1997 Subaru Impreza Consumer Discussions

New Subaru Impreza Owners - Give Us Your Report!

• I welcome myself to this board!

  Written by: occking on May 1, 2010 3:50:19 PM

  I have been a frequent poster on the Subaru boards, having owned new 05 Outback, 06 Tribeca and now have 09 Forester. My 09 is "ok" now have 31k on the vehicle in 14 months. It's just too much of a "rattle trap" but otherwise fine. Daughter just turned 19 & wanted to get something "safe and reliable" so yesterday pulled the trigger on 09 Impreza premium with 10k for $15750. ... Read More

Subaru Impreza: inconsistent idle, runs good then bad

• Subaru Impreza: inconsistent idle, runs good then bad

  Written by: phillys14 on Jul 7, 2009 6:17:35 PM

  1997 Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon, will start up and idle just fine, run fine, after 5-10 min., will start to idle slow and fast, eventually dying, if giving gas, sounds like it is being starved or not running smooth and then die, the exhaust also seems to smell a little different when it does this (only when running strange). Can't say that the exhaust smells liek fuel, but maybe. If I ... Read More

Subaru Impreza Real World MPG Numbers

• 1997 Impreza- 33mpg

  Written by: alexl76 on Jul 1, 2009 12:30:13 PM

  I consistently manage 32-33 mpg on my 55-60mph commute with a few lights. The car is a 1997 Subaru Impreza 2.2 wagon with the 5speed manual. I've clocked my speedometer against the mile markers at 60mph as a rough check. I'm very impressed with the mileage. I don't baby the car; I sometimes accelerate hard and zip up to the redline. Bottom line- Subaru makes a great car. 33mpg at 150,000 ... Read More

1997 subaru impreza all wheel drive

• Re: 1997 subaru impreza all wheel drive [ateixeira]

  Written by: bukiwi01 on Jan 12, 2009 2:00:26 PM

  I just wanna say, thank you sooooo much you were very helpfull :)

• Re: 1997 subaru impreza all wheel drive [bukiwi01]

  Written by: ateixeira on Jan 12, 2009 9:50:41 AM

  There is only one mode, and it's automatic, so the driver cannot select FWD or lock the torque split to 50/50 or anything like that. You drive and basically don't worry about it - the systems adjust the split on their own, as required by conditions.

• Re: 1997 subaru impreza all wheel drive [bukiwi01]

  Written by: rsholland on Jan 11, 2009 6:44:42 AM

  ? AWD is 4WD. The car is "always" in AWD/4WD; it's a full-time AWD system. So no, there is not light. Bob

• 1997 subaru impreza all wheel drive

  Written by: bukiwi01 on Jan 11, 2009 6:04:58 AM

  help is there a way to go from awd to 4wd, and if so how ? also, is there a indicator light that signifies awd to 4wd

URGENT: changing AWD to 2WD

• URGENT: changing AWD to 2WD

  Written by: ladybug1045 on Dec 30, 2008 3:11:54 PM

  1997 Subaru Impreza sedan...Can you safely change AWD to 2WD? How? Does it increase fuel efficiency and/or performance?

Subaru Impreza Accesories & Modifications

• Pod Filter Intallation

  Written by: tom165 on May 3, 2008 10:37:57 PM

  hey everyone, i recently brought my first car which is a subaru impreza lx 1997 sedan. im looking to put a pod filter into it but can't/don't know how to because of the 'air-box'...any suggestions?? thanks heaps

Subaru Impreza Engine Problems

• Backup Lights NW on 1997 Subaru Impreza wagon

  Written by: tuttt on Feb 21, 2008 3:39:36 PM

  My backup lights are not working. I have concluded that it is the switch since I can make them come one sporadically by wiggling the shifter. Does anyone know where the backup light switch is located on a 1997 Subaru Impreza Wagon with manual transmission? My car has State inspection coming up next month and I don't want to have to pay a mechanic big $$$ to fix it. :( If ... Read More

Article Comments - Ford Mustang Shelby GT vs. 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

• STi Review

  Written by: paisan on Dec 23, 2007 10:58:25 AM

  Ok, so I finally am able to sit back, relax, and give you guys my impressions of the 08 STi, first hand, non journalist view, non professional view of it.... Let me preface my write-up in that I've been a Subaru fan for years, starting in the late 80s when my cousin bought a 1988 XT6. I bought my first Subaru in 1997, a 1988 XT6. It wasn't perfect, the air-suspension ... Read More

