Used 2004 Subaru Impreza Consumer Reviews
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Poor MPG
expect poor MPG. It will get 28 on the hwy going 55mph, but you'd have to be dead to drive this car like that. It will get 25mpg going 85 all day. But 20mpg when accelerating the way you WILL. It's a perfect long drive winter car, even the STi can't beat it for long hauls.
Awesome
I don't even own one of these cars. I went to the dealer, and a younger guy came out to help me. He then offered to take it for a test drive!!!!! It was about a half hour before closing and he wanted to kill some time. While I was driving he said to me, "don't be a girl, give it some gas. this is a performance car." so that's what I did. All I can say is WOW. I have a 93 Mustang GT and the STI will destroy it. When the rpm's hit about 2000, it feels like you just got shot out of a cannon. The car is absolutly mind- blowing. I'm now trying to find things to sell, so that I can afford an STI.
Just Test Drive It....Enough Said!!!!
This car is by far the most fun car I've driven. Its so fast. I've burned a much faster Porche by suprising them in third gear with my turbo just kickin...then bamm. You'd be surprised how much juice comes out of 4banger. This car eats snow like it's nothing too. All around you can't touch this car if you want to mod.
Something amazing...
Im not gonna go on for hours and fill this page with its max # of characters, ill simply say.... this car is not only amazing in every way but shows other car producers that they are far from catching up in making such a perfect and reliable car!
bestcarever
this is the best car ever made after mercedes slk amg
amazing drive
I have SOOOO much fin driving this car, and I am bored when driving with others or driving other people's cars. When I go on vacation it is the thing I miss the most.
The best car I've ever owned
I waited 10 months for this car to come in. It was well worth the wait. The car has 300 horsepower, 300 ftlbs of torque, All wheel drive, 6 speed, 3 limited slip differentials. It does over 100mph in the 1/4 mile and handles like a slot car. I find myself doing weird errands just so I can go out and drive. It's is like your best hot wheel car you ever had as a kid, except that you can drive it.
world performer
One of the best all around performance cars in the world...for a bargain. Most cars of this level cost 2 to 3 times the price. Also very good detail work like the STi logo on the tail pipe... as for everything else let's just say.. you can take it to the race track right out of the box!!
STI vs EVO - I've owned then Both Now.
I just got rid of a 2003 Evo after 1 year, and just got a 2004 STI: Both cars are just like the press says - But I give an edge to the STI. One big blast of a ride, the STI does have a more forgiving a ride than the Evo, has a better interior, and has a cruise control (Mitsu you listening?). Seat of the pants tells me the STI's 29 more horses and 27 more lbs torque are for real. Handling - both handle different and require different techniques on hard cornering. The Sti just a little lift throttle oversteer to set the apex, then punch it and watch the thing scream. I'm a speed junkie and the STI is just that much more than the EVO.
Love the WRX
I have been very pleased with my purchase of a 2002 wrx sport wagon. The car drives great! It is a big bang for the buck in my opinion. To really enjoy the car, get it over 3000rpm and enjoy the world of turbo charging. Overall a great car for the price!
Awe Inspiring
This vehicle is not for the faint of heart. The power and handling characteristics are "world class" but for a middle class price. The grip of Subaru's AWD, limited slip in front, limited slip in the rear and the driver or computer controled center planetery differential allow the 300 horses to do what they are designed to do. Move you at heart pounding speeds down curved or straight roads. I have owned this vehicle for two years and I love it. I have NEVER regreted my buying decision AT ALL.
2004 WRX Sedan
This vehicle exceeds all my expectations. It is a Sports Sedan and performs like it. There are very few cars out there that equal it's performance near it's price. On a long trip I cruised at 75-80 when allowed and got 27 mpg over 2000 miles. The ride and driving comfort was a 10. Inever got tired. Passing acceleration is amazing (70+ to over 100). It handles like it is on rails. Nothing comes close in the 25-30K range. Then there is the safety and handling associated with the All wheel drive! After 11,000 miles it is as tight as a new car. Original tires and wheel are more than adequate. I recently replaced them with 17" OZ wheels and Pirelli Pzero Neros.
Loving it
I love this car; the look, the ride, the performance, everything about it. Highly recommended.
Imprezive !!!
