The Other Black Sheep - Subaru Impreza 2.5 NA

As it sits today:



2011 Subaru Impreza 2.5i naturally-aspirated base model.





Just a few functional mods for now. Prefer one money pit (Taco) rather than two.

Weathertech Floorliner


Subaru OEM Cargoliner


RallyArmor Flaps


Family Picture


Other stuff not shown:
AFE drop-in Pro Dry-S air filter
CREE LED headlights << These are the same as the Brite Ass LEDs described in this thread and suffered the same flickering issue after a while. Avoid.
AliExpress white box CREE LED headlights in stock projector housings.

 

Nice. 5 speed?

 

We picked up my wife an 08 Subaru Outback Sport about 6 months ago. Its very similar to yours. She loves it, they're great cars.

 

Added CoverKing NeoSupreme seat covers. They do not fit as well as Wet Okoles, but are about one-third cheaper. Note the Belkin Bluetooth receiver aft of the parking brake handle. It plugs into the aux port inside the center console.

 

Checked the cabin air filter today. Subaru's design requires the glove box to be removed to access the cabin filter.





Tapped the leaves out, then vacuumed it. Ordered a few TYC filters from Logical-Source.

 

Nice looking subie. Kinda makes me miss my old impreza

 

I like subies

 

Since the base Subaru shift knob is rubberized plastic, I put the Taco OEM leather shift knob in my Subaru. Drilled out the counterbore section inside the knob to fit the Subaru's 10 mm stalk (Toyota is 8 mm).

 

The base model lacks the rear sway bar found on the WRX and STi, so it understeers more and has more body roll. Easily remedied with a Perrin adjustable sway bar:



Close-up of the Energy Suspension urethane bushings and billet aluminum end links:

 

Nice. I've got a 2011 Impreza Outback Sport with strut tower brace, front/rear sways too. I'm actually putting it on the market after Christmas or even before so i can get back into a Tacoma. Before the Subaru, i had a 04 Prerunner. Looking for a 2nd Gen 4 door, pre runner.

 

Since the OEM oil filter is made by Fram, I had to find better options. Bought a few of the Denso filters:



Molded O-ring and silicone anti-drainback valve:

 

Nice Impreza sir!

My gf is looking at buying her first car and we are strongly considering an '07 - '10 or so Impreza hatch (wagon) like yours either in Base or Sport trim.

I was wondering what mileage do you get on average with this car. I know the mileage greatly improved with the new 2 litre engine and face lift in 2012, but those will most likely be out of our price range for now. Are there any particular common problems with these cars or things to watch out for when buying used? Thanks.

 

If she likes driving, she'll like the Impreza. It handles incredibly well and 170 hp is above-average.

Look for a 2009 or later model, as they have rear disc brakes, slightly updated interior and vehicle stability control. I've had zero defects with the car over the last two years. Make sure there are no external head gasket leaks - not a common problem with this generation of Impreza, but a known issue with 2007 and earlier 2.5L Subaru boxers.

I average about 22 mpg (11 L/100 km) in mostly city driving with this car, which is in between the EPA ratings of 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway. This is with aggressive 4000-rpm "manual" upshifts through the 4-speed slushbox.

 

I see, I will focus my search on '09+ then unless I find too good of a deal to pass up on '07 - '08 one. Thanks.

 

Cusco Strut Tower Brace Installed

The brace is aluminum oval tubular section and weighs just 3.9 lb.

 

same mods i had on mine when i sold it. miss the car because of the fuel economy and fun factor. however, the tacoma is much more useful in my career and family life. so, offroading does make up for the missed fun factor.

here's mine with the rack



set up to haul mountain bike


trip to colorado. the AWD did wonderful.


however, you weren't going to see the Subaru haul gear like this, or more unless you put the seats down.

 

Here is our Subaru.

 

Incidentally, my CBI sliders arrived at the truck freight depot on the same day I was installing my lift. I ended up picking up the sliders in my Subaru: reclined the front seat all the way down, and folded the rear seatback. It's a remarkably practical vehicle that is also fun to drive. I take the car to my local Toyota dealer for maintenance because they charge less than the Subaru dealer:

 

Nice. My wife drives a Forester too! Haha.

We went from 2001 Camry (hers) and 2004 Tacoma (mine) to a 2010 Forester (hers) and 2011 Impreza OBS (mine), then sold my Impreza for my 2005 Tacoma. I've been full circle it seems with Subaru and Toyota.

 

Changed the front and rear diff fluids today. Same 75W90 GL5 gear oil as the Taco. For the rear diff, same 10mm socket head plugs as the Taco's front diff. Of course, being a compact car, wrench clearance is much tighter.