2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi V9 from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Nothing, still running in.

Insurance!!! OUCH, no surprises there.

I trust Subaru as I've been driving a '99 Legacy SW since new, and NOTHING has gone wrong (blown bulbs aside).

Roadholdling and handling is amazing - just aim and fire!. Almost as sharp as Evo8 with this new DCCD and revised steering and suspension.

Engine needs a good rev to get going, once at 4000 rpm begins to show real muscle, redline is over 8000!. Shifter has a buzzer that is adjustable too.

Cabin is solidly made and a comfortable place to be. For a compact size car, space is good.

Build quality is excellent, panels and paint well finished.

Ride comfort is firm, but not as harsh as an EVO or an alfa 147 gta.

Love the way it drove, but it comes at a huge cost. its very hard to live with - much like a Ferrari, worse in some ways. The police follow you, you can't park it anywhere unattended, lots of idiots want to take you on (yes on the public road day or night). Fuel bills are horrific as well as insurance.

For what it is, fit & finish was good, but this is blighted by the insubstantial feel of the doors and some truly nasty trim around the car.

Fun on the weekends, but HELL to live with day to day.

I must disagree with the previous posting. This vehicle is a compact car, first. With a beastly engine and suspension, thankfully added. The comment about the doors reflects on all compacts, where is this complaint addressed in other compacts. The matter of fuel depends on how hard we drive our cars. I've owned mine for over 1 year. My fuel consuption totals depend on how hard I am on the gas, same as every car. If your car is up to this performance, you use it, you'll use some fuel. If you drive normally, fuel cost isn't abnormal. I have had no problems with my 04 STI. Fit & finish are what I expected. Interior is on par with market segment, but seats are far better. Ride quality is firm, as expected, and more importantly, desired for this vehicle segment. If the ride is too firm, fuel economy too high, and vehicle expectations too high, you're clearly not looking at the correct class of vehicle. This car is exactly what is exactly what it is designed to be, an Impreza with gutts.

Yes I agree with the above comments. it is an impreza with guts, you pay for the bits you can't see and the driving thrills - the '05 is very good. The ride is a good compromise too (i had '01 s2000 before and I didn't like the std setup).

Great 6 spd box & seats. Don't like the 'insubstantial' feel of the doors etc and the plastics - but they're better than they used to be. Great performance for the $$, no frills!

But as an everyday car it had to go, but as a weekend toy - fabulous!

I agree with most of the above, I had a test drive recently of the 05 WRX limited edition evo8.Loved it was ready to buy, but was unable to insure vehicle in my area (inner city, Sydney). The only company which would insure, was asking 3 grand a year, with a $1400 excess. It's a pity Subaru can't offer better rates to more mature drivers, with a clean driving history.

I think this last guy is a little bit confused. Evo 8 is a Mitsu not a Subaru.

I believe the comment re evo 8 referred to the Club Spec Evo models of WRX, and not to a Mitsubishi Evolution.

It doesn't matter, club spec, evo, wrx blah blah, EVO belongs to Mitsubishi, WRX belongs to Subaru's. Either way I'd prefer an Evo as they handle better around corners, more reliable, and of course faster and more tunable. 500hp on a stock evo motor? Easy. 500hp on a stock WRX mortor KA Booooom! Oh well in NZ EVO's rule the land, might be different elsewhere.