Used 2002 Subaru Impreza Wagon Consumer Reviews
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my wrx
This car makes me want to drive. I have owned several sports cars in the past, but this wagon has the best overall feel.
WRX Wagon
The WRX Wagon is fun to drive and has a lot of power. Handling in the corners makes this car fun to drive. I could do with out the road noise. I like the wagon because people think I bought a family car, Until I give them a ride. All they can say is "WOW" The all wheel drive makes this car a great package.
- WRX WagonMSRP: $2,00026 mi away
- Outback Sport WagonMSRP: $6,495576 mi away
- WRX WagonMSRP: $8,997755 mi away
The best value under $25,000.
I drive this car 4 hours a day to the office. I have had nothing but fun times since I dumped my Pathfinder for this rocket. I highly suggest this car to anyone that enjoys blowing off the doors of Mustangs and Porsche Boxters S.
Bang for the Buck
After owning BMW 3 series sedans for awhile I expected the WRX wagon to be a downgrade. In the fun to drive and performace catagories it's been a big upgrade. I love driving this car and I can drive it in the snow. What a bargain.
WRX Rules
Excellent performance while going through the bends on the mountain roads near Yosemite. Can't really enjoy the performance on regular roads - too much slow moving traffic! Cool to turn 90 degree corners while driving at 45mph :)
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.
Wow! and All Wheel Drive
Powerful and Fun to drive. Reasonable gas mileage (25 mpg) Priced right. Quality is very good. Great in the snow. What more can a driver want?
Subaru WRX 2002 - DYNOMITE
This car is a blast to drive! The speed quotient is one thing, but the handling is outstanding. Only an old Porsche 356b that I had in the seventies handled better. The comfort to drive is based on your size, age and ability to handle a very firm ride. Go for it!
3rd Subaru - Wagon>Truck
This is my third Subaru. Previous was an 04 Sti and 98 2.5 rs. This car is very reliable even at 200K plus miles. I have replaced the 02 sensor once. The slide pins for the front calipers stuck, so those got replaced. Both pretty common. The valve in the AC had to be replaced, a bit of a pain to get to, but not a huge issue ($30 part). The interior is that of any Subaru. If you are coming from a luxury vehicle, you might not like it. Always seems to be cheaply made, but I've never had any issues. Would recommend to anyone needing an overall reliable car. Any Subaru really.
Awesome car
What more could you want in a car? It's so versatile! Lots of power, all wheel drive, space with the wagon, four doors, roof rack, good gas mileage, go anywhere, do anything, beat almost anybody on the road. Smooth pavement, rough pavement, rain, dirt, snow, mud, it doesn't matter. Such a fun car to drive.
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.
What a pleasant 1st month,,,
I have had two other turbo 4cyl cars over the years and this one appealed to me. The looks are kinda cool and performance is stellar for a car of it's size. I ended up with the stereo upgrade by accident and do not regret it, although it is slow to switch between discs it has very good quality sound. It is a little tight getting into for a 6'2", 245 pound guy, but seating position and interior room are fine. I felt that the smallish front doors were a little price to pay for the total package. The wagon is about 100 dollars a year more to insure than a Ford Focus, not bad for 100 more horses and lots more car overall.
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 Best in Snow
I recently purchased this car and had an opportunity to drive it in fresh snow the same day. I could not beleive how easy and at the same time fun was to drive this incredible machine. It is so nice to push it in the controlled slide, press the accelerator and enjoy... the most fun to drive car I ever had.
My Rex!
I absolutely love this car. From the handling to the speed. I have put this car through alot of road testing, both on and off, and have been completely satisfied. One recent trips included Colorado where we drove it to the top of Pike's Peak. It performed like a dream. The turbo handled the high altitude like a charm. I have the 5 speed manual, and with that comes the initial lag at start off. But in a matter of miliseconds that turbo kicks in and you are gone!
A Fun, Practical, Fun Value
This car is great fun and the best sport sedan value on the market. It's AWD makes it rock in the snow and rain and it's turbo-boosted engine make it one of the quickest cars on the market. It surpasses my BMW 530i for accelleration (the Bimmer has a higher and smoother top end) and beats my 4WD SUV for traction. It has a back seat for friends and family and is much more practical then Subaru lets on.
Impreza Outback Sport
A great alternative to the small SUV crowd. AWD and decent tires make it stick to the road under all weather conditions; this, along with the 165hp 2.5l engine (smoothest engine I've ever driven), make it great fun to drive! On a recent drive from WA to Denver, my OBS was the only car around able to maintain the speed limit over the high passes (11,000 feet) at night with it raining/snowing. Lots of interior cargo organization options. I got the OBS instead of TS or WRX wagons because I liked the 2-tone color scheme, and more standard cargo-related options.
Had it a year, and still love it!
