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Used 1999 Subaru Impreza Wagon Consumer Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
27 reviews

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4.38 out of 5 stars

'99 Outback Sport

erod45, 09/11/2005
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

I have had this car since it was brand new and I must say that it was a no- nonsense vehicle. There were some quibbles about the wheel bearings giving out quickly, but there is a TSB for fixing it, which to this day after 37,000 miles haven't needed to be replaced again. The clutch is a weak link in the drivetrain, so when it goes out, I HIGHLY suggest getting an aftermarket one. Other than that, the engine itself has been a jewel with only simple maintenance needed (i.e., oil change, coolant change, etc.) The car is a blast to drive, especially in the rain. Overall, a very good car with above average reliability that'll get you to where you want to go and have fun while driving it.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great car for the price

firstshadow, 06/16/2008
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I picked mine up used with 60k miles on the clock, haven't had any problems with it. It's been so much fun to drive, especially on road trips. Twisties are always fun to go through on highways in the rain, passing everyone left and right with the AWD.

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4 out of 5 stars

Loud Ride!

1TheMacs, 02/21/2004
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Overall good car. A very loud ride on rough or wet road. Struts make a hallow rattle but do not need to be replaced.

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5 out of 5 stars

165K And Still Going Strong!

rreihart, 06/06/2008
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought this vehicle from my parents with 111k on it and I have loved owning it. It's been my favorite car to own. Where I live, I need an AWD car in the Winter and this Subaru gets me anywhere! I think it currently needs a rear wheel bearing. Other than that, I replaced the catalytic converter and a front brake caliper. Not bad. Switched it to Mobil 1 synthetic oil and get great gas mileage, 24-26 MPG.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Reliability is the key

Pinkus, 04/17/2005
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I bought my Outback Sport with 70k miles. I'm at about 125k now, and besides routine maintenance, the car has not cost me anything. This is exactly why I bought the car. I know that Subaru has addressed in the new OS/WRX all of the issues I had with this one (hp, wheels, etc.). That being said, I realize this car is a '99, and for what it is, I'm totally satisfied. If you don't abuse the car, you won't have any problems. Mileage is decent (mid- 20s). Interior room? I'm a drummer, and I fit my entire kit, plus a passenger! AWD? Put a set of snow tires on in the winter, and the car is unstoppable! Finally, get a set of WRX style wheels for the car, and improve the looks 100%.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

wOw

pooooop, 09/19/2004
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

had this car for about 5 months and am still hooked to it.. 1st AWD car and WOW FWD SUX.. i love it cuz everyone else has a civic or a corolla and such.. this cartruly blows all those away.. very quick for a H4... its the most enjoyable subcompact out there.. simply put it 5 speed fun.. its reliable thats y i bought it at 122,000 miles (WITH A PREVIOUSLY ABUSIVE OWNER) the fuel pump went out and the indicators did also due to the previous owner messin with wires etc.. no problems since and plan on havin it for many years to come

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun, Reliable Ride

Heather, 03/15/2005
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I love my little red subaru. I live in a ski town in Colorado, and it has been the perfect car. It has enough pep to cruise up the large mountain passes, and the AWD is great. Throw the skis on top, the dog in the back and go! The back is large enough to pack all my playthings, without being overly large. I have never had a problem mechanically with my car. The only downfall is the snow getting packed into the wheel wells. Other than that I love my little "pepper".

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4 out of 5 stars

So many problems

JasonDissapointed, 06/03/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I've had this car for about 8 months. So far - new front axle, valve covers/gaskets, head gasket, ball joints, ignition wires, spark plugs. I still have problems with the A/T temp light coming on and no dealer can figure it out. The clock in the dash works only sometimes. I REALLY want to like this car, it's fun to drive when it runs correctly but unfortunetly thats not very often. I love the looks!

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4.63 out of 5 stars

You never know until you drive one.

Ellery, 07/16/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
1 of 2 people found this review helpful

I have had the car since it was new and am still loving it since the day I got it. It is a fun little car to drive and it is true when they say that once your drive an AWD car, you'll never go back to 2WD. The engine is very torquey for a 4 cylinder and I love tossing it in a corner. I have driven it on the beaten path a few times and it has never let me down. Actually, the car looks better when it is dirty rather than clean! After 4 years of ownership, the only trouble areas have been the rear bearings (surprise,surprise!!) and my throw out bearing on my clutch giving out during a flood 2 years ago.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

A great Vermont car

DLandL, 04/19/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This car is great in the snow/dirt roads and mud season of Vermont life. Idiot proof AWD, and put 4 good snow tires on it and you are practically unstoppable in winter. Transmission could kick down better, though, and the A/C is not that powerful. Sounds a little cheap too, when you close the doors with the windows down - guess that's a consequence of the frameless doors.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Outback Sport 99

korver, 04/26/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

A fun car for a college student. Drives well in poor weather and good for country driving.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun jack-of-all-trades car

Chris in Denver, 05/10/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a great car. It is fun to drive in all types of weather conditions. Has a little sport to it, is practical and very useful. Has decent power (I like the raspy sound of the boxer engine), good suspension (nice and firm), a modest amount of comfort from a compact.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Fun little Toy

Ranger Russ, 06/14/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This little car turns me into a 10 year old kid again, just having fun! It's not an offroading car, but it'll get you down any ROAD you try to drive down, including dirt & mud. I have yet to get mine stuck, except when I bottomed out in deep snow while crossing over the top of a steep hill. And it took 15 seconds to get unstuck. Rain, snow, mud, creeks, etc.. this thing can't be stopped. The older you get, the better your toys get...

