Used 2002 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews
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02 WRX Sedan
The fun factor rating on this car should be well over 10...This is my first subaru and I have had it for 3 weeks and what a blast I am having driving this car...For all you car enthusiasts who haven't driven one yet, you must try...I work for a car dealership and have driven many cars and besides exotics most cars don't come close to this car in the fun factor...Recently placed 3rd at the Long Island Custom Car Show with this vehicles
A great car for the price
I purchased this car in later 2006. I have greatly enjoyed the experience. It corners good for a stock car. The AWD is awesome in the snow and I have loved drifting it! Dislikes: no light in the trunk, not a lot of room but good for the price. Likes: AWD is awesome, automatic shifts good on hills and in passing, the exhaust sounds great (not stock), comfortable on long drives, corners fairly well but needs larger sway bars, fantastic in the snow. It has only slid when I am laying into it. Great car so I can't complain much. Needs some performance stuff for more power so I am going to invest soon!
- WRX WagonMSRP: $8,99776 mi away
- Outback Sport WagonMSRP: $6,495351 mi away
- WRX WagonMSRP: $5,995442 mi away
Real wagon review
Reasearched for months,test drove 4x before buying.And am I pleased AWD,acceleration,cornering,and ride are fantastic for a wagon.Great seats,driver position.Good gas milage of 20 to high 20's depending on how driven.Excellent safety rating.Have been in 6 in. of snow and ice leaving all behind.Gear box notchy at first,but smoothes out nicely.Handles canyon twisties,elavation gains like sports cars.Ride is firm and steering is very responsive.Best car I have owned!Love my Subie!!!!
Best car under $25K....period!
Excellent little car. Awesome performance, decent gas mileage, very comfortable. I took the car on a 1300 mile road trip from Houston, TX to central Minnesota, had to stop only for gas. The front seats are awesome! 6- disc in-dash CD changer came in very handy on the trip. This car is also awesome in the snow. I was hoping for a little better gas mileage than 24 mpg I saw on the trip, but I had the cruise set at 80+ mph the whole way. AWESOME CAR!
Scobby's new doo
It's nice to have a car that can get out of it's own way...and not sound like a frieght train while doing so. It's also nice to cruise at highway speeds and be able to talk to the person next to you with out the use of a megaphone. Corners great, stops on a dime, and smiles like a prom queen the whole time.
Great Fun But Needs Work
To Keep it simple heres what I did to make the car as good as it should have been from the factory. 1. Get rid of the horrible Potenza's they ruin the cars potential 2. Get a K&N this simple change for $40.00 makes a tremendous difference. Eg. at 1800 RPM I make about 5 PSI in the turbo, by 2500 I have reached Peak Pressure. Some handling problems in my car stem from an under achieving rear Limited slip, it behaves as an open diff would especialy when stuck in the snow. Changing tires greatly improves the overall feel.
One good car
I've had this car for over a month now and it has already been better than I expected. AWD is great as well as handling and performance.
awsome
this car is an amazing machine. It is an out of the box rally car. I would recomend this for anyone who has ever wanted "one of those cars they see during a rally race", because this is one. This is sure to please.
Fun to drive
The most fun I have had driving a car. High performance, reliability, all- season driving at an affordable price. Nothing compares to it at this price range.
Fun Stuff
What I got: WRX Sedan - Sport Package - Sound Package The suboofer is plenty for myself, but for serious noise, look aftermarket. The spoier is beautiful, but the short throw shifter is of questionable value on this car. My first turbo car, the lag is definately noticeable, but doesn't get in the way if you keep the revs up. Its a hoot to blast through the turns, and has been a joy in rain, snow, and ice thanks to the AWD. Nothing better than dusting every other car off the line on wet pavement. Overall I really love this car. Its a blast and I'd reccomend a test drive to anyone.