6000 miles already this car is just solid on every situations !!! Power, handling and fun !!!
excelent
A great car in which I´ve experienced true power with awd stability
buy an evo instead
AFTER A LONG TIME OF DECIDING WHICH CAR TO BUY, I CHOSE THE STI OVER THE EVO. WITH BETTER SPECS,I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE. WITHIN A WEEK, THE CAR HAD ALREADY STARTED HAVING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP,MY CAR WAS FINALLY FIXED. THIS IS MY 3RD VEHICLE THAT I HAVE PURCHASED NEW AND SO FAR TURNED OUT TO BE THE WORST ONE.
Black STi
Being a World Rally Fan I wanted to own a car like the vehicles that race in that series. Mitsubishi came out with the Evo VII Lancer early this year to rave reviews. I drove one and felt that it was very rough edged and not suitable for a daily driver. In comparison the STi Impreza WRX is a very polished vehicle with awsome performance. Sub 5 second 0-60, 13.2 seconds in the quarter mile. "What is that?" Is the question I get the most. This car has about $18,000 worth of performance parts without the need to get rid of all the factory stock parts. BBS wheels, lightened glass, Alloy hood, brembo brakes, etc. etc....Get one and Enjoy.
Best Performance Bang for the Buck
What's not to like about a car that can give Porsche Turbos a run for their money on the road and cost you less than your average entry-level luxury snoozer? You get the convenience of 4 doors, an enourmous trunk, and respectable gas mileage. Plus, you get the safety of Subaru AWD standard. 'Nuff said.
2004 Subaru Impreza
Perfect after one year!
Sport and Utility
This is my second Subaru, after owning a 2 door impreza L I found I needed a little more room. The rear folding seats allow for enough carry space to allow me to haul most of what I need around, and works perfect for transporting equipment for my job. On the weekends is when this car really shines, has enough power and grunt to keep me happy through the twisties, as well as on an autoX course.
Car of the Year 2004
This car is a dream. So much power and style. Will turn heads and rpms on a dime.
Almost Perfect
This small, sporty hatch back is a very fun to drive. So far I have only good things to say about my first Subaru. The engine is very peppy and yet fuel efficient considering this is an all- wheel drive vehicle. A good car to run errands and do other family chores, and even longer trips - ride is firm but comfortable.
in a ditch
i bought this car as soon as i heard about it. the best part was i had never really done any driving in a car with a manual transmission. once i got the hang of the clutch and the short throw shifter it has been nothing but sheer pleasure to drive. although some might say that the STi offers a harsh ride i feel firmly connected to the road. seriously the best car i could have bought for my dollar and performance oriented preferences.
Long Distance Driver
Because of the great power, reasonable gas mileage, and superb handling the car is great fun on long trips; especially in mountain areas.
This car is a no compromise vehicle
Need a practical car with a pretty roomy trunk? Need 4 doors? Need AWD? Need speed? This car is not only my daily driver, it is my entertainment and therapist. If I'm having a bad day, I listen to the turbo spool and smile. I love this car so much mainly because I never have to worry about it not working or not having the ability to take passengers somewhere and worry about their comfort. The seats are comfortable, it has the key features you look for: ABS, cruise, A/C, PW, PL, etc. The brakes are huge and really perform great (makes this car safe). If you're considering a compact sedan and don't want to compromise on performance and practicality ... test drive this car.
More fun to drive than a Forester.
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.
Fun and useful car.
This car is pretty much what I expected; fun and practical. I've driven Subaru's in the snow before, and this one should be just as good (fun). My old one was an Outback sport with a 142hp engine. The 165hp in this car is a very welcome improvement. It can move. Trust me. And I haven't even gotten it over 4k rpm yet (still in the 1000 mile break in period). The styling is much better than the 03 models. This car is also a lot more solid than the older (pre 2002) Imprezas. The exterior and interior seem to have moved up a notch in quality. Plastics aren't as cheap. The doors shut with a nicely muffled thud.
