2004 Subaru Impreza Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the Subaru Impreza from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 as a used buy.

Subaru Impreza is a small-medium car imported from Japan and one that has a well-deserved reputation for long life and high resale ratings. Subarus in general give the feeling they are designed by people who are more interested in engineering and driving than in marketing and over-the-top styling. Ride and handling

Think Impreza and you’ll most likely think of WRX, the red-hot rally-bred car that redefined affordable performance in the 1990s, but the Impreza is much more than that. The Impreza, on which the WRX is based, is a range of well-built small family cars including sedans and hatches made to serve much more ordinary motorists than performance-minded WRX owners.But the WRX has done wonders for the once invisible brand, to which it has brought a level of credibility that was once unimaginable. From a brand that was mired in the front-wheel drive mix Subaru, with the help of the WRX and a daring switch to all-wheel drive only, has become an icon brand that stands apart from the regular crowd.MODEL WATCH Once Subaru made the commitment to all-wheel drive across the range it had a unique point of difference that brought people to showrooms who might previously have simply dismissed it as just another front-wheel driver. Add to that the exploits of WRX on the world rally stage and there were lots of reasons to consider the Impreza when looking for a small car.Subaru offered the Impreza in four-door sedan or five-door hatch body styles; the latter looking more like a wagon than a hatch. Both looked a little frumpy, with rounded lines and dumpy proportions that gave them a rather plain appearance. As a result they tended to fade into the background, until 2000 that is, when the company unleashed the new model that everyone thought was ugly with odd-looking round headlights. So apparently did Subaru themselves as they rushed out a facelift that addressed the odd-looking front and made the Impreza much more attractive.Inside, it was a little snug for taller adults, but it had reasonable head and legroom for the class, and would swallow five at a pinch with three squeezed in the back seat.Apart from all-wheel drive Subaru also followed a different path with its engines, choosing to stick with a ‘boxer’ layout instead of following the more normal in-line engine layout.The bulk of the range had a single overhead camshaft 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 92 kW and 184 Nm, to which buyers could couple either a five-speed manual ‘box or a four-speed auto. The RS joined the fleet in 2001 and brought with it a 2.5-litre motor that bumped the performance up to 112 kW and 223 Nm.Drive was directed to all four wheels as needed ensuring the Impreza had impressive grip in all conditions. A finely tuned chassis and powerful brakes gave the Impreza a solid road feel that inspired confidence in the driver.At the head of the Impreza pack sat the WRX, a high performance car by any measure. With a 2.0-litre turbocharged double overhead camshaft engine thumping out 160 kW and 290 Nm it had plenty of zip to keep most drivers on their toes. By 2005 the output of the engine had grown to 169 kW and 300 Nm, which kept it at the head of the performance pack.With a good-looking body kit, and big wheels, the WRX looked tough and was the benchmark for performance cars from the moment it hit the roads in the mid-1990s.IN THE SHOP Closely inspect the Impreza as many have been given a hard time by owners who would like to be driving a WRX, but can’t afford it.Cars used by families as regular transport generally stand up well and are rarely modified, but models like the RS often attract owners looking for a WRX look-alike and they often modify them. Check any modification for quality of workmanship and legality as some modifications can contravene the law and you end up sidelined by the police if checked.If well treated and properly serviced the Impreza will stand up well in service, so look for a service record.Be extra cautious when buying a WRX. Many of them have been driven hard, on the road and the track, so look for signs of competition use. Such things like holes drilled in the body for a roll cage and sports harnesses, fire extinguishers etc, and modifications to the engine and electronics are clues to a fast past.Also be wary of ‘grey’ imports, which have come into the country as a result of the popularity of the WRX. Most have little or no history on which to make a sound decision.IN A CRASH The Subaru had good active safety with all-wheel drive, but it didn’t get ABS anti-skid brakes across the range until 2001. Prior to that it was only the RX and WRX that had the safer braking system. Airbags for the driver and front passenger came in with the 1999 model RX, and followed on the other models in 2001. ANCAP rated the Impreza at three stars.AT THE PUMP Those models with the 2.0-litre engine will return 10-11 L/100 km in average round town driving, the RS will take around half a litre more. The WRX requires fuel even higher than PULP, even the 98 octane isn’t high enough to stop it pinging in some cases. Be prepared to pay for the best fuel possible.OWNERS SAY Adrian Nicolescu reckons his 2002 Impreza RS is a great all-round car. It's been slightly lowered, with an all-round body kit, 18-inch rims, low profile tyres (225/35), a Magnaflow exhaust with 2.5-inch drop down pipe and a JVC aftermarket CD/MP3 stereo with remote. Since purchasing the car he has upgraded to a Kenwood seven-inch DVD screen with a custom boot install to fit a subwoofer and amp, an IPod adapter to play and control music from the IPod, a high performance dry cycle battery to cope with power demands, K&N panel filter, front end stabilizer bar, and last but not least clear side indicators with bulbs and a light up Impreza badge mounted on the front of the grille. It has been a pleasure to drive he says. It handles nicely, performs well, and has great fuel economy. For a medium-sized bloke he feels snug inside the compact cabin, but well supported in the bucket seats.Nick Tan has owned his 2004 Impreza for a year and has found it a real treat to drive in all conditions. The AWD makes for great handling, it’s powerful enough and is comfortable for both long and short trips. The interior is well laid-out and the bucket seats are a nice bonus. He has not had any problems at all, but says it can be a little thirsty and expensive if you're using the recommended premium unleaded.Ken Lynch bought a 2002 Impreza RX Sedan new. During the time he owned it he had a trouble free run. He replaced the battery after five years and fitted new tyres at 69,000 km. The styling of the 2002 model was a matter of debate, but it was a joy to drive.LOOK FOR • Good reliability• Solid build quality• snug interior• Good drivability• Boxer engine a little harsh• Good resale• ModificationsTHE BOTTOM LINE Solid, well-built small car with a performance edge, but beware those abused.VERDICT 75/100

