Sporty Subarus from £3500 - used car buying guide

For years it was the unsung hero of motoring, let alone Subaru’s range. A decade on and a Legacy saloon is a steal.

The Legacy does everything well in a manner that’s as modest and unassuming as the car looks. The handling is great and the steering is accurate and responsive.

The 3.0-litre petrol Spec B is the muscle of the Legacy range. Delivering 241bhp, and with the help of all-wheel drive, it’ll get to 60mph in 8.2sec.

Servicing intervals are reasonable, but repair bills can be high. Watch out for engine issues, ventilation failures and clutch and gearbox problems. A 2005 Spec B with 37,000 miles can be found for less than £4500.

3 - Subaru Impreza 2.0 WRX (2003-2007)

Subaru’s second attempt at the Impreza came with a divisive frog-eyed front end, rectified by a hastily launched facelift.

The Mk2 is an impressive performance car. It’s rapid, with 221bhp rocketing the four-door from standstill to 60mph in 5.6sec. Mated to a four-wheel drive system, top-notch steering and excellent handling, the car really excels. It’s roomy and well made, too, but the cabin is drab, with lots of plastic on show.

Running costs are on a par with a small mortgage. Tyres and brakes wear quickly, insurance is high and economy is in supercar territory. Breakdowns and failures, however, are rare.

A super-quick, 65,000-mile frog-eyed car can be yours for around £3500.

4 - Subaru Forester XT Turbo (2003-2008)

Did Subaru get to the crossover market too early with the Forester? Not a normal estate, not a full-on 4x4, it didn’t catch people’s imagination as it might. Nevertheless, it’s a unique ownership proposition, especially in XT Turbo form.

The high-riding, all-wheel-drive estate rides smoothly, has good handling and is fast, with a 2.5-litre engine that propels it to 60mph from rest in just 5.7sec.

Cabin quality isn’t the best and it’s not the roomiest, but it will cope with some muddy stuff, while carrying the family. As with most Subarus, it’s generally reliable, but clutches and driveshafts can give out at around 60,000 miles.

Ten-year-old cars with 70,000 miles are on forecourts from £5000.

5 - Subaru Impreza P1 (1992-2003)