Used 2003 Subaru Impreza Wagon Consumer Reviews
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It does it all!
I never write reviews, but I love this car and feel I owe it to the brand. I am completely sold on Subarus from now on. Snow, dirt, and wet roads are afterthoughts in this thing. I have taken it everywhere from snowdrifts to Jeep trails, and never had to second guess it. My favorite feature about it is storage space. I considered the few other cars with the elusive combination of storage and fuel efficiency, but none can touch the Subaru's AWD drivetrain. I will never go back to owning a truck for recreational purposes. The wagon can carry multiple bikes, gear for all and still have room for my dog. I love this car.
Lucky 13 years
Snowstorms, road salt, floods, backroads, and highways my car has seen them all and is still going. She is especially great at dealing in the snow with excellent handling all around and is a nice compact size for parking in the city. I love her and when I buy again, am likely to buy another one.
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- Outback Sport WagonMSRP: $8,997120 mi away
- WRX SedanMSRP: $19,995540 mi away
- Outback Sport WagonMSRP: $4,987611 mi away
Love my Rex
I chose my black WRX wagon over an Acura RSX-S. I am glad I did. This car is fast, handles great, drives well, and has been a reliable work horse. I only wish I had hills, curves, and snow to drive it in.
After 7 years
I bought this car brand new. It has been a rocket of a car despite the turbo lag at low rpms. Very responsive and nimble for a wagon. This was the 2nd gen WRX. Reliable except for some problems. There is strut knocking in the rear, disc/brakes problems (numerous brake replacements) not braking hard. Clutch smells when driving it hard. A bit cramped for tall people. No rear room for adults great space with seats folded down. Comparable to an SUV. Excessive wind noise and engine noise. Fogs up easy on the windows. Lots of fan noise when on high but not much output to help defog.
Fun Car
This little car is fun to drive, safe and reliable. I have never had a single mechanical problem in four years. When I buy the next car this one stays too I never giving it up.
Not your moms wagon.
From the first look at this car you know its not the typical grocery getter. The Unique styling and loud but tasteful blue makes this car very attactive. And after sitting the High bolster sport style seats you know for sure this ain't you momma's wagon. Loads of fun to drive, yet still useful for loading you friends and snowboards in. Little pricy butr well worth the extra money. You get more than what you paid for.
TS=Terrific Sportwagon!
Cant rate the reliability yet but every other aspect; handling, function, acceleration, looks, quality are superb. In choosing the TS, I researched the Protege wagon, focus wagon, vibe, element & matrix. This is in the uppermid price range, but is clearly on top in features & function. The gas mileage is good considering the power and towing capacity. I liked the protege wagon until I drove the TS. They are not even in the same club. I like the Element but there was not enough driver leg room. The leg/head room in the TS is great. Normally my hair brushes the ceiling in smaller cars, but I have 2 inches above my head in the TS. Overall, a very nice car.
Inexpensive WRX alternative
I looked at the WRX wagon initially, but decided the extra $4000 and higher insurance rates weren't worth it. The TS is a fun, sporty driving car with the benefit of AWD and the Insureance Institute for Highway Saftey best crash rating. I like its "quirky" styling because you don't see much else like it on the road. The 2.5l engine provides plenty of power for freeway driving and the mountains. Much better than the Saturn its replacing. The back seats might be a little cramped for adults over 5'7" on long trips and I'd like to see alloy wheels and keyless entry made standard, but those are my only major gripes. Very solid, fun car to drive.
Fun and reliable
I wanted a sporty, fun-to-drive car. My wife wanted a safe and reliable car. The Impreza fit the bill at a price we could afford. Unfortunately, I had to give in and get the automatic.
some flaws, but great
I had been drooling over a WRX since seeing them in WRC and British car mags like CAR or EVO, and was highly anticipating their advent into the US market. I've had one for 6 months and 8000 miles now. The engine is lethargic up to 3000 rpms, but then pushes the power to the wheels from that point up. Driving part-throttle is fine above 2500 rpms, but there's still that lag. Love the car in town, but find it a bit twitchy at highway speeds of 70 and up. Body is solid, with some body roll, but not bad. MPG Is not what it could be--I average about 22 in town, but 29 highway. Power can be helped with muffler or aftermarket items.
