Opinions on '93 Impreza wagon

mikemo · 06-19-2001, 11:26 AM

Greetings,
I'm considering purchasing a '93 Impreza wagon, FWD. It is for sale locally and only has 11k miles on it.
Just looking for opinions on the car. I'm assuming it is fairly gutless with only 110hp. How is the gas mileage? Reliability? Anything I should look out for?
What would you consider a good price, 11k miles, mint interior, good exterior?
Thanks and regards,
MikeMo

Subie Gal · 06-19-2001, 11:33 AM

older cars like that...

check the axles for wear - do hard circles, crank the wheel all the way to the left and the right... forward and reverse... do you hear a clicking???? if so... axles are going bad.....

check the clutch - fade, shudder, shift ok?

peek underneath and assume you'll see oil... most of the older ones need new seals...

start the car and pop the hood.... is everything spinning ok? smell ok? look ok?

the car itself? very cool! slow, but i like em... wouldnt mind having one myself

hope this helps...
j.
www.subiegal.com

Bahumut · 06-20-2001, 06:05 AM

Subiegal hit it on the head. I have a 95 wagon that I've put a lot of work into. I bought it used as well, but with MUCH more mileage, and mechanically speaking... it was a dream. No problems.

Of course, that's all different now since I drive so hard, but at 102K, it's about time for some maintainence anyway.

I'd say go for it. The 1.8L isn't all that bad after exhaust and an underdrive pulley. Plus, spend an extra 2 to 3K and get a JC sports turbo kit (originally designed on the 1.8L engines) and get more whorepower. If you blow the engine, no big deal, call TeaguesAuto and get another one REALLY cheap.

Matt · 06-20-2001, 10:18 AM

Marvelous car. Even with FWD.

I'd buy it in a minute. I drove my '95 L AWD sedan like a madman and with basic maintenance, it was a dream.

Go for it. It may not have AWD, but you'll get better MPG.

travman733 · 06-20-2001, 05:04 PM

I have a '93 sedan L awd w/122,000+ miles on it and haven't had any problems with it. Still drives good and getting almost 30 mpg on highway. Yeah, the power is a little lacking, but it hey, awd and good gas mileage...it's all good. Definitely worth the consideration, but I'd be a little bit suspicious about only 11k miles on it, but you never know I guess.

Apparently the book value on mine is around 5000 (www.kbb.com).

Max Umbarger · 06-20-2001, 09:19 PM

Well, Basically I have the same news. I have a MY93 FWD with 1.8L. I drive it extremely hard. I hit 6250 RPM's every shift. It has 154,000 miles on it and it still is running quietly. Very good fuel economy. In the 13.2 Gallon tank I get about 310 in town miles driven at WOT until I rech about 5 MPH over the speed limit. On the highway, I get about 335-345 Miles on the tank.

mikemo · 06-21-2001, 01:36 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I bought the car this morning. MY93 Impreza wagon, FWD with 11,550 miles (verified with service records/carfax). Paid $5900. I pick it up this morning. (anyone need a carfax report?)
I checked all the things mentioned, axles, transmission. The paint and body are perfect save a small door ding and two small paint chips. Interior is mint. Not a drop of oil on anything underneath, just a little dust from the road.
There is a small spot of rust on one of the big bolts where the battery tray is. I'm going to clean that up ASAP with POR15.

As for service manuals, should I get the factory service manual, or are there good "aftermarket" books for this model?

