2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi PRODRIVE review from UK and Ireland

Nothing mechanically has gone wrong.

There was a squeaking drivers seat which was fixed under warranty.

Looks like the aggressive monster it is with a huge rear wing and flared arches.

First thing I noticed when I bought one, was how well it was put together. The doors open and close far smoother than my previous car (Jag x type) and the interior was typically japanese sports car, but certainly had a feel of quality about it.

Now, most will buy this car just on its driving pleasure. I sure did. But I didn't realise I would get such a good package. Huge boot, quick staring air con although radio is nothing special.

Anyway, driving the car. Start off slowly otherwise this thing will kill you. The gearchange is short shifting 6 speed and is quite precise, you can almost feel the gate.

Put your foot down, if your in low revs, you may have to wait a split second for the lag to go then.. WHOOSH!! Everything goes warp drive star trek style and that car/junction/end of road that seemed far off is becoming closer and closer at an alarming rate. Seconds later the gearlight will light up telling you that you are at peak revs and may even be accompanied with a 'beep-beep' if you've set it. Change gear, WHOOSH, Beep beep, WHOOSH, beep beep. That's the noise the you get in your head as the car accelerates through the gears very quickly. Then onto the brakes.

The brakes are very capable of stopping the car quickly and smoothly. They are not too soft (Jag x type) and they have enough progressive feel so you don't have all braked power on at first touch of the pedal causing unbalance of the car as you slow. Double de-clutch as you come down the gears. The gearbox was made for it.

Then the corner. Slow in fast out. Fast in fast out. The great thing with the scooby is you can plant you foot half way round the corner and it will put the power to the road and pull you out of the corner. If you have been used to front wheel drive, this is the added luxery of a 4x4 car.

This does handle very well and you will find yourself addicted to its speed warp factor so keep an eye on that speedo and more importantly, other road users/pedestrians that may not have seen you coming. They may have heard you as the exhaust does make a nice note when on full throttle, but by the time anybody can react, your ontop of them or past em.

For:

This car is well made, fast, reliable, looks great, handles and I've even averaged 25mpg although mainly motorway.

Against:

Ride is bumpy as you would expect. Stereo is pants. But all in all, however great a car this is. It can make things too easy for you. It's a ruthless cyborg machine designed to cover land as quickly as possible and it does just that. Some may prefer the feel of a rear wheel drive car that requires a bit more thought and needs to be wrestled with to be as quick.