2007 Subaru Impreza Reviews

You can save a motza on a late-model used car, because the first owner has already taken the biggest hit... usually 30-50 percent, in depreciation. Ideally, you want to be the second owner, and hang on to the car for a few years, to maximise the value you get from your motoring dollar. We've picked our top five used

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Subaru Impreza from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as a used buy.

Subaru Impreza is a small-medium car imported from Japan and one that has a well-deserved reputation for long life and high resale ratings. Subarus in general give the feeling they are designed by people who are more interested in engineering and driving than in marketing and over-the-top styling. Ride and handling

NEW - The WRX rally weapon inevitably comes to mind when you think of the Subaru Impreza, but the smallest member of the Subaru family is much more than that.If the WRX is the one young tearaways buy, the regular Imprezas are the ones bought by regular people. The new model that arrived in 2007 as a hatch only boasted all-wheel drive like all Subarus, and that’s what separates it from its rivals.Subaru made the smart move to all-wheel drive many years ago when it was struggling to find a place in the market, and has gone gang-busters ever since. Two body styles were offered; initially it was only a hatch in 2007 before a sedan arrived a year later.It was longer, higher and heavier than the previous model, with reasonable boot space. Power was provided by a 2.0-litre horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine that had a little less power than the engine in the previous model, but more torque.In total it had 110 kW and 196 Nm, which was enough to get the job done without causing any excitement. In standard guise the Impreza came with a five-speed manual transmission with the option of a four-speed automatic, and the final drive was through all four wheels.On the road the Impreza showed the advantage of all-wheel drive in the poise and traction is had on all surfaces. It particularly came into its own on slick surfaces where other two-wheel drive cars struggled.There were three models offered before you got to the sporty ones like the WRX, these were the R, RX and RS. The RS had previously been a sporty model in earlier Imprezas, but was now a regular model with the same mechanical package as the rest of the regular range.NOWThe Impreza doesn't have any issues that need concern a used car buyer; the trade gives them its tick of approval. But one thing to be aware of is that, like all boxer engines, they use oil and you need to keep on top of it by regularly checking the oil and topping it up as needed.Don't leave it thinking that it will be right to leave it until the next service, because you might run it out of oil in the meantime and that could mean a big repair bill.It's important to check the oil level on any car under consideration for purchase, if down ask why. Some owners become less focussed on servicing once the warranty runs out, often skipping or delaying services and that can be where trouble starts, so be particularly attentive when inspecting a car when the warranty is up.SMITHY SAYSGood solid car that won't give trouble if it's properly serviced.Subaru Impreza - 2007-2010Price new: $26,490 to $31,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 110 kW/196 NmTransmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, AWDEconomy: 8.8 L/100 km, ULPBody: 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchbackVariants: R, RX, RSSafety: 5-star ANCAP

You only have to mention the Subaru Impreza and images of the hot rod WRX come flooding to mind. The WRX rally rocket has come to define   the small Subaru, but to forget the rest of the range would be unfair.The Impreza has long been a well-built, reliable and popular small car and the new model introduced in 2007 was even better than those cars it replaced.There was a sense of change about the new Impreza, a fresh approach that spelt a change in direction for the Japanese carmaker that had built a solid reputation for quality, drivability and reliability.MODEL WATCHThere was always something off-putting about the way Impreza doors closed, a feeling of flimsiness that suggested a lack of quality.  That was before the new model in 2007, which for the first time had frames around the windows in the doors. Now, with the windows supported by frames, the doors closed with a solid feel that made the Impreza experience much more satisfying.You might think that adding doorframes is a small change, but in terms of the impact it had on the Impreza it was a major revision.  While it was a most welcome change it also seemed to signal a major change in thinking at Subaru.It was as if Subaru had decided to come in from the cold; it was the final step from being a somewhat quirky outsider to being a solid mainstream carmaker.Subaru only offered a five-door hatch at the Impreza's launch, but there were three models, plus the WRX, which we'll hold over for another story. The R provided the entry point to the range, with the RX and RS as you climbed the tree.With a look reminiscent of Europe the new Impreza was more attractive. It was also shorter, taller, wider, and lighter, with more cabin and boot space.Inside the cabin, there was a fresh new dash, upgraded seats and trim, better insulation and isolation, and a height and reach adjustable steering column.Under the bonnet was the familiar 2.0-litre flat-four, but with 20 per cent more power and seven per cent more torque. That meant that at its best it was putting out 110kW at 6400 revs and 196Nm at 3200 revs.On the road that translated into more urge and better drivability, and motor-noters reckoned it was also smoother.  Bolted to the back of the engine was either a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed auto, while drive was directed through all four wheels.IN THE SHOPCarsguide has received few complaints about the Impreza, and those that have landed here have been of a minor nature and not to be too concerned about.Check around the engine for oil leaks and make sure the required servicing has been done. There is nothing more damaging to an engine than missing services. Oil can quickly clog an engine's vital internal passages, and blockages quickly wreck an engine. Brake and tyre wear doesn't appear to be an issue for owners, as it can be with some other makes and models.IN A CRASHANCAP handed the Impreza a five-star rating on the back of its array of airbags, which provided front, side and curtain protection, along with its impressive active safety package. In addition to anti-lock brakes the Impreza also boasted electronic stability control.AT THE PUMPSubaru claimed the Impreza would do 8.9-10.7 L/100 km and owners back that claim up, reporting that their cars are quite economical to run.OWNER'S SAYPam Baker loves her 2008 Subaru Impreza RS. She says it handles well on all terrain, particularly on wet dirt roads, it looks good, the fuel economy is good, and the bucket seats are comfortable. On the other hand she says the auto transmission is sluggish on takeoff, the body sheetmetal feels very thin and flimsy, and dents easily, and there's too much plastic on the interior. All in all she says it's about an eight out of 10.LOOK FORFresh Euro lookSolid feelMore powerful engineLarger cabinUncomfortable seatsTHE BOTTOM LINEThe popular small car got even better with new looks, an improved cabin and a more solid feel.

