5-Speed 4WD: 1990 Subaru Fun Justy
I have always considered my automotive tastes to be eclectic, and there are very few classics that I would categorically exclude from a list of potential candidates to park in my garage if the opportunity presented itself. This 1990 Subaru Fun Justy makes the grade because the decals on its flanks would almost certainly describe the ownership experience. It is only the seventh Justy we’ve seen in over a decade and is the first Fun version to cross our desks. It has been meticulously maintained, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder numskal for spotting this wonderful little pocket rocket.
The Justy enjoyed a relatively brief sales presence in North America, gracing Subaru showroom floors from 1987 until 1994. Our feature car is a 1990 Fun Justy, and there has been some debate regarding what the “Fun” package brought to the table. Various resources state that buyers received two-tone paint, some unique body decals, and distinctive interior cloth trim. The first owner ordered this little survivor in the appropriately named Perky Red and Slick Silver. The paint shows its age, looking faded and patchy in various locations across the exterior. The body has a few small bumps and bruises, but no major imperfections that would be beyond the ability of a relatively competent person to address in a home workshop. It has spent its life in California, making the news that the Justy is rust-free unsurprising. The new owner could continue to enjoy this Subaru in its current form, although performing a cosmetic refresh would be straightforward and inexpensive. The exterior plastic is in good condition, and the glass is crystal clear.
The seller only supplies three interior images, and determining the overall condition is quite difficult. However, we can see the cracked dashpad and a few marks on the cloth seatcovers. It retains its original floor mats, and there are no visible aftermarket additions. You are unlikely to slip behind the wheel of this Justy and mistake it for a Cadillac because it isn’t loaded with luxury appointments. Apart from the cloth trim, the new owner receives a factory tachometer, a rear wiper and defogger, and an AM/FM stereo radio. Air conditioning? Simply wind down the windows and enjoy what Mother Nature supplies for free!
The seller doesn’t supply any underhood photos in their listing, but it seems that “three” may have been the magic number when Subaru selected the powerplant for the Justy. Its fuel-injected 1,189cc three-cylinder engine features three valves per cylinder, with a bore and stroke of 3.1 inches and 3.3 inches respectively. It sends 72hp and 72 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a five-speed manual transmission and a switchable four-wheel drive system. The power and torque figures suggest the Justy is unlikely to set the opposition trembling in its boots at the local drag strip, but this Subaru has an ace or two up its sleeve. The curb weight of 1,742 lbs means that the tiny motor doesn’t have much mass to shift. Therefore, its ¼-mile ET of 18.3 seconds looks remarkably good. Its second ace is its fuel consumption, with official figures matching the seller’s claims of 28mpg in the city and 33mpg on the open road. Therefore, as an economical daily driver or commuter option, this Justy looks like a winner. The seller confirms that this gem is in excellent mechanical health, and has been meticulously maintained. It passes its California Smog Test, and the seller recently fitted a custom exhaust. It is a turnkey classic where the buyer could fly in and drive it home.
This 1990 Subaru Fun Justy won’t appeal to everyone, but it is a solid and unmolested classic that could present exceptionally well with little effort or expense. It would be cheap to own and run, making it ideal as a commuter option or daily driver. The seller has listed it here on Craigslist in Huntington Beach, California. They set their price at $7,500 OBO, which undoubtedly makes it an affordable proposition. This sweet little classic has been on the market for over a week, suggesting the seller hasn’t been inundated with inquiries. That may provide potential buyers with leverage to negotiate a lower price. Do you find that opportunity too tempting to ignore?
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Comments
I just love these humble beginnings, the 360 not included. I actually knew someone that had a 360, and replaced it with this car. She said it was everything the 360 wasn’t, and put a ton of miles on it. The 360, not so much, sidelined early on with brake issues. Some additional research shows, this was not a 3 cyl. Geo motor, but of Fuji manufacture, and shared nothing with the Geo. The Justy was Subarus 1st real attempt at breaking into the US market, and with signature 4wd, was head and shoulders above all others, and still is today. These weren’t cheap, however, at around $9400 new, had plenty of competition and were poor sellers. That one I knew of was the only one I ever saw.
Actually I recall Subaru’s first serious attempt to get into the U.S. market was the FF-1 or “Star” sold here 1970-1971. This was a front-drive car with an 1100cc water-cooled boxer engine similar to the engine in the Lloyd Arabella.
I remember seeing a new FF-1 back then in a supermarket parking lot and thinking “What the heck is that?” At that time we were just getting used to seeing Toyotas and Datsuns but this was something different.
