1997 Subaru Impreza

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$13,795

starting MSRP

1997 Subaru Impreza

Key specs

Base trim shown

Coupe

Body style

5

Seating capacity

172.2” x 55.5”

Dimensions

All-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

4 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 1997 Subaru Impreza trim comparison will help you decide.

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1997 Subaru Impreza review: Our expert's take

By

It seems as though everybody is getting into the “sport” vehicle business these days.

Subaru, not to be left on the starting grid, joins the fray with a 1997 Impreza Outback Sport Wagon.

As Subaru’s newest offering in the sport-wagon class, this vehicle comes with some different marketing goals in mind and some different design features.

“They are going after a little more active person,” said Ron Vanags, vice president and general manager of Speedway Subaru. “It’s designed for younger people who want something like a car but still want the utility of a van or truck with all-wheel drive.”

On the design front, the biggest difference is Subaru’s horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine

Subaru was a pioneer on the American market about 25 years ago with a wagon that used a horizontally opposed “boxer” type engine that functioned in conjunction with four-wheel drive. The concept is retained today, but in a much more sophisticated form.

Subaru’s all-wheel drive and flat-4 are standard fare for the Outback Sport, and gives the wagon all-season-go- anywhere capabilities.

The Sport has received new exterior styling cues, new interior styling, more power for improved performance, and a new 12-volt power cargo outlet.

The Sport is based upon a shortened Subaru Legacy chassis. Engineering dropped the wheelbase from the Legacy’s 103.5 inches down to 99.2 inches. Overall length has been shortened to 172.2 inches from the Legacy Wagon’s 185.8 inches.

This knocks off more than 300 pounds from the Legacy chassis, with the Sport weighing in at 2,835 pounds in five- speed manual transmission form. If you want an automatic, the weight goes up to 2,9l5 pounds.

This lighter weight produces some performance pizzaz, with the vehicle’s 2.2-liter (136-cubic-inch) flat-4 developing 137- horsepower and 145 foot-pound of torque. The single overhead cam, 16-valve, boxer-style engine has its own gutty little roar, letting you know that it’s ready to zip through the snow or up the side of the mountain.

How quickly you want to zip depends upon whether you’re running a manual gearbox or an automatic. Of interest is that, while most everything today is going automatic, Subaru’s five-speed is still finding favor.

“I’d say it’s just about 50/50,” Vanags said.

I’d say the automatic will be a little easier to drive in hazardous going. The Sport will be a hard vehicle to bog down, for its standard equipment is 205/60 SR 15 all-season radial tires and 6-by-15-inch wheels. This 15-inch rubber gets a good bite on slippery surfaces to keep everything moving forward.

Generally speaking, wagons come in all forms and shapes. It is not easy to style aerodynamic lines around a compact vehicle without sacrificing interior space.

On balance, I would say the Sport represents a pretty slick styling job. A new front hood, hood scoop, grille, bumper and spoiler create curving frontal lines that blend in with the rear end.

Bearing an EPA classification of small statio n wagon, the Sport is a five-passenger vehicle that has a respectable 43.1 inches of legroom in front. Like all small vehicles on a short wheelbase, rear seat legroom is somewhat restricted. It has 32.4 inches available in the back, and the cabin space offers 85 cubic feet of passenger volume.

For a compact, the Sport has a wide range of standard support equipment and convenience items, like air, stereo, power accessories, defoggers, tilt steering column, intermittent front and rear wipers, a vanity mirror, storage bins, cup holders, and dual airbags.

Options are limited to a CD player, cruise control, alloy wheels and a rear spoiler.

All this is generally the province of some fairly expensive automobiles, but with the Sport, it’s included in the five-speed $17,995 sticker price. The automatic increases the price by $800.

Consumer reviews

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 3.4
  • Interior 3.2
  • Performance 4.1
  • Value 4.8
  • Exterior 3.9
  • Reliability 5.0

Most recent consumer reviews

5.0

Perfect Choice...overall

If you want something fun to drive, have all wheel drive then the 1997 Subaru Impreza is a great choice. I own one to this day. When I bought the Impreza, it had 109,700 miles on it...NOW IT HAS OVER 230K! So far I do the usual. Oil changes, tire rotations, etc. The major problems were replacing the fuel system and catalyst. Other than that, my 1997 Impreza has not given up! Hope it makes the 300K mile mark!

5.0

An amazing reliable ugly little car!! Loved it!

I owned a 97 subaru outback sport for about 4 years while in college full time and also had two jobs.I therefore was always in a hurry and with no time for anything else.I pretty much abused my subie but this car could not break down!When I did go for maintenance I always asked the mechanics ..."are you sure nothing is wrong ?" and they would always confirm that it was a sturdy vehicle.Watch out though ,it handles the snow very well and this gives one too much confidence.Its not a looker but its definately the best car i've ever owned so far without a doubt!

4.0

Not the best car ever, but good for the money

I have owned a 1997 outback sport for over a year now. It has been good. I got a really good deal on it, so I can't complain too much. Given the choice of using the cash for a down payment on a nicer car and just buying this car, I would go for the old Impreza. It really has gotten me through college with only routing maintenance, and a little more than average gas price. Only recently have I had to even consider fixing routine items like a clutch or a timing belt. The only mechanical trouble I have had is with the steering rack, everything else is good to go. By the way, I autocross, and am not very subtle in my driving technique. I have abused this car, but it is fantastic in defending itself. Handling is good, but can be improved with some cheap, easy to install parts. The interior is the worst, though. I really can't fit more than 2 adult friends in the thing. Also, if you plan on driving fast the seats will need to be swapped for some race stuff. I did it on the cheap and it looks good and feels great. The engine is beefier than a stock honda, but a wrx implant is choice. If you live somewhere with snow, the drivetrain layout makes for a safe, and even fun, winter drive. Of course braking on ice is the same on every car, so don't get over confident like I have in the past. Finally, the wheels are ugly, and need to be changed no matter what. However, be careful. I bought wheels with too big of an offset, and the tires rub on the wells. It takes a lot of work to get big wheels and tires to fit. I did it, but they still rub once and while on big dips.

See all 5 consumer reviews

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Subaru
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
5 years/80,000 miles
Basic warranty terms
Coverage available for purchase
Powertrain
7 years/100,000
Dealer certification required
152-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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