Should I trade in my Impreza for a Mazda RX-8?

I have a 2003 Subaru Impreza 1.6 petrol saloon 4wd with approx 170,000 miles on the clock and an NCT until next March. I am looking around at the moment at other cars, and the Mazda RX-8 is taking my fancy. Just wondering would I be able to cut a deal with a dealer to sell my Impreza, whether it would be worth anything to me?

David Tuohy (Wexford)

Apr 2013 Filed under: used car values

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Expert answer

Hi David,

We reckon the Impreza (and what a cracking car that was) should be worth between €2,000 - €3,000 to you, but getting a dealer to take it as a trade-in could be tricky - at least if you want to get the best price for it. It basically depends on the dealer in question. You might be better off going through the Irish Subaru Drivers' Club (http://www.isdc.ie) and seeing if one of its members is in the market for a car like yours. Subaru's appeal is still something of a niche thing and preaching to the converted may help you get a better price.

Whatever, it'll be worth it to get your hands on an RX-8. It's still one of the most fun, and coolest, cars we've driven in years and the day it went out of production (just recently) left more than a couple of damp eyes around here. Remind us to tell you some time about a late run across a deserted North Wales to catch the Hollyhead ferry in a 192hp RX-8...

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D