actually just farmed it out to the local Pick a Part. I coulda taken the $350 instead.
When hooked up to a jump pack, the old Loyale very nearly started after sitting for 3-4 years in the driveway - the necessary period needed to let the nostalgia wear off. Probably would have with fresh gas.
Even the tow truck driver was an aficionado of Subarus of that era. Le Red had pretty much lost all of its clear coat by that time, but the body was still solid and in good shape. I even threw in the shop manuals, since I would have no further use for them.
I bought the car brand new in 1992 and put over 322,000 miles on it. I crossed the country in it and had a number of adventures. It only broke down on me twice (both timing belt issues, and one of those allowed me to limp to safety on half an engine because of the two-belt boxer design). The thing was unstoppable in the snow, even more so with cable chains on all four wheels, and got better mileage than its replacement. I became an absolute Stick convert in that car. And even with only 90 horsepower, it was light and nimble to drive with great road feel that newer cars soften to imperceptibility.
What finally brought it down was a leaking heater core. Parts were impossible to get and the labor alone would have been in excess of $800. I actually spliced out the heater hoses, which made it a summer-only car. Eventually though, that became impractical, and I bought my Impreza in 2019. I shifted almost all of my driving to the new car and finally let the registration lapse in 2021. In the back of my mind I always wanted to restore it, but it's not really practical. But through this sacrifice, many other Loyales may live.
Still, it is always weird to see your car moving from the outside.
And then the frigging state of Washington wants me to pay $14 to report the sale!