Used 2006 Subaru Impreza Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Really love this Subaru!
I bought my 2006 impreza sedan in December of 2013 with 110000 miles on it for only $7000. What I don't like about this car is I found out that it the head gaskets were leaking coolant and I had to spend about a $1000 to replace them at the Subaru dealership just a week after I bought the car (this was a recall for Subaru's with the 2 and a half liter engine for this impreza body style). I have had this car for almost 2 years and have put 30000 miles on it and have had to only take it to the shop for only oil changes and getting tires rotated (Super reliable!) . The cars all wheel drive has allowed me to have so much fun in muding, sand drifting and ice skating (So Much Fun!). If you think you will ever go off of regular roads this car will have your back because it has given me the confidence to drive through 3 to 4 inches of mud and really soft sand. Some things that I don't really like about the car is it the road noise is pretty pronounced an it I usually get only 25 mpg in mixed driving when I'm not driving like a racer. With that said I absolutely love this car and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a daily driver with low maintenance cost, safety in mind, sporty looks, and all weather dependability.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Best car for anyone!
This car was a my dad's midlife crisis, and when he decided it was time to teach his daughter manual, he gave me the subaru! Best car I have ever driven. I have owned it for quite some time now, and it still runs just as great as when we first got it. It's comfy and powerful. Mods are easy and the look of the car is beautiful. One thing I noticed is that local radio gets fuzzy when I turn on the back windshield warmers... But other than that, the car is everything I ever wanted.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
- WRXMSRP: $21,995263 mi away
- 2.5 i SedanMSRP: $8,995546 mi away
- 2.5 i WagonMSRP: $4,198637 mi away
A must have
I have owned this car for 3 yrs now. Drove it stock for 2yrs and modified this last yr. With $2k worth of upgrades - this is a beast with 300 lbft of torque. Have driven it over mountain passes in Colorado in blizzard conditions without issues. Insane handling on any type of road with the right set of tires. Only regret is that I should have bought the STI at the time for the bullet proof 6 sp transmission. (only required if you plan to upgrade to >400hp)
Love My Subaru
Bought with 33k on the clock. Can't go wrong with this one, peppy, planted, sips gas, good looking
I love this Impreza
I wanted a 4WD or AWD due to the location of my house. So I test drove the BMW 325xi &330xi. Both are really nice cars but way over priced. So I decided to get the Impreza and save the money for the kid's college. This car handles as good as the BMW. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. I just want to drive it for no reason because it's so much fun to drive. I put in the aftermarket real xenon headlights; now everything is much brighter at night. The stock headlights are quite bright but it's still a big difference with the xenon. Now, I sneak out at night just to drive on the curvy roads in my town.
This car is IT
Man I love this car. After wanting one for few years, when the 06 with the 2.5 came out I jumped on it. With a couple minor bolt ons I am just as fast as cars costing twice as much. 13.30 1/4 mile@ 101mph not bad for $23k. My last car was a 460hp Mustang so I like power.
Great all around car
The 2.5i has more than ample power, handles like a dream, is amazingly quiet and is fun to drive. The AWD is a real asset when the roads are slick. The finish is quite nice, with no irregular gaps. There is plenty of interior plastic, but it doesn't look cheap. Nice interior, but the carpet could be of a better quality. Rear visibility is somewhat restricted. The chin sits low, and is easily scraped. The shifter is okay, but could be crisper. You lose a bit of feel with the hydraulically actuated clutch. Very good brakes. All in all, the car is not great in any single respect, but is more than adequate in every respect. It's a lot of car for the money.
Great performer/handler, fun/practical
Power and handling are excellent, but if you're used to a torquey V6 (Maxima in my case), the turbo-4 power delivery takes getting used to. WRX is, and feels, small and light. Sound system seems weak to me, but probably because my Maxima's was pretty good. Same with interior. It looks good, but after a while it feels a little econo, and there are rattles. My Maxima NEVER rattled. This car looks hot. Styling, wheels, spoiler, side sills. The Limited package could include more. Up in Legacy GT price range, but Legacy is probably a better buy. Outstanding all-around car (very fun!), but if you have a Maxima (or similar) and want a Subaru, Legacy GT might be a better choice.