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3.63 out of 5 stars

Pretty decent and fun car

Jonny, 02/11/2008
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Overall, I like this car. I use it in snow, sand, dirt, and even low-clearance jeep trails. This has lead to blowing a couple CV boots though, which is problematic. Great traction in snow and great room for snowboards and skis and other gear inside. The hubcaps fall off easily (I lost three in about 1.5 years). I have had to put a fair amount into the repairs starting at about 75k miles, including new clutch and I think the catalytic converter is crapping out just after the 80,000 mi warranty (I have 89,000 mi on mine).

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4.25 out of 5 stars

fun

aaron, 03/27/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a wonderful car for around town as well as extended trips. The gas mileage is terrific and it has very good storge for a compact because of the foldable back seats. There is not much people room but that was never a problem for me (5'9") . I think the looks are great although I have a thing for wagons. Many accessories are availible and the factory roof rack is very funcinal, tested often with kayaks, unlike other vehicles. The AWD works wonderful in the snow and ice and will get you where you need to be. overall a very good car for the price. the only short comming I've seen is the brakes which are noisy but seem to work fine.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Fun Car

Seattle sub, 01/13/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great car. I'm 5'2" and it's perfect. Great visibility all around. I feel safe in all conditions. Sticks to the road like glue. I've had this car from new, and I love it

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2.88 out of 5 stars

not up to par in the long run

markiz, 02/11/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

When it was new I got a kick out of it - fun little car. But now, at 70K miles, things that should not break are starting to go. Both rear wheel bearings had to be replaced, this for a car that has never been off-road!! The regulator in one electric window went belly-up, rear wiper arm broke for no reason. Conclusion: a good 3-4 year car if you keep the miles dow.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Subarules!

Lyn, 08/27/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Great car, with good resale value. Runs and handles great. Looks good. Overall, no regrets.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Great car

mrdugas, 01/14/2004
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love my 99 outback sport. I wouldn't want any other car besides a newer one. It is very versitile and the engine is great. The only problem I have is the cruise control doesn't work.

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3.88 out of 5 stars

1999 impreza l wagon dbctmc

dbctmc, 03/08/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

great car for those who drive fairly long distances in mountainous or snow belt areas. very reliable. dont expect any more than 30 mpg. rear seat has very little leg room even with average size person in front seat. pretty good cargo room, esp. with rear seat folded.

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3 out of 5 stars

it all starts to fall apart at once

jmc1978, 06/01/2004
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

53000 miles and a new engine block? they made the pistons too small for the cylinders? WTF? the frameless doors rattle and eventually do fall apart inside, nothing to support the glass. heater fan squeals/ chirps/doesn't work.

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5 out of 5 stars

Reliable and practical

SuburuGal, 02/20/2007
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

In 8 years of ownership no mechanical problems. Not a flashy car, but reliable and practical. Good deal for the money.

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4.5 out of 5 stars

Dad's Old Winter Car

NY Kid, 06/10/2007
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

My Impreza used to be my dad's old winter car, but when we moved to AZ it was given to me since my old car died. It's such a fun little car to throw around back roads, with decent power and great handling. This car's powertrain has been reliable, and has been driven cross country with no issues. The frameless windows are a pain. Three of my windows do not roll down because they are off track and the power window motors are busted. Also, the rear hatch squeaks and rattles, but nothing I can't live with. Even with these little problems, I love my car and plan on holding onto it until it dies, which should be a while, since our previous Subarus have made it over 200k and I only have 76k after 8 years.

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3.38 out of 5 stars

Good Car but could be better

pun14, 06/05/2003
1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a good car. Aging makes it a good initial value. Decent looking car. Performance is very good. AWD is a wonderful feature. Handles nimbly, great in the sand and on dirt roads when pushed. Cabin design is simple, functional, not foofy. Not spacious. Get the bigger wagon if you have a family. However Fitting 4 can be tough for the 2 people in the back. Spritey, not fast. Versatile, not oversized. Good blend of low level performance, utility, and fuel economy, value. There are more cars that do more and have more, but you'll have to spend a lot more!

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4.25 out of 5 stars

fun

Aaron, 03/27/2002
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is a wonderful car for around town as well as extended trips. The gas mileage is terrific and it has very good storge for a compact because of the foldable back seats. There is not much people room but that was never a problem for me (5'9") . I think the looks are great although I have a thing for wagons. Many accessories are availible and the factory roof rack is very funcinal, tested often with kayaks, unlike other vehicles. The AWD works wonderful in the snow and ice and will get you where you need to be. overall a very good car for the price. the only short comming I've seen is the brakes which are noisy but seem to work fine.

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5 out of 5 stars

Scubie Does!

Simi Valley Shaggy, 12/09/2024
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I am picky with cars, but this is one of the few cars I can live with when I can't afford a Miata. It handles great, and is very comfortable, and reliable, while managing to have personality. PO took okay care of it and I just had to fix a few minor things, brakes, etc. It's hard to describe, but the best thing about driving the Impreza (Wagon) is that it feels like a mini-SUV. There's nothing else like it on the road. Too bad it doesn't snow here.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2.88 out of 5 stars

Run Away - Not Recommended

R, 04/14/2009
1999 Subaru Impreza L 4dr Wagon AWD
0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Avoid all Imprezas and buy a Legacy if you are going to buy a Subaru - the build quality is substantially better. I have had this car for 5 years and babied it, yet it still continues to fall apart. The rear wheel bearings have been replaced 3 times, the power window regulator died, the steering column coupler fell apart, the struts and alternator died at 70K, the engine was replaced at 100K after a bad rod knock developed (after fixing a head gasket leak), the CV joints have torn repeatedly, etc. What a lemon! This car only has 100K on it, but is constantly breaking down. The AWD system and overall pep of the engine are great, but avoid Imprezas due to their poor build quality.

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