Faults:

Brake trouble at 1300 Miles - defective pads from factory. (Warranty repair) Power window trouble at 1700 Miles. (Warranty Repair factory defect)

General Comments:

Car has good power, but is very uncomfortable for anyone over six (6) feet tall. Seats are very uncomfortable with only a limited range of adjustment. Cargo carrying capacity of trunk is very limited.

Faults:

Many rubber fixings are showing signs of wear.

Shoe well carpets again show heavy signs of wear.

Pressure push extending cup holder has broken and can no longer be used.

General Comments:

I haven't smiled so much driving to work.

Faults:

No real problems as of yet.

Transmission shudders a bit when clutch is released when cold. Subaru says it is common. Personal mechanic says it could be a clutch problem.

General Comments:

I am very pleased with this car. The handling is superb, albeit with a swarm of oh-so-hated understeer when it is pushed hard. Car is an absolute dream in rain or ice.

Acceleration is quick and crisp and smooth, but the turbo stumbles until the car is warm (typical of turbocharged cars). The stock shifter is nice, but I prefer my short-throw much more.

An excellent value for the money, with a host of possible upgrades and modifications. Done a few myself...

Faults:

Paint chips away fairly easily.

Part's are expensive. Glass for windshield is $1500 cdn.

Problems with fuel sensor, replaced under warranty.

Taking in for clutch shudder when cold, technical service bulletin available.

Digital air sensor not that accurate, no way to calibrate according to dealership.

ABS oversensitive, adjusted driving by downshifting more instead of relying heavily on brakes.

General Comments:

Great fun to drive, handles curves well.

Full size spare will almost completely fit in well (1/4 inch difference)

Average on fuel economy, 9.96l/100kms.

Fun to drive in the snow, especially with a good set of winter tires.

Faults:

Had to open the motor to change 2 pistons. The car had only 3000 miles on it. At the dealer, they had to do this to 10 of subaru impreza. I was no 10. The motors were so noisy.

The heating systems blew off completely.

The air conditioning was either too cold or did not function at all, had no control over it.

The paint on the front of my car was coming off also.

Faults:

Reliable as a swiss watch.

General Comments:

Viewed logically, this is a belting car. It's fast, has probably the best sounding four cylinder engine ever designed, looks good, grips well and is as reliable as every motoring survey suggests.

But like most things which have been hyped to ridiculous levels, the overall package somehow fell short of my expectations, particularly once you become accustomed to its truly spectacular performance. This is probably the fault of the hype, and many of my other criticisms the fault of British society, but there you go. As ownership experiences, they count. And besides, since when were performance cars about logic? They're about passion.

After a year and 14,000 miles of ownership, I concluded that the Impreza Turbo is actually a very average car fitted with a storming engine. The interior is the definition of naff, and the 4wd gives great grip, but actually very little adjustability to the handling. The steering is probably the worst thing about it, being like virtually every other Japanese car - light and easy to use, but without much in the way of feel.

I actually thought my old 306 Rallye was more engaging and entertaining in the twisties, if nowhere near as quick.

The important thing to consider before buying an Impreza, paying through the nose for insurance, and putting up with every scrote in a 20 mile radius trying to rip it off at every opportunity (and they will - even if you garage it!) is to take a drive in one, and ask yourself the following question.

"If this car didn't do 0-60 in 5.something seconds, what else would make it in any way interesting?". Then ask "are these things worth the insurance costs equal to the GDP of a small country, and the sub-20 mpg fuel returns?"

I decided they weren't and chopped it in for another Rallye (insurance dropped by 65%, fuel bills by a third) and nobody has tried to stove my garage door in to remove it without asking me). I'm also reminded what decent steering and throttle adjustability feel like. Haven't looked back.