Yeah, I’m not sure how Howard figures “The Justy was Subarus 1st real attempt at breaking into the US market” considering it was first produced in 1984 and only first imported here for ’87, whereas Subaru had been selling the larger Leone (badged only as a Subaru here, in DL or GL trim levels) since 1972 quite successfully, and as you note its predecessor 1000/1100/FF-1/Star was sold here even before that, finding strong sales as it evolved into the Subaru G for the US market.
The Justy came here soon after the third-gen Leone (DL/GL here) debuted, which was somewhat larger and more expensive than its predecessor, so the Justy slotted in as a more affordable and fuel-efficient entry-level model with optional 4WD that proved quite popular in the snowbelt (I used to see quite a few of these back in Wisconsin).
I’m also dubious anyone would have been able (or even willing!) to drive a 360 long enough to replace it with a Justy; more likely they got a 1000/1100/FF-1/Star/G or maybe even a Leone/DL/GL.
The BRAT was here in the late ’70’s, long before these.
Must I explain every freakin’ response? I guess so. Not sure where you hail from, but in Harley, Ramblertown, we never heard of Subaru, whatever models you are talking about. For the record, according to “Grand Subaru, the history of Subaru”, they claim the 1st Subaru of any numbers sold in the US was the 360 in 1968. It was considered a novelty item, and given away with an Oldsmobile purchase. Not exactly a Model A. This gal did indeed have a 360, 1st one I had seen and replaced it with a Justy also, the 1st one I had ever seen. So nyah,,,
Despite the original list price, Justys were cheap and cheerless little boxes. Lots of noise, but precious little action as a result. Haven’t seen one in many a day, but the last few were rusty Justys.
Near the end of the car’s availability, a CVT transmission was an option. Floor the throttle — as was necessary in most California driving conditions — and the engine would zing up to near its power peak and wait for the rest of the car to catch up.
Subaru got better with succeeding models. A LOT better.
At least this particular example’s manual.
In the early 90’s in Chicago, we got one of those typical blizzards that grounded pretty much everyone at least for a day or so. My job was miles away on the N. side, and no way my `90 Civic hatchback would make it–the buses weren’t even running as I recall. Anyhoo, a co-worker called me one morning & said she’s pick me up for work–she had one of these Justys!! And we were about the only ones on that long stretch to the office! I was amazed that little car with skinny tires got us thru it! Couldn’t thank her enough.
Nice looking car. I remember when the Subaru Justy was intro’d to the USA market. I was skeptical at first with the car. With so many Subes having horizontally opposed (Boxer) engines, this was the first car I’ve seen with an inline engine. If only more pictures were posted on craigslist. I like to be able to see the engine, the cargo area, etc. IMHO, there’s no such thing as too many pics.
I had a work colleague who had one of these. She and her boyfriend hit a moose with it on a highway in British Columbia. Car crumpled into a ball and they had serious lower body injuries. Like a VW Beetle, you don’t want to experience a frontal impact in one of these.
I have had a lot of cheap rides over the years, and the Subaru Justy was maybe the WORST of the bunch. Never had a Yugo, so maybe there is competition out there.
Nothing to see here… These were nothing more than entry level, cheap, crappy death traps. Not all cars are collectable, and even though it is older, its certainly NOT a classic.
Says one person.
Cheap, crappy death trap? You just described something VW made for decades, and it sold quite well. I’d rather have a Justy.
I see the stick but remember the model as being the 1st mass producer w/the CVT around here. Seems to be a bit of a standard on other makes now.
In the late 90s I remember certain makes were the go for specific components like Subbie for the AWD, SAAB for the turbo, etc…
My only ownership experience w/the co was early/mid 70s when it seemed they were all a beige color. I understood “There’s no block on these. The motor is alu & pistons run in steel sleves.” I understand that a lill differently now.
Great find. Oh how I wish they still made fun cars like this! And those “marks” on the seat are the upholstery pattern. Boy, I wish this were closer. I’d be checking it out.
We rented one of these (non Turbo) when we went to Hawaii.
It was a real “Nothing” car that replaced the POS Nissan Sentra
wagon that I returned (worse rental car – EVER).
Even though the speed limit was 45 (as I recall),those three
little hamsters were “Working their little hoofies to the quick”.
And to think I could spend all that money to relive those
great memories (NOT!).
As a montrealer , these little justy’s were everywhere for a short while , our roads are heavily salted and cars that are not rustproofed crumble in 8 to 10 years …
YOLO
Saw some of these in ski country ⛷️ ❄️ delivering pizzas 🍕 Whistler BC