Used 2006 Subaru Impreza Wagon Consumer Reviews
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RC Review
I am very pleased with my 2006 Subaru Outback Sport. With the high cost of fuel these days I am glad to have a reliable car that gives better gas mileage, has sufficient room for passengers and cargo, very well designed folding seats, handles very well in tight turns, and can be relied on whatever weather you go through. This is my third Subaru since 2003 and I will recommend this vehicle to friends and family.
Impreza 2.5i M5 Wagon
This is an update to my first submission on 9/12/2005. We have since acquired 116,000 trouble free miles on our 2006 2.5i M5 Impreza Wagon. There have been zero mechanical issues with the vehicle since purchased new. Fuel economy ranges from 28 - 32 mpg in mixed driving. Brake pads and rotors were changed twice once at 64k and once at 100k miles. Timing belt,battery,water pump, struts and springs replaced at 109k miles. Overall we have been very happy with our Subaru and intend to keep this vehicle for another 150k miles. We are so happy with Subaru's we bought an '08 for my wife and I inherited this car.
- Outback Sport Special Edition WagonMSRP: $4,875149 mi away
- WRX STi Sedan w/Silver-Painted WheelsMSRP: $22,900169 mi away
- WRXMSRP: $17,498435 mi away
Sweet
Bought it used with 48,000 miles. Had to replace the front axle and rear window (rear defroster wasn't working) but it was all covered by the dealership's extended warranty. I get about 28 mpg regularly, and it accelerates like crazy. The manual transmission is nice and crisp.
Who Needs a WRX?
It's official: no one needs a WRX. I'm sure the WRX is a blast to drive, but the 173 horses in this base model with a very sporty manual is a great thrill in and of itself. Not to mention, I'm $6,000 dollars richer for choosing the base 2.5i. This car handles superbly on roads and highways alike, and is as stable as much bigger cars, what with the engine being so low in the engine compartment. And of course, you get AWD and Subaru reliability. Also to be commended is the basic, no-options package that you get with the car. I did get some accessories myself because of my personal desires, but this car is very nicely outfitted for the entry level segment. I love it! Can't wait to drive it more!
Overall a solid little wagon
I have had the car for about three months now, and am overall quite pleased with it. I wanted something that handled well, got decent mileage, and could haul stuff in a pinch. I narrowed down my search to two vehicles with the other being the Mazda3. The Mazda had less cargo space and will not take a trailer hitch, and lacks roof rails, although it is slightly less expensive and reportedly gets better mileage. I recently subjected it to a 2,500 mile road trip and consistently got just above 31 mpg on the highway (and much of this was through the mountains of North Carolina with the AC on); in the city I got around 25.
It's a WINNER!
I drive a LOT for work (40K per year), mostly in rural northwest Ohio. Summer driving is great, but the Subie really shines in the winter - and we have a lot of it here. I can honestly say that this is the BEST car I've ever owned, bar none. Absolutely NO problems from day one, just regular service. I've owned Nissan, VW, Toyota and Mazda - all were good, but not as perfect as this Impreza. I've also had quite a number of people comment on how attractive the car is, with it's Outback Sport two-tone paint, factory alloys and special trim. If you can find a well maintained one at resale, BUY IT!! You won't be disappointed!
Revisited Foul Weather Friend
Since my last review, I have more miles on the car almost 85k and no major problems, just routine maintenance. One minor problem has been the front hood latch no catching, I loosened the screws, moved the latch mechanism up about 1-2millimeters and it works fine now. I did purchase the vehicle after the lease.
Better than before
Last car was an '02 Outback. The '06 has a much better engine and the transmission gearing on the 5-speed is much improved. It looks like they took about 350 - 400 RPMs off at 70mph, which makes for a better ride and improved mileage. By 1500 miles I hit 29 mpg and I'm hoping to hit 30 soon. The black and grey cloth interior is absolutely beautiful. EVERYONE comments about it. With the black exterior the car looks sharp. The standard exhaust system even sounds better, especially at low RPMs. There is no better bargain on the road today. Why no one else is building well priced AWD vehicles continues to amaze me.
Unique in its class
I've put on about 5,000 miles since purchasing. So far, the car's been great in all conditions--comfortable cruising at highway speeds, and fun through twisty back roads. A lot of rare features in a class of mostly cookie-cutter cars - boxer engine, symmetrical awd, versatile 4 door hatchback style. Combined with best-in-class crash safety, a sporty ride and handling, and decent fuel economy, the Impreza has been a good choice for me.
