2004 Subaru Impreza GX from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Nothing the car has been fine so far. Very slight rattle from the front right door.

I purchased my Impreza GX after researching the Lexus IS200, Golf and BMW 3 series. Whilst the Impreza is not in the same class as the Lexus nor the Bimmer, I thought it had great potential of being a great driver's car because of the boxer engine's extra torque and lower centre of gravity it provides.

The stock standard Impreza GX understeers quite a bit so I whacked on a rear sway bar, front anti lift kit and a rear camber kit from Whiteline. These are all essential in getting the car to handle much more neutrally. I found that these modifications did transform the Impreza's handling very significantly and it only costs my AUD$1500 in total. Go for the base model impreza and add these mods on.

My only real critisism of the Impreza is the lack of steering feedback even though the mods did sharpen the steering up quite a bit. Fuel consumption is also a surprisingly high for a car in this class.

The boxer engine is very very impressive with its pulling power even thought the Impreza is a bit of a porky pig at 1.27 tons. Man... this engine sounds like a mini Porsche... very smooth even at higher revs. The engine is definitely one of the Impreza's strongest points not so much the AWD system.

I would have preferred a rear wheel drive only impreza matted with a boxer engine. AWD is a bit overated unless you want to go crazy in the wet. Its more a point of differentiation in a marketing sense rather than a functional one.

Totally accord with all that words, the subaru engine is outstanding, and the awd system gives you a total control on every places, weather con or roads. the new front is more and more aggresive and if you spend a little of money on a STi style rear wing and a nice gold coloured wheels, you will have a replica of a WRC winner.

Hi All.

Thanks for the imparted wisdom. Two questions for you:

1. Is the "Whiteline" installed by the dealer on request or post drive away?

2. Is this kit really necessary for general city/ freeway driving?

Many thanks in advance...

Love my GX 2004 Impreza Hatch. In my business I have to haul boxes of goods around city areas and I have found the space available with the compact car size fantastic. Having previously been a V6 driver I have found the economy to be an improvement and it didn't take long to adjust to the smaller engine power... all that torque makes up for it.

I agree with all of the comments, but not in the AWD point. The utility of this system depends a lot on the weather, the freeways features and pavement conditions and quality.

Here in Chile, specially in the South,which is very rainy, AWD is extremely useful giving the sensation of a CAT... with an amazing stability and security sensation.

Well I would like to drive the 2.0 R... someone has an opinion? does it worth the money?

Sincerely

Julio, from Chile.

I own one, and I love it, totally worth the money especially if you're one of those people who don't want to shell out for an expensive AWD model.

The Impreza GX is a greta car for the money its engine answers nicely when asked to respond. As for AWD I can't complain I have gave my car an abosolute gut full around tight turns and bends and it doesn't move an inch. In a lesser car I wouldn't be writing this. Great looking car add a set of 18 inch wheels an exhaust system to add some bark to the bite it already has. see ya dealer for a STI rear wing and your set you have a WRC replica for easily under 30.

The Impreza GX is a great car for the money. Its engine answers nicely when asked to respond. As for AWD; I can't complain as I have gave my car an absolute gut full around tight turns and bends and it doesn't move an inch. In a lesser car I wouldn't be writing this. Great looking car; add a set of 18 inch wheels and an exhaust system to add some bark to the bite it already has. See your dealer for an STI rear wing and you are set. You will have a WRC replica for easily under 30 thousand.