TR is disappointing
For 23k the TR WRX is a very fast car. 0-60 in approximately 6 seconds. It's very fun to drive and I love all of the attention I get while driving it. If i had the chance to buy it all over again...I would upgrade to a Limited. I don't think I have enough love to spend $30k on an STi. I'd rather own a BMW if I were to spend $30k+.
I Love My Subie!--Greeley, CO
W O W ! This is a great car for the money. Compared to other 4 door sedans under $20,000 this one knocks the doors off the competition. This car is so practical and fun and well its a great car. I hope that if you are looking for a car that you definitely consider Subaru. By the way I get 21 city & 26 hwy, so decent gas mileage also especially considering it is an automatic and has AWD.
What a great car...
This is such a great car! I have been looking for an all-around performer that is easy on the wallet and this is it. I don't know of any other cars in which you get a four door, turbo charged, all wheel drive, reliable, and super fun ride for around $23,000. I test drove a 2005 WRX last summer and was sorely disappointed. Way too much turbo lag. The 2006 virtually eliminates that problem and you have more choices. I love that this car is a "stealth speeder" without the spoiler too. This car has a great ride and handles well. I actually get decent gas mileage too (25-27 regularly). I highly recommend at least a test drive as I was completely blown away with the 2006!
GREAT CAR
After driving this car for 3 months, I am still amazed at the direct connection between my right foot and a smile. I love it when any Mustangs or Camaros that pull up next to me at red lights, they fade quickly in the rear view mirror. If I were to find a downside to this powerful performance sedan, it would have to be gas mileage. I've averaged around 20 mpg, but then again this could be because that gas pedal is so addictive.
Good so far
Just bought a month ago. Positives: Quiet, fairly comfortable, great styling, AWD always good, and I like the outside temp gauge. Negatives: Rear seats don't fold down -- only small center split does, no trunk opener on electronic key device, cold weather operation to be desired (lagging start -- taking about 2-3 times longer to turn over, stiff manual transmission until warmed up). Overall not a bad car, but I wish I had done a little more shopping around to see what other buys were out there.
Great buy!
I bought this car after researching it for months. It lived up to what I had read. Great handling, outstanding performance, and excellent dependability. Plus the AWD and safety ratings made the WRX a great fit for me. I enjoy also being able to get a high performance vehicle in an automatic. Not all of us want to take it to the track every weekend, even though it might be capable of that, but for those of us who drive in the city, I enjoy the easy drive of the auto. Plus having performance, styling, and 4 doors is great.
Don't buy this car!!!
Soon after purchase of this vehicle, I noticed that the paint degraded wherever bird droppings were, even after a few days. My car is midnight blue. I have attempted to remedy this through my dealership for over one year without resolution. I have not had this problem with my Toyota, Ford or Volvo. In forty years of owning cars I have not encountered this problem, nor such an unsatisfactory response from a company. It is a cute car and fun to drive, but don't be tempted.
Wish I bought a Honda Again
Only 2000 miles on the clock and I already need the rear end rebuilt. Not very impressed since this is the first Subaru I bought, considering I've had 8 Hondas with no problems.
