2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi from North America - Comments

I bought my 2004 STI new in November of 2003. I have enjoyed driving this car very much, and always take the "long way" when going somewhere just to enjoy it longer. However, starting on July 4, 2005, I started having an intermittent problem shifting into 2nd gear from a stop, especially if in the process of making a right turn from a traffic light or stop sign. So, I adjusted my shifting thinking that it was my fault. As time went on, the problem increased, and then the same problem started with 4th gear. I took the car to the dealer and told them that I thought the synchronizers were prematurely wearing. The next day, the dealer called me and said that the synchronizers were bad, and that the 2nd and 4th gear sets were worn and broken, and that it would cost me $2,900 to repair. As the car only had 25,000 miles on the clock, I asked them why this was not covered under the warranty, and they said that the damage was caused by "driver abuse". I explained that I have been driving manual-transmissioned cars for 44-years, and I had never driven any of my vehicles in an abusive manner. I don't own cars like the STI to race or abuse. I own them to have a vehicle that has a combination of great handling, braking, and accleration which increases the safety of the vehicle. After telling the dealer that I would have to consult with an attorney, they came back two days later and told me Subaru had agreed to repair the transmission at no cost to me, but it would not be a warranty repair, but a "gesture of good will". I ahve since learned that may other STI owners have had similar problems to mine, and I believe that there is an engineering flaw in the STI transmission that Subaru will not fess up to. Evidence of this can be found in the fact that they have put in newly designed synchronizers of a stronger alloy on 3rd, 4th & 5th gears of the 2006 STI. I still intend to keep this vehicle, but upgrade the components as necessary. I would caution those of you who may be having similar problems to not be surprised if they encounter the same rejection of warranty claims on the transmission by Subaru when they take their STI's in.

Uh for the guy that said the Evo MRFQ400 is faster, well if your talking about European spec cars well theres the Impreza WRX STi Type-25 it goes 0-60mph in 3.6 sec and tops out over 165 mph+

To the person talking about 0-60 times, you don't have to batter the clutch to get an awesome 0-60 time from an impreza STI/WRX, the fact is they have more than enough power to do the job. Pull away like you would in any car off the the lights and instead of massive wheelspin you get massive grip, you can safely plant your foot down in 1st 2nd and 3rd without worry of spin get a good lead and still have power to maintain good acceleration (most of the time, to the next bend where it exels again). although cars with the same power with FWD or RWD will start to gain unless you find a bend or another set of lights. but with this sort of power even when you don't bomb the clutch it'll still spin, sometimes in 3rd without 4WD, I know I had a small turbo car before, only 150 bhp, but FWD and that span in 2nd easy, so 4WD is still needed way past 1st gear, probably up 3rd with this sort of power.

I think the mitsu 3000gt vr4 and nissan skyline (awd) would give the subie a very good run for its money in the best AWD competition.

Yes they would, I'm not the original reviewer, I don't think scoobys are the fastest AWD, but I was talking about 0-60 times and that they have a strong role to play when giving other cars a bit of compititon, and AWD cars can't be beat off the lights, (well not the fast ones) unless you have a RWD car with F1 style rear tyres!

To the May 13th 2006 poster... The lack of wheel spin is what makes it so hard on the clutch off the line!!!If the wheels break loose, the strain on the clutch is much less.

Yes, if you do multiple starts at high revs before releasing the clutch it won't last long, but the point is you don't have to do that to still have the benefit of AWD, it is still needed after 1st gear on high power cars like scoobs. Those that don't have it, with similar power don't get away at the lights.