Handling and roadholding is remarkable Almost as good in the wet as the dry Very fast. Motor is awesome once the revs get up Driving position, seats, controls, gearbox, headlights. Taut but not harsh suspension. Practical for such a fast car. Seats four in comfort, good sized boot etc. You get a great and fast car for not too many $$ The STI is vastly better than the standard WRX. Drive one when they come to the US - you won't regret it.

Seats apart, interior is a bit low rent. Steering is vague around the straight ahead at low speeds. Takes a while to warm up, and is a bit of a pig on city streets. You get to know the staff at the local petrol station pretty well!!

A great car. Mines the latest STI - 280+hp, twin turbo, intercooler, variable valve timing, 17 inch wheels, LS diffs both ends, 6 speed, HID headlights, Brembo calipers, special seats etc. It cost me $55k NZ as a very low km import, which is about $26k US The car goes beautifully. Every time it's on the open road it's pure pleasure to drive. It's a driver's car, not one that you set the cruise on and switch the brain off and settle into vacant space. Too many of those drivers on the road already!!! The 4WD handling and roadholding, either wet or dry and no matter how bad the road surface is awesome. The power is amazing once the turbos spool up over about 3,000 rpm, the gearbox is short throw and precise. The driving position is great, the seats are brilliant, controls are all well set out. You can drive the Suby hard, and risk your licence, or burble along at 60-70 mph with no need to worry about slowing for corners, or space to pass that truck that's looming up soo quickly. On the open road gears 4-6 are all you need to get along rapidly and safely. Third is a toy for special occasions; second just for showing off. The suspension, although taut, settles at speed. The combination of the seats, suspension and driving position make the car really comfortable on long trips. At night the HID headlights turn night to day - brilliant white light, very good even on low beam. The brakes are terrific at stopping the car, although the ABS and EBD seem to cut in very early, leading to a bit of initial instability. So it drinks gas. You don't get performance like this without thirst. The short range is a bit of a pain though. The car's not so good around town. It takes a while to warm up, and the taut suspension gives it an overfirm ride on city streets. The steering is a bit too light at low speeds, and off boost the car is none too quick. But who cares when it's so great on the open road. And who buys a car like this to burble around town in.

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Ford Contour SVT - had the European equivalent of two of these. Nice cruising cars, but there's just no comparison with the STI. The Ford's just a car; the Subaru's an experience!!

AWd turbo dude, knowing theres AWD and a turbo, must you ask this question?

THe obvious, the interior is high quality Hyundai styling... What, no nitrous kit stock? Hey, where's the rally tires? Oh and one more thing, sunroof!

Badass. Period. Its great for places like here where it snows hard and where it also has beautiful summers. Well, there's quite a few of lame cars around here, nothing like out on the coasts, but uh, its nice to go from my 2001 TA to this because I get AWD and even though this car is 100 Horsepower less than my TA and no low end torque, it now makes the road more fun as I beat everyone, but I actually have to try now. Oh well, peace out.

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2001 Pontiac WS6 Trans Am 1999 Grand Am GT 1999 Dodge Neon Crap-o-la 1986 TOyota Cresida 1989 Acura Legend LS 1969 Camaro SS

Handling, speed, short throw shifter, AWD sticks around corners, price, easily modified, not many around

interior is average (looking at getting a $200 real aluminum dash kit though) noisy, doors are tinny sounding, paint sucks

This car is a blast to drive! Every day I get to work with a smile of satisfaction and pleasure on my face. People are really surprised at accelleration of this rocket. bottom line is moves. I just brought it to VIR speedway and ran it on the road coarse there. It was a blast. The mechanics there kept saying, "now this is a real car" as they were doing the tech inspection. by the way, it was a porsche event. I was more than able to keep up with everyone, and I've only got stock wheels. It can move through corners at blazing speeds. My instructor was really really impressed, as was I. I didn't expect it to perform like it did. When I dropped it into 4th around 90 it would lurch forward and jump to 130 in no time. Awesome with a capital A!!! I noticed that a lot of the instructor at VIR had, or planned to get, a WRX for the track. To add to there collection of course. CAn't wait to put on the vishnu stage 0 kit and be in the 4.5sec 0-60 class. stop reading this and go buy one already!

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audi TT, S2000

Real Driving Lights, Power, Handling, Seats, Short shift, Fuel Economy, Subaru reliabity & Price.

No heated Seats, thought the head lights would be brighter,

Excellent vehicle, purchased in Tampa and drove straight to IL, in 24 hours. Seats are awesome, no fatigue can be adjusted just right. I am not 6ft and most cars without power adjustments just never seem to fit right. Over the 1200 mile trip the car settled in, maybe it was my getting used to it, but what a blast. Had to use a lot of restraint to hold under 4000 RPM for the first 1000 miles but it will be worth it. Suspension not as harsh as previous reviews led me to believe. options: roof bars, alarm and Short Shift kit. S/S is very smooth makes a world of difference, I have one in the M3 and would have installed it if it wasn't already. Gas mileage averaged 25 mpg with a/c and got better as the trip progressed. Enthusiasm for the car is tempered by the fact that obviously the BMW & Audi cars have better fit and finish (I still own the M3) but you pay for it in terms of power -40/50HP, cash 7-8000 $'s more & wieght 400+ pounds. There is no other car in class with all of the factors including the anonymity of the Sportwagon.Combines all of the qualities I liked in the vehicles listed.

