Turbo power, AWD, very balanced handling & steering feel, quiet, Front seats & steering wheel. And full coverage insurance is only $450 a year!

Lack of rear seat leg room. ie I wouldn't want to cross a state with four 6' adults in the car. 21/28 MPG, but remember it's 227hp. The front end looks grow on you.

I have been in the market for a _sport_ wagon for a few years now. Something that could do 0-60 in less than 8 seconds (The WRX does this in < 6 seconds!). All the wagons I wanted have been out of my price range (< $30k). I was very close to buying a Passat with the v6, but then the WRX came along and saved me. The wagon fits our 3 person family like a glove. Me being the autocrosser I love the power and handling. My wife likes the seats and quietness. My 3 year old daughter fits well in the rear and the dog in the hatch area.

You can tell where Subaru invested money in the WRX. The carpets and plastic interior are not up to German standard. But the turbo engine, AWD, great balanced handling, seats, steering wheel, in-dash 6CD & Cass radio, and quietness all belong in a $30k something car.

I believe the WRX is _underpriced_ buy $4,000!

The WRX wagon is one of the best Q-Ships (cars that are _much_ more faster than they look) on the road. When I'm driving my WRX on a lonly highway I feel like I'm in a Porsche 911. The boxer engine sound helps. Infact one of the automobile magiznes comapered the WRX to the Porsche 911 C4 and said that they were in the same leage!

Buy one and you will not be disapointed.

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First Subaru, first AWD, first turbo. So I don't have much to compare it to but this is the best car I have driven to date.

Really fun! Turbo motor!! AWD!!! Everyone dislikes the looks (in&out), but I love it! The seats are super supportive. A real drivers car (its not a smooth ride, its not a quiet car, a/c sucks, ect), not for trendy VW Bug driving yuppies.

Every boy-racer in town tries to race me! Leave me alone, this car sucks too much gas! A/C sucks. Could have been a couple grand cheaper or maybe stock 17" wheels would have made me given it 5 stars.

The WRX is a fun, sporty, and aggressive car. Not a BMW or an Audi by any means. I happen to be quite fond of the looks (I'm about the only one). The interior is cheap, but the seats and steering wheel are great. Subaru definatly made this car w/ the driver in mind. There is nothing else like this car on the market. It's in a class of it's own, that is until Mitsubishi brings over the Lancer...

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Acura Integra Type R-
much more of a refined car (the WRX)

AWD, Build quality, Value, 227hp!

No switch for ABS, that's about it

I've always been a big rally fan and Subaru's involvement in the World Rally Championship got me to look at the Imprezas in 1996. I ended up buying a 1996 Impreza L AWD sedan. I was hugely impressed with the car and when I learned the WRX was coming to the US, I had to have one.

I have thoroughly pleased with the WRX. The build quality is top notch with a great looking interior. The seats are very comfortable (my girlfriend gets a sore back easily and she was able to ride in the car for 6-8 hours without pain). The power is fantastic. Some people complain about the slight turbo lag below 2,800rpm, but I find if you drive the car and keep the revs a little higher it is never a problem. Then there is the all-wheel-drive. This car is truly a year round sports car. I live in the snow belt and will love this car all year long!

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Way more power and better handling than my '96 Impreza L AWD.

Steering wheel, foglights, AWD

No sunroof!, cheap interior, 4 cylinder, boy racer looks, poor gas mileage (premium must be put in), no boost gauge,

If you're looking for a teenage, go fast car, this is the ticket. Sort of like the Camaro IROC of the 21st century. But if you're looking for a car to take a date on, stay as far away from the WRX as you can! I've had several people see the back and say it reminds the of a Kia. Actually, probably about 75% of the people that see the car think that. The engine is decent, but under 3000 RPM's it's a dog. It does have AWD so that's definitely a positive if you live in a bad weather climate.

I realllllly wish I would have thought twice before I purchased this car. Imagine a Honda Civic with AWD, 227HP, and a turbo in it and you come up with the WRX. All go and absolutely no class whatsoever.

Not all will agree with me, but to each his own.


**There is also a check engine light problem that MANY of the new WRX's are having and I have had as well, 3 trips to the dealer in about 2,000 miles! It's scary how many are having it!

Check out this link for more information:
http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/Forum28/HTML/001430.html

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None

Handling & performance, especially in less than ideal weather conditions.
Everything works well together, e.g. great seats, short-shift lever falls to hand, feel through Momo steering wheel is great.
Value for the dollar cannot be beat.

Paint quality not up to VW/Audi standards
Early wear on driver seat-back

This car should appeal to someone who truly appreciates a "drivers" car and doesn't have or want to spend the money for an Audi S4 or BMW 330ix.
The tradeoff against the Audi/BMW is that "surface" refinement and fit and finish is not as good.

I presently have 8000 miles on the WRX in about 10 weeks, so far, the build quality (e.g. squeeks and rattles) seems excellent.

For the individual to whom the journey is more important than the destination, this is a great ride.

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VW Corrado VR6 - better handling, better acceleration - although the Corrado was no slouch in its day.
Acura Integra VTEC - excellent handling but nothing much in acceleration until 5500 rpm. Boring (and loud)on interstates at cruising speed.

-very fast and quiet
-awesome handling
-great value
-love the color (midnight black)

-sun visors are cheap
-only 1 cup holder
-as you can see, not much else

This is a great car, and a great value too! The only thing that could make me regret getting the WRX would be if the WRX STI comes over before the end of the year and costs under 30k! I am just in love with this car, it's so quick, handles so great, it just brings a smile to my face whenever I am driving it. I would even go out at night and drive around for a hour or so every night before I go to bed because I love driving the car so much! :D

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cant really be compared to another car, since no other AWD sedan that goes 0-60 in 5.8 seconds can be had for this price! But if you really wanted to compare, I would say it's definitely better performance than Audi A4, Integra Type R. I would say it's comparable to BMW M3 and Audi S4 in performance, and with the great potential for mods, it can easily over take those 2 with significantly less money invested.

