2004 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews

Fun sports car yet fuel efficient

Written by: dgman on 05/29/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have had my WRX for over 3 years now. I almost bought an 04 Mazda 6 instead but after driving each of them, I couldn't get the performance of the Subie out of my head. It is just too much fun to drive. The turbo is a different kind of fast, but the car is undeniably fast. If you are a "muscle car" person who thrives on low end torque, you won't like this car. The WRX is grippy and slow off the line and the power explodes at 3K RPM all the way to redline. Second gear is amazing. If you behave and drive nicely, you can get close to 30 MPG. The trunk is usable. I even have a child seat in the backseat. The car is a 5 star safety rated vehicle. Lots of great features.

Favorite Features

Turbo charged engine. Short-throw shifter. Styling. 4 doors. Hugs curves. Low center of gravity boxer engine. AWD. Boost gauge.

Suggested Improvements

Need 17" wheels (07 has them). Spoiler should be optional. Tinted windows should be optional (I tinted mine). Better stereo speakers. Compass. Outside temp.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Silver Outback Sport, Take 2!

Written by: Drubaru on 02/09/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport AWD 4dr Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After selling my '02 Outback Sport a year and a half ago, I finally made it back into the Subaru fold with the purchase of the '04 model. Both times I have been satisfied with my purchase. I miss the "bug-eyed" headlights and foglights from the '02, but everything else is pretty much aesthetically the same. I love the confidence I feel. I remember on a snowboarding trip in '03 being waved on by the Rangers at Big Bear Mtn. while everyone else was forced over to apply snow chains. HA! Subaru? No chains needed. Just drive. Whenever. Wherever.

Favorite Features

The styling. The handling. The sure-footed AWD. The rubber trunk mat. The carte blanche travel ability. How cool the door looks opening when the windows are down (no window frame).

Suggested Improvements

Bring back the bug-eyes and big fog lights! Oooh, and how 'bout in-dash espresso machine! Thanks.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car

Written by: Josh on 02/07/2007

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This was my "realistic" dream car thanks to the FIA WRC. I've had it for 2 years now and still love every second I'm behind the wheel on it. The only problems I've had with it are that the paint is kinda weak and a bulb in my headlight and two in my taillights have gone out. Engine wise, it hits 6,000rpms or more at least once a day and has done so happily. There is a very minor occasional squeak on really rough potholed roads but 99% of the time it is squeakless. Build quality is excellent. The AWD is fantastic. I would recommend this car to anyone that loves to drive.

Favorite Features

Turbocharged boxer engine, excellent handling, AWD traction, great resale value, reliable, decent gas mileage.

Suggested Improvements

Weak paint, boring interior, seats aren't comfortable on long trips, cupholder for large drinks is positioned horribly above the stereo head unit and is flimsier than I would like.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Cute car, stupid, cheap cutbacks

Written by: sbirnbaum100 on 12/06/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza 2.5 TS AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We've owned a 1996 Subaru Impreza Outback (manual) - awesome. A used 1996 Subaru Legacy - good (manual) started collapsing at 151K), now the 2004 Subaru Impreza TS Wagon automatic. I'm not impressed. It eats gas (23 mpg average). It's expensive to maintain. We couldn't buy it with side body guards. It doesn't have a key for the trunk. If the electric goes, we have no trunk. There's been a ticking (in different gears) with the car since we bought it. The Subie dealer said it's a known issue with the pistons and is not considered a problem. Is that really true? If it's not a problem, why did they "fix it" in the 2007 model.

Favorite Features

Pickup is great when needed - it should be! It's cute.

Suggested Improvements

Compare maintenance costs to the comps like Hondas or Toyotas and get the least expensive. Put the keylock on the trunk. The hubcaps are still absolute junk. Spruce up the interior Fix the seats - make them comfortable. Don't know how long this car will last and have concerns about it.

