Used 2002 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews
Used Impreza for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Solid car, with quirks
Goatmount, 09/06/2009
2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have put 150,000 miles on car with no major problems. Changed timing belt at 90,000, as all Subarus are required, which is about a $400 job. The engine is solid and will probably run to 200,000 with very few issues. Great in snow and cold. One of the most fun small cars to drive out there. There are some quirks to the 2002 model. The driver side seat belt squeaks every time you move even an inch. I have talked with other 2002 impreza owners and this appears to be a common problem. Replacing fog lights is $200 per light! The wheels get thrown out of alignment after driving through deep snow. As with all AWD cars, all the tires have to be replaced at the same time. Auto windows both broke.
The most amazing thing on wheels.
luxcar101, 03/01/2002
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I think that God is a rally fan, and if he is he drifts around cloud 9 in this AWD excitment I call my car. Mustangs, Camaro's, A4's, GTi's, etc., etc. all are scared of this car and rightfully so! The AWD system on this car has to be the most amazing part of this vehicle. The only thing I can say is that I feel VERY SAFE in this car. Overall, what this car lacks in refinement it makes up for in brut force and speed.
I will never buy another Subaru
DeeDido, 11/22/2009
2002 Subaru Impreza TS AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
9 of 15 people found this review helpful
With 75,000 miles on it the head gasket had to be replaced. At 85,000 the power steering gear box. There is no trunk light. There is no lumbar support in the seats. My back is killing me. The visors did not have enough range to block the sun. It rattled constantly. The ride was extremely bumpy all the time. The engine noise was very loud. The stereo was terrible. Cruise control was not even an option. Stupid cup holder mounted on the dash board above the stereo.
Trust me!!
THE TRUSTY ONE, 05/29/2002
2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is the most reliable veicle ever! its got every thing you need to drive fast and safetly (if your a good driver) it will be the drive of your life.
WRX is best
CB54321, 06/24/2002
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Unbelievable handling. Complaints about turbo lag are crazy, as once the turbos kick in the car takes off. Have left many Mustangs, Camaros, Eclipses, etc. eating my dust since purchasing 6 months ago.
very good car for the money
awduser, 10/28/2013
2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My son bought it used with 170,000 km in 2007 and I got it from him with about 210,000 km. This month it turned 300,000 km. Engine and transmission all original but have small oil leak, probably from valve cover gasket. Had trouble with A/C compressor - replaced this summer (after 11 years of service). Had to overhaul front end - ball joints, tie rod ends, again after 11 years. Shock absorbers started leaking last year - I think 10 years is as good as it gets for driving through Canadian winters. And so apart from some rust (se reference to Canadian winters above), the vehicle looks and driving qualities are the same when we got it, and I even suspect it drives like new.
Safe. Utility. Bold. AWD. Reliable. Ubuy
Blur125, 07/31/2008
2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Subarus are awesome vehicles. And while this is the entry level vehicle, it's got the heart and soul of a Subaru! This has a rally inspired boxer 2.5l engine that gets 22-26 mpg (actual, depending on how nice you are to 'er). That's with AWD!! You can't beat having AWD if you like to shred mountains, ride trails, surf breaks, or relax while camping. While this particular model doesn't have a nice trim package nor nice interior, it has the basics you'd need while driving. And a manual is the way to go if you drive highway a lot. Wagons are a bonus for more storage space. I used it to travel back and forth between college with my entire room loaded in it. Nice fold down seats.
Never Buying Subaru AGAIN
Brian, 03/19/2006
2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 12 people found this review helpful
For the first three years car was great. Then at 60,000 miles the head gasket went. For the next 9 months in and out the shop for over heating problems. Then Subaru gave me a new engine block. Now at 90,000 miles transmission problems; needs 1st 2nd third and reverse gears replaced. $2300. In a manual. I never driven it hard -- I wanted it to last, but as you can see it's a piece of junk. I bought the car brand for their reputation. Once I get the car back I am selling it and buying a Toyota, Nissan or Mazda.
2 head gaskets at 20k
dsomeda, 04/23/2014
2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
At 2 yrs old developed small oil drops leaks 20k miles. At 3yrs started to drip coolant on driveway and oil drops. Dealer would not cover this fix because Subaru claimed only the Forester has bad gaskets but they asked me for my VIN any way. They gave me a bottle of head gasket sealer for 2$ and told me they were going to charge me $3500 for new gasket replacement. The very fact that the dealer even stocked(sealant) and basically gave it to me indicated that they have a widespread problem. It did not work. Used Bars Stop Leak instead. 2014 75k add coolant twice a week and code (Knock) triggered prob due to worn bearings from water in oil.
Reliable
sbohan, 03/15/2011
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my wrx in July of 2004 while I was attending community college in Pennsylvania. I chose the wrx because of the power and the awd. I chose the wagon because it cut my insurance in half (I was a 19 year old male buying a turbo charged car). I have driven the car as a daily driver ever since. I later attended Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana which lead to some 500 mile trips back and forth to Pennsylvaina. I now have close to 140,000 miles on the car. Aside from tires and brakes, I have replaced the clutch at 900$ including labor and almost all of the ac components at 1400$ including labor. 7 years and 140,000 miles with ony 2300$ in repairs is pretty good in my book.