Exciting drive

The 2.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine may also play a role in injecting "go-fast" into your blood. The engine creates 265 horsepower and 244 pound-feet of torque, which for a car that weighs 3,200 pounds is more than enough juice. The WRX loves to be flogged and pushed through decreasing radius turns.

Rarely do work commutes leave a little sweat streaming down your back, but the WRX lets you hop out of the car a little more excited than when you got into it.

Even the five-speed manual offers quick throws and makes you drive with a little more enthusiasm. Drivers use manuals. A six-speed may have helped the car's mileage, though, which at 19 miles per gallon city and 25 mpg highway are middle of the road at best.

But that's just one of the give and takes with any car. Want great performance? What are you willing to give up?

    See also:

    To decrease the speed (by the “RES/SET” switch)
    Press the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, release the switch. The vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as ...

    Page (track/folder title) scroll
    If you press the “TEXT” button again for at least 0.5 second, the title will be scrolled so you can see all of it. NOTE The display is designed to show titles for up to 30 characters. ...

    Using a flat-bed truck
    This is the best way to transport your vehicle. Use the following procedures to ensure safe transportation. 1. Shift the select lever into the “P” position for AT models. Shift the shift lever into ...