Subaru is a Japanese car manufacturer with a long history of producing reliable cars that set a well known high standard in all-wheel drive vehicles. The most popular model is Subaru Impreza, first released on the market in 1993 as Loyale’s replacement. For its many desirable features, it soon became Subaru’s highest rated car. Of course, not many have the money to purchase a new one – so this article will show you some general features you should be aware of when buying a used Subaru Impreza.
Throughout the years, Impreza faced many changes but the greatest improvement in its design came in 2004, when it got a more conventional look. That year, the release of WRX STi, made Impreza the highest standard-edition trim in its history.
When it comes to performance and power, you should know that Subaru introduced in 1998 the 2.5-litre engine that is still used today and continuously upgraded. Of course, this means high maintenance and high fuel costs. Many owners are really satisfied by the performance and argue that the road holding is exceptional thanks to the all-wheel drive system. Due to its high performance and reliability, even a used Subaru Impreza makes you look forward to driving it in the winter.
Subaru Impreza is also known for the safety it provides. Models such as the ones in 2002 – 2005 earned five stars for driver and front seat passenger protection in U.S National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests in frontal impacts, and four stars for front seat passenger protection in side impacts. These models, however, did not get tested for rear-seated side impact protection, but the 2006 and 2007 ones got for stars in this category. In 2010, Subaru Impreza was named “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
With a great design and performance, being very solid and safe, a used Subaru Impreza is really a great choice for a limited budget. If you decided to buy one you should check a few things if you do not have the possibility to get a full service history.
Short checklist when buying a used Subaru Impreza
- Brakes and clutch – they often get used especially on Turbo models
- Modifications – make sure that the components of you car can be easily found in your country.
- Engine – if the car makes a knocking noise on start-up, it might be due to a modification of the engine, but it can easily be repaired in authorized service
- Bodywork – whenever you buy a used car, you should check for signs that might indicate poor accident repairs and also check for uneven tires that might show suspension misalignment.
- Exhaust – a smoky system might indicate burnt-out turbo oils seals, which are very expensive when needed to be replaced; moroever, be aware of the fact that the oil needs changing every 7.500 miles
A used Subaru Impreza guarantees safety, high reliability, performance and practicability and is a great budget option for those who need an all-wheel drive vehicle.