2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2.5T

Summary:

Incredible

Faults:

Since I have only had the car for 6000KM, nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

The car feels VERY solid. The main thing here to consider is that it's not a regular car, it is a real race car. Obviously, the ride is very bumpy, but still comfortable. Accessories are quite standard. The DCCD (Driver's Control Center Differential (DCCD)) is very cool to play with at first, but setting it to AUTO is the way to go in the snow, but maxing it to the rear does help for MPG.

The car is incredibly fast. People complain about turbo lag, but when you take that in account, the car is easily drivable in traffic / downtown. The gear ratio of the transmission is very high. Ex, at 120 km/h in 6th gear, you'll be doing about 3100RPM. Fuel consumption is awful compared to a normal car (60$ for about 240-400km, driven normally; 240-250 at -20c, while 400 in the summer), but normal I guess when you take in account how powerful the engine is (300hp).

Handling is incredible, as braking is. The sound of the engine is quite lovely, expressing itself only at high revs / full throttle. The turbo whistling is quite load, but very entertaining.

I bought this car to enjoy more the winter and I do enjoy it a lot. Each time I turn the ignition it gives me a big smile on my face.

I cannot find a negative aspect to that car, knowing that I bought it for what it is, an expensive toy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th January, 2008

2005 Subaru Impreza Outback Sedan 2.5L 4

Summary:

Send this piece of junk back to Japan to rust in peace in the scrapyard!

Faults:

New front brake rotors needed at just 10K! Developed head gasket leak at 12K. Transmission hard downshift at 35K. Seat covers are already wearing thru and seams cracking.

General Comments:

This is my first Subaru and it will be my last one. Buying a Subaru was a mistake. Dealer Service is very inflexible and warranty support is very difficult to obtain unless you scream at them.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th November, 2007

20th May 2008, 19:40

You are so correct. I made the mistake of buying a Subaru in 2001. Within 2 years of ownership it was in the shop 4 times, one of which was a major repair. Although it was under warranty I traded it in on a new Toyota on 2003. The Toyota has performed without a hitch. Subaru cars are highly over-rated.

18th Jun 2008, 12:34

Hmmm brake problems, transmission problems and head gasket problems??? Sounds like abuse to me. Maybe you thought it was a WRX and were redlining it off the line and slamming the brakes on at the next light. I had two Subies in a row and had none of these issues ever with them. The seats looked like new after years of use as well, which further leads me to believe that your car has been abused.

In reply to 18th Jun 2008, 12:34

20th Jun 2019, 04:36

You must be naive to the head gasket and Subaru issues for years. Countless people post their cars because the damage was too expensive to repair. All because of a cheap little piece of plastic Subaru decided to use in a handful of years.

2005 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Wagon 2.5

Summary:

The lack of the turbo brings out its shortcomings

Faults:

The beeper for unlocking the doors died at around 30000km.

The paint is not very resistant to stone chips.

The rear left bearing started to make some noise about two weeks ago.

General Comments:

The car handles quite well espacially now that I've installed a bigger rear anti-roll bar.

The engine strains a bit to pull the car because this is a heavy car for its size. You got to drive very carefully to keep the fuel consumption down.

The interior is a bit small to use as a family car and the plastics are easily scratched.

I haven't had too much troubles with it, but I'm a bit nervous because my father has a 2004 2.5TS and he's had a bunch of problems with it (replaced the engine, replaced the rear brakes at 50000 km, the paint is chipped to an unacceptable level for a 3 year old car and the exhaust system will have to be replaced soon).

I've tried three different dealers, and they all have very ordinary service. They don't make the owning experience nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th September, 2007