Lots of horsepower
all wheel drive
lots of standard equipment
value for the money

#1 stolen car in North America

I have had many cars in my driving life time (about 16 yrs. 12 cars) i can tell you that this is one of the best all around cars on the road today. Best value for the money, good on gas and low maintenance costs. 227 hp, all wheel drive, rally car inspired, can't beat it!! Only one problem, it's the #1 stolen car in North America, bet Subaru didn't tell you that!! My story is this, my buddy works at Subaru he got me an 04 WRX fully loaded, i wanted an STI but there was a waiting list so i opted for the WRX. I bought it in July of 03 one of the first 5 in the entire city of Toronto. I fully enjoyed the car for the 5 months i had it. In the month of December the 28th to be exact my car was stolen from a parking lot. What Subaru fails to mention is that the security system that the car is equiped with sucks big time!!!! its so easy to steal this car even with an upgraded alarm system. All the thieves have to do is stick a screwdriver in the ignition and turn, and guess what? your car is on the road and gone! Subaru to keep costs down uses a very cheap ignition system that shouldn't even be used in cars from the year 2000 and up. All I'm trying to say is if you are in the market to buy one, its a great car awesome really, but buyer beware. You will always wonder if your car is going to there in the morning.

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Acceleration,handling, and overall solid feel to everything. Off the line lag noticable especially if you have an automatic.

Cupholders (placement and lack of)
Exterior paint/primer is very thin when compared to almost all other vehicles.

The automatic equipped WRX was my first foreign car purchase and has been everything I was hoping it would be.
The acceleration alone has you smiling constantly. "turbo lag" is apparent, more so on automatic equipped WRX's. Some of "creature comforts" and refinement are lacking, but overall this car is very satsifying and fun to drive.

Acceleration. AWD. Reliability. Practical for a fast car.

Stereo. Bad OEM tires. Shifter rubbery. Paint/Bodywork is a little on the cheap side.

I am in "like" with my WRX. I don't love it but I really do like it. The performance is exceptional. It is a very drivable car and if you didn't know what you were doing you would never suspect that it was wicked fast. The car can drive like a vanilla Honda Civic if you don't rev it up. If you rev it, wait a bit for the turbo boost to build, this car really moves. My wife bought me a day at the track when I first got the car and that day I was in love. I kept up with Corvettes and Porches etc. It was great fun. I get a little over 20 mpg mixed driving. The stereo was terrible (replaced it almost immediately). I wish that leather was an option as well. The handling is good (mine came with the all season tires which leave something to be desired). It also gets a bit nervous when braking from 100 mph into turn 1 at Road Atlanta. Sort of a floating feeling which I didn't like. Anyhow, if you are in your 20s you will love this care. If you are in your 30s (like I now am) you may want something with a bit more refinement. You will not find another new car this good at this price.

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This car does what a practical person needs a car to do. How many other cars are approved to haul a one ton load?

I've posted before about my WRX but i had to add this in. We had some snow and ice here in MD several months ago and my spouse and i had tickets to a show in DC. We chose my WRX to drive rather than the Nissan Xterra 4X4 we also own. The WRX blasted through the snow, blew past other cars, didn't falter or slip once and got us there and home without a hitch. Now we choose the WRX anytime the weather gets nasty and leave the Xterra for hauling the kid and dog around. That's the beauty of the WRX.

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0 to 60 times are outstanding. Someone said it was no off-the-line dragster. I disagree. The performance aftermarket stuff for these makes it very desireable. Not too many people undertand this. Once that boost is up out of 1st, it remains into 2nd/3rd. No delay there. Hey, you've GOT to get this SPT cat back. It sounds magnificent and there is an increase in HP. Cornering is excellent of course with AWD. I don't mind the stereo. Yes, you do have to calm yourself down each day. This car begs to be driven "enthusiastically." -best car I've ever owned by far.

Paint chips easily I've found boy did I pay for the extra warranty (worth it though-for any car)

This is quite simply the best vehicle I've ever owned. Living in the Pocono Mtns, Pa since October 04 I quickly surmised that AWD was essential. I also had heard about these cars from a co-worker. I found the justification to trade my 02 Camry in (I had actually lost traction in minimal snowy conditions climbing hills)! I jumped at the performance numbers with this car and I have not been let down yet. Am I going through a mid-life crisis? It's even better since I've added an intake and the very excellent SPT cat-back exhaust. I enjoy this car so much, that I look for excuses to drive it. I'm 46 and I've never had this kind of performance. I got use to the slightly harsher ride. Anybody out there my age and loving this as much as I? E me.

- The overall performance in every department is hard to fault. - It's not the best car in the world at any one thing, but as a complete package it's quite amazing. - I've managed to get through lots of cars, but the WRX is one that I plan to keep for a while. - The feeling of safety and security is hard to beat. You don't really appreciate how good it is until you jump back behind the wheel after a week in a rental car.

