Faults:

Transmission lock out happened twice during ownership.

A/C was average at best during the hot summer months.

Rear hatch support failed at 40,000 miles.

Maintenance for general things was costly, but worth it in the long run.

General Comments:

This was my wife's absolute favorite car, which was fun to drive, but the dealer made for a very unfavorable experience. Make sure you find a proper independent mechanic to help you work through the quirks of a Subaru.

This is not the first Subby I have owned and will not be the last. Subaru dealers have an issue with realizing fault when they don't rustproof their vehicles properly. I took my TS wagon in to have the 100,000 mile belt replacement and engine overhaul done, to realize I could punch a screwdriver through integral parts of the chassis. I traded it in the next week for a NUMMI Pontiac and haven't looked back. My wife wants a Subby in the worst way; I just have to find a dealer that isn't a shyster.

Faults:

Nothing. Not a damn thing. Oh, OK. The clutch judders when cold, which I believe all 2002 WRXs do.

General Comments:

As an all-rounder, it's hard to beat from the money. Stonking performance, supercar cornering, bulletproof reliability, Mondeo space, four cylinder economy, and cheap insurance (here in Australia anyway). I know the other WRX reviews say the same, but you really do have to drive this car to appreciate the face-destroying grip it offers on fast, twisty roads. I've had an E36 M3 Evo before, and even that wouldn't have kept up with the WRX through the bends... plus it costs three times as much to buy/run/insure/maintain.

I bought my WRX totally stock, after spending a good while looking for one that hadn't been messed with. It's very easy to buy one with numerous 'upgrades', and that's had the daylights flogged out of it, so I was keen to avoid that trap. For the $10k I paid, I would have struggled to find a high mileage Commodore SS or Falcon XR8, that would be slower, thirstier, less reliable, and more to insure.

Not since my old Alfa Romeo 147 GTA have I laughed so much and so often when driving. Buy a WRX. You owe it to yourself.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Awesome performance with 0-60 in 4.8s and great handling. Uprated coilover suspension and stiffer (adjustable) anti-roll bars and chassis bracing made it unbelievable through the bends, and on Bridgestone RE070 tyres in dry weather, it was never less than amazing. On road and track, this car was thrilling, and never let me down once in almost 3 full years and 40k miles. Sure, it drank fuel, but my God it was worth every drop.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Nice car.

Got it for $9900, good for a NZ new and 62000k.

Came with fuel, warranty, reg, warranty, and AA inspection.

Love the car. Have been able to get it down to 7 litres per 100 kilometers, which I'm very happy with for a 2.5.

Was sold with a faulty battery, but this was covered by the warranty, so all good.

Insurance was more than I thought at 1500 dollars a year and a 900 dollar excess for a non turbo, but I am under 25 and a male, so it's probably right.

Definitely will buy another B4.

Faults:

Transmission blew up due to transmission line rubbing on the steering column and bursting. Get that checked out when you buy a used one. Very tough transmission indeed though. Still used today. BTW, it was $3500 CDN to replace.

Nothing else. It was a great car until I crashed it! :(

General Comments:

Very fun to drive. AWD isn't 50/50 split unless you get a manual 5 speed (get the 5 speed).

Good all-seasons or winters + AWD is awesome fun in the winter months.

Keep up basic and advanced maintenance using good products like Mobil 1, Wix filters, Amsoil oils, and Subaru OEM, and this car will last forever.

Many aftermarket solutions for this little car. Even a supercharger for the 2.5L that will out do a WRX!

Join a local forum so you can learn about this awesome little car.