2002 Subaru Impreza Turbo from UK and Ireland - Comments

Reliable as a swiss watch.

Viewed logically, this is a belting car. It's fast, has probably the best sounding four cylinder engine ever designed, looks good, grips well and is as reliable as every motoring survey suggests.

But like most things which have been hyped to ridiculous levels, the overall package somehow fell short of my expectations, particularly once you become accustomed to its truly spectacular performance. This is probably the fault of the hype, and many of my other criticisms the fault of British society, but there you go. As ownership experiences, they count. And besides, since when were performance cars about logic? They're about passion.

After a year and 14,000 miles of ownership, I concluded that the Impreza Turbo is actually a very average car fitted with a storming engine. The interior is the definition of naff, and the 4wd gives great grip, but actually very little adjustability to the handling. The steering is probably the worst thing about it, being like virtually every other Japanese car - light and easy to use, but without much in the way of feel.

I actually thought my old 306 Rallye was more engaging and entertaining in the twisties, if nowhere near as quick.

The important thing to consider before buying an Impreza, paying through the nose for insurance, and putting up with every scrote in a 20 mile radius trying to rip it off at every opportunity (and they will - even if you garage it!) is to take a drive in one, and ask yourself the following question.

"If this car didn't do 0-60 in 5.something seconds, what else would make it in any way interesting?". Then ask "are these things worth the insurance costs equal to the GDP of a small country, and the sub-20 mpg fuel returns?"

I decided they weren't and chopped it in for another Rallye (insurance dropped by 65%, fuel bills by a third) and nobody has tried to stove my garage door in to remove it without asking me). I'm also reminded what decent steering and throttle adjustability feel like. Haven't looked back.

I know where you are coming from.

Got rid of mine in the end for most of the reasons you listed.

Still, was a great car and I will miss it.

I am thinking of trading my 306 S16 in for a new wrx. Now listing to other pug owners, what do I do?

I traded in my 306 Rallye for the 2002 WRX.

1st off: 306 Rallye = LEGEND. The car is amazing, excellent all rounder. Best hatch back ever made. The gear ratios are spot on and the engine is just canned BEEF! However, I had to send it to a new home because of (minor yet annoying) reliability issues.

Which brings us to the WRX. I'm so used to the rattles and clanks of a French car, every time my shades rattle in the glove box of my Impreza I think 'What now!'. It's definitely one for the status, performance and reliability, but not a great one for the wallet and negative attention it draws.

If I won the lottery I'd have both parked tight next to the 360 Spider!

This is a great car. I see this car all over the place, but I think the evos are much better of a car. they're both about the same of a car, but I have heard mitsubishi's are much better cost wise.