I'm a Jap car fan at heart and always have been but i'm never had an impreza.

I'm now considering buying a WRX on a budget of about 16k. Maybe a couple of years old or something. I dont want anything new because i dont know the cars and how they perform long term. I'd like an STi if i could get one even 3 years old. From experience i've never had any problems with Toyota's or Lexus. We currently own 2 toyotas, a RAV4 and a Auris T180. I swapped my T-Sport for a Compressor then decided to swap that for a T180 because hot hatchs didnt cut the mustard.

Now its time to trade the RAV4 and i'm thinking of keeping the T180 as its a really nice drive and it can go when it needs to - give that to the Mrs.

So now its a question of how reliable are the impreza's. 10 years ago i heard stories of clutches not lasting very long and gear boxes being dodgy. Whether this was true i dont know but are impreza's as reliable and as well built as you'd expect from Japan?

Its either this or a new Supra when it comes out in 2008/9.

 

New age STi's are pretty bullet proof and certainly IMHO a lot more robust than the WRX's especially the big end bearings. Plus the gearbox is a lot stronger too.

I've seen loads of classics and new age with big end probs however i dont know of anyone in our club who has had a major problem with an STI (apart from knocking rear shocks) yet.

 

I currently drive a 1997 wrx import with 115000 miles on it and knew the previous owner and nothing has gone wrong since it came in to the country. Buy an impreza,you wont be dissapointed

 

I am on my 3rd Subaru, I had a classic MY00 Turbo which I sold at 100,000 miles, my wife had an auto forester which she sold with 150,000mls on the clock, neither had any problems at all. Keep to the service schedule. I now have a MY03 STi with 56,000 miles on and going strong.
You will obviously get the usual things like wheel bearings etc... but asides from that its how you drive it. The clutch thing is down to driving style, eg how many launch starts etc... should las 60-70,000 miles if driven sensibly possibly more. Less if tracking it.
The Sti from 01 on have the 6 speed box which is tough as old boots.
Should be very reliable, just look at the JD power survey.

 

16k will get you a very nice 03 sti, well worth the money and in my experiance a very reliable, fast family car.

dipster

 

£16k would get you a brand new WRX or a couple of years old STi.

Both are strong and reliable. Just change the oil and service as you should, no worries. Most people modify them (including me ), then you can start to introduce problems or failure if done incorrectly.

 

i have an 03 sti+ppp with 125k on the clock.

all ok.

 

125k

 

buy a shell garage ???

i already own 2

 

subarus are great fun but i would be patient and wait for the new supra or even buy a uk sup TT,

 

We have an 05 WRX PPP. We've looked after it but so far it's needed one new wheel bearing, new rear diff (whine), one new front strut. All done no questions asked by dealers under warranty. Great car though and from previous ownership experience they are very reliable...