Subaru Impreza WRX 2004 Review

Even better, annual leave had come around and the Subie was off on an open road trip – 1200 kilometres in three days. Subaru has spent many years perfecting its trademark rally car and it is a nice package, and from $42,490 an affordable one too.

We battled the traffic out of town, a trip made easier knowing that in under an hour the Rex would be put through his paces up the often-treacherous Bells Line of Road.

This stretch of road has been negotiated in many different cars but none as much fun as the WRX. The combination of the two-litre turbo and the symmetrical all-wheel-drive meant it would be hard to beat, and it was.

Winding through the twisting roads of the mountains, the sweet whistle of the turbo was music to the ears while the precise steering made the tight corners feel like a slight bend in the road. The WRX's turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 168Kw of power at 6000rpm and a massive 300Nm of torque at 3600rpm. The WRX is extremely sure-footed, helped by the 215/45 tyres and 17-inch rims, and despite its great handling, ride comfort is not too compromised.

Yes, it is a rougher ride than some more expensive cars but it's certainly nowhere near as uncomfortable as several other sports cars of its calibre.

The WRX is fitted (as standard) with a high-tech security keypad, an attempt by Subaru to stop the rising theft rate of the Rex. The company says it has resulted in a dramatic drop in the numbers stolen.

The system involves putting a four-digit code into a keypad located in the centre console area that cuts the engine immobiliser and allows the driver to start the car. But as with all high-tech gadgets, there's a high-tech instruction booklet and this 25-plus page manual was too much bother, so trial and error was the key.

The device has many different settings but the clever anti-hijack mode deserves a mention. When the car's in operation, the system senses that someone may have entered the car if the driver's door is opened – and so shuts it down. Pretty smart.

On the open road, meanwhile, the Subie is comfortable and while noise interruption is noticeable it's not intrusive.

On the rough highways the WRX felt like it was glued to the road. A particular example was following a standard Commodore along a bumpy section of road.

The Commodore bounced all over the road while the Subie did not move off its line.

And from the outside there is no mistaking the Subie's sporty looks.

Alloys, spoiler kit, fog lamps and body-coloured bumpers, mirrors and handles are all standard, as is the large letterbox that protrudes from the bonnet. This theme is continued inside with sporty seats, Momo steering wheel, silver-rimmed gauges and drilled pedals.

Checking the bonnet scoop for leaves soon became a habit – after all, the more air the better.

At Dubbo Zoo a peacock was caught dining on the bugs in the grille, but unfortunately ran off before we could capture that Kodak moment. Travelling through the streets of Cowra, Parkes, Canowindra and Dubbo, the bright blue WRX certainly turned heads.

Cruising at 100km/h was fine but at 110km/h the revs went up and the turbo came on, which meant the WRX liked a drink and slaking its thirst with premium is a costly exercise – its only downfall.