I Love This Car
The best performing car I've ever driven. Great fun around town, or on the expressway. It's a little cramped inside (I'm 6'3"), and seriously needs a 6 speed trans, but other than that, I LOVE THIS CAR!
Solid Car
Subarus are tough, easy to work on, and fun to drive. Not the biggest car inside, but for a single commuter or a small family it is fine. The AWD is great when it is needed, but otherwise sucks up a bit of power. The car is a perfect blend of utility and performance, and is a great value.
Love the performance, hate the repairs
The winding, mountainous roads around me are a kick in my WRX, with power, pickup and handling. (Even Porsche and BMW driving friends LOVE driving it!) But gravel and rutted roads are tough on the tires (on my 2nd set), brakes (going in for its 2nd brake job at 27,000 mi.) and alignment (can't seem to hold it.) Could use a little more ground clearance. Doubt I'd buy it again because of the brake and tire problems.
Fun driving machine...
From just looking at the car, you would not believe how fun it will be behind the wheel of this vehicle. The power you get from the turbo-charge engine will make you feel like a kid again,while the AWD system give you confident and comfort.What makes me more confident about the WRX wagon is that the car is 100% made in Japan and no matter whether the road is wet or sandy,I always have conditent in every corners.
subaru WRX performs
excellent traction on turns
A Sleeper
I drive in Western Europe each year and really have grown to enjoy the strong little 5 speed rentals and the twisty back roads there. My work here in the US now has me commuting 75 miles round trip on country roads each day so I went looking for the best handling / performing rig I could find for under $20,000. There are some great cars (Jetta's/ Civic's / Focus) but the new Subaru 2.5 L. Sport Wagon is way ahead of the others in speed and handling. It is precise and smooth through the hard corners and the power is such that shifting down is minimized ... quick and easy. The all wheel drive is just fantastic when the road gets greezy ... makes it very safe.
1 year and still lovin it
nothing bad to say
Fun to drive and good sporty design....
I had never thought about getting a WRX, but after test driving my friend's I couldn't resist. I didn't know I would love this car so much until I own it. This car has got a decent amount of horsepowers, great performance, sporty interior and exterior design, 6 CD changer and it comes with so many other standard manufacture options that so many new cars out there call optional.
Bang for your buck wagon
This Subaru is fun to drive and has enough power to make driving to Mammoth from LA 3 times a year enjoyable. I'm never going to buy a non AWD vehicle again. Besides being an excellent ride for ski trips the AWD comes in real handy in wet conditions.
Fun Drive!
I looked at the Protege5 and Jetta wagons before deciding on the Subaru Imprezza wagon. The Jetta was too small for my husband, and the Subaru was so much more fun to drive than the Protege. I haven't had it long (10 mos), but the only problem I've had is that it is difficult shift into reverse. I can fit a ton of stuff in the back, rubber cargo mat is excellent when driving dogs around, and at the end of an 8 hour drive, we are still comfortable. I hope this car remains as trouble free and fun to drive as it is right now.
Love My Wagon
This car is a hoot to drive and has all kinds of mods available. You can make this car go very fast cheaply. Just by pulling a vacuum/pressure hose I was apply to pull a 13.68 in a 1/4 mile. This car is otherwise stock except for an aftermarket muffler. What is also great about this car is the following at WRX's forums and all the info about them.
WRX best
This is the best car I have owned Bar none. Fast and agile in traffic and fun to drive
Best Car I've Ever Owned
I planned on keeping my '00 Protege until it died but for a WRX I traded my reliable economy car for more power. Generally not rash to buy a vehicle, when I found a WRX wagon on sale for a great price I bought it the day I test drove it. For anyone into spirited driving on gravel roads, a WRX has no rivals for the cost. Compared to the sedan version, the wagon is sluggish but the utility of extra interior space has been worth it. Everyone I know who has considered a wagon and bought a sedan has since regretted the lack of room. Fuel economy: 22 mpg day-to-day, 29 highway, 9 when running wide open.