We quite like the latest STi, but the car we love – at least for its feral, on-the-edge driving enjoyment – is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII.It is the one to choose if you're shopping blue-against-red, Subaru against Mitsubishi, in the turbo-traction-action class.The latest STi is a very quick car and nicely built with good gear, which makes sensible shopping at $56,630.But sensible doesn't tick the box for people who are looking for the hottest, slickest drive in a class where the benchmark is performance from the Gran Tourismo style of videogame thrills.If this all sounds a bit juvenile and pointless, that's probably true.But car companies use their hero cars to bait the hook for sensible showroom stuff.Which is why Subaru Australia has just uncorked a freshened WRX STi – as well as 65 new STi sports parts which can be applied across the WRX lineup.The only really major change to the STi is a subtle one in the central console – a switch to vary the torque split in the car's all-wheel-drive system, to also vary the handling balance in corners.It doesn't sound much, but the Lancer Evo uses a clever computer balance control complete with a yaw sensor to detect cornering slip, and so the STi – flagship of the Impreza range and the final step up in the WRX line – had to have something with which to fight back.It's come in the 2005-model WRX STi, which also has aggressive new Bridgestone tyres, DataDot anti-theft protection, re-calibrated suspension, new-design 8-inch-wide alloy wheels and even improved fabric on the sides of the sports front buckets.Body-wise, the 2005 WRX STi has a cover for the floor to smooth airflow and rear flares and bumper that have been tweaked to cover the wider wheels.But the price – $56,630 – is the same, and that, crucially, brings it in significantly below the $61,990 of the Lancer Evo.It means it also undercuts the Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z, which could also be competing for attention from the sort of people who would be considering the ultimate WRX.ON THE ROADWE'VE driven the sporty Subarus many times. They have been plenty of fun, but a little different each time.This time, the week-long run with the latest WRX STi came straight after testing the Lancer Evolution VIII. It quickly put things into perspective.Changes to the suspension make the STi ride and handle a little nicer, but it doesn't come out as fast as expected.On our favourite twisty corners, even well below 100km/h, the car was a bit more stable and a touch more responsive.The STi is a little noisier on the grippy, wider tyres, which come with a competition-style tread pattern. But the seats are great, the six-stacker CD system is pretty good, and we like everything from the feel of the steering wheel to the new alloys. And the cruise control is great for freeway work.Still, we have to compare the STi against the Evo. And that's when we realise the engine isn't as smooth or as responsive, and the car doesn't feel as quick.It still slingshots to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, but you have to get the engine spinning past 4000revs before you get much response. By then, the Evo is already away.But the STi does have a much more substantial feel than the Evo, and the general quality and equipment is also better.It drinks premium unleaded at 13.6 litres/100km during our test, less when cruising, which reflects the work needed to keep it moving.The touted change to the centre differential? Subaru says the torque split can be adjusted from 50:50 to 35:65 biased to the front to make the car more enjoyable and responsive to drive.We really couldn't feel much, despite taking the car to the skid pan at Subaru Interactive @ Docklands, the company's flagship dealer in Melbourne.The STi is a great 21st-century performance car, but it's not as sharp as a Lancer Evo. We'd take the base WRX and spend some of the savings on STi sports parts.THE BOTTOM LINETHE WRX STi is an extreme machine that is great for a fun run, but will find it tough to top a Lancer Evo.

At $42,940, The Rexie delivers a functional four door sedan capable of out accelerating most other cars on the road, capable of out handling most of them and still able to carry four adults in relative comfort.Oh, did I mention it has all wheel drive and a comprehensive safety package.If you want to get near the Rexie in performance and handling it will cost about 20 grand more.The new version sees a more appealing face and a sharper edge compared to its bug-eyed predecessor. It also handles and rides batter and offers more safety.Boxer engine is smooth and sounds great, drinks 98 premium fuel produces 168kW.Has strong acceleration basically from idle to redline and is superb in the mid range.Five speed manual is a bit clunky and some transmission noise penetrates the cabin.Dynamics are excellent with amazing grip in corners, powerful brakes and direct steering. It's a fun car to drive.Symmetrical all wheel drive has benefits in the wet and on slippery surfaces as well as for general handling prowess.Anti-theft code pad is pain but necessary to prevent crims for relieving you of your Rexie.Insurance is still a major concern if you own one of these cars, particularly if you are under about 50.Ride is surprisingly comfortable given car's intended purpose. Is easy to live with during the week and backs up as a "hack" pretty well.Interior is bland, looks like garden variety Impreza. A bit more flash would be welcome.Well equipped or the money – Momo wheel, sports seats, air, CD audio, power windows, doors and remote central locking. What more do you need?Has groovy alloy wheels, now 17in diameter with low profile rubber.Can ignore imposing bonnet scoop. Gets the kids talking. Signature of WRX.Not bad on fuel if you can resist the right pedal.

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.