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2002 Grand Vitara 1990 Baretta GT 1988 BMW M3 1986 DODGE SHELBY

Handling performance AWD

Paint reliability 16in wheels on a performance car?

I have been very happy with the handling and performance of this car. It has been a blast to drive, once you get above 3000 rpm. And it functions well as an everyday comuter car. I have never owned a Subaru before and heard a lot about their reliability. I do have some complaints about the car though. Number one the paint sucks, it stratches very easily and I just cannot get a good shine from it. I have even taken it to a very good detailer that I know. Number two after having the car about two weeks the little ratchet device that holds the side rearview mirrors in place broke on the right side. This was fixed at the dealer since it is still under warranty. Number Three (and the worse) About two months ago I noticed a mildly loud mettalic konck when I started the car up one morning. This would go away after driving it for about a mile or so. But, it became progressively worse. To the point that it was occurring imtermittely most of the time I was driving it. Initially I took it to the dealer where I bought and believe it or not they said they did not hear anything. I ended up taking it to another dealer who informed me that there is a hydrolic tenser on the timing belt that had gone bad. Again this was replaced under warranty. Even though I really enjoy the car if I have another problem with it I'm selling it. I only have 11000 miles on the car and do not drive it that hard. I just am not real impressed with the reliability of the car.

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Toyota GTS AWD (great reliabilty) Acura Integra Type R

Fun and Fast Handling (beauty of all-wheel drive) Solidly Built (handles bad City roads) Lot of car for not a lot of dough

Uses Premium Gas A little small interior (but I'm 6'-4") No sunroof available (though some dealers will cut them in aftermarket)

I bought my silver WRX last November - I still get a big smile on my face when I come out my office door after a hard day, just itching for the drive home. I was hooked on the first curve of my first test drive when the sales person told me to "leave it in 3rd on this long turn up ahead and punch it." I had never driven an all-wheel drive sports car before - now I don't know if I will ever be able to drive a 2-wheel drive car again. I had read the reviews about the turbo lag - and all I have to say to those people is that you need to learn how to drive a turbo-charged car. It loves gas - lots of it. You have to keep the RPM's up - it ain't that hard. I probably only get 15 miles to the gallon in the City because I am in the turbo so much. On the other hand, I get 30 on the Highway (going over 80). Even thought it's only a 4-cylinder, it will go from 80 to 110 in a heartbeat (I've suprised many a Mustang). In almost a year of driving it, I have very few complaints. Personally, I like the looks of it - it is different, but who wants to drive the same car that everybody else has? I've been accosted at the store, the ATM, and even on the highway during rush hour by all sorts of people that say, "That car is cool." That's another great thing - you see very few of them on the road. The few that I've run in to and made eye contact with the driver, we just kind of nod and smile - like we are in some secret club. Maybe I should give the car a bad review so I don't see any more on the road? Nah, then who is going to give me a good race?

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None

everything but the stereo and first gear.

first gear is only to get you rolling, leaves you a little low for second.

As every one says this is a great car. the build quality is remarkable. no american cars feel this solid. Very well known is the turbo lag in first, but that is easily taken care of with some relativly cheap mods. the standard equipment is good(seeing as there are few options). i opted for the 17 inch wheels thanks to sugnificant dealer price reduction, which takes care of any fualt with the factory rubber. this car isnt a corrvette killer(not in stock form), but is much more than you can ask for in a simalarly priced car. the stereo sucks but that is the same for most factory systems. lack of a traction control system is good and bad, as the understeer can be scary when cornering reallllllllly hard. the suspension is very good its comfortable for cruising or cornering at 50. personaly i like the looks and have had many people come up just to ask what it is. this car is the super sleeper it can dust the 16 year old in his mustang or you can just go unnoticed by the same kid(its all up to you). road noise is ok, may be the bigger tires that add to it.in conclusion, you cant get more care for you money. if you want more car buy the wrx and mod it, you still wont get more performance for the money.

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99 vette, 01 jag, 02 mustang gt, if i spent the extra money it could eat vettes and jags easily.

Awesome power after 3500 RPM. Handling that makes porshe owners puke. Comfortable interior. Works for the commute, or going light to light with just about anyone. Low profile, high performance

really crappy paint , scratches like you wouldnt believe. Flimsy trunk.

