Any one here drive a Suburu Impreza Wagon?

[Sandor]

I'm looking into getting a new Suburu Impreza Wagon (with a manual transmission), and was wondering if anyone here has any first-hand comments or opinions. I'm driving an 1987 Suburu wagon, so pretty much anything is a step up. I thought the Impreza wagon would fit my needs, and is one of the cheaper cars that has all-wheel or 4-wheel drive.

 

[TomKazansky]

it's a sleeper

 

[myusername]

Check the hot deals forum for the Saab deal.

 

[Platypus]

I have an 05 Subaru Impreza WRX wagon and I love the hell out of it; ask me whatever you want to know.

 

[Sandor]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
I have an 05 Subaru Impreza WRX wagon and I love the hell out of it; ask me whatever you want to know.

What do you like about it? How much did you pay (you can PM or not answer this; I realize this is personal info)? What options did you get? Are there any that you wish you got or decided you didn't need? I'm thinking about getting the bare-bones- I'm not a car enthusiast per se, so I don't need sun roof, spolier, etc. How does it handle/sound at 75-80 MPH?

That's about all I can think of right now. I looks like a fun car to drive around, especially since I'll probably be going on several road trips in the future (I also like that with the stick-shift, it's rated at 30 mpg on the highway). If there's anything you would like to add, please do Thanks

 

[myusername]

L4L $7000 rebate on Saab 9-2X Aero (==Subaru WRX)

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Sandor

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
I have an 05 Subaru Impreza WRX wagon and I love the hell out of it; ask me whatever you want to know.

What do you like about it? How much did you pay (you can PM or not answer this; I realize this is personal info)? What options did you get? Are there any that you wish you got or decided you didn't need? I'm thinking about getting the bare-bones- I'm not a car enthusiast per se, so I don't need sun roof, spolier, etc. How does it handle/sound at 75-80 MPH?

That's about all I can think of right now. I looks like a fun car to drive around, especially since I'll probably be going on several road trips in the future (I also like that with the stick-shift, it's rated at 30 mpg on the highway). If there's anything you would like to add, please do Thanks

I got a lot of upgrades in mine, short throw shifter, STi exhaust system, the upgraded 17 rims, etc. I get 27mpg on the highway with the WRX (premium fuel only remember) and in the city about 18 or so if I drive conservatively. It does great on the highway at 75-80 mph in 5th gear, smooth as butter. The beauty of this car, at least the WRX version is the low-end torque you get by blasting up to 4500rpm and some change in second and having the turbo pull you all the way through 3rd gear without any effort, simply the best feeling pull ever. The trans is a little on the weak side and takes a bit of getting used to (clutch catches REALLY high and REALLY fast) so if you're used to a Honda or something it will take you a few days to get the feel of it, but I personally prefer it now.

 

[Viper GTS]

Not a wagon but I have a 1995 L Sedan.

Know 3 people with wagons, they all love them.

What do I like?

- Absolutely sure footed no matter the circumstances - Rain, snow, mud, dry pavement, etc. it just goes. Even when intentionally losing traction (playing in the snow) it still feels remarkably composed.
- Cheap to own/operate
- Decent gas mileage (not great, it's AWD)
- Reasonably fun to drive
- Reliable (bought with 145K, have put 11K on it with flawless operation)

What do I not like?

- Wish it were a wagon
- Back seats have very little legroom. OK for women & children, any decent sized guy won't be comfortable back there for long.
- Wish I had the 2.2L (though in my generation that was auto only)
- Subaru MT's leave a lot to be desired. As above mentioned if you're used to Honda/Toyota it will take some adjustment. Not nearly as refined feeling, but it's reliable & it works. Compared to a Honda/Toyota it feels like a pipe jammed in a bucket of rocks.

Overall I absolutely love mine, & can't wait to replace it with another (newer) one.

BTW if you do get one go here to get the factory service manuals. PITA to do by hand, if you can script it it's much easier. Or you can just order the paper set. Personally I like the PDF 'cause I can print a page, take it outside without fear of getting it dirty & trash it when I'm done.