Even better, if you find yourself attempting to avoid a crash, try to be in the new Subaru Impreza.Subaru, which has steadily climbed the desirability scale thanks to its blend of quality and dynamics and safety-mindedness, has really rewritten the rules with the recently-released Impreza hatchback.It manages to combine top-class safety credentials — an enviable crash-test score, along with engineering to keep it out of an accident in the first place — with a fresh new look.Independent tests have given the Impreza a five-star rating for occupant safety and four stars for pedestrian safety, the top level in both cases. It is the first car tested in Australia to score the maximum stars, and only the second car worldwide, following the $102,000 Citroen C6. Quite an accolade for a car priced from $24,490, so expect it to be mighty popular.While the crash stars indicate, in theory, your chances when things come to the crunch, the Impreza is well equipped to improve the driver's chances of avoiding a crash: all versions come with all-wheel-drive, stability control and anti-lock brakes. And there are dual front, side and curtain airbagsThere's no doubting the new model's efficiency: it is shorter, but roomier; lighter, but stronger.Despite all its wholesome qualities, the Impreza is not at all stodgy to drive. The 2.0 litre, four-cylinder engine which is found in all the non-turbocharged variants is a smooth, capable performer.It's also less thirsty than its predecessors, but just as well, since costlier premium unleaded is now required.The steering, handily, is adjustable up-down and in-out, and we're told the new model's doors open wider for easy access, but, strangely, I found getting in and out of the driver's seat of the Impreza slightly awkward, with nothing like the easy access found in the similar-sized VW Golf and Hyundai i30 I drove about the same time.Then there's the bulky key with its tiny buttons for lock and unlock. You could go blind trying to read the markings on them.For the first time, there is no sedan version. Not until next year, that is.Breaking from Subaru tradition, the windows have normal frames like, well, normal cars. But some things don't change: still all-wheel-drive, still a flat-four “boxer” engine.Petrolheads have been whingeing for years about Impreza after Impreza looking oddball. Now that Subaru has produced one with mainstream styling — think a whiff of Corolla, a dash of Peugeot, a bit of Daewoo — there are enthusiasts moaning about how something more distinctive would be better.Some people are never happy.

Due in February, Subaru's fire-breathing super Rex the STI is ready to light up the road.

However, the lasting impression of the RS is that it has not taken the Impreza performance into any new territory.

