Faults:

There was a squeal from the brakes after 3 months of driving. Mysteriously, this went away on its own about a month later. The dealer had no explanation.

General Comments:

The overall performance level is very good, especially the all-wheel drive handling.

However, the car could still use another 25-30 hp (currently at 165).

Ride is exceptionally comfortable for a performance car. Road imperfections do not upset the car, even when driven hard.

Good seats, great visibility.

All in all, a pleasure to drive, a breeze to maintain.

Faults:

Ugh.... nothing has ever gone wrong. Never been to the dealer for anything. I need a clutch right now, but with 240 hp and 235 lbs of torque, it's going to happen!

General Comments:

This Impreza does not come with a supercharger. I added the supercharger and intercooler. The supercharger is an Opcon Autorotor and is of the screw type design. I use a Bell Engineering rising rate fuel pressure regulator and a Mazda RX7 Twin Turbo fuel pump. I eat Honda's for lunch all day long!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Bought a 5 door because I needed the extra space, and don't regret it for a second. It's cheaper to service than a Ford, and I've had no troubles with it at all, which is surprising, seeing how much I enjoy myself in it.

Car returns 16-26 MPG, depending on the type of road, which would be an issue if I had to pay for fuel. Watch insurance costs too, as they can be on the large side.

Everything that's been written about this car is true. From the bad (dull interior and understeer) to the extraordinary (performance, grip, handling and grins per mile).

Recently sent the car to Prodrive to have the performance pack fitted. It's not cheap, but it makes the car at least 20% faster and 50% more refined (1.2 seconds off the 0-60 time and 2 seconds off the 0-100 time).

To top it off I joined the Impreza drivers club (www.sidc.co.uk), and the friendly and knowledgeable people there have made owning the car even more pleasurable.

Big downside? What in hell am I going to replace it with for the money?

Faults:

Absolutely nothing!

General Comments:

Let me first say something about the strength of a Subaru. My previous car, a 1996 Impreza LX was slammed into, while at a stop, by a tractor-trailer going 25 miles per hour. All the force of this crash was transmitted through the frame of my car, and was unleashed on the two cars in front of me. Needless to say, no one in my car was hurt, but the two people in front of me were, and both of their cars, a Dodge Neon, and Toyota pickup were totaled. My son owns this Impreza now, and drives it all through the mountains of Virginia. Just try to part him from his car.

My new car, an Impreza RS is a fantastic car. It is not often that something can totally erase the effects of a bad day at work, like this car. It makes it a pleasure to scorch those ponderous Yukons and Suburbans. On more than one occasion, I have had "goobers" in VW GTI's and BMW 3 Series pull up beside me, only to find that they did not have time to read the nameplate, getting progressively smaller, on my trunk!

Have replaced the factory 13mm rear sway bar with a 20mm one. It makes a great difference. You can take curves 20% faster.

The factory sound system is a little suspect, but if you are like me, the windows and sunroof are always open. That is certainly the least of my worries.

Once you drive this car, you will have to have it!