2014 Subaru Impreza Premium 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Needs better qualiy control, and needs honest dealerships with fair repair pricing

Faults:

Many, but minor yet annoying and VERY EXPENSIVE.

General Comments:

Great handling, modest comfort.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st March, 2020

8th Mar 2020, 04:00

Please give us some detail about the problems you are encountering.

17th Jan 2021, 12:42

Subaru have plenty of problems with early clutch failure, CVT failure, sensors, broken tensioner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMI8JseM40c

Their owners are very loyal - and often in denial about the issues - for the simple and pure reason that the car is AWD. Americans swear by AWD systems, and forget about the other problems.

2014 Subaru Impreza Base Wagon 2.0L from North America

Summary:

Bare bones Japanese tank you can learn to love

Faults:

It was believed that the previous owner drove this car thinking he could treat it like a WRX/STI. Though they are technically Impreza based, they are essentially a different car and it IS NOT how a base model Impreza should be driven.

Nonetheless, when the car was initially bought by my brother with ~65K miles on it, he noticed the transmission was making a terrible whine and was having trouble shifting. The transmission had to be completely rebuilt as two synchros were trashed and one more was on its way out.

General Comments:

Pros:

- If you're looking at used Imprezas, do yourself a favor and go for a wagon. Despite its compact dimensions, it is shockingly versatile and handy.

- Interior space is decent for a small car. My brother is 6ft tall and has no issue sitting in the back.

- Visibility is very good.

- The AWD drive system, when paired with a good set of tires (as mine is), greatly aids in the security and comfort when it comes to winter driving. The car might as well be a miniature Japanese tank.

Cons:

- The clutch is more numb than British news. This car is my first ever manual and I hear talk of "Feel for the bite point!" Trust me, there is no bite point and it makes driving this car a little bit of a challenge. Then again, it is still the original clutch that Captain Nimrod before me used, but the dealer says it is fine.

- It is noisy! Surprisingly, wind noise is at a minimum, but there is engine, transmission, and tire noise wafting into the cabin. If I'm on the highway I'll sometimes turn off the radio because there is no point in making it go any louder as I'm going to go deaf.

- Being the Base model, it is severely lacking in the options department. There is no cruise control, a very basic stereo with only 4 of the cheapest speakers you ever did listen through, and manual seat adjustments.

- Being a typical American and wanting a soft ride, this car feels like a buckboard on the frost heaved, pot hole riddled roads of New England and can feel unsettled at times. However it cruises on the interstate quite nicely.

I call this car the misunderstood darling. My brother picked the car up for a song because it was a Base model without any real options and it was a manual - so it languished on the dealer's lot.

However I have to say, nitpicking aside it is a fantastic vehicle. Despite the numb clutch, it was an easy car to learn manual on and is very forgiving and patient with new drivers.

My brother sold it to me after complaining about how unbearably slow it was (and bought a WRX), however to me I feel the car is a few shades above having adequate power and at times I feel it can be pretty zippy.

I absolutely love the fact it's a small wagon as it's incredibly versatile and practical. I was able to haul home a computer chair and desk in the wee beasty with no issues at all. I'm fairly short and I love how the back seats fold completely flat; I can put a memory foam topper in the back and laze around at the beach with the hatch up.

When paired with a good set of tires the car does very well in in-climate weather and is almost unstoppable. However it has very low ground clearance, so it is stoppable in some aspects.

I will say though, living in New England I would probably give my left one if it had a cold weather package and cruise control, but alas I should be happy that I have a reliable car with a new transmission.

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

Review Date: 18th February, 2018

1st Jan 2020, 22:16

So... I had had the car after about 6 months when I wrote the initial review and I have to say, after nearly 2 years I cannot wait to be rid of this car.

The car was sold to me by my brother and had a serious issue with oil consumption; the oil would be changed and it would eat through a quart after an initial 1200 miles, then a quart every 800 after that. Thankfully, I found there was a TSB (technical service bulletins, they’re like recalls... that aren’t notified to the public) and learned that I qualified for a new short block which Subaru paid to replace, but I met that guideline of its replacement by the skin of my teeth.

I was driving the car at the time of this review only for 10 minute stretches, but my job changed, my commute changed, *I* changed and am now practically living in this car. The driver’s seat has essentially degraded to the comfort and support of cheap bleacher seats. The padding near the bottom of the “lumbar support” has eroded away, meaning I have a lovely metal bar strapped across my lower back. And I’m not that heavy! I’m a 5’6” man at only 250LB. Also, the passenger seat is no better and I can SEE the seat sensor now, right beneath the cloth and as a result, it will constantly activate unless I buckle the passenger side seatbelt.

After nearly 2 years I have put the cargo capabilities to the test and let me tell yah, my Grand Marquis was more versatile and easy to use than this rolling suppository. Its shape and size do it no favors.

It is true it does well-ish in snowy weather, but a complete lack of ride height means that if there is a build up of snow or the snow is too thick, you’ll have trouble. Twice I got stuck in the middle of intersections.

After 2 years I cannot find a comfortable position for driving - it doesn’t help that your legs have to held together tighter than those of a virgin on prom night to access the clutch.

The car is having continual issues because it only has 107k on it currently, but it’s now having issues with power steering (it’s like the pump is remaining on for a few seconds after shutting the car off) and as of last week, it has moments it refuses to shift into reverse unless I shut the car and give it a moment.

Lastly, the noise. Dear God... the noise. I thought spending nearly $700 on tires would help... but nope. The engine sounds like a death match between a hoard of guinea pigs, the wind noise sounds like you’re stuck on a cheap economy flight, the tires wail like the poltergeist that lives in your crawl space, and the trim pieces are starting to rattle and groan every so often like a crappy orchestra performed by raccoons and squirrels with garbage they found.

I’m making double the payments to get it paid off ASAP because I cannot wait to be rid of this damned car.

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2014 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.5 turbo from North America

Summary:

Insane handling and power for the money, offset by terrible mileage

Faults:

The A/C smelled like some sort of chemicals. Took it to the dealer; they said that was normal for a newer car. I don't really notice it anymore.

Nothing else.

General Comments:

This is what happens when you build a $26k car and put all of that money in the drivetrain. Most cars I've had I were able to get the EPA highway mileage cruising at 80 mph on a road trip.

I have never gotten anywhere near 25 MPG. But I drive the car pretty hard. I think you would have to baby it and cruise at 60 mph to get 25 MPG. I don't care enough to do that. I just went on a 1200 mile road trip with snowboards on racks on the top of the car. Cruising at 95 mph I got about 17 MPG on the trip (lower than the EPA rated city mileage of 19 MPG).

As far as the interior goes, it's bare bones, but has everything you need and a few intelligent design features.

I'm far from disappointed with the car. If I wanted to, I could have castrated myself and purchased a Prius for less money. I chose the WRX instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2014

8th Jan 2014, 08:25

I own a Prius and a WRX.

WRX = FUN and no fuel economy.

PRIUS = Reliable, easy to drive when stuck at 0 mph in traffic and no clutch to worry about. Reliable, AMAZING fuel economy. Did I mention RELIABLE!?

You do not buy a WRX for fuel economy.

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