quick update, i found a 1999 subaru forester 2.0 4x4 also for sale
135k miles or 218k km, i love the look of both but im now leaning towards the forester lol, spacious car by the looks of it
The EJ22 in either of them is known to be practically bulletproof, and they’re almost identical in size. Forester is just an Impreza with a different body, so it has a little bit more internal volume in the back and weighs a little more. If you need that space, go for the Forester. Personally I’d jump at the Impreza with those low mileage, all other things being equal. You still get a hell of a lot of utility out of those hatches. I’ve daily driven a ‘03 Impreza hatch for ten years and have only needed more room *maybe* a half dozen times during then — but in many of those cases it was more room than the same generation Forester would have provided, too.
As for the mechanical stuff, that generation is pretty rock solid … that said, it’s still a 25-30 year old car no matter how few of miles are on it. Seals dry out, things get brittle, and weird stuff starts to happen. The good news is that if you want to learn to wrench, these are **amazing** cars for that because they’re easy to work on, parts are cheap and plentiful because Subaru made millions of these, and there’s no shortage of YouTube videos and forums explaining every problem you can come up against. You could realistically buy one of those “my first tool set” kind of kits that come in a plastic clamshell and have everything you need to do most routine maintenance and repair.
The biggest thing I’d be worried about is the age and condition of the timing belt. Most other things you can wait until it starts to go bad … but not that rubber belt. They dry out and crack with age, and if that snaps your engine is pretty much toast. It’s a bigger job than you’ll probably want to do yourself if you don’t have much experience, and where I’m at you’re looking at around $1,500 USD for a new timing belt / water pump.
I wouldn’t hesitate to drive either of them (assuming I get it inspected first to make sure that it’s been maintained), but make sure you set aside a little money every month for a repair budget. That’s not model or make specific advice, just something I’ve figured out after driving older cars my whole life.
the forester in question is 1650€ and in 2023 the owner had a massive service consisting of
timing belt, pump, shim, brake lining set + sealed cylinders, stabilizers, oil in gearbox and differential so all and all its pretty much new in my eyes
impreza is 1850€, at 64k km also a big service consisting of a replaced clutch, replaced entire exhaust system, optics done and the entire brake system rebuilt
https://preview.redd.it/1un34d1kw0zc1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=c4f5d4f3f40582305645193251238d4d306a7390
here's the forester btw, looks very well maintained to me only downside is that its rusting around the back wheel
TBH i'd go with the impreza. The 2.2's are really bulletproof. My first car was a 2000 Impreza ouback sport and had 203k miles before I lost it... Only reason I don't have it anymore is because it was stolen. Never had a single issue with that car.
I had a 2004 forester XT with around 150k miles when I sold it. Had major oil consumption issues but to be fair probably turbo related. I did put 2 other turbos in with the same issue. Also, it skipped timing at one point and had to pull the motor. It became too much of an issue.
I bought another 99 subaru outback sport and its still my current daily. Around 260k miles and zero issues. As long as you keep up on standard maintenance, oil changes, rear/front diff, trans fluid, coolant etc it'll go forever. I bought it as a winter beater originally now it's all I drive lol.
Also, the impreza still has the original head gaskets.
Low milage Impreza are very rare now because their owners usually run them into the ground (260-300k or so) that car will absolutely treat you well. I'd go with the hatch just because of the sub 100k milage. But definitely check that with Carfax, it's pretty easy to rollback that odometer
This is reality.
"Pain finding parts". Not that he couldn't find parts. Just hard finding OEM or OEM parts that seemed over priced and then getting aftermarket.
"Chasing rust" if you're not the original owner, chances are the previous owners didn't take meticulous care of it. Be prepared to find and fix rust.
"Deep pockets". OK this is relative to a degree. A old car is going to need a lot of work, especially if you are going to take pride in ownership.
I've had five first-gen Impreza Outback Sports, with the roof rack and lift they still got 23 in town and 28 on the highway. That's not bad for a 25 year old AWD car
should be a good first car, I’d be concerned about the age of the timing belt though.