Great Little Wagon
Have now had the Subaru for two years and loved it from the start. I guess that I am a lot older than most owners of this stick shift, being in my early 70's, but still like to "drive"! Although I would love the turbo, the naturally aspirated motor suits me fine, and there is enough get up and go for most occasions - not wanting get too many tickets!
solid car, & my wife went to the dealer from Hell
2006 Subie Imprezza wagon 2.5 base model. Fourteen trouble-free years (!!) as our 'cottage' car (mainly summer only). Then my wife had an intermittent starting issue while I was still in the city. Local garage was ready to order a starter but the symptoms sounded odd so I said take it to the only nearby dealer (in 50 miles). Was ignition switch (a known Subie issue), $500. So far so good. Then coming off the highway crankshaft pulley came apart. Towed to dealer. Another $500. Wife asked dealer to do timing belt same time, they did, but declined her request to do water pump, saying "they last a long time." ??? $800. Few weeks later, tranny overheat light comes on. Back to dealer. Dealer says both rad and tranny are "low" but they cannot find the leaks. They "guess" a tranny leak in the rad (???) and "guess" early head gasket failure (??) and say "car is not worth fixing." Local garage has a Subie-trained mechanic who spends an hour on the car and concludes the dealer forgot to "burp" the engine coolant and properly refill tranny after prior repair. Almost lost a great car.
Absolutely Love this Car!
I have had this car for about 3 and a half years and it now has 55,611 miles on it. I must say that this car is a beast. I love how it handles, accelerates, and brakes. It works wonderfully in the NJ snowstorms and can launch to 60 in under 5 seconds. The mileage is ok, but that's what you get for a turbocharged vehicle. I get about 18MPG all around on 93 Octane (Shell V-Power). I have driven this car around the country and have never doubted its reliability once. It has never left me stuck and has always brought me to point B safely. I recommend this car to everybody who enjoys a 5SPD and whiplash inducing thrust.
Like it more every day!
Very reluctantly traded my 100% trusty 2002 Toyota for this vehicle. Soon wondered why I had bought the Toy in the first place. This is our third Subaru, the last making it 81,000 miles with no repairs. This Outback is solid, sturdy, and fun to drive. I love the versatility of the wagon; so handy. Construction is excellent; no squeaks or rattles. Have to be patient with it on mountain roads - I just leave it in fourth. Beats my Dad's BMW 330xi 4x4 in snow and steering hands down. Fit and finish excellent. Currently 2,642 miles. I drive a LOT on the highway, it is very adequate. Don't expect to pass unless it's flat - engine gets wound up and sounds like an over-revved sewing machine.
Great car but Pain in the back
I bought my car used in February with 52,000 miles on it. I haven't driven it very far just around town/errands, etc. I took a 2 hour trip in the car and all the niceties in handling/reliability paled as the seat was so uncomfortable, a week later am still experiencing low back pain.
Impreza 2.5i M5 Wagon
We just purchased an 2006 M5 2.5i wagon. This will be my wife's car and she has enjoyed the first 500 miles. We love the redesign for 2006, really like the side impact air bags, and the new lights look and work great. Interior is well built but the driver's seat is slightly uncomfortable for my 6'3" size during longer trips; a tiltable seat cushion would fix this problem. Better fuel economy would be nice, but AWD is a trade off. We live in snow country and AWD is a nice safety feature as are the airbags and Subaru's other safety features. We are very pleased so far with our Subaru.
First Subaru
I owned a 2004 Lancer Ralliart before this with alot of mods, but got into a non-fault collision. I then settled for a Subaru because it was either Mitsu or Subi. I absolutely love this vehicle. It's not as fast as my Lancer was, but i also had more stuff in it than the Impreza. Things i don't like about this car is that aftermarket parts are extremely limited. Aside from aftermarket parts, this car is absolutely fantastic to drive. Hauls big time, and looks sleek and sexy. Interior is a great design, and my favorite feature is the shape of the headlights and front end. It's too bad they didn't have a clutch that can take a beating.
No worries mate
No problems at all so far. It has been driven 40,000 miles and pulled (behind RV) another 10,000. All 4 tires just replaced, besides that, nothing but oil changes. Never below 25 MPG and only a couple of times above 30 MPG - good but not FANTASTIC.
Excellent small wagon
I have owned the car for a month and it has 1,200 miles on it. With more highway than city driving, I get between 28 and 31 mpg. I consider this excellent for an AWD vehicle and much better than what some of the other reviewers report. (This was a big unknown in my decision to purchase the Impreza). I test drove the Mazda 3 hatch twice and it felt 'heavy' compared to the Impreza (the Impreza is actually heavier). The 2.5i wagon has sharp handling and the ABS works well, I haven't had a chance to test the benefits of AWD in inclement weather. The cargo space is not huge but more than adequate, great with rear seats down. The sound of the boxer engine requires getting used to.
