Faults:

Thanks to neglect from the previous owner, the front camshaft oil seals and the front crankshaft oil seals needed replacing.

I replaced the front CV-shafts at 130,000 miles, just as a precautionary measure.

The car lasted 135,000 miles on the factory clutch, so I replaced it with an Exedy Stage-1 unit.

General Comments:

This car is a fantastic piece of engineering.

The Subaru All-Wheel Drive system works magnificently, and the engine is bulletproof! These cars can and will last upwards of 200,000 miles.

The stock performance can't really be measured against other cars in its class. Although it's engine, being of only 1.8 litres, isn't a racing motor by any means, this car is more fun than my previous RX-7. Straight-line power becomes a thing of the past with the Impreza, as it is meant for great cornering and agile maneuvers. Add some larger tires for grip, upgrade the intake and exhaust, and you've got a killer little rally machine!

The real mystery of why these cars are so fun lies within its design. The boxer 4 cylinder rests completely flat far down in the engine bay, and with the All-Wheel Drive system reaching to the rear of the car, the Impreza sees a low center of gravity and an ideal weight distribution.

If you're looking for practicality, look no further. A sporty fun car, All-Wheel Drive, safety from dual front Air Bags, great interior features, comfort for up to five people, and the assurance of reliability from a well-known manufacturer all at a low sticker price. What more could you ask for?

Faults:

The previous owner of this car had absolutely thrashed it, but the price was right so I bought it. When I first got it, I had to replace the front strut mounts, the ball joints, and the gas tank. Not the car's fault.

I've replaced other things on the car, most of which were normal wear and tear (or likely related to the previous owner's driving habits) :

1 oxygen sensor

2 front wheel bearings

2 front CV joints

1 engine knock sensor

1 coolant temperature sensor

1 idle sensor

1 airflow sensor

1 full set of brake rotors

2 full sets of brake pads

1 set of engine belts (including timing belt)

I've still got the car after putting nearly 100k miles on it. It's still solid transportation, but now it's starting to show some issues:

-The steering rack is leaking a small amount of fluid

-Some of the engine seals are leaking oil (but not a lot)

-A couple of the console lights are burned out

-The exhaust heat shields are loose and they rattle when the car is at idle.

-The parking brakes don't work well on one side

-The rear U-joint is wearing out

-The other oxygen sensor needs to be replaced.

Nothing major, but it's starting to add up. That (and the fact that I hit a deer the other night and it took the driver's side mirror off and damaged the door trim) leads me to think about my next car.

General Comments:

I've loved this Subaru. It's been a real trouper. The all wheel drive system has been trouble-free and the engine is just about bulletproof.

Strangely enough, the LX was the top-of-the-line Impreza for 1995 in the U.S. yet mine didn't have power windows or power locks. Even my 1989 Subaru GL had those features.

The location of the cup holders is mildly annoying. It's a convenient place to set your drinks, but it does block the in-dash storage compartment and the climate controls to a certain extent. And if you've got an open coffee cup or can of soda and you corner briskly or go over heavy bumps, liquid can and will slosh out and get on you or your passenger.

In all, it's been a great car, especially for the northern Michigan winters and exploring backwoods trails. The maintenance costs have been fairly good considering the hard life the car's had.

Right now I'm debating whether to repair the deer accident damage and some other things, or to put that money toward a newer Impreza. It's just so hard to give up on this one!