The WRX is a legend, of sorts, in car world, but it's never, ever been bought, or stolen, because of its visual features.  From the very first, it's been about as attractive as the offspring of an anteater and a Tonka truck.  And yet young men of a thrusting temperament, older blokes who still favour No Fear t-shirts and criminals who enjoy driving into shop windows have chosen these cars in their droves.It would be fair to say that each successive WRX has been slightly uglier than the last, which makes the original something of a collector's item, but this time Subaru's designers have really outdone themselves.The new Impreza is perhaps the most diversely derivative car ever. The fact that it's now a hatch and no longer a sedan is a fairly rude shock to start with, but it also looks like part BMW 1 Series, part Daewoo, part Seat Ibiza with a large sprinkling of Mazda 3. In fact, just about the only car it doesn't look like is a Subaru. While being ugly is nothing new for a Rex, the new one is kind of plain as well. At least the old ones had presence as well as pugilist features.The feeling of massive changes being afoot continues inside, where the front seats no longer look like they've been stolen from a rally car. Sure, they're still buckets and still sportily supportive, but the people in the back seat can actually see the windscreen, for the first time ever.Before even turning the key, the feeling that this WRX was no longer a Rex was niggling. Then I fired it up and waited for the fireworks. I have to say that for the first few days, pootling around town, I was deeply disappointed.Imprezas of old always gave you the feeling that they wanted to rip your arms off and use them to punch a police officer, but this new car felt polite and refined. It wasn't slow, exactly, but it wasn't a balltearer below 3000rpm, and there's not much room in Sydney traffic to explore beyond there.Then there was the sound, or lack of it. While 98 per cent of Rexes you see on the road have aftermarket pipes that make them sound like a fat man blowing raspberries into a megaphone, even the standard one always had a bit of oomph to it. But the sounds of the new WRX were so distant and decorous that they seemed to be coming from another car.All was not going well, so we headed out of town for the real test — could this super Sooob still tear up a bit of country road and put a smile on your dial? Fortunately the answer was a resounding, surprising yes.Given its head, the WRX is still a seriously quick, slick sportscar, it just makes a lot less fuss about what it's doing. Grip-and-go cornering has always been this car's forte and the way it can hang on through, and launch out of, turns is still a highlight.What is different is the slightly softer feel to the way it does this.The suspension set-up feels a little more gentle and this means the driver is a little less involved with the road than before. Even the steering feels a bit lighter, which is a shame.The 2.5-litre boxer four-cylinder still boasts the same power figures as the previous model — 169kW and 320Nm — but the engine has been retuned to deliver its grunt lower in the rev range.This means less turbo lag and more instantaneous acceleration.While the new car is certainly more grunty from lower down, it still doesn't get exciting until about 4000rpm. On the plus side, it does continue to be exciting all the way up to 6500rpm. Mind you, even at that pace, the noise you'd expect seems to be missing. And despite being lighter, the new car certainly doesn't feel quicker - although apparently it is, 0.1 of a second faster to 100km/h at 5.8 seconds.The five-speed gearbox is a slick and faultless little unit, but it's still missing a gear, no matter how you look at it, and not having sixth on long freeway runs could get wearing.Over all, though, as motoring scribes have been bleating for years, it's hard to think of another car that delivers as much for the money as a WRX. This latest impressive Impreza is still $39,990, the same price the Rex was 10 years ago. What you don't get for your money these days, though, is the hard, harried edge of old. And that's a shame, for purists at least.So, the new WRX is a lighter, more refined, quieter, more roomy and (very slightly) faster car than before, yet I'd still take an old one, every time. Perhaps looks do count for something after all.PS: After handing back the WRX, I took an RS Impreza for a week, but I can't tell you anything about it, because the automatic transmission it was fitted with rendered it too boring for words.It also had a “Sport” feature, the only function of which seemed to be to illuminate a dash light that says “Sport”. Stick with the WRX.

There are plenty out there who like their performance cars to live on the edge; screwed-down suspension that will rattle your teeth and power delivery that is raw and nasty.They were the characteristics that won the original WRX, following more than a decade ago when it burst on the affordable performance scene.Now the WRX has become, in its own way, refined.The exterior is certainly more mainstream with softer lines which mimic small-car competitors.Inside the cabin, however, is where the philosophy really shifts gear.Gone is the “workbench” look of the previous models. Where once flat surfaces dominated; there are curves and softness. Just the ticket for a car that is actively courting female white-collar shoppers. The styling is designer chic.Is all this at the expense of performance?In a word, no.In fact, the new WRX is more useable, more stable and considerably quicker point-to-point than the outgoing model. Overall the car is a little bigger, the suspension a little more compliant and the output from the 2.5-litre turbocharged flat four stays the same at 169kW.The additional advantage of a marginal increase in torque; some 5 per cent; pales beside the huge benefits of that torque arriving earlier and sticking around longer.The wider, earlier torque band equates to a claimed 0.1sec improvement in the 0-100km/h sprint; now a claimed 5.8sec. In real world terms the benefit is that the WRX still has the ability to jump when called on but with less need to frantically shuffle the five-speed box.The gains from the engineering changes can be felt from the driver's seat.Ride quality improvement is immediately evident as is improvement in noise, vibration and harshness levels.A redesigned double wishbone rear-end and slightly (5mm) lower centre of gravity; gives the car better mid-corner stability and grip.Subaru Australia technical services manager Derk Ashby; said the new dynamic chassis control concept provides for a highly rigid platform on which to base a more compliant and flexible suspension package.“This intelligent suspension control system provides for even higher levels of grip, steering response and vehicle stability ... at the same time (delivering) vastly improved levels of ride comfort with much lower levels of shake, bounce and impact harshness,” Ashby said.There is slightly improved fuel consumption from the WRX; some 2 per cent but more from the 2-litre models, up to half a litre per 100km.See this car at the Australian International Motor Show