2003 Subaru Impreza STi type UK 2.0

Summary:

I love it to death

Faults:

The only thing which has gone wrong with this car is battery died after 5000 miles.

Brake pads don't last long, Around 6000 miles, which are red stuff pads.

General Comments:

This car is great. It throws you in the seat with a pleasing smile. Best driven on the country roads where this car comes alive. I have had this car around 2 to 3 years now and have loved every minute of it. I have had front and rear strut braces put on this and it handles brilliantly.

Although its quick you will get used to the power and will want more. I tried an induction kit, but the car did not like it at all. I have a K&N panel filter fitted which helped it get to the limiter that bit quicker.

Now it's coming to its end of warranty I will be tweaking it a bit. If you get to own one you will get every boy racer and porsche boxer driver trying to beat you off the light's.

Also you will get women trying to get your attention, Evan if you have 2 kid's seats in the back.

Worst thing with this car is that all the young kids (6 year's onwards), will run around the car and annoy the pants off you and get really close with there bike handle bars!

On a good day I get around 24 miles to the gallon and around 14 giving it some (that's using shell optimax).

Servicing is about £80 cheaper than my misses Clio 172!!

It goes through tyre's around every 4000 miles. And I change the oil every 3000 miles. The turning circle of this car is bad!!

If you are thinking of getting one, buy one around 2 to 3 years old. Dealer's are now offering me around £12000, a loss of £9000.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st January, 2006

2003 Subaru Impreza STi type UK 2.0 turbo

Summary:

The best £25k you will ever spend

Faults:

Shock absorber failed last week.

General Comments:

If you want a car to put a smile on your face this is for you.

24,000 miles in 15 months and I still smile when the engine fires into life.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2005

2003 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0 turbo

Summary:

If you own a similar sized 'normal' car - think seriously about a WRX

Faults:

Absolutely nothing.

Bulletproof.

General Comments:

We use this as an everyday run-around. It does the school runs, shopping and commutes. Each one of these trips is a real pleasure - this car has seriously good fun value!

The performance and torque is excellent, but the real fun comes when you hit some twisty bits and the Impreza really comes into it's own.

I bought a UK spec Euro import and saved 5k on the list price. Dealers can be a bit stuffy when it comes to imports, but this is moon-dial money and Cater ham handling so who cares!

Don't boot it and fuel consumption is good - mine is a 4 door and works fine for my family of 4.

Security is a must - Cat 1 and tracker are essential, other than that, this is a car to be enjoyed everyday of the week.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th August, 2004

2003 Subaru Impreza WRX SL PPP 2 Litre

Summary:

For £20,000 the Performance cannot be matched

Faults:

The 4th gear syncromesh failed after 9500 miles had problems, namely crunching into fourth gear from third.

The boot release cable has failed, so I have to use the key in the boot lock.

General Comments:

I love this car. I didn't expect the gearbox problem after 9500 miles.

It has also begun to baulk when changing into first while driving slowly despite the clutch depressed to the floor.

I think the gearbox is not up to the Prodrive Performance Pack.

Also the brakes are not up to the extra performance given by the pack although a prodrive pad upgrade is available.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th August, 2004

2nd Oct 2004, 15:53

Sad to see the synchro and clutch shudder problems are still present - I have had a 1999 MY2000 WRX from new and it has now done 180,000km with several gearbox problems over the years, clashing from 3rd to 4th and difficulty selecting reverse. The cold clutch shudder also seems to be a common problem with other REX owners I've talked to. Apart from that it is a fantastic car that I love driving. For cornering, overtaking and grip in the wet I have never driven anything better.

27th Oct 2005, 16:11

Any gearbox will baulk when trying to engage 1st while still moving.

26th Apr 2007, 12:29

I don't think impreza gearboxes are that bad that they can't handle an extra 40 lbs ft of torque, it's a bit close to the line to sell them like that don't you think? I've had 2 scoobs, my second one a WRX PPP now has 30,000 miles, gearbox OK, and you don't generally hear about such impreza problems. Its just a case as with any car you get duff examples off the production line occasionally. (touch wood)

27th Apr 2008, 19:05

You said in your review about the brakes not being up to the job, I think your right about that, WRX breaks are rubbish, I've got an 04 PPP, and it doesn't take much to get them fading, keep pushing a little more and they start smoking, as I found out the other day. And this wasn't hours of abuse, it was a quick 5 min blast with another car from point to point. Break upgrade is definitely advisable.

22nd Aug 2008, 06:35

There are big problems with the 03 Impreza's in Australia. 3rd gear seems to be breaking in a few of them, both turbo and non turbo. Mine screwed up when I dropped it back from 4th to 3rd doing 80km. I heard a crunching, then a bang, and now I don't have 3rd gear. It's going to cost about $5000 to fix. Only done 67,000 km.