Best Used Subaru Wagon - Impreza, Legacy
There are very few companies in the marketplace which kept the wagon faith alive throughout the 1990s and 2000s like Subaru did. Both the Japanese automaker and their Swedish competitors Volvo never wavered from the task of providing car buyers with a number of different wagon options ranging from small to almost full-size. This was in direct contrast to the rest of the world's automotive giants who either narrowed their wagon selection down to a mere shadow of its former glory or completely eliminated wagons from their North American lineups.
The reasons for the disappearance of wagons were many, but the single biggest contributing factor was the rise in popularity of minivans. As car companies scrambled to populate their showrooms with vans of various shapes and sizes, hoping to carve out a healthy chunk of profits from the sudden consumer interest in these types of vehicles, they began to neglect their wagon development. Ultimately, many of these conglomerates decided that it didn't make sense to offer both a minivan and a station wagon, as these vehicles were perceived as competing for the same hard-earned family transportation dollars. One by one venerable wagon lines were dropped as everyone from General Motors to Toyota got out of the game. While a few manufacturers would bravely soldier on with mid-size vehicles, most others reduced their output to a few token compact wagons or nothing at all.
Subaru was one of the rare brands which never developed a minivan of their own, and as such had no internal programs to protect from the cannibalization of sales that many other companies had feared. Not only that, but Subaru saw no real way to fit a minivan into their fresh-for-the-1990s all-wheel drive lineup that focused on practical, fun to drive transportation. This meant that their existing compact and mid-size wagons were in no danger of disappearing from the scene. In fact, both the small Impreza and the larger Legacy saw a flurry of development that would push them towards the front of the now much smaller import wagon field.
The Impreza and the Legacy are the best used wagons available from Subaru, but each serves a different part of the market. The compact Impreza is best suited to young families or those who require a sporty car that can also haul a decent amount of cargo, while the Legacy is a fully-featured mile-eater that makes for excellent road trip transportation. This article focuses on the strengths of each vehicle in order to help buyers decide which is the best match for their particular needs.
2002 - 2007 Subaru Impreza Wagon
The Subaru Impreza underwent a few styling tweaks during the 2002 - 2007 generation's run. Three distinct versions of the automobile were released throughout this period, starting out with the somewhat bug-eyed appearance of the first few years then shifting to the blob-shaped headlights and more aggressive grille opening of vehicles built post-2003. The final two years of production saw a return to somewhat gawky looks in the front end, this time centered around the Impreza's prominent snout. It pays to investigate each edition of the Impreza in order to make sure that the appearance is something that can be lived with on a daily basis.
All editions of the 2002 - 2007 Subaru Impreza come equipped with the company's sure-footed all-wheel drive system that is a definite boon for anyone who lives in a northern climate. Initially, there were two versions of the wagon available, with the base TS being powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 165 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. The much quicker WRX model makes an excellent upgrade, as its turbocharged 2.0-liter mill cranks out 227 horsepower and 217 lb-ft of torque. Both vehicles can be had with a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual transmission, although the WRX is rarely found in auto trim. In 2006 the entry-level wagon received an 8 horsepower bump, while the WRX's output grew to 230 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque thanks to the introduction of a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine.
The interior of the Impreza is uncluttered and unpretentious, with all of the basic driver needs well taken care of. Power windows and door locks are included on the lowest model of the car, and the vehicle's rear seating accommodations are actually quite livable for adult passengers. 61 cubic feet of space can be had with the bench folded forward to extend the capacity of the wagon's cargo area, which more than doubles the amount available with the seat locked. The Impreza is a capable little hauler which can be quite handy for students moving across the country or parents taking the kids to hockey practice.
The 2002 - 2007 Subaru Impreza is a used wagon that comes more than enough exterior variations to satisfy even the choosiest buyer. Backed up by the availability of the WRX's superb turbocharged power, the Impreza is a popular secondhand choice.
2005 - 2007 Subaru Legacy Wagon
The Legacy has always been Subaru's flagship vehicle, and taking a look at the 2005 re-design makes it easy to see why. The wagon's bold front end and almost sinister headlights lead the eye back along the fender to a slab-sided, competent look that should appeal to both seekers of practical transportation and fans of strong minimalist style statements. The Legacy is a rare example of a vehicle where more than half of buyers choose the wagon over the sedan, indicating the strong following that the automobile has built up over the course of its production.
The base 2.5i edition of the 2005 - 2007 Legacy wagon is provided with a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that makes 168 horsepower. This output was upgraded to 175 horses in 2007. The Legacy GT find itself the recipient of a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, as well as a sport suspension that really helps the vehicle feel much more competent during cornering, despite its weight of 3,500 lbs. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic are the transmission choices for the 2.5i, while the GT sees 5-speeds for both the manual and auto trannies. All-wheel drive is of course included and plays a large role in sticking the Legacy wagon quite firmly to whatever surface it finds itself traveling over.
Topping off the Legacy's impressive drivetrain credentials is an interior that has seen quite a lot of care taken in its design. Passenger room is quite good, with the base model's seats sacrificing lateral grip for comfort - a non-issue for most drivers. Materials feel well-selected and are installed with excellent fit and finish. Perforated leather seats are available, along with a large moonroof, a dual climate controls and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Interestingly, the wagon's total interior cargo space is almost identical to the Impreza despite riding on a larger platform.
The 2005 - 2007 Subaru Legacy wagon impresses at almost every turn, and it should be at or near the top of any all-wheel drive used wagon shopping list.