2002 Subaru Impreza

Summary:

Do not buy this car

Faults:

Had to open the motor to change 2 pistons. The car had only 3000 miles on it. At the dealer, they had to do this to 10 of subaru impreza. I was no 10. The motors were so noisy.

The heating systems blew off completely.

The air conditioning was either too cold or did not function at all, had no control over it.

The paint on the front of my car was coming off also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th January, 2004

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX Sportwagon 2.0 Liter Intercooled turbo

Summary:

A mix between a Vette, sport utility, and a rally car

Faults:

Not much has gone wrong. I've had normal maintenance, aside from a window leak at highway speed which was corrected on the first visit to the dealer. I also had the rubber trim around the rear wheel wells replaced due to the fact that both sides were coming off from the rear. When it's cold, it does take more effort to get into first, and reverse is sometimes hard to get into, but nothing major.

The stock cloth on the seats is awful -dog hair sticks to it like Velcro. I had leather installed at a shop recommended by the dealer. It was a two tone and turned out beautifully.

I did replace the tires recently at 38K miles. I expected to get a little more mileage, but each tire was cracking around the rim.

General Comments:

This car is everything I had hoped it would be and more. My Dad and I installed a kit raising the HP to 280, and I also put on an aftermarket stainless steel exhaust and K&N air filter. It's incredible now. The turbo spools up much earlier.

I've left the chassis completely stock - handles great. Tight and controlled, not super-stiff like some cars.

I absolutely love this car, and I'm trying to find a beater to put miles on so I don't wear out my WRX. Get one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st May, 2003

21st Aug 2003, 02:27

38k from a set of tyres and expecting more??? Here in the UK, most Impreza owners manage about a third of that if the car is driven how it was designed to be driven.

2nd Apr 2004, 07:29

I have a 2001 WRX Sedan in Spain and I change my front tyres twice a year for original spec. Bridgestone Potenza RE011.. I do 35,000km a year. I do drive fast, but don't drive like a rally wanna-be. I think 38,000 miles is amazing!!

22nd Apr 2005, 15:29

Just wanted to comment on the original Bridgestone Potenzas. We got about 45,000 miles out of the originals, mostly paved road miles. I didn't really like these tires in the snow and especially slush. We have since changed to Nokian WR tires (made in Finland) and are just amazed at the difference. For you road racers out there you probably wouldn't want to run these in the summer as they have a softer silicon tread compound. Having said that we ran ours last summer and the wear was pretty good.

Having just sold the WRX and bought a Outback 2.5XT Ltd the first thing we did was take off the Bridgestones and put on new Nokian WRs.

Already miss the WRX!!

6th Jul 2005, 14:07

Overall a fairly versatile and quick little car that is also uncomfortable, especially the rear seat. Handles decently, but does not live up to the hype. The Acura RSX and Civic Si handle better. Not a bad choice, but, after 32,600 miles, I've yet to love my car.

2002 Subaru Impreza WRX

Summary:

Affordable driving thrills found here

Faults:

The cloth on the back of the driver's seat has worn badly and looks ragged; this will be replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

The performance is excellent, as reported in all the reviews I read before purchasing the car.

I am slightly disappointed in the understeer, expecting a rally-style car to handle with more oversteer, which was induced with a few extra pounds of air in the rear tires.

I have been disappointed with the headlamps, which are weak, the brakes which could be more powerful, and the windows which are noisy and freeze in the winter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2003