3 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Good car with some flaws

Written by: Peter on 07/23/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought it because I wanted something practical (wagon), safe (AWD), fun to drive (manual, turbo), reliable (made in Japan) and reasonably priced (slightly over $21K). I have owned the car for almost 3 years (33K miles). Overall it has been a pleasant experience. Fuel economy is decent (on average about 26 mpg). The car is kind of sluggish off the line tough (turbo lag), and even once the turbo kicks in it does not appear to deliver advertised acceleration. My major gripes pertain to the gear box and paint quality. First I got grinding while shifting into the 5th gear. Now I am getting occasional grind while shifting into the 1st. Paint is very week - millions of chips on the hood and fenders.

Favorite Features

Very good handling and traction. Good interior design. Nice seats. Turbo.

Suggested Improvements

Extremely crappy gear box - I am not abusing the car, yet have constant problems (grinding, difficulty with shifting). In addition, the shifts are very notchy. Low paint quality. Low grade speakers. Disappointing dealer service - refuse to acknowledge problems and perform warranty repairs.

7 out 8 people found this review helpful

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fun fun fun

Written by: bill on 06/20/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Well I just bought my Subaru not too long ago and I love it. I've done some mild mods and the throttle response is a lot better than what some of the other reviews have suggested. It's a fun to drive car and it looks good too. If you know anything about cars and are mechanically inclined (even the slightest bit) you can fix the minor squeaks that I've read in some of the other reviews. I personally haven't experienced any of those problems.

Favorite Features

Race inspired seats. Good looks.

Suggested Improvements

Boost compression to 8.5 or 9.0.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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More fun to drive than a Forester.

Written by: grzydj on 05/30/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I traded my Subaru Forester in on a WRX wagon and couldn't be happier. The car is nearly as versatile, and much more pleasant and fun to drive. The 5 speed manual transmission has a notchy engagement feel, which can be alleviated with upgraded bushings, which I plan on doing at point. It took me a while to get used to the peakiness of the turbocharged 2.0 H4. It could be described as on or off, which is kind of nice in stop and go traffic. Keep it below 3k RPM's and you have nice little commuter car, wind it up a bit and you've got a little monster on your hands. Aside from the wonky gearbox, it's a fantastic little wagon.

Favorite Features

Turbo boost is very addictive. Seats are firm and hold you in place. Nice steering feel. Brakes are firm and offer good modulation.

Suggested Improvements

Better gearbox engagement and shifter feel.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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WRX Wagon - Impressed.

Written by: John on 03/18/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Great car...quick, agile.

Favorite Features

Turbocharged boxer engine with an exhaust note that makes V8s envious.

Suggested Improvements

Service departments need improvements. Warranty denials for absurd reasons (I changed my tires therefore I must beat on my car which caused X problem). If Subaru would equip these vehicles with tires comparable to their performance level, tires wouldn't have needed to be changed).

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Best bang for the buck

Written by: Woody on 03/17/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I did a lot of research before purchasing this vehicle, and my favorite quote was ... no car which costs less than $10,000 more is even worth comparing. It's entirely true. A very compact four door sedan with a comfortable well appointed interior and fantastic performance; great engine sound and power, handling, a total package.

Favorite Features

All wheel drive, engine.

Suggested Improvements

None.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Solid Car for your money

Written by: bw8qbss on 03/13/2006

Vehicle

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX AWD 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

One of my friends got one a WRX in 03 and I've loved them ever since. I got an 04' in late 05' and absolutely love it. It was very reasonably priced and performed above what i expected. Slight turbo lag but that comes with about any turbo car, but once it kicks in its gone. Handles incredibly well and looks better than any of its direct competitors such as the SRT-4 or GTI. Very very good car all around, and the AWD is unreal. Went straight up a snow covered hill without so much as a slip.

Favorite Features

Power, handling, gauges, smaller spoiler, seats, short throw shifter.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders, paint, sound system, make 17" wheels standard.

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