This is the car America has been waiting to get, and Subaru finally brought it to the US. 227hp, 217lb-ft of torque in an AWD car with just enough understeer to keep "the sheep" safe, while letting the rest of us have fun (oversteer isn't tough to get, if that's what you're trying to do). The interior is driver-oriented from the seats and shifter to the steering wheel and pedals; even the dash gauges tilt more toward the driver than other cars. This is a true driver's car.
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.
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.
2002 Subaru WRX Wagon
Lots of fun, great handling, wonderful braking, plenty of power, wagon versatility, aggressive looks. A classic pocket rocket. Crummy gas mileage, premium gas, occasional turbo lag. Shift not as sweet as Honda/Acura, but AWD beats front-wheel drive every time. Great car for the price, but as soon as Honda makes something similar, I'm buying that.
DINOSAUR! T-WRX!!!
When I traded in my 2000 VW GTI VR6 I knew I was giving up alot of comforts. V6, leather, climate control, etc... Do I miss 'em? NOT ONE BIT! V6? I have more horsepower and better milage with my 2.0 and with the automatic I'm just as good performance wise as the VR6/5M. Leather? I live in South Florida! Black Leather? Am I crazy? I spent more time peeling my skin off the seats than enjoying them! Climate control? I drive with the windows down most of the time anyway!
subaru's are bad cars!!!
This car is a fun to drive car, but the quality of the car is lacking. I will never buy another subaru. I could get a better quality car from matchbox...
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.
at 2,000 miles
a little launch lag, but after that hold on, it's a whole lotta fun!
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.
my 02 ob sport
love the car but dissapointed that i needed a new rear wheel bearing after 66,000 miles
Best
What i like best is the performance
Where have you been?
I have waited for a sport/rally auto that had power and a firm suspension for an eternity. I finally got one that I can afford. What more could one hope for than this incredible performing auto? Yes, but will this fabulous little auto hold up?
Oh My- What Fun
Have had the car for 2 months. Can't get over the way the car performs. I came from a 92 GTI and thsi car rocks. Can't get over the rush of accelerations each time the tach hits 3K. Have to keep the turbo spooled to get the most out of the engine, but nothing beats crusiing along with the engine growkling along at the sweet spot. Oh and the AWD system is awesome. The car is amazing at spirited turns. Best bang for the buck. But if you are going to complain about the way the car looks or kack of leather and sunroof- This car is not for you.. You are just missing the point on what this car is about.
Man and Machine as One
This is a fun car to drive because I feel connected. The car is almost as responsive as my own reflexes so it complies with your inputs very well. The passing power on the highway is wonderful, great speed once your moving, but I hate to flog the little engine hard enough from a red light to really see the quick acceration. I prefer to push it harder once under way. Extremely comfortable up front and the kids are fine with the back seat. The dark fabric shows lint and dust dirt more easily than other interiors I've had.
the everything car
I researched car extensively before buying, and was the only thing in it's class for the money. best deal for the money out there,I've had many fast cars and built many more, this will beat most off the line.
Best Car Available Today
Quite possibly the best vehicle offered today! The WRX wagon gives you the best of both worlds- high-performance and utility. I can haul anything I want AND I find excuses to drive any- and everywhere. No longer have pizzas delivered cause it's an excuse to drive somewhere. The car has a real fun-to-drive vibe. All-wheel-drive and responsive steering inspire confidence to a much greater degree than any other sports car I have driven- and this is a wagon! The turbo comes on strong at 3000 rpm- pushing you back into your seat. It literally feels like a rollercoaster. And just as with rollercoasters, that sudden burst of speed is addictive.
TS- My Third Subaru
I'm really enjoying this vehicle. I've owned it for over a year now and I still find it fun to drive. That says a lot given the number of cars I've owned over the years and the fact that this is, as my title indicates, my third Subaru (My wife drives a '98 Forester and expects to for quite some time). The car is "peppy", comes with most of the "necessary" accessories and still elicits comments from strangers at the gas pumps. The recognized safety features cannot be overlooked. ...a recommended vehicle
Best Bang for your HiPerf Buck
The WRX is an excellent deal, especially for a life-long rally fan. I was in the market and shopping the Audi family and the Porche Boxter S. This thing will keep up and pass these cars on or off road. For the low $20k's - there is NOT a better deal on the road for this kind of performance. Made minor mods (BOV, intake).
Not your standard grocery getter!
Have only owned car 1 month, purchased pre-owned at dealer where I work (Not a Subaru dealer). This car is a BLAST to drive. Has ride comfort of a much larger vehicle but very sporty feeling around corners & off the line. Plenty of interior space/cargo room & looks more like a hatchback than a wagon. Fuel economy has been good (between 27- 28 mpg in mixed driving w/AC on ALL the time!) AWD gives very secure feeling on loose gravel & should be good on snow also...My aunt has a '98 Legacy Outback & loves it, never drove in snow before buying her car, now can't keep her off the road. No problems so far!
