Used Subaru Impreza III (2007-2013). Disadvantages, advantages, common defects, market conditions

Compact sedan or hatchback? Perhaps not many drivers think about Subaru Impreza III from 2007-2013, which is certainly inferior in popularity to models like Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf. It’s a shame, because this car has a lot to offer and will definitely stand out from the crowd. Let’s get to know the third generation Impreza.

The third generation Subaru Impreza was the first in history to be released with a 5-door hatchback body. It was a bitter pill for many fans of the Japanese brand, which has always been considered original, unusual and rigidly adheres to its rules, offering only a station wagon, a sedan and, in the first generation, also a coupe. The third generation brought significant changes and a nod to drivers who had not considered buying a Subaru until now because of its very aggressive approach. A hatchback was offered instead of a station wagon. Fortunately, the sedan version was left out, which was the head of the dead Subaru lovers, although this model was produced mainly in the American market.

The design of the third generation, apart from the bodywork, was not to everyone’s taste. Most of the base versions, which are not WRX versions, look quite average, and many rounded, gentle shapes make it a good car for those who like to blend in with the crowd and not stand out against the history of the Golf, Focuses. , etc. The front is basically First of all, small lights and chrome lens housings, inside which corresponds to a small, very thin grille with the traditional logo of the brand in the middle. The bumper does not have many kinks and embossments, only thin air intakes in the lower part and fog lights around the sides. There’s not much going on all around, and the rear is dominated by large, clear Lexus-style headlights and a contrasting finish. If we decide on the color of the dark body, the back of the car will be unmistakable from any other.

The center is also not material for the design master. Everything is clear and ergonomic and this is the biggest advantage of Subaru Impreza III, although some solutions are Japanese and sometimes not understandable. The heated seat buttons are in the center tunnel near the armrest, and the mirror controls are under the steering wheel on the left. Of course, the indications of the board computer, which is very economical in its form, is set and deleted by a little old rod protruding from the middle of the clock, but the same solution is still used by many Japanese manufacturers. We won’t find many screens or color indicators here. Everything is economical in its form and this method also has many followers. Regarding the volume of the luggage room, it is 301/1216 liters in the 5-door version.

When it comes to the choice of drive units, it is surprisingly good, and the power cross section is very satisfactory. The base is a 1.5 io engine with 107 hp and 142 Nm of torque. This naturally aspirated boxer engine accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds and has a top speed of 175 km/h. It is not a powerful unit, and those looking for any sensation or even satisfactory dynamics must reach for the 2.0 io engine with 150 HP and 196 Nm of torque. The offer with 2.5 io engine with power of 170 HP and torque of 230 Nm looks more attractive. With automatic transmission and AWD wheel drive, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes less than 8 seconds, and the maximum speed is 198 km / h. Versions of the WRX with a 2.5-liter turbo engine with 230 and 265 hp are already high. The most powerful has a torque of 343 Nm and is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.7 seconds and reach a speed of 209 km / h. At the top is the WRX STI variant with 300 hp and 407 Nm of torque. The sprint to 100 km/h takes just over 5 seconds and the top speed is 250 km/h. The offer also included special versions with up to 350 hp. There is also a 2.0D diesel engine with 150 hp and 350 Nm of torque.

Contrary to popular belief that the Subaru Impreza is a very reliable and durable car, the third generation of this model often appears in service centers due to engine, electrical and electrical failures. These are not major problems, but they happen often and are annoying. Perhaps a few voices over the fact that the Impreza likes to crash from time to time is the fact that there are very few of these cars. Drivers often report problems with the engine, gearbox, as well as related to trim elements and the quality of equipment.

There is very little on the classifieds market, and on the day of publication there were only 40 items on the popular classifieds portal. Fortunately, the price is quite cheap and for example from 2012 with a mileage of 66,000 km and a 2.0 engine (with LPG installation) you have to pay about PLN 30,000. A 2010 model with a mileage of 146,000 km and a 1.5 engine costs around PLN 20,000.

