2004 Subaru Impreza / WRX / Outback Sport Pros and Cons at TrueDelta: Owner Pros and Cons by chris.dove

Handling

Stiff suspension, quick steering ratio, relatively wide/sticky OEM summer tires, and sophisticated AWD make this car a blast in the twisties. It does tend to understeer a bit at the limit, and steering can be a bit numb near center.

Price or payments

While the STi is not cheap by any measure, it will outperform many cars twice its price. It only has one serious rival in its price/performance class (Mitsubishi Evo). Otherwise, it will eat most other sport sedans for breakfast.

Feature availability

The driver controlled center diff is probably not as useful as it sounds, but it appeals to the gadget freak in me.

Fuel economy

16/22 MPG City/Highway...ouch.

Insurance cost

Depreciation is not terrible, but insurance is pretty bad. This is one of the ultimate "boy racer" cars, and unfortunately there are plenty of idiots out there busy wrapping these around trees, hurtling them into other cars or stealing them.