2008 · Subaru · Impreza 2.5i
Subaru Impreza 2.5i
AWD sedan, automatic, 4 doors. Built in Japan (Ota). Not on the market right now — last seen for sale in 2019.
2.5L H4 · 4 cyl
AWD
Automatic
27 / 36 mpg
5 seats
Last listed
$5,995
2019 · 95,856 mi · Saint Paul, MN
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1 / 7
At a glance
Solid winter commuter, if the underbody's clean and the recalls were done.
Reliability is average, but it's cheap to own and it crashes well. Rust is the real enemy here, not the engine. The one bill that can really hurt is the head gasket.
Why: Clean title, no theft record, 15 recalls (4 are safety-critical, including the Takata airbag), 5/5 front and side crash scores, $653 a year to run. The catch is the 17% severe-repair odds and the head gasket ($1,400–$2,500+).
Reliability
3.5 / 5
33rd of 36 compact cars
Annual upkeep
$653
Compact avg $526
Title check
Clean
No salvage · no theft record
Severe repair odds
17%
Compact avg 11%
1 Is the price right?
Where this car sits against 38 real 2008 Impreza 2.5i sedans currently listed (Marketcheck).
Comparable market (38 cars)median $5,969 · median 152k mi
Not listed today. Last seen 2019 at $5,995 / 95,856 mi. Today's value is driven by condition, not the 2019 price.
Guide value (vehicle-databases, priced as 2.5i AWD — note it assumes manual; this car is automatic):
| Condition | Trade-in | Private party | Dealer retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | $1,532 | $3,208 | $4,221 |
| Clean | $1,439 | $2,978 | $3,876 |
| Average | $1,283 | $2,595 | $3,301 |
| Rough | $1,081 | $2,096 | $2,554 |
Realistic today: $1,500–$3,500 unless unusually clean. The 2019 price is history.
2 Where it's been
The full sales history on record — and what the data can and can't tell you.
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Sep 7 → Oct 29, 2019$5,995 · Vera Auto SalesSaint Paul / White Bear Lake, MN · 95,856 miles11 years old at 95,856 mi ≈ 8,700 mi/yr. Normal daily-commuter use. Price held steady for 2 months — the seller wasn't desperate.
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NowNot listed for saleNo active listing. Consistent with you owning it.UNKNOWN: owners, crashes, recall fixes, maintenance. Nothing before 2019 is in free data — needs a Carfax.
3 What breaks
Most-reported problems for this model year, with the cause and what the fix runs.
1
Front O2 sensor recall (program WXW-80)
Sensor element cracks, trips the check engine light. A Subaru service program, not a government recall.
2
Misfires — improved spark plug wires
Ignition coil builds carbon tracks; wires, coils and plugs usually changed together.
3
Check engine light — knock sensor
Knock sensor fails intermittently while driving; often tests fine when checked.
4
Head gasket failure
Cooling system issues stress the 2.5L head gasket. Subaru's 8yr/100k extension is long expired for a 2008.
5
ABS control module (TSB)
Module fails; now sold separately instead of the whole hydraulic unit.
6
Front grinding when turning (AWD)
Low diff/transfer fluid, worn CV joints/axles, or transfer-clutch binding.
4 Recalls to check
15 model-year recalls from NHTSA. The VIN-level lookup returned nothing for this VIN — a tool limit, not proof it's clear. Confirm with a Subaru dealer (free).
| Campaign | Component | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 20V-001 / 002 / 003 | Passenger airbag inflator (Takata) | Metal fragments — serious |
| 17V-014 / 016 / 026, 16V-358 / 359 | Passenger airbag inflator (regional) | Same inflator risk |
| 19V-149 | Brake light switch | Brake lights may not come on |
| 19V-297 | Ignition switch | Engine may shut off |
| 14V-311 / 14V-830 | Brake hoses (salt states) | Brake risk in rust states |
| 16V-738 / 08V-460 | Turbo engines only | Likely not your 2.5i — verify |
| 09E-011 | Thule roof-rack kit (aftermarket) | Only if installed |
5 What to check before you buy
- VIN check with a Subaru dealer — confirm open recalls (airbag, brake light) and whether they were done. Free.
- Carfax / AutoCheck — the only way to learn owner count, crash history, maintenance.
- Cold start — listen for knocking, rough idle, smoke.
- Check engine light — must be off and stay off. Read codes with a $20 OBD-II scanner.
- Coolant & oil cross-check — oil in coolant or coolant in oil = head-gasket warning (the expensive one).
- Low-speed turning — listen for grinding with AWD engaged.
- Underbody rust — in Minnesota, brake-line/rust condition matters as much as the engine.
- Pre-purchase inspection — $183–$269 at an independent shop.
2013 · Ford · F-150 Platinum
Ford F-150 Platinum
4WD crew-cab pickup, 5.0L V8, automatic. Built in the USA. On the lot right now in Minnesota.
