The first generation Impreza was sold from 1993 until 2001. It was sold as a 2 door coupe, 4 door sedan, and 5 door station wagon. Front wheel drive was standard for the first few years of production. Those cars are the only front wheel drive Imprezas that you will find, ever. The standard engine was a rather small 1.8 liter H4 making 110 horsepower. The 2.0 liter engine making 208 horsepower was available on the sportier models, a huge upgrade over the standard model engine.
The Subaru Technica Intenational Impreza was introduced to Japan and Europe in 1994. Also known as the Impreza STi, it would become a staple of the Subaru brand in later generations.
The second generation Impreza was sold from 2002 until 2007. This would be the generation that would seen the introduction of the turbocharged WRX and the even higher performance Subaru Impreza WRX STi. This top sports car of the Subaru brand was given a 2.5 liter H4 engine making a whopping 300 horsepower. Considering the size of this car, that's an amazing power output, and performance was impressive, to say the least. Although clearly made for performance, it also is more refined that its main competitor, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, which lacks the cushioning suspension that makes rides on regular paved roads more comfortable.
The third generation saw a major design change to the Impreza. The STi was delayed and did not debut with the rest of the third generation in 2007. Instead, it was first sold to the public in early 2008.
The Impreza is a popular car on the used car market. I managed to find a great deal on mine at a local dealer who I've been friends with for many years. Without that connection, I probably would have just bought one off eBay. I'm already looking on eBay for my next Impreza, which I hope to buy in the next couple of years.
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