Hello everyone, I am in the market for my first car. One of the frontrunners in my hunt is a 2.5 Subaru Impreza with manual transmission, preferably a sedan. I have yet to test-drive one, but from my research it seems to be a good match for me. I am looking for a drivers car, fun and enjoyable, yet also reliable and practical. Specifically, I'd like to know...

 

1. The general reliability of Impreza's?

 

2. What model years to hunt, what years to avoid?

 

3. How many miles the engines will run to?

 

4. How serious repair and upkeep costs are? (I plan on at least learning to do minor maintenance)

 

I'd like to avoid spending more than 10k, of course the cheaper the better. Is it possible to find a model year 2000+ for that? Or would I be better off looking at the earlier models?

 

Thanks for any assistance!

 

1. The general reliability of Impreza's?

 

2. What model years to hunt, what years to avoid?

 

3. How many miles the engines will run to?

 

4. How serious repair and upkeep costs are? (I plan on at least learning to do minor maintenance)

 

 

1. The cars are good...except some of the 2.5l engines

2. Any of the 2.2l and the 2.5l from MY2000 and later.

3. 2.2l can go a long long time...250k+ if you take care of it...I don't know much about the 2.5l engines.

4. Timing belt costs about $300 to replace...and then you'll have oil leaks here and there...but it can all be done at the same time to save on labor.

 

Avoid the 2.5L from 1996 - 1999. Unless you can get a really good deal, because then spending $1500 on head gaskets might make it worth it.

My '96 Impreza L (AWD, 5-speed, 2.2 liter) has 128,000 miles on it: about 10,000 in WA, 90,000 in Florida and 27,000 which I put on it in NY after buying it for $3,700 in May, 2003. I've found it to be very relialabe and pretty easy to work on. Awsome in snow and it has never let me down.

 

However, I have had my share of oil leaks: crank oil seal (twice), valve covers and rear cam oil ring. Also replaced 1 ball joint, 1 wheel bearing, 1 CV joint and the knock sensor (emissions).

 

Beyond that it has just been struts, tires, timing belt, muffler, oil and coolant changes and (soon to be) brakes... like ANY car. All told I have about $7,000 into the car and it now runs, drives and rides like it likely did when new. I can't complain.

 

My wife drives a 2001 Forester ("S" 5-speed, 2.5 liter) with 57,000 miles that we bought new ($21,000) in May, 2001 and have done nothing other than routine maintenece (mentioned above) plus the knock sensor and winter related items (rear hatch seized once and road salt was causing calipers to stick).

 

I do about half of the maintenance myself and this is a definate cost savings!

 

The Impreza holds the road much better than the Forester during spirited driving (car vs. psuedo SUV) but the 2001 transmission has much better feel than the '96. Hopefully someone else here can tell you when this transformation occured. Fuel milage is about the same: 30 MPG on the highway if you keep it under 80, and mid 20s around town.

 

I honestly do not know anybody who does not like their Subaru (personally know about 12 current owners- mostly Foresters). Even the former owners I know liked the Subies... but just wanted a change.