2003 Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0 turbo from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sport-shift WRX an underestimated joy

Faults:

Car is still being run in, so nothing significant to report here.

General Comments:

Just purchased this vehicle and am still running in. Can't really comment on reliability or service costs. So this could be a biased initial review. First impressions are that this is a very well built Subaru (with quality, refinement and security vastly improved over the old ones). The fact that I have upgraded from an Audi A4 (lots of expensive problems) should speak volumes. Even though I am taking care to run it in, acceleration on light throttle is still excellent. Have driven older model (MY2000) WRX's and I think this is as smooth and as rapid as ever! Had doubts about buying a performance car in an auto, but new Sport-shift gives a good compromise not available before. And you don't build up a sweat in traffic. But you do build up a sweat every time you park it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th August, 2003

24th Aug 2003, 21:26

I agree that the Sports Shift is an excellent buy. Why buy a manual when you can change gears around the twisties, but revert back to auto in every day traffic conditions. Unless you're a racing car driver or over-enthusiastic motorist journalist (who doesn't have to pay for a ruined clutch), the auto will drive faster too...

2003 Subaru Impreza wrx 2.0 turbo from North America

Summary:

Standing behind product is questionable

Faults:

Transmission was hard to shift into second gear and grinding going into first gear the first day of purchase. Second gear went out completely within a week (800 miles). The dealer denied warranty coverage with claim of abuse. Missing gears because of tranny problem probably led them to their conclusion.

I purchased a second trannny (new) from dealership and It has started the same problem less than 2,000 miles, but it is hard to shift in all gears this time. I got it to the dealer before anything totally failed this time. They tried (special) tranny oil with no result. Now they are waiting on a decision from their rep. I wonder if abuse claim is going to be their out this time, even after I paid over $4,000 cash for my second transmission.

General Comments:

I bought car for performance and price.

Reliability and Subaru not standing behind their product is unacceptable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th April, 2003

20th Mar 2004, 01:55

Wow, US$4000 for a new trannie with a car still under warranty? You weren't driving in the World Rally Championship were you?

Seriously, my WRX has been very reliable since new. If you got a dud car and really didn't abuse it, you should get a lawyer and pursue your rights if you haven't already.

13th Oct 2005, 16:19

Maybe the clutch has something to do with it, such as, can't completely disengage, therefore, always grind.