Good all around car

I've owned my 1998 Impreza Outback for almost three years now and overall, it's been a great car with few problems.

The size is right...basically a compact car with enough room for most anything you want to haul around. My mountain bike fits in the back, although, most adults would find it hard sleeping in the back even with the back seats down. If you want to do that, buy the Legacy version.

The engine is a 2.2L horizontally opposed boxer engine. Porsche is the only other auto manufacturer currently using this type of engine. This engine has a lower center of gravity than a normal SOHC or DOHC engine and is better at not transmitting vibration, resulting in a smooth ride without compromising on power. And, for a 4-cylinder, the engine is pretty strong, especially in high 3rd and 4th gears. Gas mileage is not that great...I get about 18-20mpg in the city and about 25-28mpg on the highway.

The handling/cornering is outstanding. The all wheel drive makes driving in the snow like driving on train tracks and in the rain, the car literally sticks to the road. On a winding road, this car can out run V6's just by being able to take corners at higher speeds.

On a comfort level, the car is average for a car of this size. The ride is reasonably smooth and, with the windows down, it's quiet. The interior is okay with a few rattles here and there. We've taken it on a couple long trips and it's been great.

The one problem the car has had was a problem with the computer chip that regulates the air/fuel mixture entering the cylinders. On accelerating from a stop, the car would be under power until precisely 2400 rpm and would then surge ahead to full power. The dealership replaced the chip and it's all good now.

For an all around car, this is a good one...reliable and ready to go just about anywhere.