Very easy to drive and has less turbo lag than I expected from early reviews. Extremely quick when over 3000 rpms. Front sets are excellent and overall it just fits me well. I had a chance to drive it after a snowstorm this spring and the handling was great. It is an all season sport sedan.

It has turned out to be a nicer car than I expected when I ordered it last December. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it doesn't have a door guard and I just got my first nick this week.

The car has been a pleasant surprise. Better performance and overall quality than I expected. I have not had any problems with the car and have a grin on my face everytime I drive. Great handling in all seasons. I am a conservative driver but sure is a kick to feel the power as the rpms move toward 5 or 6000. It may not have all the gimmicks that some cars have but it seems to have quality where it counts. The manual transmission may not be the best for those that have to face a great deal of city driving.

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Impreza RS- the WRX has similar handling but much better acceleration above 3000 rpms. The WRX is also quieter and seems more refined.

-Acceleration of cars twice the money
-Very predictable handling
-MOMO Steering Wheel
-AWD
-Great seats
-Very Rigid body
-BIG disc brakes

-Cheap Plastic interior trim
-Poor tires from the factory
-paint easily chips

Over all the car is a joy to drive, when you push the gas and take a curve you forget about the plastic interior trim, this is a true drivers car!! The balance of the vehicle combined with the AWD make it a great handler on any road or road conditions for that matter, the US should have recieved this car a long time ago!!

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Porsche 930 turbo- The WRX has similar acceleration charictoristics...fun to drive.

Flat 4 lower center of gravity, huge upgrade over cars in same price range (Acura Type R, Civic Si, Mitsu Eclipse, etc).Awesome potential, Awd means cars cant touch you on turns, very easy to drive and forgiving, Looks MEAN!! power is awesome, easily upgradable, all the creature comforts, awesome quality for price, nice comfy seats for daily driving. have had the car only 2.5 months almost 7000 miles, driven hard no problems. Wouldnt give it up for used M3 or 1.8T. Cant beat Japanese Technology!!!Best Bang for The Buck!!! American cars cant even come close!!

no fold down rear seats, paint quality questionable although no problems personally, and the interior is prone to easy scratching. Nothing major reallY!!

driven over 100 miles a day, freeway driving, rain driving. stable suspension handles like a champ out the box, slight understeer when pushed, can be fixed with a rear swaybar upgrade ($160), nice package offered. If you are into performance you need to upgrade the tires as they are aimed at the "general" public. Have driven through lots of twisties, u turns, bends, hairpins, long high speed roads, WOW!! Driving in the rain at 90mphh with confidence like never before (70mph was questionable in my honda's). Gas mileage is decent, I have lined up many modifications for the car, and it responds well to them.

I dont know what i would have done if it wasnt for this car!!!!

This car raises the standard for the whole industry, and really gives you an example of what we should expect from a car. Loved it so much, I had my girlfriends sister buy the wagon, and they are not into performance but love every moment of the subaur quality and mentality.

Change the way you think and the way you drive, get a subaru, like no other on earth!!!

I use to be religious about hondas, wait til you drive this!!!

WRX: what America has been missing for 8 years!!

Dont take my word for it go to your local dealer and take it for a drive, you will be a beliver, oh yes you will!!

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Wins hands down: previous cars: 1988 honda accord dx, 1989 CRX dx, 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R, 1983 BMW 528e, 1993 Honda Civic Lx, 1992 Nissan Maxima GXE, 1990 BMW 525i, and 1995 Toyota Camry Le coupe, and 2000 Toyota Camery le 4dr. have driven a 1997 integra Type R, and other performance cars, wouldnt sell it for any of them, only other car i would consider if it werent for the WRX: used RX7 Twin Turbo R1 package 93+.

*Fun factor - this car is a blast to drive, get that turbo spooled up and you just can't help smiling
*Performance - amazingly well balanced - although geared toward rally style performance, this thing also performs very well in straight line, track, and autocross type situations
*Price - tho not the least expensive car you can find, the price/performance is excellent, and leaves me with money for mods!
*Drive train - this car gets traction like nothing else I've driven
*Seats - they keep you right where you need to be, and yet are comfortable enough for a 7 hour straight drive (just got back from one)
*Room - impressive leg and head room (especially for driver)
*Exclusivity - I enjoy having a car that you don't see at every stop light, and I love the response from all the curious people that hunt me down to ask questions

*the apparent lack of low end torque - I realize this is a combination of massive traction, small displacement, and turbo-lag - but I still miss it, but once I get into the turbo range, I soon forget this issue
*Cruise Control button placement, you'd have to experience it to understand - I can't figure this out at all...
*Day-Time running lights (no easy way to disable) - I know it is pretty much standard now, but I still hate them

not much in the weaknesses - I really like this car

I put some detail in the above answers, so I'll keep this simple. This car makes me want to go driving like no other car I've been around. I'm very please with my decision to purchase this vehicle.

Value - I can't think of more bang for the buck
Overall - I highly recommend this vehicle, especially for performance enthusiasts

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I've no experience with anything "similar", this car presents a very unique combination of features - How does it compare overall to other vehicles I've driven? it doesn't - or perhaps I should say they don't compare to it... I will always miss my 96 Impala SS for the unique driving experience it provided - but I like my WRX as much, maybe more - we'll see in the long run