Viper GTS

 

[Sandor]

Thanks for the info, CorporateRecreation and ViperGTS. I'm used to a 1987 Suburu stick shift (its what I've been driving for the past 5 years), so the trasnmission is pretty much a non-factor. I'm definately going to take a test drive in the next few days, but like anything I plan to buy, I like to get as much info as possible (especially since the most I've ever paid for a car is $2000).

 

[Viper GTS]

Oh one side note that's kinda nice is the dual DIN dash.

All kinds of space to put toys in, if you're into that kind of thing.

Viper GTS

 

[Platypus]

np, here are some pictures if you want to check it out:

WRX

Let me know if I can help you in any other way

 

[Viper GTS]

Did Subaru stop putting rear drums on lower end Imprezas yet?

Mine has them and I was surprised to find that a buddy's 02 Outback had them too.

I want to do a rear disc conversion but I have nowhere to do the work.

Viper GTS

 

[StageLeft]

My mother had a couple, the most recent a 2000 imprezza sport wagon or whatever the hell it was. It was an auto with 145 horsepower. it was hell on gas. I mean it really drank it like it was going out of style. It also wasn't very fast with that HP and auto. Mrsskoorb found that it drove like a truck. Otherwise it was great. No problems in the mere 35k my mother kept it and I always liked it and didn't really find it drove like a truck. Plus that particular one looked pretty nice, even though it wasn't that fast

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My mother had a couple, the most recent a 2000 imprezza sport wagon or whatever the hell it was. It was an auto with 145 horsepower. it was hell on gas. I mean it really drank it like it was going out of style. It also wasn't very fast with that HP and auto. Mrsskoorb found that it drove like a truck. Otherwise it was great. No problems in the mere 35k my mother kept it and I always liked it and didn't really find it drove like a truck. Plus that particular one looked pretty nice, even though it wasn't that fast

My previous car was an SUV and this feels like a sports car compared to that, no idea how it feels like a truck for you

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My mother had a couple, the most recent a 2000 imprezza sport wagon or whatever the hell it was. It was an auto with 145 horsepower. it was hell on gas. I mean it really drank it like it was going out of style. It also wasn't very fast with that HP and auto. Mrsskoorb found that it drove like a truck. Otherwise it was great. No problems in the mere 35k my mother kept it and I always liked it and didn't really find it drove like a truck. Plus that particular one looked pretty nice, even though it wasn't that fast

My previous car was an SUV and this feels like a sports car compared to that, no idea how it feels like a truck for you

You drive a WRX... Quite a difference vs the regular Impreza.

With the smaller engines (1.8L in mine) they are NOT quick at all. The 2.5's are OK, and obviously the WRX/STi's are fast but my car has like 110 hp. 2.2 is much better (test drove a '97 with the 2.2 + MT, MUCH quicker than mine).

Viper GTS

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Skoorb
My mother had a couple, the most recent a 2000 imprezza sport wagon or whatever the hell it was. It was an auto with 145 horsepower. it was hell on gas. I mean it really drank it like it was going out of style. It also wasn't very fast with that HP and auto. Mrsskoorb found that it drove like a truck. Otherwise it was great. No problems in the mere 35k my mother kept it and I always liked it and didn't really find it drove like a truck. Plus that particular one looked pretty nice, even though it wasn't that fast

My previous car was an SUV and this feels like a sports car compared to that, no idea how it feels like a truck for you

You drive a WRX... Quite a difference vs the regular Impreza.

With the smaller engines (1.8L in mine) they are NOT quick at all. The 2.5's are OK, and obviously the WRX/STi's are fast but my car has like 110 hp. 2.2 is much better (test drove a '97 with the 2.2 + MT, MUCH quicker than mine).

Viper GTS

Ah good point, 227HP makes a diff over 110

 

[Sandor]

Another question- what other cars did you consider? Also, the new RS wagons with 165HP, which is a noce little bosst compared to 110

 

[Platypus]

I considered the Mazda6 (garbage, worst shift lag I've ever seen, almost worst than manu-matic transmissions), the RSX and the RSX Type S