5.0L V8 · 8 cyl
4WD
Automatic
24 / 27 mpg
5 seats
Asking now
$5,000
262,260 mi · MN Motors & Sports, Saint Cloud
At a glance
Cheap, but 262,000 miles is the whole story. This is a project, not a bargain.
$5,000 sits below every comparable and even below the guide's "Rough" floor. That's the market telling you this truck has been used hard.
Why: Clean title and no theft record, but the price is below the cheapest of 40 comparable trucks ($5,950) and below the $8,559 "Rough" guide floor. It added 210k miles in 8 years (about 26k a year), it has two transmission recalls, and the price has been cut twice in 10 weeks.
Reliability
3.5 / 5
7th of 17 fullsize trucks
Annual upkeep
$788
Truck avg $936
Title check
Clean
No salvage · no theft record
Severe repair odds
15%
Truck avg 18%
1 Is the price right?
Where this truck sits against 40 real 2013 F-150 Platinum listings (Marketcheck).
Comparable market (40 cars)median $15,466 · median 162k mi
This truck: $5,000 — below the cheapest comparable ($5,950) and below even the "Rough" guide floor ($8,559).
Guide value (vehicle-databases, priced as Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew):
| Condition | Trade-in | Private party | Dealer retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | $11,291 | $13,725 | $15,170 |
| Clean | $10,725 | $12,969 | $14,262 |
| Average | $9,784 | $11,710 | $12,747 |
| Rough | $8,559 | $10,073 | $11,151 |
Heads up: the guide prices this as a Platinum, but at 262,260 miles it's past what these valuation models really cover. So the guide numbers are the shaky side of this comparison, not the $5,000. The low price reflects the miles, not a hidden deal.
2 Where it's been
Every time this exact truck has been seen for sale — with the story between the lines.
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Nov 2017 → Feb 2018$30,876 → $29,480 · Lundeen Bros FordAnnandale, MN · 52,472 mi. A 4-year-old Platinum at normal dealer pricing.Two small cuts ($578, $818) over 3 months with the odometer unmoved = a dealer trimming an unsold car. Ordinary, not evidence of a fault.
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2018 → 2026Off the public marketNext seen 8.3 years later with a different seller.[inferred] Sold to a heavy-use owner. +209,788 miles in ~8 years ≈ 26,000/yr — typical of a highway work truck.
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May → Aug 2026$6,500 → $6,000 → $5,000 · MN Motors & SportsSaint Cloud, MN · 262,260 mi. 23% cut over 75+ days on the lot.Cut twice in 10 weeks = it's sitting. Most likely market pressure — a 13-year-old 262k-mile truck is hard to sell.UNKNOWN: owner count, crashes, whether the transmission recall was fixed, service history. Marketcheck could not confirm clean title or 1-owner. Get the Carfax.
3 What breaks
Most-reported problems for this model year, with the cause and what the fix runs.
1
Little or no heat in cabin
Usually a failed blend-air-door actuator; also check coolant level, thermostat, heater-core flow.
2
Rough idle
EGR sensor sticks, holding the EGR valve open. Valve and sensor replaced together.
3
Spark plug ejection (TSB)
V8 head threads are too short/soft; a plug can blow out and damage the head. Ford has a repair TSB.
4
Exhaust manifolds crack
Manifolds warp from heat — ticking noise, usually passenger side. Needs replacement.
5
Oil pan gasket leak
Gasket leaks; oil can burn on the exhaust (burning smell).
6
Blower motor only on high
Failing blower-motor resistor, behind the glove box.
7
Water leak, high-mount brake light
Gasket warps, water soaks the headliner. New gasket/light or silicone fixes it.
8
CEL after hesitation / stalling
Mass airflow (MAF) sensor fails on the Triton V8.
9
Coolant smell, no visible leak
Heater tube under the intake manifold leaks; coolant burns on the engine. Intake removal needed.
10
A/C fan speed swings
Fan-speed control unit fails on automatic climate (Platinum has it).
4 Recalls to check
Model-year recalls from NHTSA. The VIN-level lookup returned nothing for this VIN — a tool limit, not proof it's clear. Confirm with a Ford dealer (free).
| Campaign | Component | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 19V-075 | Transmission control module (6-speed auto) | May downshift to 1st while driving |
| 19V-433 | Transmission / PCM software (5.0L & 6.2L) | This truck has the 5.0L — likely affected |
| 16V-345 | Brake master cylinder (3.5L only) | Likely not this truck — verify |
The two transmission recalls matter here (5.0L + 6-speed auto). Ask the dealer for proof they were done.
5 What to check before you buy
- VIN check with a Ford dealer — confirm open recalls and whether the transmission recall was done. Free.
- Carfax / AutoCheck — Marketcheck could NOT confirm clean title or 1-owner. Get the real report.
- Transmission test — drive it hard: upshifts, downshifts, no flare, no clunk, no 1st-gear surprise.