Thanks again! I'm looking forward to owning this car for a long time.
Regards
Mikemo

06-19-2001, 11:26 AM	#1
mikemo Scooby Newbie Member#: 7627 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Vehicle: 93 L Wagon Blue (ish)	Opinions on '93 Impreza wagon Greetings, I'm considering purchasing a '93 Impreza wagon, FWD. It is for sale locally and only has 11k miles on it. Just looking for opinions on the car. I'm assuming it is fairly gutless with only 110hp. How is the gas mileage? Reliability? Anything I should look out for? What would you consider a good price, 11k miles, mint interior, good exterior? Thanks and regards, MikeMo

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06-19-2001, 11:33 AM	#2
Subie Gal GC84Ever Super Moderator Member#: 301 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: WA Vehicle: 2001 2.5 RS 02 WRX Wagon Rally Car	older cars like that... check the axles for wear - do hard circles, crank the wheel all the way to the left and the right... forward and reverse... do you hear a clicking???? if so... axles are going bad..... check the clutch - fade, shudder, shift ok? peek underneath and assume you'll see oil... most of the older ones need new seals... start the car and pop the hood.... is everything spinning ok? smell ok? look ok? the car itself? very cool! slow, but i like em... wouldnt mind having one myself hope this helps... j. www.subiegal.com

06-20-2001, 06:05 AM	#3
Bahumut Scooby Newbie Member#: 460 Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Overland Park, KS, USA Vehicle: 1995 Impreza Wagon Brilliant Red/Slade	Subiegal hit it on the head. I have a 95 wagon that I've put a lot of work into. I bought it used as well, but with MUCH more mileage, and mechanically speaking... it was a dream. No problems. Of course, that's all different now since I drive so hard, but at 102K, it's about time for some maintainence anyway. I'd say go for it. The 1.8L isn't all that bad after exhaust and an underdrive pulley. Plus, spend an extra 2 to 3K and get a JC sports turbo kit (originally designed on the 1.8L engines) and get more whorepower. If you blow the engine, no big deal, call TeaguesAuto and get another one REALLY cheap.

06-20-2001, 10:18 AM	#4
Matt Allergic to turbos Moderator Member#: 181 Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: MAIC & Southeast Vehicle: Two Subarus and a truck	Marvelous car. Even with FWD. I'd buy it in a minute. I drove my '95 L AWD sedan like a madman and with basic maintenance, it was a dream. Go for it. It may not have AWD, but you'll get better MPG.

06-20-2001, 05:04 PM	#5
travman733 Scooby Specialist Member#: 5649 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Kalamazoo, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX wgn bl stg2 (sold)'93 Impreza L Sedan	I have a '93 sedan L awd w/122,000+ miles on it and haven't had any problems with it. Still drives good and getting almost 30 mpg on highway. Yeah, the power is a little lacking, but it hey, awd and good gas mileage...it's all good. Definitely worth the consideration, but I'd be a little bit suspicious about only 11k miles on it, but you never know I guess. Apparently the book value on mine is around 5000 (www.kbb.com).

06-20-2001, 09:19 PM	#6
Max Umbarger Scooby Specialist Member#: 1112 Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Colorado Springs Vehicle: 2006 FXT RBP	Well, Basically I have the same news. I have a MY93 FWD with 1.8L. I drive it extremely hard. I hit 6250 RPM's every shift. It has 154,000 miles on it and it still is running quietly. Very good fuel economy. In the 13.2 Gallon tank I get about 310 in town miles driven at WOT until I rech about 5 MPH over the speed limit. On the highway, I get about 335-345 Miles on the tank.

06-21-2001, 01:36 PM	#7
mikemo Scooby Newbie Member#: 7627 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Vehicle: 93 L Wagon Blue (ish)	Thanks for all the advice. I bought the car this morning. MY93 Impreza wagon, FWD with 11,550 miles (verified with service records/carfax). Paid $5900. I pick it up this morning. (anyone need a carfax report?) I checked all the things mentioned, axles, transmission. The paint and body are perfect save a small door ding and two small paint chips. Interior is mint. Not a drop of oil on anything underneath, just a little dust from the road. There is a small spot of rust on one of the big bolts where the battery tray is. I'm going to clean that up ASAP with POR15. As for service manuals, should I get the factory service manual, or are there good "aftermarket" books for this model? Thanks again! I'm looking forward to owning this car for a long time. Regards Mikemo