I just bought a 2002 Impreza WRX for my college age son. He drives about 1300 miles a month, mostly freeway.

How reliable is this car for that kind of driving? 

Well hopefully the engine is in good shape, and has been well maintained with oil changes on time. Used WRXs may have been driven hard, and put away wet by previous owner(s). That being said, reputation wise..........all Subarus are reliable cars

I was told the head gaskets look as though they are leaking or will eventually have problems. What does "put away" wet mean?

Thank you for your response, it's helpful. 

^^^^ what he said

 

the turbo puts a 3rd major system of great concern into the mix. All cars have an engine and a transmission that could fail, turbo is another layer in that sandwich - major headaches/money IF it fails.

 

but I daily-drive my 06 WRX. the engine and turbo, so far, have been fine - but I did recently spend $2K to rebuild my transmission.

 

because the cars are inexpensive and sporty, they often are driven hard by kids - if you managed to find a well maintaned used one, it may be no worse than any other 15 year old car.

 

He should try to locate an experienced Subaru mechanic, maybe spend a benjamin or 2 and have the car checked-out. They can drop the pipe and check for shaft play on the turbo. Test drive it, etc.

 

maybe ask for a shop recommendation in a new thread.

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary:

"Etymology: From the inadvisable practice of riding a horse, and then stabling it while it is still coated in sweat, rather than brushing and grooming it properly afterwards."

 

Edited January 28, 20179 yr by Suzam

It should be decently reliable if its been taken care of.  Since its turbocharged though everything under the hood is subject to increased wear.  The CV boots will wear out faster, hoses will wear out faster, belts wear out faster, the car needs oil changes more often, etc.   If you take care of the car it will take care of you.  The most critical thing to make sure has been handled is the timing belt.  Done with it should be the water pump and all the timing belt pullies and tensioners.  I personally would take a non-turbo car over a turbo one every single day of the week as far as reliability is concerned though.  But since you have the car already, all you can do at this point is make sure the car is meticulously maintained and it should be decently good to you.

Complete timing kit

Don't run it hot or out of coolant/oil.  

Synthetic oil only and frequent oil changes (particularly important with these turbo engines). 

 

Do that and they make a rather easy 200,000 miles. 

 

You'll have increased concerns with the turbo components as mentioned above - more leakage points, more oiling/coolant issues....just based on more parts, more heat, etc, like anything else.  Use it more, faster, harder and it's going to incur more maintenance. 

Thank you for all of  your feedback everyone, very helpful.

If anyone has a recommendation for a good Subaru mechanic in San Diego, please forward me the info.