2002 Suabru WRX Wagon
This is the most fun you can have with a station wagon, or sport wagon as Subaru calls it. Plenty of room for four adults with the wagon portion providing ample room for storage. The front seats offer excellent lateral support but can be a little firm for long drives. This is the first car that I have owned more than a year and I still love it as much as the day I bought it.
A great car
As of this writing I have about 146000 miles on my WRX wagon. It has been a terrific car. It was at the time I bought it the best combination of performance, utility, and value, and it still holds up well. I would definitely buy this vehicle again.
Great till high mileage!
Fun car to drive. The 2.5L is just enough to make it peppy and fun. Good in most conditions, not great in any. Problems start at 140,000 and continue there on in. My advice would be to buy if mileage is low and get rid of if near 140,000.
Car waiting to be modded... seriously
This car is one of the easiest car to get the power out of. $2000 can make this a reliable 300hp monster www.turboxs.com. On the other hand, $5000 can net you a high 11s WRX. This car is meant to be driven hard and that is what rally car is intended to be. Please don't expect interior quality of VW. You will be disappointed. However, factory option carbon fiber trim kit will make interior look much much better. Tim
Its not just a sports sedan, its a WRX
Being a teenager, I was immediately attracted to this vehicle when I heard about it early 2002. My Mom was seriously considering the most popular car in Vermont, the Subaru Outback wagon. When I heard about the WRX I hounded my parents about it every time a we discussed new cars. After about a year of looking, we found a used 2002 Subaru WRX sedan, black, that my Mom loved. We got it in late March and have been loving it ever since. The WRX's cornering, acceleration, ride, and responsiveness are unparalled by any car in its price range or even those more expensive for that matter.
Scooby Dooby Doo Where are u...
2002 OBS: I have had my OBS for 3 weeks & I throughly enjoy the car. My only gripes is I wish the seats were firmer & more supportive. Also, the manual transmission is not as smooth as I would like & finding reverse is fuff sometimses.
Excellent All-round vehicle
Wonderful vehicle which drives like a Civic when needed and drives like a Ferocious Kamikaze when asked to. Split personality ! The Auto-WRX, whose VTD-AWD system is equipped with a torque-sensing Planetary gear and electro-mechanical Hydraulic clutches for rapidly transferring torque front/rear rear/front, and drives with 55% of the power to the rear-wheels in non-slip conditions, is a pure fun car. No other Subaru (Auto or manual) has this exclusive VTD-AWD system.
Sweetest thing on 4 Wheels
I bought this car after carefully research of cars under 30k, which included BMW 330ci and Lexus IS 300. By far, it is worth the bang for the bucks I paid. Excellent acceleration and handling but drifts while cornering. It is a joy to drive and have racked up 13k miles in under 8 months.Awesome handling in snow and rain... Planing a trip across America this summer hope to c'ya all... Ciao
It's not just for kids!
Having owned Imprezas since 1996, I was expecting a faster, but no more refined, car in the WRX. Surprise! The WRX is much smoother and quieter than its less sporty predecessors. At first the controls felt too light, and the seat felt too hard, but after a long drive I feel quite fresh. The turbo lag is not very noticeable except at high altitude with the AC running. Then you need to coordinate clutch and throttle with finesse. Reports of lousy mileage are due to test drive behavior; I'm averaging 23- 26, and I drive fast but efficiently. Coolest experience? Going up to Donner Pass (7,200 feet) at half throttle in fifth gear at 70-80mph.
problem child
I was thrilled after waiting 7 years for this puppy. Shortly after purchase I had to get both front struts replaced as they were bad, driver side window worked on three times for squeeking, dash rattles inside (third time) and the computer on it had to be sent away for a week after two months of driving! This is all with normal driving and no modifications. It's a blast to drive, but way too many problems for the price tag and the lack of quality. I recommend looking at alternatives.