Awsome Handling Car
I love my Subaru. It grips the road effortlessly no matter what the conditions are. It goes through snow with ease. Power is lacking from what I want. I have a non turbo and it feels like I have to push the car to get it up to speed on the on ramps, then again I'm 18 and I can never go fast enough. If you don't have a lead foot it's fine. The front seat is very comfy and still felt comfortable after a 3 hour drive. Back seats are okay and my 6' brother can fit. The interior has a basic design and look adequate. I have had only one problem with my Subaru. If forget to put on your gas cap your check engine light and cruse light will turn on. I went to the dealership and they took care of it.
My Foul Weather Friend
There is no other comparable vehicle at the price. It cost around $21,000 at the time and is fairly loaded. All Wheel Drive (AWD) was not available in an American car, only trucks and SUVs, when I leased this vehicle. Every other AWD vehicle was well over $30,000. Although I drive conservatively, my favorite part of a trip is the twisty roads and exit ramps - because the car rides like it is on rails around turns. Heater works exceptional, even on the coldest Detroit, Cleveland and Pittsburgh days. 4 cylinder with plenty of power, even uphill and sips gas. Subaru builds quality small vehicles, not every manufacturer does that. Will probably purchase at the lease expiration.
Why target an SUV when you have Subaru?
If you're driving an SUV, I can already feel your pain at the pump. My last vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler and I found it was fun however seriously lacking in day-to-day needs. Subie's are agile, great performers off and on road, comfortable, stylish, piratical, safe ... the list goes on. And the best part is I average about 26 mpg which is excellent for an AWD sport wagon. I test drove the Mazda 3 hatch and the Toyota Corolla S. Both came close, however, the Impreza walks all over them.
Great Car
This is one of the best cars I have ever owned. I live in the city and I sold my last Accord v6 a few years ago. I wanted a small car, fun to drive that had the capibility to haul my dog and my stuff wherever. This car meets all of the requirements and then some. I think I am stuck on Subaru now. I fit two large dogs a freind and her dog with room to spare, through the mud, rain, and potholes the car never felt strained or out of place. Upgrade the radio and tint the windows that is my only change.
Best Value in AWD
I love my Subie. I drove trucks for years, this was my first Subaru, it's so much nicer to drive and gets much better MPG. I get 23-25 city, and 27- 28 highway. It has a great compromise between power and economy. I can tow and launch my jetskis at the beach at Pismo, then haul up snow covered roads to ski on a powder day. No problems in 42,000 miles at all. I do more with my little Impreza that most people will ever do with their gas guzzling, boring and hard to drive SUVs. It makes me want to drive fast and race or jump it. Its rally car roots really show through.
Fun in the sun
What a joy to drive; not only did I shave 20 minutes off my 2 hour commute, but I truly enjoy the drive. The acceleration, even when already in fifth gear is impressive. At the dealership I was not intending to purchase the WRX, however a 5 minute test drive left me wanting more time behind the wheel.
Great Car
Bought new in June '06 and has 84,000 miles. Could not be more happy with this car. It's a blast to drive and great in snow. It rides and handles like the day I drove it off the lot. Excellent fit and finish. No problems with the car ever.
Fun and Practical
I looked at a lot of cars before buying this. I got a great deal at $17,750. $1000 instant rebate for end of year, and another $250 below dealer invoice - negotiated for one of the last '06s. Plenty of power, handles great, AWD is great in snow and on bumpy roads. I always look forward to driving it. Unless you do serious 4 wheeling or tow a boat, an SUV is not only a waste of gas, but MUCH, MUCH less fun to drive. I'm so glad to have a car that will do anything I need it to, plus it's a blast to drive. If you don't need AWD the Mazda 5 and Matrix are comparable, but for AWD nothing compare to a Subie at the price point. It drives like a $40,000 Audi or BMW, but is MORE reliable.
Roof Rack
When I purchased my 2006 Outback Sport it made a whistling noise when I drove over 40 mph. I took it back to the dealer's shop and was told no problem. They would put a diffuser in the rack and it would take care of the whistle. I went back to pick up the vehicle and as soon as I got up to 40 mph it still whistled. I went back to the shop they told me to bring it back the next day. When I went back they told me Subaru had made and error in the design and as soon as it was fixed they would call me. Three months laster I called and was told by the service department that their was no fix for the problem.
