Faults:

Usual maintenance items as needed... but nothing out of the ordinary or out of place.

General Comments:

Absolutely fantastic driver's car. This is my fifth WRX and I love them because they are so good! What they lack in creature comforts or interior aesthetics, they easily make up for in user experience. This is the car to drive through an apocalypse - truly bulletproof motoring at a very reasonable price. Whilst European exotics are at the dealers getting attended to - Sooby drivers are grinning and laughing as they outdrive traffic!

Faults:

Gets a rattle around 3500 RPM when I'm changing gear, that I'm not sure is a good thing

General Comments:

Like I said, funny rattly sound at 3500 RPM. Noise from the engine or transmission (not sure which one) can seem a little excessive around 60-70km/h in 5th gear, I'd love to drive someone else's Impreza just to be sure this is normal, as I'm not sure; just seems a fraction too loud. I'm not doubting the car's mechanical reliability at all; Subaru has an excellent reputation; I just think the previous owners have treated this car a bit poorly, the more I discover about it.

Cruise control can be a little late to respond sometimes, or on random occasions takes forever to increase speed. Needless to say, I don't trust cruise control going past a speed camera, it seems to vary too much, though I've never driven another car with cruise control, so I don't know if that's normal.

Otherwise, top car, grip and handling are awesome, driving position is fantastic, nice amount of room for carrying things for just a 4 cylinder hatch, looks nice and aggressive, great headroom, low range was a surprise, though it's not really geared very low at all in comparison with a dedicated 4x4.

Engine is maybe a little underpowered for the weight of the car, but still totally bearable. Engine sounds nice too.

All round it's a comfortable and enjoyable drive, and it's probably the most suitable car for me and I love it, despite its suspected sketchy history, but that's not the car's fault :)

Faults:

- The only thing that has gone wrong with the car is a blown headlight globe.

- I'm not so happy with the fuel consumption; it does about 11-12L/100km, and uses a lot when accelerating.

General Comments:

- I love this car, it has more than enough acceleration and speed than you need anywhere in Sydney, and even out west.

- Extremely reliable; I can always count on it to start with no issues, and everything in the car is always tip top.

- The interior is durable and great, and the back seats don't fold down, but that is expected in a sporty car like this, and the boot is huge; I expected something much smaller.

- The AWD system is amazing; you cannot un-stick it. I have taken it offroad many times going camping with mates etc, and while everyone else is going side to side on sand and gravel roads, it handles like tarmac.

Overall, I am very pleased with this car, and I'm a P-plate driver, and I cannot believe I have such a good car for the price I paid.

Faults:

All scheduled maintenance performed by me, or Subaru technicians.

Turbo (TD04) went out at 117k miles. I replaced it with a used TD04 from another WRX for $150.

Battery died at 124k.

2 front O2 sensors. I think those were about $70 each.

Clutch died at 180k miles :) I replaced it with a stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel.

Steering wheel has started to "wear" on the top center. I usually have my hand rested there as I drive; not bad, but it's a little rough after 182k miles.

IA-CV gasket, went out at 170ish'k miles. $12 fix.

Ball joints and front axles. These items wore out prematurely, as I drive extremely hard on my car. It is also tracked and auto-crossed.

General Comments:

The WRX does everything well. It may not be the "best" in every category, but it performs extremely well in every category.

Consumer Reports gave it a top pick.

My WRX is driven hard, is highly modified, and it still holds up with all the abuse I put it through.

Basic scheduled maintenance, and these cars will last a long time.