What do you get when you cross 227 horses and an all wheel drive compact sedan? A ride that makes you giggle like a schoolgirl every time you dust some zit faced ponycar driver. The WRX isn't the fastest thing off the line, but at about 3500 rpm's it'll snap your neck back and you can run it all the way to redline without losing an inch of power. I was doing 80 in second gear at 7000 and the car was just screaming for more! Now the handling, thats another thing. Ive had AWD and 4WD vehicles before, but none that inspired as much confidence as my subaru. She sticks when you want her to, and if you just let off the gas a little in a turn the rear end slides out oh so gently enabling you to get on the gas and scream out on the line. If you want to spin tires at stoplights or do donuts in parking lots, mabey the WRX isn't for you, but if your looking for a low profile Mustang or Audi killer your looking in the right place. Most of the cops ive passed havent given me a second glance. But the best part, the shocked face on the guy whos 40,000 sport sedan you just dusted. I think its really a 3 seater, but then again im 6'2 and with the seat all the way back I can drive comfortably, but forget about someone sitting behind me .If your all under 5'4 then i guess you could fit 5 in there. Now as far as gas economy goes, i got 30 miles a gallon on my 240 mile hiway road trip, way more than the 21c/27h subaru boast and i was doing about 75 the whole way there. But even ripping around town im getting decent mileage. The interior is designed quite well, everything is within easy reach. Im not going to gripe about the cupholder or lack of a standard turbo gauge ( turbo, electrical, and temp guages are about 200 additional i think) or even the flimsy sounding trunk door, because everything else in this car is for the price.. flawless

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eagle talon turbo AWD mustang 5.0 saab 900 turbo

Handling, AWD, floor it in a curve and it won't even try to slide, lots of power when the turbo kicks in, GREAT looking, all the ricers were jealous of me and my friend (it was his father's car (I still thank him)), really comfortable, sounds great, and the list goes on and on.

Maybe some turbo lag until you get to 3000 rpm. Since it's an import, replacement parts must be expensive as for maintenance cost.

OK, maybe no one should consider this review for buying this car as I passed my driver liscense yesterday. BUT, you must consider that for the 10 minutes I had the chance to drive this car, I had a smile and was laughing all the time (you know the kind of laugh you make that sounds stupid and makes you look like a jerk, and the worst of all is that you can't stop it), and I didn't go over 140 km/h (87 mph) (DAMN THE COPS :D). It felt weird to come back to my neon (which I actually thought powerful, and still is).

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Plymouth Neon DOHC, hey, it's still able to burn rubber. Dodge Intrepid, no comments.

- Rock solid handling, flat cornering, great traction. - Great seats. - Packs a good punch when turbo kicks in. - All around solid, well-built construction, fit and finish. - Boxer engine that whistles like Zamfir. - Quite refined for a car with rally car heritage.

- TURBO LAG. - Weak brakes, (the pedal effort can cause shin splints) - Cheap all-season rubber that squeals too much. - Cheap ass speakers, poor design of controls for the stereo. - Why is the cruise control switch on the dash by the fog light switch? (not very safe) - No sunroof (probably not to compromise body rigdity)

Previous to buying my Impreza, I knew little about Subaru but heard they were reliable cars and were known for their rally car heritage. After test driving the Impreza, I was completely blown away. The experience of driving a turbo-charged vehicle with 4WD was a first and it was truly exhilirating. The sound of the boxer engine is very curious. During the test drive, I took it and pushed it fairly hard. I mistakenly took the whine from the engine to be the sound of a police car siren and had to keep checking my rear view mirror. The boxer engine sounds bit rough when idling, but is sweet music when the throttle is engaged. The Zamfir-like whistle/whine from the engine is even more pronounced now that I've installed a Tornado fuel saver and a K&N drop in filter. You can clearly hear the air rushing in. By the way, the Tornado works. My fuel consumption has been cut around 10-12%. The car always always feels like it is in control and even when you reach the limits it is forgiving. Unfortunately, the grip is limited by the weak all-season stock rubber. These tires squealed and moaned even under moderately aggressive driving. You definitely want to go with at least 215/45 17 inch rubber of a more sport variety. The WRX engine is an amazing technical feat and is quite refined for a rally car. Even a granny could drive this car. The rush of power when the turbo comes on is an amazing thing. It isn't a break-neck jolt of power, but rather a sudden, but very refined surge of power. Unfortunately, there is a fair bit of turbo lag. You definitely wanna keep the revs up to take advantage of the power band. Sadly, I opted for the wagon mainly because of split folding seats not offered in the sedan (AARGH!!!!) and was stuck with the stock AT (the wife factor) so I suffer more from those bouts of turbo lag. The brakes are a bit disappointing, requiring a fair bit of pedal effort (could be due to cheap tires). The seats are very supportive and comfy. The tuning/fastforward knob on the stereo is horribly designed and placed on the far side and requires too much effort and attention to use. The speakers are of the el cheapo variety. The cruise control on/off switch is down by the fog light switch. WHY??? Aside from these little quirks and the braking issue, there are few cars that will give you this kind of gusto for the money all in a 4WD package.

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Not much. I had a Mazda Protege 5.