Great performer, for the price
Ignore all the reviews for the car and look at it like this. You can get these for 23K out the door if you're good. It's got the STI 2.5 liter in it. Ebay TurboBack exhaust $500, STi Intercooler $300, Cobb Accessport (ECU) $650, STI Turbo Ebay ($400), you now have 280 horsepower to the wheels and will smoke stock STI's and EVO's and get the same gas mileage, for oh, say less then two grand, bringing the total price to $25 grand and you have STI speed ...WOW. $25K is still lower then sticker on a base WRX ... Nuff said, this car has more potential then the older WRX's and any other car out there in the same price bracket, period. :)
Great Little Car
Got this used with 63k miles on it after losing my 2006 Vibe in a car accident. So far I am enjoying my purchase. My biggest gripe is that the back seat does not fold down but that was not enough to be a deal breaker for me. I just hate putting a trunk-mounted bike rack on the car. But it is a solid car. Very little road noise. Very good acceleration. Decent on gas but I knew it would not be great with the AWD. I would buy a Subaru again in a heartbeat but I am still nervous from buying it from a used car lot and not a Subaru dealer. Wish me luck.
Turner Ready
Turner ready says it all. Excellent inexpensive platform to build on or just leave alone. Fun to drive and offers the wallet a break and the flexibility to add as funds become available. I would start with the brake cables, coil overs and then pipes. Easy to install and easier to enjoy.
Best Car I,ve driven
This car is soo much fun to drive compared to my 2001 Legacy L. My 2006 Impreza 2.5i's performance and handling just bring a big smile on my face each and every time. I really do try to find reasons to drive this car. My wife was so impressed that she too got a 2006 Impreza 2.5i wagon.
2006 2.5i - 60,000 miles in.
I have now had this car nearly 4 years of basically trouble free ownership. It has been a great commuter car. The AWD has been great in the Michigan winters, and the car has plenty of power even being a four cylinder. Gas mileage has averaged 22-24 mpg. This is our 2nd Subaru and has worked out well - enough so that we bought a 2010 forester last year. Just had first maintenance done for a cost of $900 - not bad for 4 years and 60,000 miles.
Amazing performance car for the money!
I test drove the '06 WRX TR as well as an '05 Legacy GT and '05 Mazda RX-8. The WRX was the hands-down winner due to its perfect blend of performance and utility. I have lots of room for my son's carseat in the back (latch hooks are a great convenience) and the trunk is extremely roomy when lugging his stuff around. Acceleration is unbelievable, the new 17" wheels & brakes are amazing and handling at the limit is very predictable. A switch to better tires than the stock all-seasons is a must. I'm getting around 25mpg in mixed city/highway which is spectacular for a car capable of 0-60 in ~5.5secs and a 1/4 mile in the upper 13's. For a car costing around $24K, this is an amazing bargain!
Little Red Ru Rocks!
We had a 2005 2.5 RS that we traded on our 2006 WRX TR. I was absolutely thrilled with the difference in performance. I have owned dozens of Subarus and my experience with new ones is just as pleasurable as with my older ones. We will continue to be loyal Subaru owners well into the future.
Fantastic Ride!
If you're looking for a really fun car to drive with performance and good looks to spare- this is it. I was once considering purchasing the new Civic Si, but after driving both of them, it was a no-brainer. Great bang for buck value too. There are of course a few things I would improve upon, but overall I love this car.
Subaru 2.5i - great car
This car is a lot of fun to drive, very responsive, great handling. It is built like a tank, no funny noises anywhere so far (I've had the car for 4 months). Suspension is awesome, you can pass a speed hump at 30 mph and you won't feel it. Great brakes, had no problem stopping on wet roads. I am waiting for winter to see how the AWD behaves. Overall is the best car I could find, a lot of value for the price.
FUN 2 DRIVE
I have wanted a WRX for some time now, but could not afford one. Subaru offered a sweet lease deal on the 2.5i that we couldn't pass up. $199 a month with NO money down (4yr. lease). It turned out to be a really fun car to drive. Felt sorry for the salesman during my test drive. He had to hang on tight a couple of times. But hey, it was MY test drive! Great build quality.
