Subaru Impreza

Auto Express Car Reviews

July 2002

It's an icon of the PlayStation generation and a car which has transformed its manufacturer's image from maker of farm wagons to producer of the ultimate road-going rally machine. But is the Subaru Impreza a sensible used buy?
The simple answer is, yes. Even in family form rather than the turbo-charged version, this car has much to offer. All models have precise four-wheel drive and are reliable, while the five-door Wagon is practical. The downsides are high-ish fuel consumption, costly servicing and steep insurance.
Imprezas must be vetted carefully due to their specialised engineering and a raft of grey imports.
Impreza checklist
* Imprezas are renowned for being reliable, but the 4WD transmission can take a hammering from off-road use. Non-turbos are liked by rural dwellers, so look for underbody damage.
* Grey imports from Japan are worth less than original UK-spec cars and are rarely as well rust-proofed, so check to see if it's a true British model. EU versions are usually identical.
* Look for signs of accident damage on Turbos, especially at front where it's designed to collapse on impact.
* Be vigilant with paperwork and vet the seller carefully - thanks to its performance, Imprezas are often stolen.
Glass's view
Subaru's rallying reputation makes the Impreza desirable, and even the more basic models retain their values well, says trade bible Glass's Consumer Values. Be wary of low-priced bargains, they're very rarely any good.
My Impreza...
John Tullin has owned his Impreza for two years. The 29-year-old telecoms engineer from Bures, Suffolk, has done more than 20,000 miles in his W-reg Turbo and, apart from a dodgy ABS sensor, fixed under warranty, there hasn't been any trouble.

He said: "I love the car's handling and its amazing pull off the mark." It's not simply the Subaru's driving qualities that John finds appealing, either. "With a young child, I need a car that's practical, too," he told us. "The Impreza fits the bill, with a big boot and a comfortable interior."
However, running costs are a bit steep. "I can cope with the 28mpg fuel economy," John added, "But I find the short service intervals and relatively high garage bills annoying."