- Cold start + check engine light — listen for knocking/ticking; codes with a $20 OBD-II scanner.
- Heat test — cabin heat must blow hot on all vents (top complaint: no heat).
- Under-truck check — oil pan gasket, exhaust manifolds, brake fluid leaks, frame rust.
- Compression / leak-down test — at 262k miles this is the best money you'll spend.
- Independent inspection — $300+ before you commit.
2006 · Acura · TSX
Acura TSX
FWD sedan, 2.4L I4, automatic, 4 doors. Built in Japan. Not on the market right now — last seen in 2022.
2.4L I4 · 4 cyl
FWD
Automatic
23 / 32 mpg
Premium fuel
Last listed
$9,997
2022 · 107,274 mi · Bloomington, MN
At a glance
The most reliable of the three — if it's been maintained.
4.5 out of 5 for reliability, cheap to own, low odds of a big repair, clean title, no theft record. Test the cold-start rattle and the brake pedal hardest.
Why: Clean title, no theft record, 4.5/5 (2nd of 31 luxury midsize cars), $415 a year to run, only 6% chance of a severe repair. The catch: it's 20 years old now, so condition and rust decide today's value, not the 2022 price.
Reliability
4.5 / 5
2nd of 31 luxury midsize cars
Annual upkeep
$415
Luxury avg $739 — excellent
Title check
Clean
No salvage · no theft record
Severe repair odds
6%
Luxury avg 12% — low
1 Is the price right?
Where this car sits against 32 real 2006 TSX listings (Marketcheck).
Comparable market (32 cars)median $7,888 · median 160k mi
Not listed today. Last seen 2022 at $9,997 / 107,274 mi — above today's median for far fewer miles.
Guide value (vehicle-databases, priced as Base — note it assumes manual; this car is automatic):
| Condition | Trade-in | Private party | Dealer retail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding | $1,845 | $3,032 | $3,735 |
| Clean | $1,726 | $2,815 | $3,441 |
| Average | $1,530 | $2,453 | $2,951 |
| Rough | $1,274 | $1,983 | $2,313 |
A 20-year-old TSX today usually sells well below $9,997 unless it's unusually clean.
2 Where it's been
Every time this exact car has been seen for sale. Six records, all from Sep–Oct 2022, same mileage throughout.
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Sep 23, 2022$17,935 · LutherSaint Louis Park, MN · 107,274 miInitial list price. 16 years old at 107,274 mi ≈ 6,700 mi/yr — light use.
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Sep 30 → Oct 2, 2022$9,997 · Luther / BloomingtonRepriced down $7,938 in one week at the same 107,274 miles.A 44% drop in a week with zero miles added usually means the first price was simply too high — not that the car broke.
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NowNot listed for saleNo active listing.UNKNOWN: owners, crashes, whether the power-steering/engine-start recalls were done, maintenance. Needs a Carfax.
3 What breaks
Most-reported problems for this model year, with the cause and what the fix runs.
1
Loud rattle after cold start
Faulty valve timing control (VTC) actuator. Replacing it corrects it.
2
Nav / entertainment screen lights fail
Failed circuit board in the audio display unit. Warranty extension was for 2004 only, not 2006.
3
Soft / low brake pedal
Faulty VSA modular control unit. Bleeding or a new master cylinder often does NOT fix it — the VSA unit does.
4
Check engine light, code P2422
Spider webs in the EVAP vent hose. Acura sells a spring to install in the hose.
5
Engine oil leak
Oil pressure sensor leaks from normal operation. Reseal or replace.
6
ABS light, brake vibration / grind
Seized brake caliper. Replace caliper, pads, and rotor together or the vibration returns.
4 Recalls to check
Model-year recalls from NHTSA. The VIN-level lookup returned nothing for this VIN — a tool limit, not proof it's clear. Confirm with an Acura dealer (free).
| Campaign | Component | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| 13V-093 | Engine / engine cooling (rust states) | Engine may start unexpectedly |
| 10V-174 | Power steering hose | Leak may catch fire |
| 19E-068 | Dorman accelerator pedal (aftermarket) | Only if that part is installed |
| 06V-270 | Owner's manual (NHTSA contact info) | Paperwork only |
5 What to check before you buy
- VIN check with an Acura dealer — confirm open recalls (power steering hose, engine-start) and whether they were done. Free.
- Carfax / AutoCheck — the only way to learn owner count, crash history, maintenance.
- Cold start — listen for the VTC actuator rattle. Should not clatter for more than a couple seconds.
- Brake pedal test — pedal must be firm, not soft or low. VSA unit failure is the expensive fix.
- Check engine light — must be off and stay off. Read codes (watch for P2422).
- Screen & switch lights — entertainment/nav and HVAC backlights should all work.
- Oil leak check — oil pressure sensor leaks and any burning smell.
- Brake vibration test — no pulsing pedal or grinding (seized caliper).
- Pre-purchase inspection — ~$150–$225 at an independent shop.