- Stereo sucks. - Switchgear could do with some illumination. - I don't find the gear stick to be in the best position. - 1st gear too short for my liking. - Stock tires aren't very good. They should put a really good summer radial on this car and forget about the all season efforts. You're going to need dedicated snow and ice tires anyway if you plan to drive this in a snowy climate. - Fuel consumption is not terrific. - It's not the best looking car in the world.

I purchased a GOLF VR6 when Subaru assured me that the WRX would not be available in North America. They changed their mind, I sold my VR6, and I bought my WRX wagon. I've had it for almost 2 years now and I love it. Sure, it's got a couple of annoying characteristics, but overall I can say that it does everything very very well. I can say with confidence that this is the best overall package I've ever owned. It's impossible to fault its value for money, its practicality, its performance, and best of all, the feeling of safety that it imparts when conditions are bad (i.e., rain, snow, ice etc.). I live in Canada, and put Toyo's on for winter -- the WRX is great on ice and snow, the only thing that pisses me off is the stock tires that I have to drive around on in the summer months. Hint, I've used Hakkepelita's in the past and I think they're better than the Toyo's. My girlfriend and I took the car to the Cabot Trail (Nova Scotia) last summer. For those of you out there who know that part of the world, it has got some terrific twists and turns, and the driving can be quite challenging. Unfortunately, it rained most of the time we were there, and there was a lot of standing water. This was the first time I realised that the harder I pushed the car, the more determined it seemed to be to dig its heels in and grip the road. Even my girlfriend turned to me at one point and said "I feel really safe in this car." I wish first gear wasn't so short, in fact, I wish the gear stick was positioned an inch or two further forward. The stereo sucks, and I wish that the switchgear was illuminated. However, the car's shortcomings are completely forgotten about when some fool in a Porsche Boxster decides he's going to burn you off at the lights. This happened to me in the summer, but by the time I got in to 3rd gear he gave up. I imagine he was a bit pissed off to see a plain looking wagon with a roof rack burn him off at the lights!! I don't do this very often, but from time-to-time it is a bit of a laugh.

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Turbo boost - awesome and addictive Feels safe with AWD in any weather non-descript: doesn't plead to be looked at, I love that it's a sleeper; other than the massive hood scoop. Custom leather covered factory seats are awesome cruise is great shifter is tight cockpit is 1st class functional Momo Steering wheel is awesome Far superior to my Acura RSX I used to own. New headlights are sweet and small fog lights are great. Trunk is spacious. 16" rims are sufficient. Handling is admirable Shocks eat bumps and it's stiff but not too stiff. George Karabadze at Ron Price Subaru is a great salesman and highly recommended by me. I can't wait to autocross this car. 6 disc in dash is cool, intuitive buttons.

Gas mileage is SUVish, like 20MPG no oomph below 2500 rpm on an incline -like most streets in San Francisco. Leather wasn't an option - got it put in for $1000 Trunk opens sometimes with the key, sometimes not regardless of the door locks locked or not. Inside trunk release button is only option. Car was purchased from lot out of alignment and with scratches. BOth were fixed by the dealer You can see the hood shake while on the freeway. where are the spark plugs? Can't get to oil filter to do oil changes myself due to plastic shield obstructing oil filter. Steering is numb, but I'm used to manual steering Radio sounds like a tin can at high volume. 91 octane is your only option, presently $2.70 in SF Insurance is through the roof! Most quoted $300 a month, AAA was best at $190 per month. It's rated the same as a Corvette. Why does this car not have a factory alarm? key Transmitter works from 30 feet or less. Cup holders are wack!

I heard a lot of positive things about this car and this website made me a believer before I was a buyer. This Subie has got some speed once the turbo hits at about 3200 RPM. The all wheel drive system transmits a sense of safety to the driver. The japanese feeling cockpit is workman-like and the car is very functional as a whole. This is a great car, a rally champion and this car delivers on what is promised. 0-60 in 5.4 and 227hp is not something to be taken lightly.

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Durable & dependable. Very strong engine. Outhandles everything else on slippery surfaces, mud, snow, wet roads covered with leaves, etc. With the appropriate tires, it will take off and corner like a 14-month old cat on Mountain Dew. Very safe vehicle – look up the NHTSA crash test ratings. Built in Japan. Linear engine output from 3800 rpm to redline. Gearing that lets you live in the powerband if you want to .. or drive like granny if you want to stay off the boost. Amazing suspension + drivetrain that doesn't like to let go of the road. Doesn't need to be modified to be fantastic. Great small car for taller single people, easy entry/egress and lots of room up front. Back seat is perfect for coats and umbrellas etc. Super comfortable front seats. Very, uhh, “communicative” steering wheel, shifter, pedals, drivetrain sounds, and seat .. these things are designed to give you tons of feedback. My grandmother likes riding in it. But then, she likes roller coasters too. Very, very fun.

