2008 Subaru Impreza

[Senko lover]

Looking for some new wheels after my accident this last weekend, and my family mechanic is giving me a good deal on a 2008 Subaru Impreza. He told me since I liked driving stick shift I would have a lot of fun with it. I took it out for a test drive today expecting it to run like your usual sedan and was seriously impressed by the performance. I think I was sold on it by just turning it on, the thing sounds amazing. It drives a lot more like a sports car than what I'm used to. Makes my old Corolla feel like a child's toy haha. I know 2008 was the year Subaru revamped it a little bit. Seems like a pretty good car and, as I understand, Subaru's have good lasting value. It's an ideal car for me in that it's all wheel drive and feels sporty, but isn't enough of a performance car to send insurance through the roof. 

 

He's giving it to me for $5000 out the door, which includes all the dealer fees and taxes and whatnot. He's a legit guy, my family has purchased all our vehicles from him and he does all the work on them so he wouldn't sell me a piece of junk. It has a little bit of wear and tear on the interior but is in fairly good condition. Just over 100,000 miles. 

 

If any of you guys have experience with this car/model, feel free to chime in if there's anything I should know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

[deaknh03]

Had that exact car. Very reliable, good enough power. 5k seems a little high for those miles tho.

[tipptruck1]

The reliability was the main reason I got the STI. The only thing I can find bad about Subaru's. Is that the 2.5ej tends to melt piston rings. That is the only reason why I didn't buy used, and wont buy any used subi with a 2.5. Throw in the 2.5 can be modded by any one. I would take it to a Subaru dealer for a check up, or to a few local mom and pop shops. Have them see if the stock engine program as been messed with. Even if they put back the factory tune. After market tunes will leave a footprint. Also have them check compression of the engine. If its low in the number 2 and 4 cylinder. That means you will need new piston rings.

 

As for price. it seems a bit low for around me. Then again Subaru's hold their value here in WI.

[XpressJeff]

I am on my second Suburu. An Outback lasted 225k with minimal maintenance.

 

My current Forrester, 2012, has 96k on it and zero issues. It's the wife's and I am not allowed to discuss trading it in.

[bigbill]

That's all I own in cars is subarus. I have a 99 Wrangler but that's another story.

 

at 100k it's just broken in. Make sure the timing belt and head gaskets were changed then it's a good buy.

[Boomstick]

My mom looked at one once plus I see common repairs on cars and prices paid at dealers across the country somewhat regularly through my job so while I've never owned a Subaru, I am very familiar with common issues.

 

There are two major things to watch out with Subarus. First, their engines are very problematic. They eat through headgaskets like the Cadillac Northstar, only worse, and the replacement is just as expensive and difficult (more than your typical Honda for example). If you have the car for any length of time, you will be replacing the headgasket at least once it doesn't matter if it's brand new or used with a recently replaced head gasket. They can occasionally last over 100k but people report their first one blew between 30k and 70k if you look up reviews on the car.

 

The other thing to pay attention to is the timing belt. At 100k, make sure it was replaced or it will cost you a pretty penny. A dealer will charge you around $1500, but I know people who've got them done for as low as $700 but if it goes, so does the engine so it's important to get it done. I believe they recommend 60k or 70k, but even if it got 100k, at least it's done.

 

The other thing is to check for body rust. They have had excessive rust problems over the years, but if there is no major rust on the car now, I would not be too terribly concerned.

 

Expect some other things like wheel bearings, ball bearings to go around 100k as well, but for the most part, the rest of the car is very solid. Largely, these cars are solid enough beyond the headgasket issues and the unfortunate fact they can't just use a timing chain that repairing one after a broken headgasket is often worth it.