Great car
Take my review with perspective. A 10 in any category is outstanding. For instance, a 10 in performance would be something with Corvette Z06, or better, performance. A 10 in comfort might be a SL500 or Maybach, and a 10 in fuel economy a Prius. With that in mind this is a great vehicle. I moved from a '95 M3 to this vehicle and, within context, am happier about my transportation. The Subaru Outback Sport SE is relatively nimble, efficient and comfortable. It is also very utilitarian by nature and provides a great compromise to those not seeking performance, utility, versatility, and reliability. All in all great car.
Fun little critter...
I have barely had the WRX Wagon long enough to break it in. The mix of strong performance, great handling, full time all wheel drive, large brakes, lots of front seat head room, adequate back seat room for two, a wagon tail end (with no sacrifice to handling or speed) is very attractive for a car priced in the low to mid-twenties. The new 2.5L motor gives better around town drivability than the previous motor and gives great 'get out of my way' acceleration. ;-)
Subaru WRX
I drive a 2005 WRX, awesome car! AWD handling, extreme acceleration, and very solid for a small car.
Built to get you anywhere, anytime.
Leasing the car for $270/mo. Planning a trip of 2000 miles through Canada with 3 other people. Great for hauling the stuff that won't fit in my Impreza sedan. Have cargo basket for roof rack and am planning for a hitch and aluminum cargo carrier for the back.
Great Car!
This was my first ever "brand new" car, and I have had an awful lot of fun driving it. It's zippy, and sporty, and the 6 speaker sound system really rocks! There have been times when the engine is so quiet I've forgotten the car is still running. My dog loves this car too! I typically drive with only the 40% backseat in place, so he gets a lot of space.
Love My subie
I love my subie (pet name for subaru) This is the 4th subaru I have owned and they keep getting better and better. So zippy like a sports car. Love the turning radius can get in and out without 4 to 5 point turning. Love the cornering it's the best. Reliable and safe, I never worry about losing traction in our Hawaii downpours!!!
All around driving enjoyment
I enjoy driving this car. We travel between Canada and Texas twice a year so our driving entails two very long high speed trips and then mostly driving around town. Excellent car for both driving types. Smooth, good cornering, pretty quiet, good gas mileage. Seats could be more comfortable. Front spoiler scrapes easily. As mentioned previously, first gear acceleration is not adequate unless rpm is high prior to clutch engagement. Some sign of early interior wear. First gear jerky at low speed.
Very Fun & Practical
I love to drive my WRX. It handles great, and the wagon has enough room to make runs to the hardware store. Main complaint is the slight turbo lag. Otherwise the car is great for roadtrips and is built rock solid.
Yeah, this car Rocks!
This car drives awesome! If you are looking for something that handles well on the highway AND rougher dirt roads, gets great gas mileage and is an affordable vehicle, this is a sweet deal. I have already driven it on some pretty gnarly dirt roads in Colorado and it held up great. This car should get you almost anywhere there is some kind of road.
Japanese Car Convert
After considering the 2006 Civic, Jetta, Mazda3, and Beetle, I picked this Subaru for its absolute fun to drive qualities. I had more fun than I've had in a long time zipping around corners in this car. The gas mileage is better than EPA posts; I get 28 and 34 mpg. The transmission is wonderful, and the car looks snazzy and feels durable and well built. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a unique, fun to drive, affordable, and reliable economy car.
2006 Impreza
This is a hot little car. The get up and go is fabulous. The ride is smooth and easy. The controls are very ergonomically situated.
Honda to Subaru, Never going back
I had a '99 Honda Civic Si for the past 3 years. It was a great car and fun to drive but it was getting long in the tooth. This WRX is wonderful. The 2006 is much nicer than the 2005. I was sold on the '06 the second I drove it. Drive both the '05 and '06 before you buy. Those few numbers difference in the performance make a huge difference. If you can live with the front end it will grow on you and it is a much nicer car than the 2005 WRX.
Fun and practical
200hp+ cars nowadays are a dime for a dozen, but not many get it all in one package. The WRX Wagon is compact enough for city dwellers, yet it can swallow a couple extra pieces of luggage or that big-screen tv. Please try that with the new Civic Si. AWD for extra traction in rain or light snow. Roof-rack for a kayak or ski trip. It is no M5 or Corvette, but performance and handling are superb for the price. Can't find anything else like that for $25,000. Unless you are into brands, forget about that 325xi wagon and get the WRX. Then, put the money that you just save in a mutual fund account. One big drawback for young buyers is high insurance costs.