A reliable alternative
Mine is actually a 2002 purchased 9/01, but the 2002 and 2003 are essentialy the same. I've put over 22,000 miles on it with no problems at all. It zippy around town and handles well. The build quality is great, it doesn't rattle and the interior is impressive for a $20,000 car. Its a good value with AWD and power everything. I got mine with armrest extention, filter, cargo net and keyless entry for $19,500 with very litte negotiating. The seats are good for a little while but get uncomfortable for any drive over 2 hours.
Base WRX is just a starting point...
You cant beat the bang for the buck. I have done more mods than I care to mention but the performance of the car is amazing. I now have a little wagon that will easily run with or beat a turbo Porsche at a fifth the price. I can take 4 other people along with me for the ride in reasonable comfort. Then I can stuff the hatch area full of stuff and take a trip. This car is the ultimate all-weather interceptor. Very few cars can offer this level of performance, reliability and fun! Every day its basic goodness shines through as soon as you fire it off. Downsides to the car: mileage, interior materials and terrible tires. Buy one!
Little Cash, Lot's of Car
The most practical, fun and fast car you can buy for under $25,000! A true all-season, all-condition fast and fun car. With performance tires it can handle with the best and with snow tires winters are a breeze. Not perfect, but you get more than you should for the money.
What a wagon
bar none, best bang for the buck going. Test drive and buy. Thats what I did. You will love this car. Turbo lag is an issue but with practice it is somewhat eliminated. Fun to out -accelerate 90% of the cars on the road. People unfamiliar with a wrx wagon have no idea what they are up against. Turbo plus awd is a winning combination when out performing other sport cars. I have over 50,000 miles on this car and every morning it is a pleasure to get in it and drive. I have never felt this way about any car. Buy one and you will know what I mean.
TS Wagon awesome
great to handle, AWD is outstanding, awesome grip on turns, excellent power and acceleration, terrific power steering... fun to drive
killer 4cyl
great car fun to drive tons of power for such a little motor i added a intake and exhaust and made it really fast i love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Passes everything except a gas station
Overall a a very nice car. Open road driving is great, but the turbo lag is annoying. The power is poor until you hit 3,000 RPM, then it takes off like a rocket. Also, the gas mileage is nowhere near the 20/27 listed on the sticker. More like 20/23. Also, the transmission is not that smooth at times. Overall, though I like the car a lot and often take the long way home as long as that way involves lots of hills and curves!
suburu wrx wagon
this car runs great & steers realy good under cornering, has lots of power & looks good to. my wife chose this car for her & she is happy with it. it;s a little small for me but i injoy driveing it also, we realy wanted the all wheel drive system so we can go when the weather is bad. over all we like the car & have had no prolbems with it as of now.
Rally Screamer
A wonderful little car, able to lay dust to anything on the road. In stock form, it's a fantastic ride. Great handling, power, and room for my dogs. The cool factor is even higher than you would expect froma Subaru. Three weeks, and I've gotten multiple complements. Car can easily be modified safely to put out 300hp. Many supporting websites and tuners across the nation.
the best in class
Driving a WRX Wagon makes all the difference in a commuter town like Houston. The power of its turbo engine and 227hp affords more agility, ability to negotiate between vehicles in traffic, and a certain level of safety that one cannot attain in a traditional off-road vehicle like an SUV. Because of its low center of gravity and full time AWD feature, the WRX Impreza has married the ideas of performance and safety to the test! The adventures await! Be sure to invest in an under-carriage protector! $80 bucks can save a bucket- load...
The MOST fun I've had in years
I have owned this fun, and enjoyable vehicle (my first Subaru) for seven months now. The AWD & Turbo is more fun than my previously owned 1966, 912 Porsche 5 speed, and my Saab 99E (front drive). High altitude driving from Sacramento to Reno is astonishing In the rain: I can not think of another car sold in the USA that can keep up with it through a given course- that does not sell for $10,000 more. I honestly believe that Subaru must subsidize the WRX sales for WRC rules. Like GOOD wine, if you do not understand it or appreciate it- don't buy it. Those that do will SMILE- I DO! Everyday that I drive.
2003 WRX Wagon - Manual Transmission
The most fun car I've ever had. This is the perfect blend of practicality and performance. It is as close to a full-on race car as most of us will ever need, while offering a good deal of safety and convenience in a very confidence-inspiring package. You can't help but love it after you drive it.
