Chicken_Wing

Well, it looks like I'll have to pass up the car... damn! Thanks for all the input though. Any suggestions on where I can get a good deal on a high-mileage 08 or 09 2.5i Impreza Wagon, besides craigslist and autotrader?

Thanks all for your input. Say I have them do a compression test and all the numbers look good. Is that enough to confidently say it wasn't run dry? Is there anything else that should be tested? These codes wouldn't pop up after doing a routine oil change, right? Is it common to have a misfire code, and what might be the cause? Thanks again; I really appreciate the help here.

So i finally found what I was looking for: a 2009 Subaru Impreza Wagon 2.5i manual. And for $12,500 it looked like a good deal. The only trouble is I took it for a test drive and it seemed to lack power compared to an 09 Impreza Sport 2.5i I had driven the week before. The Toyota dealer that is selling it said they had to clear codes P0026, P0028, & P0303. It looks like 0026 & 0028 are signs it was run with little or no oil. 0303 is cylinder #3 misfire. Do these codes along with the seeming lack of power start to tell a story? Is it possible I'd be buying a lemon that would need major engine work (piston rings, valve seals, bearings, etc)? Am I just being paranoid? I'd hate to pass it up, but sure don't want to be shelling out another grand in a month... Thanks!