Awesome Car
This is our family's third Subbie, and still impressed. My WRX is more fun to drive, has great performance, handling and fuel mileage. A perfect car for Western PA driving. Love the interior and refinements of climate control, sun roof, heated leather sport seats. And the awesome WR Blue color. Super Fun Car.
amazing handling and great power
I bought this car for my Dad. I wanted the AWD feature for him. But after I drove it to work one day. I fell in love with the car. It got incredible grip and agility. I put the smile on my face when I drive it. My house on a mountain and my drive is quite steep. Every time it snows my Nissan Maxima can't go up the driveway. My wife has an Audi A6; it can go up the driveway fine but it does not have the handling of the Impreza. I'm going to get myself a WRX soon! I love this Impreza. I like the new project headlights.
Best By Far
I was looking at buying a new car and really never thought of the Subaru WRX. I actually went to the dealership on a random trip and test drove the WRX. I fell in love and quickly bought it afterwards. Driving it is the most fun I have had in a car. The larger engine cuts down on lag from the turbo and sometimes the acceleration can get away from you. The interior is great, and very easy to navigate, and the exterior looks amazing. I would recommend this car to anyone.
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX TR
This is my daily driver and I couldn't ask for a better, more reliable vehicle. Dependable in all weather, fun to just cruise or get to where you need to be in a hurry. MPG are respectable depending on driving style and the car is very versatile. I own several motorcycles so I threw a hitch on and due to the great torque, tow them to the track with no issues, or attach a mountain bike hauler into the receiver and head into the mountains. This car continues to make me smile after more than two years of ownership!!
Go drive it!
This is an awesome car. Looked at the Mazda 3, Hyundai Tiburon, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, Ford Focus, and more. The Impreza is in a class by itself, and sells for about the same price as the others given the amount of standard options. Very safe car with AWD for the winter season and a blast to drive. I can't say enough good things about it. Anyone considering a sedan for under $20K needs to check this out. Keep in mind the mechanical advantage over the competition (ie: AWD and the boxer engine).
Well Rounded
The automatic version of this vehicle is quick after 2nd gear - which is fine. The exterior design always receives positive commentary. The interior design is very low key yet not boring.
Returned home
I love my new impreza - I had a Forester years ago, then tried other cars for fuel economy. None impressed me as much as my Subaru, and I think I'm a fan for life.
2005 Impreza
I have researched this car for a long time and finally bought the 2006. It is awesome, a great driving car and so far no problems. Quick acceleration for an automatic which is very impressive. Superior ride and comfort for a small car. Its great and everything I thought it would be.
Sweet ride for the money
My WRX is a fun yet very practical car. Although it does not have tons of power, it is very quick getting up to 80 which makes highway driving good. It has stable and precise steering. Gas mileage isn't great, but it beats most other AWD/4WD vehicles out there. The stock tires are not a good performance tire and are pretty crappy in snow. Not a lot of storage space, but not so small it is useless (I have the sedan, the wagon would be a better choice for some). You can't beat it for the price.
Great Car For 22K
This car is fast, very reliable, very tunable though fast from the factory. Getting it over 300 hp is very simple. It drives perfect in whatever terrain you put it in. For the money I don't feel any car comes close, Cobalt SS or Evo ($30G is too much). Running 13.86 stock into the low 13s now. Great car for the money, they will be coming out with a new model in two years but with the 2.5 motor, great seats, and endless possibilities with the aftermarket, this car is a go.
Awesome Car!
I bought this car a month ago, and I love it even more now that when I bought it. It hauls and handles like a champ. It is just as sure footed in the rain too. The stock stereo and speakers are pretty wimpy, but other than that, this car is unbelievable!
What a Car
This is my 4th Subaru (1 outback, 1 legacy, 1WRX, and this vehicle), and this is the best one yet. It handles perfectly, and the gas mileage is unbelievable. I use this vehicle as a first responder car and I have beaten even the police cruisers to calls. There is not a single thing I would improve on the vehicle.
Wonderful car
I suggest if you ever get the opportunity to buy this car and it is within your grasp, do it. It is a really reliable car so fun to drive. Keep in mind however it can take a little getting used to if you're tall.
Subaru...Love it!
