I have been told that the WRX is one of the true bargains in sporty cars. Very potent engine, AWD, great handling. I ended up getting an accord, because it fit me better, but I would take the WRX over the Magnum for sure.
Also, Consumer Reports rates it as an exceptional handler, and much better than average reliability. I don't see how you could go wrong with one.
HERE IS THE TEXT OF THE REVIEW OF THIS MODEL
Subaru Impreza
Road test
Tested model: 2004 WRX STi sedan AWD, 2.5-liter Four turbo, 6-speed manual
Tested tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE070, size 225/45R17 90W
Also see: Model overview-test results
Consumer Opinions on this car
Highs: Acceleration, braking and handling, all-wheel drive, offset crash test.
Lows: Ride, no folding rear seat, noise.
The Subaru WRX STi combines race-car-like acceleration and handling with the practicality of a four-door, five-passenger sedan. For the price, the STi is also a performance-car value. Its 300-hp, turbocharged four-cylinder engine accelerates like a high-performance V8, making it almost as quick as a Chevrolet Corvette while delivering reasonable fuel economy (20 mpg), albeit on premium fuel. The STi's nimble handling is reminiscent of a Porsche Boxster. The trade-off is a stiff ride that is jittery but tolerable. There is also constant noise from the engine, drivetrain, and, particularly, the tires. For less money, you can buy the 227-hp Impreza WRX sedan or wagon. It isn't as quick as the STi version, but it's quieter and has a more comfortable ride.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The STi effectively absorbs road impacts and bumps but feels jittery. Highway ride is firm, and the cabin is not well-isolated. The STi feels at home on twisty roads, cornering with very little body lean. Steering is well-weighted and communicative but not very quick. Emergency handling was predictable and controllable. After some initial understeer, the STi demonstrated excellent balance in corners and in our avoidance maneuver. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, helped the STi achieve extremely quick acceleration times. The amount of lock in the all-wheel-drive system's center differential is adjustable, but we found that it didn't make much difference. Braking performance was excellent.
INSIDE THE CABIN
The interior is put together well with quality materials and outfitted with a racing-style Momo steering wheel and sport seats. The driver's view is unobstructed except for a large hood scoop and rear spoiler. Head room and leg room are good. The comfortable cloth front seats are bolstered to firmly hold drivers in place around tight corners. The rear seats have just enough room for two adults. Access to the front seats is relatively easy, though rear access is more difficult. Controls are readable and well-placed. The illuminated gauges are clear, but the optional turbo-boost gauge blocks the temperature display. Controls let the driver adjust the height of HID headlights. Cabin storage space is limited. There are two sturdy, narrow cup holders in the center console and a flimsy one in the dash. The rear seat doesn't fold.
SAFETY NOTES
Side-impact air bags mounted in the front seatbacks are standard in the STi and supplement three-point front seatbelts that have adjustable anchors for an improved fit as well as pretensioners and force limiters for reducing belt slack and forces in the event of crash. Rear passengers also have three-point belts and the outboard positions have adjustable upper anchors like the front. Head restraints integral to the racing style seats in front are tall enough to limit rearward head travel, but the small integral restraints in the outboard rear seats and lack of restraint in the rear center are inadequate Driving with kids: The owner's manual does not recommend installing child restraints in the rear center seat due to the contour of the seat and indeed both infant and convertible rear-facing seats were not secure there. Some rear-facing infant seat bases may also have some tilt in the rear outboard seats. There are three tether strap anchors installed on the rear parcel shelf and lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats. The LATCH anchors are shallow enough to provide ease in attaching and detaching LATCH straps.
RELIABILITY
We expect reliability to be better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.
I hope I didn't violate any rules in listing this, if so, please let me know and delete my post.