The best compact sport sedan ever?
The only problem I have had with this car was the check engine light came on once. Upon contacting the dealer, they were aware of the problem and remedied it overnight and provided a loaner car. I have done the rear brakes at 66,000 miles and have done regular service and oil changes. The car is fun to drive and has power to spare. The stock tires are sufficient in the snow but I feel a snow tire would perform better. I love this car.
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.
Real world performance
This is not the fastest car I've owned, but it certainly does most things well. Build quality is excellent, my only problem in 10,000 miles was a cracked windshield. Gas mileage is ok at an average of 24mpg mixed city/highway. The ride is firm but supple and this car swallows up potholes and ridges with aplomb, unlike most sports cars I've owned. Grip is limited with stock tires but still outcorners most other cars, in the wet, it's superb!
After 17000 miles
I've had my WRX wagon for over 17,000 miles now...those ar TROUBLE-FREE miles!. I must admit (don't tell my wife!) that I love this car as much as the day I picked it up at Mastro Subaru in Tampa. It is the epitome of the Beach Boys' song...fun, fun, fun. The automatic does have the much talked about turbo-lag, but to me, it is not a problem; this is a great, comfortable everyday driver that is practical...30 bags of mulch and a basketball set!
Best new car I've ever owned
After 10 months and 16K miles, I've decided that this is the best car I've ever purchased. So far there have been zero repairs necessary which I've NEVER experienced with a new car. It's not a race car, but performance is great, handling is very competent and the ride quality is just right, firm but not harsh at all. It is noticably slower in very hot weather. Interior quality seems better than average for a small car, but nothing spectacular. It is also very quiet inside for a small car. Seats and steering wheel are excellent, ergonomics are good.
best performance around
Thinking about getting the sedan? Think again--the wagon is the exact same except you can actually haul things! Extremely fun when the boost kicks in, and then the turbo just doesn't stop. Handling is perfect.
Best car I ever owned
The WRX is the best all-around performance bargain America. In the right hands, it will outperform a new Mustang GT in a 0-60 or 1/4-mile yet it has the utility to haul a family of 4 and 2 weeks worth of groceries. Those used to Taurus- or Camry-like handling will find the suspension tuning of this car somewhat rough. Yet compared to other cars in its price and performance class, the WRX has a positively smooth ride. Overall, an exceptional convergence of spirited performance, daily/family adaptability, reliability and affordability.
Good, but needs improvements
This is a fun car...but it's hard to call it a real performance car. The suspension is too soft, the tires are too skimpy, and the shifter is too balky. For performance driving, the engine's great, but around town it's a bugaboo...with only 2.0 liters of displacement and a low 8:1 compression ratio, this engine is gutless until the turbo kicks in around 3k RPM. The interior is pretty mediocre, with lots of hard plastic, but build quality's good and there are no major ergonomic flaws. Stereo's bad, though...too heavy on bass and all the sound gets squished together. Hard to tell instruments apart! Still a good performance value for the money, though.
Fast, fun AND practical
I love this car. Fast, handles well. Stupid SUV drivers think they can beat me off the line and I love leaving them in the dust. There's plenty of storage (holds more than my girlfriends Landrover) and the back seats are acceptable too. Don't get that Mini-SUV, get a WRX...
Great little grocery getter
Perfect car for commuting and even some longer drives. Used mostly in the winter, as I commute via motorcycle in the warmer months. Subie is great in the snow, naturally, though I did add 4 snows to help power through the nasty winter last season. Fresh snow up to 18" didn't stop her; the spoiler would plow the snow into my garage if we had a nasty storm during the day. If you can get past the interior plastics and the poor exterior paint quality when you're driving, and you don't give a hoot what your snooty neighbors think, the WRX is an excellent tool for real driving.
Six Star Car!
23,000 miles and this car is still absolutely problem free, running strong, and fun to drive! I love the standard all wheel drive and anti-lock brakes, they make for very sure footed driving in rain and snow. I have had several long distance trips in this car and it is a pleasure on the highway, and it averaged a nice 29 mpg!
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.
Transmission Problems
I bought this car about six months ago with 47k miles on it. Pretty low for an '02. I was having problems with getting it into first gear and reverse so I took it in to the local dealership. They told me that there was a problem (I expected it to be the clutch), and was told that there is a problem with the synchronizers in the transmission! Seems a little low mileage, well maybe a lot low, to be having problems with a transmission. I haven't added any aftermarket parts and take care of all my cars! Might be a lemon, but seems to be a ridiculous deal. $1500+ bill just to get started. Oh, and the warranty just expired 4 months ago due to an '01 delivery date. Wonderful!
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