• Re: Article Comments - [ateixeira]

  Written by: paisan on Dec 19, 2007 8:07:16 PM

  Not fair, but neither is saying that about the F&F, which didn't include many Subarus. Mitsubishi mostly, some Honda, some Nissan, etc. Actually it's funny you mention that... In all the F&F movies the only Subaru in it was in the 1st one. When the director of the movie drove his ~1997 Impreza L to the street race to deliver a pizza just before the cops showed up. Haaaaaaaa -mike

Subaru Impreza Performance Upgrades

• turbo upgrade

  Written by: kbstreat on Aug 1, 2007 8:04:41 PM

  i have a 1997 subaru impreza 2.2L non-turbo and i am trying to give my car turbo what do i have to do to complete the job the cheapest way possible...help please!!!!

WRX Reliability?

• Compared to a Ford

  Written by: paisan on Jan 22, 2007 5:47:39 PM

  You'll be happily suprised. Being a long time owner of Subarus (1988 XT6, 1989 XT6, 1992 SVX, 1994 Legacy Turbo, 1996 Impreza L, 1997 Legacy L) I can say they haven't been perfect, however they have never left me anywhere. Also having worked on 100s of WRXs, I can say they are definitely reliable. My 96 Impreza L with the original engine and transmission and 150k miles did over 10,000 track ... Read More

Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

• no title

  Written by: ateixeira on Jul 18, 2003 6:51:06 AM

  1996 was the 2.5l DOHC's first year. In 1997 they did some minor revisions, it gained 10hp and ran on regular fuel. But GM was still not involved. The Phase II engine arrived in 1999 on the Forester and Impreza. They had problems with the MAF or MAP, I forget which. It was fragile, any mods to the intake basically blew up that expensive part. But - bone-stock cars were OK. ... Read More

Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon

• Family of Four

  Written by: socprofinblrex on Feb 28, 2003 7:37:52 AM

  This came up a couple of weeks ago. My two cents: I have two daughters, ages 9 (born in 1993)and 13 (born in 1989). They are growing up while riding in the backseat of Subarus: My current car - Black WRX wagon (2002) Ex's current car - Blue Impreza wagon (2000 My Last car - Blue Impreza Outback Sport (1997) Car prior to that - Red Impreza Wagon (1993) Car before ... Read More

Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

• Yikes! Engine Problem in Forester?!!

  Written by: joybell on Dec 13, 2002 6:09:27 AM

  My family has owned Subarus for years. I've had a Chaser and a Loyale Wagon, Mom still has an Impreza Wagon. I would love a new Subie but can't afford the price anymore, so I went shopping for a Forester (the only Subaru wagon type made in Japan). I found one, a 1998 model, and the salesman told me that they are replacing the engine after 140,000km and that this sometimes ... Read More

Subaru Impreza WRX

• Riley

  Written by: artgecko on Apr 1, 2002 4:49:39 PM

  If you don't want to rev the engine, and are looking to drive it tamely to get good gas mileage, why even consider the WRX. Shifting below 3000 RPM everytime, like you said you want to do, won't even get you into the power band of the WRX. You will think it is underpowered if you never go higher. Go for the non-turbo Impreza Outback Sport or another Subaru. You still ... Read More

Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

• no title

  Written by: locke2c on Mar 2, 2002 9:19:35 AM

  Good links Ken, let me help out a little more. The old Subaru motor was the EA82, it was a 2 valve per cylinder, overhead valve (pushrod) 1.8L. It served for a long time. Around 1990, the EJ series debuted at 1.8L and 2.2L with SOHC and 4 valves per cylinder. The 2.2L was only available in the Legacy for the first few years as this was Subaru's rallycar, while the ... Read More

Subaru Impreza WRX

• Irrelevant comparison

  Written by: silverjetta on Feb 17, 2001 7:22:11 AM

  I agree the comparison between Impreza and BMW is quite irrelevant in many people's mind. Go and ask around to people who know nothing about cars except for their prices. They all say, "What? BMW and Subaru? Are you nuts?". But for those people who know how to enjoy cars more than lether seats and wood trim, it is very natural to compare 330 and WRX. In Europe and Japan, WRX ... Read More