2004 Subaru Impreza RS review from North America

The handle to lower/raise the seat bottom keeps getting caught on my pant leg. I had it fixed and it got caught again the same day. Poor design. Will not fix it again until I sell the car.

WIndows sometime act weird going down (power windows), like they are getting caught on something. Not up to the standards set by other Japanese cars, not to mention German ones.

A few squeaks which seem to be weather dependent.

I got a great deal on the car and it is the same suspension, etc. as the WRX minus the engine. The car is not as crisp as my previous BMWs, but AWD is fun. The stock tires are a real embarassment, so I upgraded to Yokohamas and now the car drives like it was made to. Why Subaru puts these silly tires on a sports car is beyond me (other than cost).

Cabin quality is okay, better than American cars, but certainly no Honda or even an entry level German model. The money was obvious spent on the stuff you don't see.

The locking system is stupid. You have to push the key fob at least three times to open every door, there is no remote for the trunk, and the radio won't turn on for a few seconds after the car is started, all of which lead me to believe the electrics are sub par.

The engine, while no WRX obviously, is adequate for this car. It is not exciting by any means, but gets you to the speed you want in time. And it does take regular gas to that is a savings in itself. If asked, I would substitute a base engine that has more torque, a more "German" feel.

Overall, however, the car has been reliable. It will take anything I throw at it and not complain.

Insurance is actually very high for this car, probably because of the type of buyer - I am paying almost as much as my previous 5 series which cost 2 1/2 times more.

Do NOT put an aftermarket sunroof on this car. I did (a flip up one) and it creaks and groans. The car is very very "torqued" as far as design and therefore any such modifications should come from the factory (I wanted the power sunroof offered by Subaru, but it took too much headroom). This alone speaks volumes of what a true sports car this car really is.

The dealership experience has been great. I even had the car detailed by them and it came back flawless.

I assume when I sell this car it will go to some kid who wants to modify it as the car screams for upgrades of all types. But as is the car is pretty near perfect except for the somewhat boring engine (and I'm not talking horsepower, but "feel").

I don't think I would buy another RS only because the engine is not exciting (again, not horsepower, but "feel"). I may consider a WRX next, although I'm not sure if I'm going to like the new design (2006).