Advice on a used Subaru Impreza

[RedFlagRobot]

Hi folks, I have been in the market for a car for a while and I'm looking to spend around $10K. After talking to some folks and posting here I'm pretty sure I want to get an Impreza. Here are the ones I have found online. I've only had time to go test one of them so far. Any thoughts on which is the best deal?


2004, 85K, $6900 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2004-Subaru-Impreza-TS-2-5-AWD-hatchback-W0QQAdIdZ400107394)
2004 WRX, 143K, $9950 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/OTTAWA/Ontario/5_14544579_ON20080820105019757/?showcpo=ShowCPO)
2006, 89K, $9995 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Subaru-Impreza-Hatchback-low-mileage-bas-kilometrage-W0QQAdIdZ394020238)
2005, 45K, $10,0000 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Subaru-Impreza-Hatchback-W0QQAdIdZ391352356)
2008, 114K, $11,900 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/OTTAWA/Ontario/5_14632743_ON20080702112708386/?showcpo=ShowCPO)
2006, 48K, $12,000 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Subaru-Impreza-Sport-Wagon-LOW-KM-W0QQAdIdZ387195310) (This is the only one I have checked out so far)
2008, 80K, $13,970 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/GATINEAU/Ontario/5_14547073_ON20080821111501185/?showcpo=ShowCPO)

[damnhammer]

google for information on headgasket issues with the 4cyl 2 and 2.5L engines, turbo and non turbo both.. I am looking at forester/outbacks and have read some things that make me cautious. i dont have a link handy but it shouldnt be hard to find. its not a deal breaker i don't think (for a friend, it was though) but definitely something to investigate.

[RedFlagRobot]

google for information on headgasket issues with the 4cyl 2 and 2.5L engines, turbo and non turbo both.. I am looking at forester/outbacks and have read some things that make me cautious. i dont have a link handy but it shouldnt be hard to find. its not a deal breaker i don't think (for a friend, it was though) but definitely something to investigate.

Thanks

[SoroSuub1]

2004+ engines don't seem to have the head gasket problem that existed on earlier Foresters (not sure about Imprezas, but they share most components)

Since you look like you're looking for a small wagon, also see the Forester. Same length and size, but boxier shape so it can carry larger objects/more. Shares many components with the Impreza - you will notice the same dash parts when you sit inside). Also has a couple inches more ground clearance (equivalent to or greater than most SUVs) if you live in a snowy area, but still has low centre-of-gravity (but only for 2008 and earlier Foresters).

[Avatar]

Besides headgasket issues, catalytic converter, oxygen sensors and noisy heat shields are the common problems on Subarus. Check to see if that happened on the ones you are looking for.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

2004+ engines don't seem to have the head gasket problem that existed on earlier Foresters (not sure about Imprezas, but they share most components)

Since you look like you're looking for a small wagon, also see the Forester. Same length and size, but boxier shape so it can carry larger objects/more. Shares many components with the Impreza - you will notice the same dash parts when you sit inside). Also has a couple inches more ground clearance (equivalent to or greater than most SUVs) if you live in a snowy area, but still has low centre-of-gravity (but only for 2008 and earlier Foresters).

IIRC, weren't the headgasket issues only limited to the base SOHC engines and not the turbocharged DOHC 2.5 engines in the Forester XT?

[RedFlagRobot]

Since you look like you're looking for a small wagon, also see the Forester.

Will do

[SoroSuub1]

IIRC, weren't the headgasket issues only limited to the base SOHC engines and not the turbocharged DOHC 2.5 engines in the Forester XT?

The XT came in 2004, so it seems to not be affected either way.

[RedFlagRobot]

Anyone have thoughts on the specific cars listed?


Hi folks, I have been in the market for a car for a while and I'm looking to spend around $10K. After talking to some folks and posting here I'm pretty sure I want to get an Impreza. Here are the ones I have found online. I've only had time to go test one of them so far. Any thoughts on which is the best deal?


2004, 85K, $6900 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2004-Subaru-Impreza-TS-2-5-AWD-hatchback-W0QQAdIdZ400107394)
2004 WRX, 143K, $9950 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/OTTAWA/Ontario/5_14544579_ON20080820105019757/?showcpo=ShowCPO)
2006, 89K, $9995 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Subaru-Impreza-Hatchback-low-mileage-bas-kilometrage-W0QQAdIdZ394020238)
2005, 45K, $10,0000 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Subaru-Impreza-Hatchback-W0QQAdIdZ391352356)
2008, 114K, $11,900 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/OTTAWA/Ontario/5_14632743_ON20080702112708386/?showcpo=ShowCPO)
2006, 48K, $12,000 (http://ottawa.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2006-Subaru-Impreza-Sport-Wagon-LOW-KM-W0QQAdIdZ387195310) (This is the only one I have checked out so far)
2008, 80K, $13,970 (http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Subaru/Impreza/GATINEAU/Ontario/5_14547073_ON20080821111501185/?showcpo=ShowCPO)

[Joelllle]

I have a 2006 Impreza hatchback. I bought it at the end of May and it had about 196K (at about 201K now).

It's a fun car to drive. I didn't used to like driving (had a 98 Accord before this one) but now I love it. I like the space the car offers, too. A few weeks ago I took a trip down to the States to go camping. There was bad thunder on the way so if I would've had to, I'd have slept in the back with the seats down.

My car had a big crack in the exhaust, but we got that fixed for cheap ($80 got that replaced and an oil change at the same time, but that mechanic usually does work cheap for us). I also had the alternator let go a few weeks into having the car, but we got that fixed quickly (got a new part for $250 through someone we know and replaced ourselves). If that were to happen to yours, get the part and do the work yourself because it only took 20 minutes and will save you the labor costs.

[DJ_Peanuts22]

Check out the WRX wagon.

Here is a list of what to look for when you go see it:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2352717

[poedua]

Anyone have thoughts on the specific cars listed?

Get the 2006 with 89k asking $9995....decent kms, service records ( all at a dealership ), winter tires and within your $10k budget ( they'll probably take $9,000 or so ..then you'll have to pay HST ).