Truthfully, the only difference between you and a used subaru impreza expert is time. If you'll invest a little more time in reading, you'll be that much nearer to expert status when it comes to buying a used subaru impreza.

I think there can only be one reason to buy a used Subaru impreza, and thats "Image", even the basic spec impreza looks like a rally car. Before the Impreza, Subaru was an unknown, obscure Japanese car maker who made solid, but very boring four-wheel-drive vehicles usually used by farmers.

This all changed once the Impreza wrx started to win rallies (and then the world rally championship), it instantly became a success, and very popular with rally driver wannabes everywhere – and made it one of the must have cars.

For most people, an early 1.6 and 1.8 impreza will offer more than adequate everyday performance (0-60 in about 12. and 11. seconds) or with a bit more get up and go the 2.0 sport can hit 60 mph in around 9. seconds.

For those who want the ultimate in performance, the favourite used Subaru Impreza will usually be the 208 bhp 2.0 turbo, with a 0-60 in 6 seconds and a top speed around a 144 mph. To get even morel performance, there is also the short-lived 280 bhp Subaru impreza P1 coupe for the slightly insane with a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds (on Parr with some Ferrari's) and a limited top speed of 155 mph.

My best buy used Subaru impreza car would have to be one of the non-turbo models, so my no 1 choice would be a used Subaru Impreza 2.0 Sport Estate, but even the old 1.8 can be great fun. Because these cars are easily, but I think unfairly, overshadowed by their Turbo bothers they can be a really good, bargin buy. All Imprezas, like their Turbo big brother are very good to drive, and with the four wheel drive offer outstanding road holding and good cornering.

A used Subaru Impreza Turbo though, has to be in a class of its own, with plenty of power and the four wheel drive system, it provides brilliant stability combined with a fine ride.

Because of the Subaru impreza's rally-bred image, for most there is really only one desirable Subaru Impreza to buy– the 2.0 Turbo – first available as a saloon then an estate and from 2008 a hatchback. Either the saloon or estate in my opinion would be a best buy used Subaru impreza turbo. Also available (If you can find one and have the money) is also the rare Subaru Impreza P1 coupe).

The other options in the used impreza range were also available in saloon or estate, and originally consisted of a 1.6 (with two or four-wheel-drive), a 1.8 and a non turbo 2.0 available in GL and Sport packages.

Demand for the Turbo will always keep prices high (last-of-line models can still fetch up to £20,000, (the P1 coupes can usually fetch £21,000+). But the 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 versions are the bargains being less sought after, and so a lot cheaper, early Impreza's can be picked up in the UK for less than a £1,000.

As for comfort, I dont think that the Subaru impreza interior is the most pleasant place to be, to me it has a lot of cheap looking nasty plastics, and has a very uninspiring dash layout for such a seriously exciting car.

Overall though the Subaru Impreza is a fairly spacious and practical car, it has a reasonable sized boot in the saloon models and much better load space in the estate. All the impreza's do have a very light and airy atmosphere and a reasonable amount of leg and shoulder room both in the front and for the rear passengers.

On early cars, the entry level used Subaru Impreza would be the LX, this had power steering, an adjustable steering wheel and internal headlamp adjustment.

The GL would get a bit more equipment such as central locking, electric windows and mirrors, a rev counter, driver’s seat height adjustment and a radio/cassette player.

The 2.0 Sport has a front spoiler with integral fog lamps, electric windows, and mirrors also abs brakes.

Then there are the Special Turbo editions which include:

Turbo Series McRae: sunroof, gold alloys, low profile tyres, special cloth interior (June 95).

Turbo Catalunya: gold alloys, black mica paint, air conditioning, special interior (March 97).

Turbo Terzo: blue mica paint, gold alloy wheels, air conditioning, upgraded remote locking alarm and immobiliser system, embossed carpet mats (March 98).

Turbo RB5: 218 bhp blue steel metallic paint, high-intensity driving lamps, 17" six-spoke titanium finish alloy wheels, low-profile tyres.

Turbo Prodrive RB5: 240 bhp a unique rear spoiler. Sport Special (June 2000), black or yellow with colour-keyed bodywork and air conditioning.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of buying a used subaru impreza. Share your new understanding about a used subaru impreza with others. They'll thank you for it.