2012 Subaru Impreza — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2012 Subaru Impreza

The 2012 Impreza with the 2.0L naturally aspirated boxer engine and 5-speed manual transmission rewards drivers who like steering feel and predictable handling on twisty roads; the symmetrical all-wheel drive comes standard on most trims, so you're not paying extra for winter traction like you would in a Honda Civic. Owners in snow-heavy regions specifically praise how the car tracks straight without drama.

Common complaints and known issues

Head gasket failure is the signature 2012 Impreza problem, typically surfacing between 80k and 140k miles with white smoke from the exhaust and coolant loss; Subaru issued recalls but many independent shops report seeing it even on maintained examples. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in automatic models shows hesitation and shuddering around 100k miles, and replacement is expensive. Dashboard plastic cracks easily on sun-exposed vehicles after five years.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $9,500–$12,500. 80k–140k miles: $7,000–$10,000. Over 140k miles: $5,000–$7,500. Manual transmissions command $500–$1,000 premiums over automatics in the same mileage band. Accident history, rust underneath (common in rust-belt states), and maintenance records showing head gasket work drop prices 15–25 percent.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.