The Subaru Impreza III is definitely an amazing car, despite the mediocre styling of the base versions. However, if one cares about above-average handling, four-wheel drive and great driving characteristics, it is worth choosing the more powerful version of the 2.5 engine. If a person wants a sports car and plans to invest in a car, not only in terms of repairs, but also expansion, he can hunt for a WRX or WRX STI top as an investment for the future. But is the Impreza III an alternative to the Golf model? Maybe not, because it requires more attention and dedication, otherwise it will be troublesome and expensive.

Used Subaru Impreza III advantages:

despite the average style, it stands out from the crowd;
individual guarantee on the street even in the basic version;
Great handling and driving thanks to the AWD car;
better performance in higher versions.

Disadvantages of a used Subaru Impreza III:

average quality of finishing and materials in the interior;
high fuel consumption, but it’s a boxer after all;
it is better to avoid version and direct transmission;
little choice in the secondary market.

Patrick from Lublin
Oh good. So far, I have been driving different cars from point A to B to do some business, eg commuting to work. The WRX GH is currently the first car where the goal is to drive itself. Remember: when was the last time you left the house and just “went on a trip”? Besides, with the WRX you’ll be waiting for the first snow like a child on Christmas Eve. Nicholas and complained that the road workers cleared the roads of snow. Unfortunately, around 14-15 l / 100 km in gusts up to 28 l / 100 km and driving hard can hurt. The stock exhaust and brakes are failing. If you are buying, look for a car from a Polish ASO with some history. Be careful with the gearboxes, the state of the sheet metal, “Japanese” can (severely) rust. After buying: check and change the oil often, use good oil, check the tire pressure regularly at the gas station after refueling. If I had to choose another car, it would be the STI.

Krystian from Opole
Subaru is basically the “legendary” AWD engine and boxer engine. The third generation Impreza was also famous for its controversial appearance of the hatchback body. It was supposed to appeal to the “typical Kowalski” brand, looking for a family hatchback (at least that’s what the journalists think), and it seems to me that it just fits into the current style of designing Asian hatchbacks. It could be more stylish, but to write that the Hyundai i30 is a design masterpiece compared to that, I consider “a little” exaggeration. The version I enjoy driving is the version with the original 2.0l engine, of course in boxer form. The use of a 4×4 vehicle with a powerful boxer in a heavy vehicle has its consequences and for someone who – even because of his driving style – will not take advantage of the additional possibilities that these solutions provide – the vehicle will only be a source. of unnecessary costs and nerves.

Leszek from Warsaw
I bought an imported car with a mileage of 100,000 km, changed the timing belt and stabilizer links. So far I haven’t had to do anything to the car other than change the oil and pads. I have a factory LPG installation – it’s fun. The precision of construction and attention to detail strikes Olana – there is no comparison with any other Polish LPG installation. Everything matched perfectly – from the gas filter cover to the air sensors, you don’t hear any change in engine operation or loss of petrol / LPG energy at all. I am very pleased with Subaru, the build quality of the engine and suspension is world class. I recommend the car, everyone will be satisfied.

Selected power units in Used Subaru Impreza III:

Engine	Ability	Strong	Torque	speed	Acceleration 0-100 km/h	Average fuel consumption	Co2 production
1.5 and	1498cc	107 hp	142 Nm	175 km / h	14 p	7.5L/100km	176g/km
2.0 and	1994 cc	150 hp	196 Nm	193 km/h	9.6 seconds	8.2L/100km	204g/km
2.5 and	2457cc	170 hp	230Nm	198 km/h	8 sec	8.7L/100km	211g/km
2.5 WRX	2457cc	230 hp	320Nm	209 km / h	6.5 seconds	10.4L/100km	246g/km
2.5 WRX	2457cc	265 hp	343 Nm	219 km/h	6 sec	10.6L/100km	254g/km
2.5 WRX STI	2457cc	300KM	407 Nm	250 km/h	5.2 seconds	11.6L/100km	265g/km
2.0D	1998 cc	150 hp	350 hp	205 km / h	8.6 seconds	5.7L/100km	149g/km