The 2002 WRX is the first year that Subaru finally graced the US with their detuned rally car. I purchased a rally blue sedan brand new in 2002. It's equipped with the optional rear spoiler and I added the Momo shift knob to match the steering wheel. Overall it's been 2+ years of wedded bliss.
Exterior
The car is, in my opinion, quite handsome. For a four-door compact, it attracts a lot of admiring glances and attention. Of course, the electric blue paint, as described by my brother-in-law as having its own battery demands your attention. The wheels fill the wheel wells just right, and the spoiler sets the car off in a good way. I always liked the bug eyes, despite the comments of the pundits. The hood scoop (functional) is a dramatic element of the exterior. The front 3/4 view and rear 3/4 view are the best images of the car. The profile is somewhat dowdy and generic. The car looks every inch the rally car that it really is.
Interior
The interior has just enough flash to set it off from the run-of-the-mill Subes. The Momo steering wheel dresses the car up, as does the silver-tone trim and the blue-clad seats. I drove the 2004 STI and liked those seats better, but these are close. They have enough bolstering to hold you in place but they are broad enough to be comfy. The standard sound system works well with its 6 disc in-dash CD changer and six speaker output. The rest of the interior is decent; not Honda quality but good nonetheless. Lots of black grain-finished plastic, but of a reasonable quality. It all works, and sets the tone that you are in a proper sports car. You almost forget it's a four door car. If you are a 6 foot heavyweight like me, you will feel comfortable in the car, but will never mistake it for a full-size vehicle. The back seats are purely for show only. My kids fit in the back, but that's as far as I'd go in the back.
The trunk is of good size, although the seats don't fold into the car for extra space. The middle of the seat does allow a pass through for skis and large items.
Ride and Drive
Here is where this car shines. Fire up the boxer flat four and you know the car is special. It throbs in a way that tells you this car WILL RUN. From a standing start, the car shows its small four cylinder heritage. Once the tach brushes past 3K RPM, the story changes very quickly. Anyone familiar with a turbo/intercooled car knows what happens next: the car really lunges forward. With no wheel slippage because of the AWD, it's very stable. It really is like playing a video game. The shifter shifts (the standard linkage is a little balky and crunches just a little bit going into 3rd. A friend with a 2003 wagon has the same experience). Eventually I'll pay the money for the short-throw shifter. The 4 wheel disc ABS brakes feel a little mushy but work quite well at scrubbing speed.
The handling is above reproach. The car will simply accelerate into any corner under almost any conditions because of the AWD. I routinely hit on ramps and off ramps at >70 MPH speed. In snow and rain, the car is just amazing. I test drove the car in the rain and was "sold" when I hit an offramp and powered into the corner.
The WRX rides like a 40K+ BMW. It has very good ride control and damping. It's loud enough to remind you of its sporting intentions but not so loud that you cannot drive it everyday.
Speaking of BMWs, it's great fun to pull up next to Bimmers and other high end cars and watch the owners try and lose you. Steady pressure on the throttle keeps you next to them, which just angers them. Finally after playing for a while you roar by and they cannot understand why.
I can tell you the car is fast because I have the speeding tickets to prove it. Stopped twice in a six month period! There goes my insurance rates. Ouch!
Downsides
WRXs only get 20-22 MPG, period. It's because of the weight and friction of the AWD, coupled with the hyper turbo and owners that drive rally-style everywhere. I smile so much per mile I really don't care all that much about the mileage. The paint is really thin though. Just look at the car with an angry expression and a scratch hits the paint. Many on the web and in person have derided the paint of these cars. They deserve it. Too bad that's the only real flaw on a great car.
Final Conclusions
If you enjoy smiling a lot and blowing off cars that cost more than twices as much as you car, stick with the WRX. Nobody kicks sand on this car at the beach. I own a 70 Chevelle SS454 muscle car and this feels faster. Buy the car soon and enjoy it in the winter. It's neat that the car has more horsepower the colder it gets.
CarsBelowInvoic e