ELITE CAR
THE BEST SPORTS CAR EVER MADE ITS EVEN FASTER WITH MODS
WRB
Love the car, is a blast to drive, performance is awesome, styling is great, plenty of aftermarket parts available
Sleeper Wagon, able and quick
The engine, once in the power band, is raw power, serious, and breathless. The boxer flat-four gives a unique engine sound reminiscent of the traditional Porsche 911. With AWD, handling is phenomenal. Performance outperforms price and other cars in similar price range. In fact, the performance rivals that of cars priced far higher! Overall, for the price of such a playful, demonic little sport wagon, I am extremely happy with the purchase. Highly recommended for those wanting a genuinely high- performing sports car with the skill to do the tasks of small SUVs!
Performance, Performance, Performance
This is an amazingly fast vehicle. You can definitely feel all 300 horses and the 300 ft/lbs of torque. The AWD works great and helps out in rough road conditions. This is a pure performance car with little flaws. The negatives I did find were random rattle noises, attention I get from police, unmatched green lighting on the radio and climate control, easily chippable paint, and the gas mileage. Overall this car is for the driving enthusiasts, people who love to hear the car's engine and turbo, feel the car's torque, and be able to take corners with ease. You will not find another car with this much power for the price. Test drive it and you will automatically fall in love with it!
Acceleration Heavan
I love my new pocket rocket. It is a blast to drive. I'm also relearning other pleasures associated with smaller cars, like increased parking opportunities, nimbleness in traffic, weight-to-power ratio and smaller surface area to wash :>) This car has neck snapping acceleration. When pushing this car to its limits one better be paying attention. Great for around the city, not sure I'll be taking this car on long road trips; not a lot of leg room for back seat riders and the trunk is a little small for luggage for four (ok for groceries though).
One year later
Been a good little car and lots of fun to drive when driven hard. Fuel economy has been about 16/27 so far. Fine on long trips and it loves the corners. Car is a bit of work in the city, though. Always working to keep the revs in the power band and the constant rowing through the gearbox while going from one red light to another is tiring. But, that's more my problem than the car's so no penalty there.
The Best!!!!
I have read tons of material about this car but after I got my hands on this vehicle my love is growing with every day that goes by. I am lucky and happy man! The best car ever! Fun to drive with a bit of a challenge.
I'm in love with my car
I love it when I start it, when I drive it, and when I lock it up. I love it in the middle of the night just knowing it's in the garage. The power. The brakes. The handling. The roar. The POWER! And the looks I get -- driving into the parking garage at work ... dropping my kid off at school (from the other parents) ... pulling into the 7-11. You can take your 350Z, your Evo, your (cough) S2000 and keep them. Keep them out of my way, that is.
Goodbye Passat
I traded in my 1999 Passat V6. Was rather tired of the Bosch electrical drama all the time. I am only down 25hp from the 190 V6 in the Passat and it tracks far better (AWD) and handles about the same! Exterior wind noise is minimal and interior sound deadening is wonderful....like the Passat. The safety I feel is there as well. Just to know the engine will submarine under me in an accident and there are imbeded roll bars in the door coupled with good crash test has me hooked. The boxer engine reminds me of my BMW motorbike........smooth and durable ( I hope).
What a life
life is good... when ordinary joes (janes) can purchase a vehicle with this much performance at a reasonable price what else is there to say? the car freakin rocks!
MySTI
I traded a 2002 WRX for this car because I wanted to avoid the turbolag. I surely does that! I love the car and consider it the best pure performance vehicle I've ever owned. Strengths are power, power, and more power. The ride is firm and fuel econ is fair as expected. Lack of available floor mats is a disgrace for a $32000 car but that is nit picking a great performance auto.
For love of a car
I wanted a WRX from the time they came out. When the STi came out, I decided to get it instead. I am very glad that I did. When I finally do get a different car (years down the road, and my STi has been driven into the ground) it will have to be even more amazing than this one. I love driving it. It is the most fun I've had in a long time. We might even have to get my husband his own.
Best Car for Fun and Family
I bought my WRX last weekend. I am very impressed with it. Not to mention the great horse power and acceleration that everyone knows about, the interior is actually very good and up to my taste. Some people complain about the cheap interior. For those who are doing research, you must go to dealership to see it and test drive it. It's not luxury, but it is not cheap either. The ride is much more quite than I expected. The basic sound system is not bad as well. I have a big cargo room and a roof rack that I know I would appreciate someday. For fun, family and practical use, this car is simply the greatest for the price.
