Used Subaru Impreza Saloon 1993 - 2003 review

Let's get the show-stopper out of the way first. The flagship Turbo/WRX models (the badging system depends on what age car you buy) are sensational. The all-wheel-drive chassis is sublime, handling is phenomenal, acceleration is awe-inspiring. You will reach your limits before the car does. However, the rest of the range has lots to recommend it, too. All Imprezas are grippy, quick, fun to drive and practical.

However, interior design isn't Subaru's strong suit, and the cabin looks a bit plasticky and cheap. If you can get over that, the build quality is good, the layout is logical and the driver's seating position is comfortable. The saloon's boot has a wide opening, but the intrusion of the suspension means it's not like that all the way back. Room in the rear isn't great, with the best small family cars providing at least as much space.

Opt for one of the performance variants, and it's not going to be a cheap experience. The car's pedigree means it needs plenty of love and affection, so be prepared for costly servicing.

Make sure the servicing schedule has been followed to the letter. Our advice is to find out the facts before you buy. There are plenty of enthusiast groups on the internet that offer a great mine of information.

Insurance starts at group 10 for the 1.6-litre car and run up to group 20, depending on which model you're going to buy. Fuel bills will be high, with mpg figures usually somewhere in the 20-30 bracket - the power output of your car will be the deciding factor.

The best advice about repairs is to try not to crash because the bills are notoriously huge. More mainstream models are less expensive, but with no diesels you're never going to get more than 32mpg on any car.

In 1998, the Impreza went through its biggest change since it arrived in the UK five years earlier. This included a completely revised interior, with the addition of a standard passenger airbag, new seats and a Momo steering wheel. Power still came from a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, however.

There were more tweaks each year as the Impreza evolved to reach cult status in the UK. A host of special-edition cars were also launched, including the P1 and RB5 in 1999. In late 2000, a front-end makeover resulted in the much-criticised Ôbug-eyed' model, and at the same time the Turbo name was dumped in favour of WRX. A redesign 12 months later created another new nose, and more annual revisions have followed.

If you're not interested in outrageous performance, the 2.0-litre R is the base model, and performs well. It will still hit 60mph in 8.5 seconds.