Fun and Practical
Traded a Loaded Dodge Dakota AWD for this to save gas and for added longevity. This is like driving an adult go-cart, with a great stereo. Average 22mpg mixed driving with a lead foot(80-85 hwy). Also I find the seats very comfortable; however no long distance drives yet. And this car handles all weather very well.
Glad That We Selected This Vehicle
After what seemed to be an endless search for a new vehicle we purchased a 2006 Outback Sport with a 5 speed manual transmission. We have been driving it for several weeks and like it better all the time. The fuel economy has been better than we had expected. So far, the worst has been 26.5 mpg and the best 29.6 mpg. This has been in our normal day-to-day driving and does not include any long highway trips. Compared to the new cars that we have owned in the past, the build quality is excellent. We have noticed only one small problem, a defective seam in one tail light unit which allows water to enter while going through the car wash. To drive it is to enjoy it.
An Engineering Thrill
I love the All Wheel Drive! Good, quiet highway ride. The car handles amazing, especially in decreasing radius turns! Impressive driveability in all conditions. The 5 speed manual transmission is smooth and crisp. Amazing torque from the boxer engine. Solid build quality (built much better than comparable Toyotas and Hondas). On my first tank of gas, I averaged 27 MPG during mixed, yet spirited driving. The premium audio system is well above average. Great value and low depreciation make this car an excellent choice for the subcompact segment. Five days after owning it, I woke up at 7AM and went to Starbucks to get coffee - 25 MILES AWAY just to drive it!
Flawless AWD
This is a great multi purpose car for a young couple or older folks without children and also for you single folks too. For '06 the more powerful engine mated to the automatic is perfect. From a stop this car is a little rocket, and passing at highway speeds is not a problem. This car comes with all the safety features STANDARD! You dont have to pay extra for side airbags or antilock brakes. And to having a bullet proof AWD system is great. The front seats are fairly comfortable but the back seats are better suited for children. Ride and handling are great for what ever kind of driving you do. And the new projector headlights are awesome for nighttime visibility.
Survival among the SUV's
I needed a vehicle that would not be run off the single open lane on the NY Thruway during snowstorms. My FWD VW Golf was inadequate, and did not want to buy an SUV. Settled on the AWD Subaru Impreza and have not looked back. Good power with the stickshift; 25 mpg on daily commute; some 28 mpg racing up from NJ to Vermont. Had more occasion to drive through rain and mud than through snow this winter, though - handled all equally magnificently. A blast to drive, indeed! Good heater the few cold days we had. Accessories of foglights, trailer hitch, and ski rack have come in useful - most everything else already built in! Excellent websites exist for all kinds of Subaru-related info.
I love it. I seriously Love it
I needed a wagon. I'm a photographer. But I didn't want a large wagon, when I checked out the new WRX wagon I was very impressed by the engine upgrades. I like the 04/05 body style better, but the new style grows on you very fast. The performance is fantastic, acceleration is incredible. and the handling superb ( would benefit from front/rear sway bars and possibly lowering springs). Overall, I wouldn't give this car up for anything. It's perfect in my eyes.
Great Little Machine
I came over to Subaru from the VW GTI looking for improved build quality and AWD grip. My first Subaru was a 2005 Legacy GT... a very comfortable, fast, luxury sedan. It was a bit too big for me and didn't offer much utility. The Limited WRX wagon has it all for me. Great AWD performance and handling, decent fuel economy, incredible utility, nice looks and solid construction. The biggest drawback is road noise. If you want a quiet ride, look elsewhere. Otherwise, I recommend this car.
Good Car
I like the size of this car because it fits perfectly in my small garage in San Francisco. Very powerful (you will noticed the difference from Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic). However would suggest to manufacturer to place a lock on the trunk door and have additional light in front. My new car had auto door lock problem (worked intermittently) but was fixed by the dealer satisfactorily. I've had it for over 2 months and love it.
Fun to drive!
This car is a kick in the pants to drive. I've had it for 3 months, and it's been nothing but pleasurable. Performance wise, the car has a lot of power, and is very nimble; cornering is fun, as is taking it on a windy road. The build quality is good, but I've noticed a few rattles. The clear plastics that cover the gauges and stereo scratch a little too easily, so be careful. Minor annoyances aside, it's a great car at a great price point. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this car to anyone.
Could have had a bigger car
We have been pleased with the experience at the dealer but after 550 miles we are finding out that the poor gas mileage for the size of the car is very poor. We have not been close to the mileage that is advertised. Barely get 16 to 18 MPG. My other SUV with a V8 gets the same mileage. Not happy with that.