Why no wagon?
Excellent car. Just curious: Any others out there who would like this vehicle in the wagon version?
Excellent Car but needs improvement
The car handles very well on snow and ice. Car handles beautifully in winter blizzard going 70 MPH on a very dangerous road. On the bad side fuel economy can be better. On average I get 21 MPG which is poor considering vehicles size and weight and that is has 4 cylinders. The design can definitely be improved. Subaru has a lot to learn from German automakers. It is comfortable for a driver but passenger seat and the back seats are very cramped and there definitely is a need for a cup holder or two for the back seat passengers. Mirror and wiper defrost are a must for a car that was meant to handle cold weather well.
Totally love my blue bean!
Last year, I test drove 2003 Acura (the sporty one - apparently it was forgettable!), Subaru Impreza WRX, Hyundai Tibouron, etc. Favorite of the bunch then was Tibouron, with its comfortable passenger seat. This year was my turn to purchase a new car... test drove the 2.5 TS Impreza Sport Wagon (manual) and absolutely loved it - my first new car! My only test drive this year - It was the right choice. All around, quick and smooth - shifting took me a while to get used to after having a 91 Isuzu Trooper. I don't feel like I'm driving a wagon - more like a little rocket. Redesigned headlights are great and significantly improve the look of the car.
the punisher
With the reliability of the japanese product and the best performance for your buck without compromising handling like most of the domestic models. The car has better hardware than that mitsu car. how can you compare drive trains. It $ 4,000. more but in after market cost would not even come close for the wrx to meet the parts cost bin or the evo for that.The car ifyou brake in proper can do sub 13.15 quater miles and handle if you know how to drive 72.1 in the salom. After all who is in the rally know and who dropted out last season!!
Comfortable and Fun
I almost bought the STI but I am glad I didn't. I like the fact that I get heated seats, heated wipers, moonroof and all around more for my money. and for an extra $2500 you can make the WRX a little faster than the STI with actual Subaru performance parts. So, my vote is for the WRX. It's comfortable and fun!
Family man sees the light
I'd been sentenced to the past few years to a Volvo sedan. I've two little kids, and somewhere I'd heard that Volvos were safe. But I'd been eyeing the WRX for a couple years now, and finally took the plunge a couple weeks ago. It is a revelation. The feel is near- european, much superior to the mazdas and nissans I tested, though still not as vault-like as the Volvo. The acceleration is as filling-shaking as you'd expect. More interesting is the handling. Throw it into a curve and torque it up, and there's not an ounce of slide or wobble. I don't get where people say the back seat is small. I cram my kids in there and they love it.
Wagons Rule
-This car rocks. It has good handling, and a fast motor. It has All wheel drive, and it has cargo space. -So far I have put 1,000 miles on the car, and it has been a pleasure. It NEEDS BETTER TIRES but other than that it is a blast in stock form, plus it can haul a little cargo. Mileage depends heavily on how hard you drive it. -A good reference for this car is WRXfanatics.com, a forum site where you can find anything you want to know. -However you will want to add things to car the second you buy it, because the expandability in every aspect is amazing. So set some money aside for mods and go buy a Rex!!!
Sti-L & Purrrrrr4Menz!
At $31K, this car provided the Best Bang for the Buck! I had high expectations when purchasing, and I got so much more than I anticipated. People think I'm crazy for buying this car for a daily 80-mile round trip commute, but I say they're crazy for driving anything else! - Speed off the line! 300HP! - The style forces people to check it out, give me the thumbs up or ask questions about it when they're at a light with me. - ALL WHEEL DRIVE ALL THE TIME. Snow & rain are not an issue - I look forward to these conditions. - It's 4-Door and fits 5 adults. I can drive everyone to lunch again! - It's rare that you see them on the road due to limited production.
It does it all
This car does everything I need at this point in my life. It has four doors, all wheel drive, and a good size trunk. But the best thing is the unbelievable power from this "family car". Buy one...you wont be dissapointed!
Intial Review, I love my new Suby!
Just bought this car, will follow up review in about 10,000 miles for an update. After a long and frustrating search, someone suggested this car, and its perfect for me! Young and sporty, reliable, and has plenty of room (was trying to get away from SUVS). All wheel drive will be great in Michigan!