The Most Reliable Subaru Wagon EVER Made

Discover why the 1998 Subaru Impreza L GC Wagon is a hidden gem in the Subaru lineup. With its legendary EJ22 2.2L single overhead cam boxer engine, this station wagon defies Subaru’s mixed reputation for reliability. Known for outlasting its siblings like the WRX or STI, this GC Impreza has a rally pedigree and simplicity that car enthusiasts love.

Find out what makes it so reliable, what maintenance tips you should know (like keeping up with the timing belt and watching for coil pack issues), and why these wagons are often overlooked. Let me know in the comments—would you take on a build like this?

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#BendagasGarage

[bendaga]

Thanks for stopping by 🚗💨 What’s your experience with Subarus—are they as reliable as people say? Let me know what you think in the comments. 👇🔧


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[olegsandr_p]

I frequently see a blob-eye generation of this car in my town. It's being used by local military squadron. I think that tells something about reliability of those cars!

[unicronneedsfood]

One of the teachers at my highschool has a base model impreza sedan that he's daily driven for over 30 years and it has miles on it because he does the required service and it makes me happy

[ThomasP]

I actually own a 99 Impreza Outback Wagon. Timing tensioner seized up and shredded the likely original timing belt at 176k. To my surprise after messing with it and putting a new belt and timing it started and had no bent valves. Its still driving around to this day

[julianbriceno]

I am from Colombia and I own a 93 Subaru Impreza GC, it's got a EJ16 engine and the truth is that I've never had major problems with it.

[aynun]

Subarus have honestly been nothing but amazing to me, I’ve done so much to every single one I have had and they never quit, maybe a clutch here and there but if I’m taking the engine out it’s a perfect chance to do all maintenance I was going to do anyways. Subwoofer setups, overlanding, drifting, and genuinely just a fun time in a snowy parking lot.

[jonsilvestro]

I've got one, 460k with frankly poor maintenance and it runs great, these things are legit, super bulletproof engines.

[DaewooFestiva]

these and the first and second gen legacys are so reliable, ive got a $900 legacy outback wagon with 266, 000 miles on it and its showing no signs of dying anytime soon despite the check engine light being on.

[jarrynsmith]

One of the best sounding subie engines my friend used to have a old school legacy with the ej22

[trevorboheler]

I love old wagons, and especially subaru. One of my dream cars is a legacy outback wagon, built to be a cross country car with offroad capabilities

[Nkb]

On god. I have a gc sedan with an Ej22 in it, and it's the most reliable car I've ever had. Unfortunately, it is rusting away, but i do plan to fix it. If you want to get a subie you can rely on, avoid the early ej251-3. Later ej25s ej20s, and ej22s especially will never die if you dont try to kill them

[AceTheThreat]

First gen Imprezas are some of the best vehicles ever made, great handling, light, reliable, and durable. They don't get the gas mileage of comparable fwd cars, but when its's winter or the roads turn to gravel that doesnt matter.

[ikupreza]

ooh, i was waiting for one of these!
ive got a 2000 OBS, 242k on the clock and still going strong

[Drayman]

I wanted to get my grandmothers 98 Impreza wagon, 5-speed, 300k miles but she took it in to get fully serviced all the time. Though I ended up getting something similar to remember her by

[jeffjefferson]

i really want a gc subaru. i had a gd as my first car, i beat the piss out of it and it just kept going. super good winter cars and super fun backroads car. i miss sliding sideways lol.

[sidlazzar]

I bought a clean 98 stock black one in November. Super high mileage but I got it for cheap. Wanna battle wagon it. Like yours mine got stolen since I live downtown Tacoma. Thankfully was recovered, definitely a homeless person. These are really fun although I’m dealing with a leak in the trunk

[plezo]

I have a 97 impreza wagon things awesome.

[maxa]

exposed headbolts = non-interference, not all98s are interference

[LuisJaybrianaManaloCamacho]

My grandma had one of these back in the day. She said the motor gave out at 250, 000 miles

[angeloamaral]

Some guy at my local area made a drift GC8 sedan! It goes quite well