2002 Subaru Impreza WRX from North America - Comments

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.

Your criticism's of Subaru are accurate and haven't changed since I purchased my 1996 Impreza. You will never receive BMW-service at a Subaru dealer. I always left the dealership with a lighter wallet and feeling as if I had purchased a "cheap" brand of vehicle.

Your complaints regarding fit-and-finish, the clutch, and the brakes were correct. Those are well-known weaknesses in the WRX, but Subaru had use mediocre parts to keep the prices in the mid-20's.

On advantage of purchasing a WRX is that there are a lot of aftermarket performance parts available. Upgraded clutches, brakes, and suspensions are readily available. The question is whether or not it is worthwhile to spend another $5-6k on your "inexpensive" sports-car to fix its minor foibles.

I just thought I would add my two cents about dealers. Everyone thinks if you buy a "cheap' car you get a crummy dealer and that people who own more expensive cars get better service.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It all depends on the INDIVIDUAL dealer, not the brand. I have owned Hondas, Toyotas, several BMWs and a Mercedes. In my experience, there was no distinguishable difference between the brands, only the dealers.

For example, as part of a warranty service on my BMW the local dealership was supposed to provide a loaner car. Even though I made an appointment well in advance, I still had to wait nearly an hour to get a Mercury Marquis (!) rental because they ran out of cars (good planning on their part, eh?). If that wasn't bad enough, they made the whole process seem like I was inconveniencing them.

It was even worse when I tried to turn in my 528i lease when it was up. I was literally interrogated by the used car manager because I didn't get the lease there. Funny, given my lease deal was with BMW, not a specific dealer. After his endless insults and threats, he finally took the car because it had low miles and was in good shape. And then he had the nerve to ask me to lease another car from him.

So, again, it depends on the dealer not the brand.

I cannot understand what you say. There is no difference between brands. BMW Mercedes and SUBARU are the same?

They are the same in price, in comfort, in reliability in safety... Have you ever seen somebody to crash a Honda or a SUBARU and to be alive?

This is what makes a car. My uncle had a Mercedes 5 liters S class 1986 model. Take this car and try the 0 - 100 km/h. It is a 2+ tones rocket, reliable and safe. MPG is good when you drive normally. Now compare this car with a new Mercedes or a new SUBARU. I believe that the Subaru is more thirsty most of the times.

I cannot see a point where these Japanese cars are better, except the 4WD..

And the speed, and the handling.

"And the speed, and the handling."

All Japanese cars are good for is reliability and quality. If you're looking for a fast and good handling car, than the only way to go is a European car. European cars are HORRIBLE when it comes to reliability, but when it comes to driving pleasure, they are perfect. I love Japanese cars, as they are very reliable and they do handle quite well (compared to unreliable and poor handling American vehicles) but a European vehicle is the way to go when it comes to all around performance.

Maybe not all Japanese cars handle well, but this is a Subaru WRX review, and that probably handles better than your average European car.

I bought a 2004 WRX wagon automatic. It has developed a oil smell at times, but over 98,000 miles it has been a real good car.

It has rev limit at 130 mph. I found that out in Montana. Also had a speeding ticket going over 100 in Montana $40.

Great car, and easy to change the oil on.