Best Car for the Money - Hands down
This car is an absolute blast to drive. I have owned mine for about seven months and I still have a smile everytime I step on the gas. I did a lot of research before I chose this car, and you can't beat the quality, features and performance of this car for the price. I was comparing this car to car's costing $5k - $10k more - still no contest. Drive one and see what I mean.
Too much buck, not enough bang
Owned mine for a year and it was a piece of crap. It had problems with everything from the suspension (5 times), ECU, exhaust, windows, interior falling apart, fan rattling. Got to a point where I was dealing with the regional representative on every visit. No mods, just a junk build. Major turbo lag and significant lack of low end power. Terrible experience. Some owners get mad when reading this, but I too drooled over the release of the WRX. If the quality isn't there, it just doesn't cut it. Run away from this purchase and shop for something else. Lost tremendous amount on it after only a year.
Love my WRX!
Gas mileage is excellent given that it's a turbocharged 4 - ride quality is first rate - handles well when you push it, but is comfortable as a daily driver. And you just can't beat AWD in the rain/mud/snow!
the bess car ever
great handling and great speed a real rally car to be recognized
Buy a WRX - best fun ever
Fanastic power and handling. Great reliability. Best legal fun available. If you want a sports car with the power, bulid quality and sheer fun you could buy an expensive german car but why bother the WRX matches the M3 in almost every factor for half the price.
fun fun fun fun fun
Granted my last car was a dog, but I'm extremely happy with my rex so far. Contrary to popular opinion, I find the low RPM power to be quite acceptable (it supposedly is about 80% peak torque at 2000 RPM). I read one review here that said that the rex has understeer problems. THere is no wy the reviewer has actually driven this car! If anything, this car has oversteer. If I want it to, I can get the tihng to pivot! True, the looks are contriversial, but they've grown on me and now i really like it. Go ahead and call her an ugly girl, but she's got personality...
WRX Automatic Sport Wagon Rocks
I'm in my 50s and wanted a fun car to drive in all kinds of traffic conditions. The WRX is a huge improvement in speed and handling from my departed Infiniti G20t and our existing Legacy GT. This car is the bargain of the century.... ...and a hoot to drive.
What fun!
This car has all the get up and go one could possibly need or want. Wet or dry, the car handles like a slot car. My only two complaints are that with the gauge package there is no clock in the car and with the stereo upgrade (6 disc in-dash) one cannot random play between discs. It has been a long time since I have had this much fun driving.
2002 WRX
Pre-purchased WRX in April 01 site unseen, before they were first imported. Extremely happy with the car, fuel efficiency, power, and build quality. Over the last year, it has developed a couple of small rattles and the driver's window regulator needs replacing (has nearly 100k miles). Value is still over $10k 6 years later. Very satisfied with the car, the brand, and the type of vehicle.
Subaru WRX review
I have recently purchased the new WRX and have loved it since I drove it off the lot. This car will satisfy anyones needs because its both fast and reliable
Ok but not very refined
Timing belt tensior went out at 10500 miles. Intermittent clutch shudder that has worsened with increasing milage. Difficulty with getting dealers to do warranty work. Or admitting the car has a problem
Read this for an unbiased opinion!
Had my WRX for 4 months now & have about 10K miles. I live in the midwest w/ weather conditions of ice, snow, rain, 90 degree heat, etc. I also drive an average of about 85 miles a day, so I know how comfortable it is. Let me say that this is the best car in any given situation. It's got power, relability, handling, looks (not only my opinion). I've had various women tell me how great my car looks, so whoever says it looks ugly is just jealous they don't have one. I've let all my friends drive it, and all said they love it.
Scooby Rex!
Excellent car! Fun to drive, reliable, and good mileage for turbo charged vehicle.
Try NOT to buy one after you drive one!!
This is one of the fastest cars on the road and yet you get the room of a wagon and the comfort of all wheel drive. This was one of the worst winters in CT and I made it to work on time every day and got home safely. Now that the snow is gone, I can really put the turbo to work! It is sooo fast. I dare you to drive this car and NOT buy it.
