2002 Subaru Impreza WRX review from North America

I've had a few issues with the car that I wasn't expecting. There was a rattle in the dash, which the dealer was not able to fix. That seems to have stopped, but the glove box has worked itself loose and rattles non-stop. I'm sure it will be an easy fix if they could ever get me in to do it. The driver side window started squeaking when I put it up and down not long after I got it. The vent selector switch wouldn't go all the way into the defrost mode. It came that way from the factory. They fixed it and it's like that again. The passenger side rear view mirror decided it would just start flapping in the breeze. The dealer fixed it under warranty, but made me feel like it was my fault by saying they couldn't prove I did it. I know I didn't buy a Lexus, but the maintenance people should go through extensive customer service training so as not to say things like that. My Honda dealer would've never said anything remotely similar to that. At least not to my face. With about 5000 miles the check engine light came on. It turned out that it needed a software update, but I had to drive the car for quite a while before they could fix it. They have to have special equipment to do it and not all Subaru dealers have it. The engine has started to wander while it's at idle -- which all of my Honda's did so that's not a big deal. The clutch has started jumping and slipping when it's cold. You cannot get it to engage smoothly until it warms up. It's very frustrating. You also have to double and triple clutch it to get it into first or reverse. It's done that from day one, but is much more pronounced when it's cold. First is OK after it warms up, but reverse is always grinds and has to be double or triple clutched.

I have a few issues with the car and Subaru in general. First off I have to say I feel like we get a bit of a raw deal here in the US. Why can't we have heated seats and rear view mirrors like they get in Canada? Don't they think it gets cold in Chicago? It could at least be an option for those of us in colder climates. The glove box needs to be lined with something to keep the contents from rattling. The rubber floor mats are too small and don't cover enough to protect the regular floor mat or carpet. There is no option for a trunk mat and the quality of material used in the trunk is inferior. Along that line having purchased the sedan I feel like I'm the wicked stepchild of the Impreza line up. Where are all of the goodie options like the wagon gets? I'd like at least a net for my trunk so things don't slid around when I'm driving like a maniac! There also needs to be another option for wheels in between the standard and BBS ones. I didn't want to spend the money on the BBS, but it certainly needs something better than what it comes with. The 17 inch wheels that every other country gets standard would've been nice. More importantly the brakes seriously need to be upgraded. They get confused in hard braking over bumpy surfaces and can really put you in a bind if you're not careful. But my biggest complaint has to be the clutch. It is the weak link in the whole set up. It is not capable of the handling the drive train. I can already tell it's going to need attention and I'm pretty easy on it. Also, when I ordered my car I selected the upgraded speakers, which are great. But at the time Subaru was redesigning the floor under the passenger seat (this is what the dealer told me) so the subwoofer was not available because it had to be redesigned. What? I was never offered an option for a retro fit after delivery. The interior room is not so good and we often take friends cars because I know they'll be more comfortable. Especially the front seat passenger. Why can't that seat go back further?

That said I love this car! It goes like stink and is fun with a capital F to drive. I'm always amazed when I get it a bit sideways or point and shoot it through a corner. It is predictable in everything it does and inspires confidence that a front drive car only dreams of. And after driving it in the snow I will never own another car that does not have all wheel drive. It feels so good to just go and watch everyone else try! I love the sound the engine makes. The turbo sound is fantastic and even the exhaust sound is cool. That really surprised me! It warms up really quickly (thanks to those three catalytic converters no doubt) and I swear the heater has a piece of the sun somewhere in there - even when it's 20 below out. I would like to have the option of turning off the air-conditioning while the defroster is on. It robs power and isn't always needed. In the summer though the air-conditioning is substandard unless you are on the highway or at highway speeds. Then you freeze your nobs off. The dealer's prices are exceptional and very fair. I do miss the Honda dealer's courtesy though. All in all it's a great car and I would buy another one. I just wouldn't buy one in the first year of production again.