• Our Opinion

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Its sheer performance for the money.

We Don't Like:

Not the last word in refinement... but who cares!

Any car company serious about its profile has an image building model - something special that showcases the marque's ability to produce an exciting car as well as bread and butter models. Holden has its HSV connection and Ford has Tickford to produce its special vehicles, raising the Commodore and Falcon above the mundane. In Japan, Toyota with its Celica GT4 and Subaru with the Impreza WRX have produced flagship models with a performance image that tells the public the company can build seriously competitive cars. Not surprisingly, many of these top line models are used in motor sport competition. The Subaru WRX was developed to win the World Rally Championship and succeeded in doing so against the might of Ford and Toyota. Although the cars that win world championship rallies are highly modified, the base car must be available to the public in sufficient numbers to be a serious market competitor and the WRX is such a car.

The Subaru WRX is based on the standard Impreza and is available as a four-door sedan or five-door hatch. Although the Impreza comes in two or four-wheel drive versions, the WRX is only available in all-wheel drive. It has a turbocharged, twin overhead cam, 2.0-litre, four- cylinder engine, five-speed manual gearbox driving all four wheels, four wheel disc brakes, all independent suspension, larger wheels and tyres and an impressive array of extra equipment. The powerful engine is a flat four boxer design, turbocharged with intercooler to cool the inlet air for the engine and improve efficiency. The five-speed gearbox - no auto available - has a high fifth gear for quiet and economical fast touring, although the car will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in a rapid 7.4 seconds. The suspension is by MacPherson struts, coil springs and anti- roll bars while the brakes are power-assisted discs all round - ventilated at the front - with an anti-lock system. Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion with 2.9 turns lock to lock. Wheels are 15 inch, shod originally with 205 / 55 series Michelin radials.

Inside, the Impreza has cloth-covered seats which do not offer particularly good support for a sporty sedan, although the rear seats are more comfortable. Looking through the attractive four-spoke steering wheel there is a speedo, tachometer and fuel and temperature gauges, with electric window controls handily placed on the door near the right hand. Radio and twist-type ventilation controls are mounted in the centre console. Level of finish is high. Outside, the WRX is obvious by its large air inlets at the front encompassing a pair of fog lamps, bonnet air scoop and rear spoiler integral with the boot lid. Appearance is purposeful but understated. The standard equipment list includes anti-lock brakes, air- conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, power steering/mirrors/windows and a radio/cassette player. The WRX is at its best when being used hard. It is a sporty car and the very impressive engine performance is matched by secure handling, powerful brakes and superb traction thanks to the all- wheel drive system. The ride is firm and the steering, although light at low speeds, gives good road feel. With its enormous mid-range torque, the WRX is a rapid point to point car.

Subaru has an excellent record for reliability but have a prospective buy checked over thoroughly as these cars are prone to be driven hard by young and enthusiastic owners. Wear in the suspension joints, heat marked brake discs, worn clutch and scuffed tyres are all signs the car has been driven hard. The Subaru Impreza WRX is a wolf in sheep's clothing. While not as flamboyant in appearance as some of its rivals, it offers impressive performance while at the same time having an excellent equipment specification - the ideal compromise between high performance and practicality.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Check the car's value and determine how much you want to pay. Use the Completed Listings search option to get an idea of how much a similar model has sold for recently.

• Check if the car is covered by eBay Australia's Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Ask for a test drive or consider getting a History Check or a Vehicle Inspection if you can't inspect the car yourself.

• Read the description carefully. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs. Classified Ads are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• Cars listed by Sellers with a feedback rating less than 0 are not covered by a Vehicle Purchase Protection program.

• Some car dealers may have a low feedback rating because classified ads do not generate ads. But they will have a icon next to their user name.

• Depending on the car, some car dealers provide a limited warranty. Do they offer a warranty on the car you are buying? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, you may be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program

• Vehicle Purchase Protection: When you buy a car online through eBay Motors, you may be covered for up to $20,000 of FREE Vehicle Purchase Protection insurance*.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.

The content of this guide is licensed from GoAuto © 2006