2002 Subaru Impreza WRX

Saying I was excited to drive the Impreza WRX sedan would be an understatement. I was smitten by its racy good looks and promise of a powerful, turbocharged engine. But my excitement faded before the week was out. Let's focus on the positive first. The WRX, available as a sedan or wagon, has a turbocharged engine that provides up to 14.8 psi maximum boost. It helps give the powerplant its 227 hp at 6,000 rpm and 217 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Needless to say, with this kind of power under the hood, the WRX is best defined as a pocket rocket. I had no problem when I needed power to pass slower drivers. However, the five-speed manual transmission leaves much to be desired. Shifting is trucklike, stiff, and awkward. The clutch has a long travel time, making smooth shifting an exercise in patience. And the aluminum clutch, accelerator, and brake pedal look sporty, but my feet spent more time slipping off than staying on them. The rubber grips on the pedals are basically useless if it's raining or snowing. Gearing aside, the WRX rides on a tight, sport-tuned four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and dual-link struts in the rear. The rear roll center is raised 33 mm, said to improve cornering and stability. A ring-shaped reinforcement frame ties together side sills, center pillars, and roof supports for a strong structure that's said to be stiffer in bending and twisting strength than previous models. And, with regard to ride and handling, the WRX passes with flying colors. Tight turns took little effort, and the WRX glided over imperfections in the road. For stopping power, four-wheel disc brakes carry twin-piston front calipers with 11.4-in. rotors. ABS is standard. The continuous all-wheel-drive system, a staple for Subarus, has a