02017 Subaru Impreza

[RichZ]

My wife and I are considering getting a new car for commuting (57 miles each way), and we're considering the Subaru Impreza, because it gets good mileage (38mpg hwy) and is AWD. We have a 2004 Outback that's been great. But I've heard that new Subarus have problems with catalytic converters at about 80,000 miles. Does anyone know if this is still an issue? Does anyone have any experience with the Impreza?
Thanks!!

 

[94BULLITT]

The old ones had cat issues. Time will tell if the new ones do.

 

[California]

120k miles on my '99 Outback, no exhaust problems. Noisy timing belt idler (did the whole belt / water pump replacement while it was apart), valve cover gaskets, coil, alternator, speedometer, one wheel bearing, front brakes, and at 118k miles its third set of tires, are all the work it's had in 16 years. Still looks and runs like new. (A California car, there's no rust here and the factory paint is still excellent).

But I wish this thing got better mileage. Lifetime average around 23.5 mpg, no change since new. Our 2005 Focus Wagon is identical size and averages a little over 30 mpg.

Just based on my experience 38 mpg for an AWD sounds a little optimistic. Ford's C-Max hybrid, 2wd, is similar size to the Impreza and will barely do that.

 

[94BULLITT]

Subarus burn oil and the older one had head gasket problems. An engine that burns oil and or antifreeze is going to be hard on the cats. The ones I have seen with bad cats are up around 150k miles. I don't think you can complain too much about them at that mileage.

A new car has an 8 year 80,000 mile warranty on the cats and other major emission components.

 

[Jim Shooz]

Somewhere around 2005/6 or7 there were headgasket problems on US made cars when they widened the bore to take the 2L motor out to 2.2L. I think the 3rd redesign of the headgasket finally solved the problem. I had a 2L twin turbo 2002 wagon for 12 years and I changed the oil twice a year. (June & December) Never had to add oil between changes and the turbo was worked hard at times. No idea of gas mileage, too scared to look.

 

[thepumpguysc]

I know its not on your list but I just bought the wife her 2nd Kia Sorento 2016 25k on the odom..for 20k and can be switch to & from AWD.. she had the 2013 but liked to wreck it..
Its a 6cyl gets hi 20's and its comfy, all the bells & whistles, back up cam., satell. radio, blue tooth.. she got T-boned last month at 50mph in the 13', totaled the car and she didn't get so much as a bruise.. all air bags deployed.
She also drives 100 miles r/t.. theres a big diff. between the 4&6 cyls.. enough to sacrifice mileage for the 6.

 

[The Fred]

The new design Subaru engine came out in 2012, the one with the oil filter on top of the motor. They've had oil burning issues which should be straightened out by now as the dealerships are full of torn down engines in the service bays to remedy this problem.

I work on Subarus daily and the newer Subys have not been having Catalyst issues. Pay no attention to those who are posting about Subarus before 2012 because it's a completely different car then it's earlier design.

What you need to be concerned about in your area is rust issues as Subarus rust horribly in the salt areas. The Cat back exhaust system that you WILL be replacing in 8 years is about $1700 dollars and none of the aftermarket systems fit for crap.

Some Subaru parts prices are through the roof as are Toyota parts prices on exhaust and emissions devices.

Unfortunately most Asian cars don't hold up in the salt and most European cars that do work well in the salt are broken constantly electronics-wise.

Honda seems to have a decent product line and the parts prices aren't too bad either. You might look at the CRV.

The Subaru Impreza is an entry level vehicle and priced right to purchase new. I understand but have not actually seen it yet that the 2017 models should be direct injected for better fuel mileage.

Good luck whatever your choice, Fred

 

[Diamondpilot]

My wife and I are considering getting a new car for commuting (57 miles each way), and we're considering the Subaru Impreza, because it gets good mileage (38mpg hwy) and is AWD. We have a 2004 Outback that's been great. But I've heard that new Subarus have problems with catalytic converters at about 80,000 miles. Does anyone know if this is still an issue? Does anyone have any experience with the Impreza?
Thanks!!

We just bought a 2016 Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo L. It turned 3000 miles yesterday.

The Impreza was on my short list. It ended up being my #3 choice. To me it was just too dated compared to all the competition.

The Honda has had a recall on the Parking Brake but other than that has been perfect. It turns in consistent 40 MPG freeway and has averaged 33.7 MPG. Most of our driving with it is 3 miles or less at a time.

 

[rd_macgregor]

My wife covets a CrossTrek, which is based on the Impreza. For us living on a dirt road back in the hills, having AWD and a bit more ground clearance would be very helpful. The Impreza and CrossTrek offer both with relatively little sacrifice of fuel efficiency compared to my Elantra GT. However, my Elantra is paid for...

 

[jmc]

What I really wanted was an all wheel drive Audi A4 but I bought a 2013 Outback because it's US made. (In Indiana, no less) I think they just started making the Impreza here too. And maybe Honda's CRV, IIRC. Not a big deal for most people anymore but all other things being equal...

