Buying a used car

Asked by Renee Aug 15, 2017 at 11:16 AM about the 2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm thinking about buying a 2002 Subaru
Impreza outback sport for my 17 yr old, on
the car fax I noticed that at 47,500m they
changed the timing belts, so that send up
any red flags and also the check engine
light is on???

3 Answers
48,760

TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 7 years ago

2002? Getting any light through the bug-eyes? Old Imps are thirsty but safe first chariots for kids, but suffer from cheesy interiors and corrosion. The '04-'05 is slightly better, but '06-'07 is the best of that old 2.5i era. '08-11 are much quieter with a comfier ride, but, again, since the fuel eco is mediocre I usually suggest grabbing an equal cost better Legacy. The Imp reeally came into its own as a modern car only with the '12+ iteration. The CEL could be anything, including a $1200 cat conv, so be careful to get it addressed, and expect ownership to be relatively high maintenance. This is not a simple FWD ecobox as it ages out. Here in the northeast I haven't seen an '02-'03 "bug-eye" in months....

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

Related Questions

  • Buying a used car 3 Answers

    I'm thinking about buying a 2002 Subaru Impreza outback sport for my 17 yr old, on the car fax I noticed that at 47,500m they changed the timing belts, so that send up any red flags and also the c...

    2002 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Extremely poor milage on new used car purchased 14 Answers

    Hi, bought 1995 Impreza 2.2l awd car for son. First Subaru for us. Milage is extremely poor. He claims a 25 mile mostly flat highway trip uses over 1/4 tank. Has repeated this behavior several ti...

    1995 Subaru Impreza L Wagon

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Bought car- needs a lot of repair work 3 Answers

    We just bought a 2011 Subaru Impreza from Jordan- we got it home and went to have it inspected- it now needs a few thousand dollars worth or work just to pass inspection!! I can no longer get in t...

    2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Premium

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • store a car for the winter vs leaving it out and driving it once a week? 2 Answers

    Hey, i have to choose between two options: 1) store the car in a garage for about 9 months and driving it once in a while. 2) leave it outside for the winter and take it for a ride once a week or...

    2009 Subaru Impreza

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

  • Just had a clutch replaced, and the car makes a "crunchy" noise during deceleration while in gear. Any ideas? 1 Answer

    Brand new clutch installed Friday. Makes a very audible crunch/grinding noise during deceleration, and sometimes during acceleration right after shifting gears. Driving at steady RPM with foot on th...

    2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS

    -

    Maintenance & Repair

Impreza

Looking for a Used Impreza in your area?

CarGurus has 509 nationwide Impreza listings starting at $3,444.

Postal Code:

Shortcuts

Search Subaru Impreza Questions

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    3,560
  • #2
    Nick Eidemiller
    Reputation
    920
  • #3
    Guybrarian
    Reputation
    840
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Impreza WRX
19 listings starting at $4,995
Used Subaru Legacy
3 Great Deals out of 184 listings starting at $3,990
Used Subaru Forester
28 Great Deals out of 1,325 listings starting at $2,295
Used Subaru Outback
40 Great Deals out of 953 listings starting at $1,795
Used Honda Civic
195 Great Deals out of 4,054 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota Corolla
151 Great Deals out of 2,438 listings starting at $4,295
Used Toyota Camry
60 Great Deals out of 1,072 listings starting at $3,995
Used Honda Accord
55 Great Deals out of 995 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota RAV4
100 Great Deals out of 2,715 listings starting at $2,500
Used Toyota Tacoma
46 Great Deals out of 1,074 listings starting at $9,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.