I traded my VW Golf for the Impreza 2.5i sedan. I wanted the WRX but can't swing the cash. For the money, the Impreza 2.5i is outstanding. You can really feel the 170 HP because the car is so light. The boxer engine shifts smooth as silk. The AWD is also excellent. This car handles very well for its class and feels super solid when driving. it really is a blast to drive. I have no trouble getting on the gas at 60mph to blow by someone on the highway, the torque and HP are great. I ask for the power and it's there! You really couldn't get a better car for the money.
Impreza 2.5 I hatchback, manual
I bought this as a "micro SUV" -- the 2006 RAV4 had only an automatic and was $4000 more. Handling is great; the Impreza moves confidently through snow and heavy rains on hilly roads. With a roof rack, transport capacity is terrific. With some planning, and multiple trips, I can move most the loads that a pickup can take. I tow a 1500 pound camper (towing capacity is 2400 lbs -- largest in this group). The one drawback is lower MPG. I am getting mid 20s. My previous car was a 96 Saturn sedan, which was getting in the mid 30s, but did not have the power, or handling in snow.
LOVE it!
I just bought this car and I LOVE it. It drives so smooth, the seats are comfortable and the build is great. It's the perfect balance of sports car and comfy sedan. I'm so excited to drive it. I got the Limited and the leather is very nice. Love the heated seats. ;)
Muscle Car Convertee
I needed to face the reality of a 100 mile round trip commute in New England weather. My aging Ford Ranger (winter) and Mustang GT (summer) had both served me well, but with gas prices, it was time to find a vehicle that could serve my year-round needs and my need for speed, as well. The 2006 WRX Limited is the perfect combination of power, agility,and handling. Subaru owners I have spoken with attest that these cars are very capable in the snow, and don't have the gas guzzling traits of SUV's. I have 600 miles on it in one week, and have seen 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg with lots of around-town mixed in. As a lifelong GMC and American muscle fan, I am extremely impressed. A-1 quality!
WRX TR
Fun to drive, great power and handling, good looks, good reliability. The ideal sporty car. Warp drive for less than $25,000.
Fast Car
I looked at various cars: '05 Mustang GT, '06 BMW 3 series, Mazda 6. I drove the '05 WRX and liked it. When I drove the '06, it was love at first drive. Torque Monster! Love the motor! On the tollway, in 5th gear at 2500 rpm, no need to downshift - goose it and away you go. This is not a rubber band on/off motor. I like the new look; the body still is a bit dated looking to my eyes. The front wheels seem set back too far. I have yet to find the "let go" limits in this car. I will need some time in a big empty parking lot because it has a tenacious grip on the road. Very neutral feeling, I believe when it does let go it will slide on all fours instead of over or understeering. Happy so far.
First new car
Fun to drive. Looks great. Nice fit and finish. Many features standard. Add a spoiler and mud guards and the car is ready to go. Waiting for snow to test out the AWD.
2006 Subaru WRX Best Road Car Ever
I've had the Subaru 2006 WRX for 3000 miles. It's much faster then expressed via various web sites. Not much on the road can touch it. Easy handling. Kinda' drives itself. Power, handling, easy to control the car, decent mileage and just OH so much fun to drive. I've driven Mustangs and other power cars, only thing better then the WRX is the WRX STi!
Best all round value
This car packs a punch, people underestimate its power and speed all the time.
I'm impressed
I purchased my 2006 Impreza 2.5i almost a year ago now. So far the car has remained reliable and cheap to maintain. I had a minor problem with the exhaust plumbing that was fixed under warranty, but other than that just oil changes and an alignment. The car has enough power to have spirited acceleration. The turn-in is sharp and precise; good steering feel, shifter is smooth and fluid, seats offer good support. The interior is a good driver's environment with excellent touch points. The car handles very well on both dry and wet pavement.
Great Car
This is my first Subaru. I was an all Honda guy so I decided to step it up with a Subaru. Great car. Nice design inside and out. Nice and powerful, wish it got better MPG's though