Exciting Commute
This car is great. You cannot beat it with the price. Always wanted a sporty car that is not hard on the city bumps. Found it with this car. The looks is perfect coz it downplays the car yet fun to drive. And also its fun to drive or did I mention that already. Can leave 98% of cars on the road.
WOW!!!
Great car. Good for everyday driving as well as having a lot of fun on the weekends. The turbo charged engine gets you to were you want to be quickly yet doesn't eat up the gas. Overall, a great purchase for the price
I love my WRX
I love my WRX! It's fun to drive, easy to handle, and very reliable. As a mom, I needed a 4-door, but I was not going to sell a Porsche for a Camry. The suspension is stiff, the turning is tight.
GREAT
This is an overall great car. I love to drive it!
amazing!
buy it now..it's too fun bye
Rally Inspired Sports Wagon
Unbelieveable mix of power and comfort. The ultimate sports car under $25,000 with 0-60 in just under 6 seconds. Fast, fun and with the wagon makes it very practical.
Can't Beat It
One word FAST!!!!! Thats all that explains it. Smoothest car, try going 110mph, turn the radio off and listen. What do u hear? In this car pretty much nothing but the sound of the turbo, like an airplane. Watch out Cobras ur in danger........
Blowin’ and Goin’ for 18 Years at 313 WHP
All turbo-based Subaru’s can have WHP nominally doubled with total long-term reliability. These modifications can be performed with extreme quality by Pure Tuning (www.pure-tuning.com). Subaru offers a rare level of mechanical reliability in their base-level equipment. Buy HIGH; go FAST!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Just a 2.5RS... nothing special
I really do LOVE my car. It's fun to drive, it got me through my first real winter (snow, ice, slush) in a new place, and it's never had any problems due to regular wear and tear (regular maint. is done). Though not a WRX, acceleration is just fine for highway driving. I used to take my car through a very deserted canyon road with tight turns on the weekends and it begged for more.
look out handa
nice car very fast i like the handling
Super WRX wagon
I bought my Blue WRX wagon because I liked the way it performed in the WRC rallys. The car was my favorite and was a stout performer. I'd still have it if it wasn't for the super stiff clutch wearing my left knee out. Replaced it with a 2005 RS wagon
not much to say
This car rocks. I consider myself a car enthusiast at the age of 25. This car was in my budget limits, and there is nothing out there that comes close to the value that you get out of this car. 227 hp, AWD, FUNNN!
Rock & Roll
What a Car. I looked at the S4, 330xi, and 300is. This car is top of the heap. It takes a while (month or so) to get used to the turbo and lag. But, once you know how to keep the rpm's above 3500, hang on. Make sure to put snow tires on stock wheels and buy some 17" or 18" for summer fun. I worked the extra wheels into the deal. The dealer got them from Tire Rack and put snows on the stock wheels. I had to wait 2 weeks, but worth it. I bought my wife a WRX wagon last month. That should say it all.
2002 Subaru WRX
Fast! Fun! Turbo! Nothing like the feeling of hitting the turbo going onto a entrance ramp to the interstate. You up to 100mph in no-time.
Can't beat it for the price
This car is the same price as a turbo VW bug and comes with AWD, better build quality (IMO), more power, and more room. People who complain about the cup holder are missing the point of the car. Ride may be a bit harsh for some and gas mileage may be a bit low, but you simple can't beat this car for the price if you're an enthusiast looking for a 4 door. A 600 dollar after market down pipe and high flow cat makes a great first mod for more power and better mileage.
Hum......Not this one
I personally do not recommand this car to anyone. Reasons: 1) the interior material does not match what I expect and what it should be in this class. 2) I prefer the pervious generation looks. 3) THe turbo is strong, but after 4th gear, it is getting weak in high speed. 4) It does not have STI version. 5) Seats sucks. Need at least Sparco package. 6) The paint is not well done. Tiny scratch could be seen under summer time.