2004 Subaru Impreza RS from North America - Comments

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).

You should move up your trade in time and get a Saab 92X Aero. It is basically a WRX with a nicer front end and a better interior. I got mine with the GM discount for less than $20K (msrp $28,250) and I love it. I traded a Subie with a 2.5 for it because I hated the performance as well. The Saab is really quick and a blast to drive! The GM deal is going 'til 9-2-05...

I am the original poster.

I actually drove the Saab and loved it, both versions. But when I looked they were new models and the dealer wanted ridiculous prices.

But, as I suspected and you have proven, the Saab turned out to be a "failure" in the marketplace so will definitely consider it when I trade in my RS. The deal you got was amazing.

I only hope Saab stays in business long enough to support the car. Latest stuff I've read is that it is teetering on the brink of becoming another Oldsmobile.

Saab has vauxhall vectra chassis, no way a scoobie.

"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, (b) not to mention German ones. (/b) "

Sorry, I Owned a VW Golf and read many reviews about audi's.

I would say that german power windows go up when you press down and down when you press up...

They also love to go down in winter, but then fail to go back up :P.

I am the original poster.

When I say "German" I mean BMW and Mercedes, not Audi. I can't stand Audis and their controls. Even the new A3 sportwagon, which is amazing to drive, has too many little quirks for me to live with - like when I sit in my friend's A3 at night in the backseat and this lock/unlock button's light is blinding me. Why is it so important for the rear seat passengers to know where this button is? After all, I can open the rear doors whether they are locked or not. And I've always hated VW/Audi window controls.

As for the poster who made the GM comment, I suggest you do some research. The 9-2X, which is a clone of my car in base form, is a Subaru, not a Saab. You are thinking about the 9-3.

A lot of these things you complain about should have been seen/experienced in the test drive. The engine for example, unless you wanted good economy or something, but you seem to knock the 2.2 (I think its the 2.2 since its not the 2.5) when its just like any other four banger, but it has to drive an awd system as well.

You cannot compare higher quality or "entry" level mercedes and BMWs to a small japanese economy sedan with good handling and upgraded components. They're are just not on the same level and I have to wonder why you bought the impreza if beemers and mercedes are your type of cars.

Sigh.

I'm not "complaining" about things as you seem to indicate. I did take a test drive and I was well aware of the engine's "problems" but it was a trade off for me since I am more interested in handling than engine speed. I was just making a statement about the engine, which Subaru has evidently correctly with the latest model.

And I have every right to compare the Subaru with entry level BMWs and Mercedes since Hondas and Toyotas have interiors that compare favorably so why can the MORE expensive Subaru? There is simply no excuse for it.

And in a twist of irony, the Subaru dealer I use is BETTER than ANY BMW or Mercedes dealer I have ever been to.

I buy cars on how they drive, not the prestige factor. My Subaru has had significantly less faults than my old Mercedes C230 and is more fun to drive.

As for your four banger comment, I see you haven't driven many four cylinder cars. They each have unique personalities.

And I also suggest you do some research before posting. My car is called an Impreza 2.5 RS for a reason - it has a 2.5 litre engine not the 2.2 you claim it has.

It sounded like complaining to me.

Why are you comparing the subaru to toyotas and hondas now? I thought we were stuck on the mercedeses and the lexuses...

I haven't driven many 4 cyl cars?

88 subaru justy 3 cyl (the exception)

91 nissan 240sx

95 mistsubishi eclipse

97 subaru impreza

98 volkswagen jetta.

All four cyls (except the justy)...

And the subaru didn't feel much different other than soundwise or a bit more power since mine was a 2.2 compared to the other engines, but nothing noticeable really, and they were all stick shift since automatic trannys are just, well, lets not get into that.

Sorry I did not know about the 2.5, I haven't driven subaru in a while and I don't know if they still use the 2.2s anymore. Plus I didn't read the review alone (where it shows engine type and all that) only the comments/ your review minus the little specs.

So, in other words, you thought you would just criticize without knowing the facts? Figures.

And given you have allegedly owned so many four cylinders I find it hard to believe you would say they are all alike.

But more to the point, Subarus are not the economy cars you are making them out to be. In fact, the Legacys are now priced around entry level BMWs if you get a loaded one.

And my point about mentioning Toyotas and Hondas, which you obviously missed (again), is that their interiors match or better those of BMW and Mercedes, so why can't Subaru?

I guess you need to actually go out and look at the cars you are commenting on.

And there are many people who are cross shopping WRXs with entry level BMWs and Audis.

To the original poster... The SAAB 92x is a SAAB. I know it is a Subaru underneath the badging, but it is marketed as a SAAB. (I was NOT thinking of a 9-3) They now have come to pass sadly, but I still love mine and got a phenomenal deal on it through GM. It also is in no way a "base" model of your car. It is an upscale version of the WRX. In fact the WRX had to catch up with the 92X in features after it's release in 2005 i/e, climate control, 6 disk changer standard...etc. etc.

I've got a 2004 WRX and it has the 6 disc changer as standard and air con.