You'll probably get annoyed at old men in hats, soccer moomies in their SUVs or minivans, and anything else that gets in your way on the road. Learn to live with it .. the road is public property and is shared with lots of other users. If you're particularly Zen, you can thank them for keeping you from getting a speeding ticket! Be prepared to receive some envy or jealousy from people who drive lesser vehicles. Sticking to the speed limit becomes a test of character. You may develop an addiction for boost. A poor choice for people with sloppy impulse control. Not a car for people who don't like driving. For them, the WRX will be a disappointment – too noisy, too communicative, suspension too stiff, not enough creature comforts, etc. Attracts police attention. :(

Like a lot of WRX owners, I read every review on the interweb before buying .. and still wasn't quite prepared. If you've driven regular vehicles all your life (as in cars not built for rally) you'll be pleasantly surprised with the WRX. It's not a straight-line drag racer, although you could probably turn it into one with some money and tuning .. but .. that would be missing the point of this car. It's amazing on plain asphalt, yes, but where it really shines is in snow or mud, especially if the road is full of twists and turns. With this car, you can get to work quickly in weather that puts those clunky SUVs into the ditch or forces them down to crawling speed. Considering how well the WRX combines diverse traits not normally seen together in the same vehicle (ground clearance, cornering, gas mileage, roomy interior, acceleration) you could call it a crossover vehicle disguised as a rally car disguised as a Hyundai or Neon. You'll need to learn how to use the gearing and the engine's power curve to make the car reach its potential. It requires some thinking to drive the 5MT correctly, so make sure you get lots of practice. After 12 months and 8K miles, I'm still finding excuses to extend the commute and go for fun drives on twisty back roads. Subaru did a great job rendering their premier rally vehicle into something you can enjoy using as your daily driver or grocery-getter. Not sure how the WRX compares to the high-end cars people mention here in the reviews. From experience, however, I can say it hangs quite well with Audi A4s, A6s, and BWM 3-series and 5-series under real driving conditions. The AWD system lets you do zero to the speed limit in less time than you'd believe possible. Just remember to be kind to the other people using the road. If your daily commute is 10+ miles of twisty, mostly deserted back roads, and you live someplace where it rains & snows, you will be in pig heaven with this car. Many thanks to the other reviewers who posted here. Your feedback is what helped put me in the WRX. To everyone else, well, if you're taking the time to read these reviews, just go buy one already. You won't be disappointed.

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Very strong, fast take off, New car saleman was good.

1st gears to 2nd noisy but will get you to 100km/h in 3rd no worries, bit of interior noise.

The car is fanastic! Highly recommend to those that want a bit of grunt. But beware don't think about financing any part of your new car from Thompson subaru they will hit you with massive fee and charges at time of pickup! And lie through their teeth about telling upfront. They will pull the wool over your eyes, pea in your pocket and tell you it's raining. DON"T BUY FROM THOMPSON SUBARU PARRAMATTA.

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I think the car is almost perfect. Front seats are great, even on a 12 hour drive from Houston to El Paso. 6-CD changer ROCKS. Driving controls are all located well, and the big windshield give excellent visibility. AWD is awesome in bad weather.

Harsh ride, spartan interior (don't expect temperature control, etc.), road noise (I am usually cranking my CD's anyway), small rear seat, paint had imperfections from the factory. Needs better speakers. People who know what this car is will overlook these lack of amenities.

I got this car in September of 2002. It has 22,000 miles on it as of May 2004, and I haven't had a single problem with it. It had one recall for a clip that holds the cruise cable in place. All I can say is I LOVE THIS CAR. AWD, handles beautifully. Great bachelor car, I wouldn't suggest it for a moderate or large size family. The front seating arrangements are fine for anybody of any size, even us big Americans :-P. Back seats are for medium to small size people only, however. Some of the people on this forum complained of the turbo lag: come-on guys. Learn how to drive a turbo'ed car. Shifting in a turbo'ed car is always different than other cars. As for the "notchy" shifting, learn how to use a clutch. I have NEVER had a problem shifting this tranny. If this car is shifted and driven correctly, it will give you goosebumps every time... The ride is a little harsh, but your looking in the wrong place if you want a smooth ride. The responsiveness and feedback are excellent; this car does exactly what you want it to do. Don't compare this car to a porshe--that's silly (unless appropriate upgrades are done). But then again, try rallying in a porshe, or buying one for under $25k! This car is what it is, lean AFFORDABLE driving machine. The car is fantastic as-is, exceptional with a few modest upgrades. Final word: if you want some serious performance value with a modest trade-off of some crature comforts, this is what you are looking for.

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