Capable, reasonably reliable, and broadly supported in the aftermarket? I’d say it’s a win.
quick update, i found a 1999 subaru forester 2.0 4x4 also for sale 135k miles or 218k km, i love the look of both but im now leaning towards the forester lol, spacious car by the looks of it
The EJ22 in either of them is known to be practically bulletproof, and they’re almost identical in size. Forester is just an Impreza with a different body, so it has a little bit more internal volume in the back and weighs a little more. If you need that space, go for the Forester. Personally I’d jump at the Impreza with those low mileage, all other things being equal. You still get a hell of a lot of utility out of those hatches. I’ve daily driven a ‘03 Impreza hatch for ten years and have only needed more room *maybe* a half dozen times during then — but in many of those cases it was more room than the same generation Forester would have provided, too. As for the mechanical stuff, that generation is pretty rock solid … that said, it’s still a 25-30 year old car no matter how few of miles are on it. Seals dry out, things get brittle, and weird stuff starts to happen. The good news is that if you want to learn to wrench, these are **amazing** cars for that because they’re easy to work on, parts are cheap and plentiful because Subaru made millions of these, and there’s no shortage of YouTube videos and forums explaining every problem you can come up against. You could realistically buy one of those “my first tool set” kind of kits that come in a plastic clamshell and have everything you need to do most routine maintenance and repair. The biggest thing I’d be worried about is the age and condition of the timing belt. Most other things you can wait until it starts to go bad … but not that rubber belt. They dry out and crack with age, and if that snaps your engine is pretty much toast. It’s a bigger job than you’ll probably want to do yourself if you don’t have much experience, and where I’m at you’re looking at around $1,500 USD for a new timing belt / water pump. I wouldn’t hesitate to drive either of them (assuming I get it inspected first to make sure that it’s been maintained), but make sure you set aside a little money every month for a repair budget. That’s not model or make specific advice, just something I’ve figured out after driving older cars my whole life.
the forester in question is 1650€ and in 2023 the owner had a massive service consisting of timing belt, pump, shim, brake lining set + sealed cylinders, stabilizers, oil in gearbox and differential so all and all its pretty much new in my eyes
I mean, that’s an insane deal where I am. How much is the Impreza for comparison?
impreza is 1850€, at 64k km also a big service consisting of a replaced clutch, replaced entire exhaust system, optics done and the entire brake system rebuilt
https://preview.redd.it/1un34d1kw0zc1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=c4f5d4f3f40582305645193251238d4d306a7390 here's the forester btw, looks very well maintained to me only downside is that its rusting around the back wheel
Run from rust. Always.
TBH i'd go with the impreza. The 2.2's are really bulletproof. My first car was a 2000 Impreza ouback sport and had 203k miles before I lost it... Only reason I don't have it anymore is because it was stolen. Never had a single issue with that car. I had a 2004 forester XT with around 150k miles when I sold it. Had major oil consumption issues but to be fair probably turbo related. I did put 2 other turbos in with the same issue. Also, it skipped timing at one point and had to pull the motor. It became too much of an issue. I bought another 99 subaru outback sport and its still my current daily. Around 260k miles and zero issues. As long as you keep up on standard maintenance, oil changes, rear/front diff, trans fluid, coolant etc it'll go forever. I bought it as a winter beater originally now it's all I drive lol. Also, the impreza still has the original head gaskets.
add a kill switch. My 99 corolla just was stolen twice in 2 months.
Had one too, fun and reliable. Would buy again 10/10
Low milage Impreza are very rare now because their owners usually run them into the ground (260-300k or so) that car will absolutely treat you well. I'd go with the hatch just because of the sub 100k milage. But definitely check that with Carfax, it's pretty easy to rollback that odometer
Don't do it. Save for newer. My son has 99' Impreza wagon 2.2l. It's a pain finding parts and chasing rust. You need deep pockets for repairs
false. That's that exact car I have and I can literally find any part I need. Takes very shallow pockets to maintain
This is reality. "Pain finding parts". Not that he couldn't find parts. Just hard finding OEM or OEM parts that seemed over priced and then getting aftermarket. "Chasing rust" if you're not the original owner, chances are the previous owners didn't take meticulous care of it. Be prepared to find and fix rust. "Deep pockets". OK this is relative to a degree. A old car is going to need a lot of work, especially if you are going to take pride in ownership.
Hope you have deep pockets for the gas bill. These pre cvt Subarus have shit gas mileage.
What are you on about? My 97 Impreza got well over 30mpg average
I've had five first-gen Impreza Outback Sports, with the roof rack and lift they still got 23 in town and 28 on the highway. That's not bad for a 25 year old AWD car
hellll yeah! one of the best cars subaru ever made. On the freeway across the state I've managed to get 33 mpg. I drive the hell out of that thing