2001 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews

Caution!

Written by: Oshkosh on 02/19/2009

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great car all around, sporty, decent power, drives strong. Beware of the leaking head gasket, VERY expensive to repair (3-4k), knock sensor tends to go out at least once, otherwise drives superb in snow and rain with great suspension and AWD, Limited Slip is a plus.

Favorite Features

AWD + LSD, Fog lights, exterior looks.

Suggested Improvements

Better preventive headgasket issues, better gas mileage (average 22 mpg city/hwy combined) for a 4 cylinder

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2.5 RS

Written by: Amy on 08/14/2006

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned this car since the fall of 2000. I preferred the "Old School" style and wasn't really interested in waiting for the new WRX to come out. I was a previous owner of an Outback Sport (98) and loved that. The RS with the leather interior that I upgraded to made me love the Impreza even more. I use it as my daily driver, drop my toddler off to preschool (the 4 doors are a bonus for this over the coupe). The trunk is large enough to fit a full size hockey bag-but one drawback of the 01 is that the seats don't fold down. Never had an issue with anything mechanical. Now with 97,-000 miles on it, it's still going strong. Excellent in the snow. I would highly recommend this car.

Favorite Features

Rally styling and handling. The RS has the ABS brakes, CD player, moon roof, standard.

Suggested Improvements

The extra horsepower is nice, but I wish it got just a bit better gas mileage. I average in the mid 20's, but with gas 3 dollars a gallon it takes $42 to fill it up. Fold down seats (which they do on anything newer than 2001) would have been nice.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Sporty Compact Enthusiast Sedan

Written by: 2.5RS on 06/29/2005

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car because Ii wanted a compact sedan that would be reliable but also fun to drive. The 2.5RS has exceeded in both categories. There is road noise to contend with at higher speeds, but not much more than any other similarly priced compact car. There is an extensive aftermarket community for modifications. The car had a somewhat limited production making them a bit of an enthusiast's entry level tuner as an alternative to Honda. If you do find one of these cars, be warned that *everyone* will ask if it is a WRX or an STI.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive. Moonroof. Leather option. Easy access to oil drain and filter. Frameless windows. My friend's fingers got slammed between the window and the B pillar as the door closed and he was fine, just a little sore.

Suggested Improvements

The rear seat is a bit cramped with front passengers over 6 feet tall and the rear seats are bolted in so you need a rack for ski/bike trips. Center armrest extension and top storage compartment are less solid than the rest of the car. Road noise is also a problem at speeds over 50mph.

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Amazing handling

Written by: Dennis on 04/28/2005

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 2dr Coupe (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Excellent car and built like a tank. Very reliable and much better than its competition. I have owned it over 4 years and it still amazes me. Love the design and wish Subaru would bring back the 2 door in the current Impreza. Would purchase another Subaru in a minute.

Favorite Features

Exterior styling. Easy to work on and modify. I have lowered the suspension, upgraded the intake and exhaust, and brake rotors. Very reliable and the All Wheel Drive is the best part in any weather condition.

Suggested Improvements

Better paint and better interior materials.

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The best looking Subaru yet!

Written by: BlvdKing on 03/15/2005

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 2dr Coupe (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have really enjoyed this car so far. It doesn't have the performance it should possess by the look of the car. I have the leather seating and love the comfort and material quality. It handles amazing and drives almost as nice in snow and ice. Subaru makes a true "all season" car. I would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a fun to drive, fairly economical, great looking, and quality built car. The only thing it is lacking is the turbo performance other newer subaru's have like the WRX and WRX Sti.

Favorite Features

aggressive styling, one of the best handling cars in its class, quality fit and finish, and the best AWD system on the planet it is always there when you need it.

Suggested Improvements

I always wish it had a turbo from the factory. This car would have been amazing with the torque of the 2.5L and the power of a turbo there wouldn't be many cars that could compete if this car was set up properly.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Slightly quirky, but a blast to drive

Written by: Brian on 02/04/2005

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 2dr Coupe (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have had no problems with this car at all. The clutch can be a little quirky, especially when it's cold. Once you get the hang of it it's alright. Frameless side windows rattle when you close the door with them partway down. It's stubborn sometimes about going into first gear. Although it understeers a bit, once you figure out how the car likes to be driven, it is very rewarding. I get compliments on the look of the car. Build quality is very good (no annoying squeaks or rattles). I love the sounds the engine makes. The engine loves to be driven hard, but is quite tractable in town. Fun to drive no matter the weather (AWD advantage). My next car will be a Subaru.

Favorite Features

AWD - Fun can be had no matter the weather. Great reliability. Good quality build.

Suggested Improvements

Improve interior materials. Update transmission. Could go for a little better fuel economy, but isn't too bad for a car with AWD. I would suggest more power, but that has been addressed by later models.

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If not the Greatest

Written by: Ramza on 08/17/2004

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is one of the GREATEST cars ever. It's my first car as a teenager, and let me tell you, ive driven an M3 before... and this thing... its quite similiar. Dont get me wrong its not a super fast car but it is a Super quick car. A 5 spd is a MUST!! If you get this thing in 5-spd, you will never regret it... if you push it into the powerband this work of beauty goes off like a rocket. Leaving everything behind. Looks very sporty, very admirable, Definetly an eye catcher. Not to mention its damn comfortable inside. No complaints about the Sound system either, its decent.GREAT Value and a Great buy.

Favorite Features

Aggresive appearance, Incredible acceleration and handling. Corners like a dream. Stock with a dual- exhaust it just sounds sooooo nice, its unbelievable.

Suggested Improvements

a 6 Speed STi transmission on this one.

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Subaru

Written by: ajackphd on 03/14/2004

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The model year after this one - 2001 and beyond - has more leg room in the back seat. Only complaint I have about this car is not much back seat room. But the sporty styling in the 2001 model year is much perferable to the more sedan conventional style look of the 2202 and beyond

Favorite Features

AWD, heating/cooling, sporty exterior styling, good handling

Suggested Improvements

tighter turning radius, more leg room in the back seat.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Legacy Wagon a very useful car

Written by: salligator on 10/07/2003

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza L AWD 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought a Legacy wagon as a snow car since I go to work on very twisty, hilly roads that are icy and frequently covered in more than 12 inches of snow. I never even noticed the snow or rain. The car also carried my Samoyed dog in the back with its dog gate. I could get large objects like doors with the door frame into the car completely inside the car. It always ran, started and it could fo 95 without any problems on the highway. It also had fantastic resale value. I paid 19.5 and after 3 years I received 13.5 with a slightly damaged bumper.

Favorite Features

go in snow, carry lots of stuff, carry big dog, very low depreciation.

Suggested Improvements

More power, and it should come with a CD player. Also the Subaru alarm is very annoying.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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AWD 4-dr Sport Wagon

Written by: Kiyoshi Kim on 07/31/2003

Vehicle

2001 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.2L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My first time purchasing Subaru and used vehicle. The decision was based on Clark Howard recommendation, who favors used car over new. Was originally thinking about WRX. Nice-looking exterior and sturdy machine to operate during rainy weather though it has not been tested in inclement condition due to persistently sunny days in Oregon!?

Favorite Features

Pretty quiet for 2.2 L engine.

Suggested Improvements

Better gas mileage. More cup holder for the front seat. Standard equipment radio can be better.

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