 

[Fiziksgeek]

The wife had a 2006 Forester which has cat problem and was replaced just under the 80K federally mandated emissions warranty. Now has a 2011 Outback 3.6R which burns some oil, but has 125K miles now without any major issues (knock of wood). Have a couple friends who bought an Imprezza couple years ago, no issues so far either.

 

[Garandman]

Lot of misinformation in this thread.

• The Subaru 2.2L engine was just about bulletproof. Ditto the H6 (3.0 and 3.6L). 300,000+ without rebuild is pretty common.
• The Subaru normally aspirated 2.5's in Outbacks have had head gasket problems right along. We had two of those cars, and replaced the head gaskets as a precaution at 140,000 miles. In the later models, Subaru extended the warranty to 100,000 miles on the head gaskets.
• Only 2008-11 Imprezas have 2.5L engines. Older had a 2.2, the newer ones have the direct-injected 2.0 (which is even more economical). Because they are much lighter and aren't loaded down like pack mules, incidence of early head gasket failure is much lower in Impreza.
• Some 2.5's burned oil. Subaru has warranteed those cars to 100,000 miles and will replace the engine at no charge. They will also do an oil consumption test for free. Some people don't know about this free recall so buyers are snapping up the oil burners cheap, then getting a new engine for free.
• On high-mileage H4's, sometimes the front camshaft seals leak and push oil out the front of the engine. It drips down and the breeze blows it back to the crossover pipe, where it burns. But they aren't really burning oil, they're leaking it. Doesn't usually happen until at least 120K.

The source for Subaru data: 2017 Impreza Subaru specs, options, prices, dimensions, measurements and more And NASIOC.com (North American Impreza Owner's Club), though more focused on WRX/STI.

As mentioned, we had the head gaskets replaced on our 1997 Outback at 140,000 miles as it seemed prudent. We sold it to a SIL at 144,000. She drove it until 245,000, sold it to a neighbor, and it was still running at 289,000 when traded in.

My 2006 Outback 3.0R (6 cylinder model) has 214,000 miles. We had the head gaskets replaced at 198,000 as they were starting to go. Best car I've ever had.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My wife and I are considering getting a new car for commuting (57 miles each way), and we're considering the Subaru Impreza, because it gets good mileage (38mpg hwy) and is AWD. We have a 2004 Outback that's been great. But I've heard that new Subarus have problems with catalytic converters at about 80,000 miles. Does anyone know if this is still an issue? Does anyone have any experience with the Impreza?
Thanks!!

My sister just went through this process. She liked the Impreza, but decided to save money and get a Mazda 3 hatchback with the 2.0L rather than the 2.5L because she really couldn't tell the difference for commuting.

 

[lescarpentier]

Lot of misinformation in this thread.


[*]Only 2008-11 Imprezas have 2.5L engines. Older had a 2.2, the newer ones have the direct-injected 2.0 (which is even more economical). Because they are much lighter and aren't loaded down like pack mules, incidence of early head gasket failure is much lower in Impreza.

This is incorrect.
The 2.5 was introduced in the Impreza in 2002.
How do I know?
I own a 2002 Impreza Outback Sport 2.5 liter,non turbo.
Head gasket failed at about 60,000 miles but has been great ever since,now have over 130,000 miles on her.
Oil consumption has been consistent at about 1500-2000 miles per quart.

 

[square1]

I went 2016 crosstrek. Still less than 1000 miles but first impression is very favorable.

 

[Trillium Farm]

2001 Legacy outback 4cyl 101,000Km nothing went wrong, we treated it for rust prevention when new and have no rust or corrosion, changed the exhaust system last year $600, catalytic converters still Ok, doesn't use any oil. Car at 1500Km was switched to synthetic oil and middle class fuel.
Here Subaru hold the highest resale value of ANY make, owners generally keep the car for more than 10 yrs.

 

[Diamondpilot]

What I really wanted was an all wheel drive Audi A4 but I bought a 2013 Outback because it's US made. (In Indiana, no less) I think they just started making the Impreza here too. And maybe Honda's CRV, IIRC. Not a big deal for most people anymore but all other things being equal...

That was a big selling point on me for Honda, built in Indiana, and Subaru, also built in Indiana.

In the end we ended up with the Honda because of fit and finish, reputation, Engine Choices, and feature.

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is incorrect.
The 2.5 was introduced in the Impreza in 2002.
How do I know?
I own a 2002 Impreza Outback Sport 2.5 liter,non turbo.
Head gasket failed at about 60,000 miles but has been great ever since,now have over 130,000 miles on her.
Oil consumption has been consistent at about 1500-2000 miles per quart.

That engine must have been manufactured by Saturn. I had two and both used more oil than gas.

 

[California]

That engine must have been manufactured by Saturn. I had two and both used more oil than gas.

Wow. My '99 Outback with the 2.5L (120k miles) uses some, but not much. I do an oil change the second time its down a quart, typically beyond 7500 miles. (That = 5000 miles between oil changes, no?

As someone noted above I think the oil is lost out the front crank seal, rather than getting past the rings.

 

[94BULLITT]

They burn oil. I know people who have bought them new and complain about them getting rid of oil.