Subaru's rock
This car rocks -- I love it.
honest review
great car! really the only choice for an AWD wagon under $25K -- which makes the 227hp/turbo almost a freebie... FYI mainj, the horn-alarm can be easily turned off -- read your brouchure or call your dealer
fast grocery hauler (and dogs, firewood,
At initial purchase this was the most bang for the buck in my price class. Although the styling might be taken as dowdy by some, this car is the swiss army knife of vehicles. I commute 110 miles each day(80 highway, 30 dirt) and I find the car very comfortable. Gas mileage could be better. The motor and AWD are the big reasons to have this car. I've put 25,000 miles on this car in less than 4 months and it shows no signs of slowing down. The car will see action in both auto-x and rally-x this summer. The most amazing thing is that with an experienced driver at the helm I have never seen a faster car down a dirt road..."UNCLE!"
It's All About Driving!
This car is just plain fun to drive! Jumps off the line with great acceleration once you get the engine (RPMs) spooled up. In the turns the car is balanced and rock solid with minimal body roll. Have driven in the rain and have yet to break the grip loose. Would recommend getting the short throw shifter for more precise shifting. I am averaging 21 (mpg) because it is hard to stay off the pedal in this car.
Nice, solid car
I purchased this car back in 2002 and never regretted it. I spent quite a bit of time researching various cars before getting my Outback Sport and am pretty happy with the car and its overall performance after having it for more than 3 years and driving 32k miles. It's my third car and second Subaru. Very reliable and nice car. Fast acceleration (on manual transmission) and very solid driving on snow (tested in Tahoe area). Probably has the best performance/price ratio of all AWDs on the market.
2003 WRX Wagon
This car is the best overall vehicle for most people. Forget about gas guzzling SUV's, this all wheel drive WRX kicks their a$$ in every way. One mont all and NO regrets...
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing on the Cheap
The 0-60 starts from the tollbooth gate are something to behold at 5.4 seconds. All this in a reliable economy compact wagon under $25,000 that gets over 20mpg on average. Handling with 4wd is razor sharp. Driven normally, it is a very comfortable well-behaved car. Driven hard it is amazing! It is, however, one of the ugliest cars on the road. It takes practice to eliminate turbo lag. Wagon space compared to the Subaru Legacy is tiny. You'll need to fold the back seats down for real hauling space.
ImprezaWRX
Beside the known fact that this car is the best in its class, I'll want to highlight some problems I experienced with it. Front brakes rotors, sipping radiator, bad paint quality.
Another VW Convert
Owning a VW for the past 20 years, I was skeptical about the switch. Now I know what Subie owners have been keeping for themselves all these years. All the auto publications were not exaggerating what a value this car is compared to all else that is on the road. I just dig how well it performs in all conditions. Took it for a real test in the canyons above L.A. in the Angeles Crest National Forest area with lots of immediate twisties and it was impossible to keep the smile off my face. Nothing can touch this car for under 25K.
Super Car
I think this is the best car you could buy.
Subaru WRX wagon...
It rocks! This car is FUN to drive! And, being a wagon, it'll not only haull ass, it'll haul stuff!
WRX Wagon review
Plenty of pickup, amazing suspension, corners on rails, tons of room to put stuff in back, decent gas mileage. Handled incredibly well in over a foot of snow, in rain, in all weather conditions. AWD is amazing. Drawbacks: Suspension being so tight causes ride to be a little stiff for long distance (worth putting up with), interior design could be a little better engineered(no place to put cd's, only one useful cupholder. In short, totally worth the price paid for the fun on tight roads, handling in all weather, and zip. Eminently practical, too.
subiewagon
car handles all the corners and twisties you want to give it for a vehicle in this price range. A little quick to shift from 1st to 2nd. ride is good on highway; not quite as good on our rough city roads in Toronto. I bought winter tires which make this car very impressive when it gets snowy or icy. Very fun to drive and surprises a few people from the lights.
Perfect...
This car will change the way you look at wagons!
subaru outback impreza 2002
Nice car - got it used. Pluses - well-made, fun, good stereo, nice looks. Minuses - fuel milage, seats not comfortable, not cheap.