1995 Subaru Impreza AWD
Faults:
Basic stuff. Brakes, wires and plugs, tires. Nothing else was wrong or had gone wrong with it.
General Comments:
I bought this 95 Subaru Impreza in 2001, and it had 179000 highway miles on it. It was a one owner when I got it, and it had all wheel drive. It was in excellent condition, had been garage kept since it was bought new. I paid $1700 for it at a dealer. It was a new car trade in. The whole car was built, I was told, for the international market in Japan. It was shipped to the US to be sold new. In the few years I had it, I had no problems with it but the usual maintenance.
This car, with the exception of a 1969 Buick Wildcat I once owned, was the best car I had ever bought. I bought the car in Missouri, and moved to New York a couple years later. I drove to New York from Missouri with no issues. The truth is, I didn't expect any. I knew this car would get me to the moon if there were roads to go there. If you find one in good condition, buy it right now. It will serve you well.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 7th May, 2011
14th Feb 2012, 16:20
I agree 100%. I too bought one, same year, almost the exact same mileage, but mine needed a new water pump, timing belt and pulleys.
The owner was told it was ruined when a timing belt pulley failed. Knowing this was impossible with a noninterference engine, I got it for $600. Cost $30 for a new belt and I swapped out a nearly new water pump from a block I pulled from a 96 Legacy, that the 19 year old owner ruined by never adding oil. Got a nearly new (but used) pulley from the same block. Replaced the oil pump o-ring as well.
Started right up, and has been running like new ever since. 30-31 mpg on the freeway at 65-70 mph, and 25-27 mpg at 75-80 mph.
It's a hatchback, so it is just what I wanted for an all purpose mountain-snow car. Just snowed last night (it averages 37 inches here by a ski resort in the Sierras of California). Just drove it out a drift more than 2 ft high. Better than a Jeep. Seriously!
And I found a used 6 CD factory stereo unit from a 2005 Subaru, plugged right in!
Great car. No tappet noise at all, put new rotors on it and new tires. Better than the 2002 Impreza with the 2.5 interference engine that my friend just bought for $4200. Gotta love these non-interference 2.2s.
If I don't see 350k I'll be surprised. It's at 173k right now. And feels like new.