I'm in the market for a new car and I am strongly considering the 04 Rex. Have any of you 04 owners run into any problems with the car yet. I know a lot of the earlier models had tranny problems and what not. Thanks.

I know my POS trunk isn't opening any easier even after my 4th attempt to readjust it. Sigh.

Yeah the trunk is frustrating but I use it all the time (2x daily) and it's no problem then.

I haven't had any real problems with mine besides that (I'm at 3 months+ and 6k miles).

you guys have trunk issues on the '04? Is that an issue on earlier models as well? I have almost 11k on my WRX - no trunk issues to report.

So there are also some issues with the trunk not opening and shutting properly? Wouldn't the dealer fix this? Also I heard that the backseats of WRX's don't fold down. Is this true? I will need folding rear seats because of the munchkin.

The STI has no pass through in the backseat. I do not know about the WRX.

Blue

The 2004 WRX (non-STi) has an armrest in the middle that folds down--good for skis. But the seats themselves do not fold down.

About the trunk issue, to me it's a minor annoyance at worst--the sheer idiot's grin I get from driving the car (compared to my old beater) more than compensates for it. :D

I believe the wagon's seats fold down.

someone please confirm

i have an 04 WRX black. I have no problems to report. Well I've only had it for like 11 days and have racked up over 1k mi. on it already... I just can't stay away from it... I would get it if I were you. so much potential... It's totally worth it. As far as the tranny problem I've talked to a few people and some that work at subaru and they say that the WRX does have a weak tranny but as long as you're not launching at every light and tryin to open a can of whoop ass on every ricer you see then you'll be okay.

I have a 2004 WRX sedan (San Remo Red) and LOVE IT! No problems except for soft paint (buy the touch-up paint before leaving the dealership!)

The clutch shudder problem was fixed for the 2004's. :D

I have about 4500 miles and I am still smiling like the day it was new. It's a great car to mod! My former car was the 1991 Eclipse GSX (AWD turbo) and the WRX is a much better car.

Have fun and, for God sake, get the WRX!

Originally posted by Derbagley
I believe the wagon's seats fold down.

someone please confirm

I confirm..... the wagon seats do fold down.

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
I confirm..... the wagon seats do fold down.

i concur :p

'04 WRX sedan. 5,000miles@almost 3 months and no problems at all(almost). The onyl problems I have had to deal with is my trunk and factory alarm. The trunk problem is the usually latch set too low deal. Now as for my alarm, I think it is posessed. Sometimes after driving my car for awhile when I go to set the alarm after parking it, it doesn't beep but still arms(lights flash). The beep sound basically only sounds when it wants to. Most of the time it does work but, it's still kind of a pain when you don't hear it beep and you have to go back to the car to make sure it is armed. Has anyone run into this problem? Or maybe know what could be wrong?

I've had the same thing happen with my 04 alarm as well. It's only done it a couple of times and it still locks and arms. So I just choose to ignore it. Not a big deal to me, but I do think it has it's own mind;)

The damned trunk is my only other complant, got so bad that I couldn't even open it with the lever. Had to get in using the key. Adjusted it a little and now it's better, but still a pain. That doesn't bother me nearly as much as the perfect a5s print that one of my friends left on it when she was drunk. :mad: Right around the 'S' part of subaru. In the right light you can see a perfect indension of her a5s on it. Good thing she has a nice round one.;)

Other than that,,,, I love this car!!!!

Sorry for this being so long, just had to vent.

Originally posted by Captain Trash
'04 WRX sedan. 5,000miles@almost 3 months and no problems at all(almost). The onyl problems I have had to deal with is my trunk and factory alarm. The trunk problem is the usually latch set too low deal. Now as for my alarm, I think it is posessed. Sometimes after driving my car for awhile when I go to set the alarm after parking it, it doesn't beep but still arms(lights flash). The beep sound basically only sounds when it wants to. Most of the time it does work but, it's still kind of a pain when you don't hear it beep and you have to go back to the car to make sure it is armed. Has anyone run into this problem? Or maybe know what could be wrong?

Are you sure you didn't accidentily set it to silent and back again? You might want to check the owner's manual to see what's up. My alarm has been working perfectly so far.

Same thing with my alarm. Usually it beeps, but sometimes it just decides to go silent. And no, I haven't accidentally set it to silent.
It's completely random.

I have an 04 with about 1100 miles on it. The only problem I have with it is it's slow. Of course I'm coming from almost a 10 sec Talon.

Other than that...good car.

I have an 04, 2700 miles and no major problems. The trunk thing, i had to adjust it once and the cable for the inside release has snapped somehow. Other than that nothing to speak of except pure turbo enjoyment.

Originally posted by Endless01
Are you sure you didn't accidentily set it to silent and back again? You might want to check the owner's manual to see what's up. My alarm has been working perfectly so far.
I'm definately sure it's not on silent. I don't know what the heck it is doing because all of the sudden it will just not beep but, still set. Five minutes later after letting my car cool down a bit, it beeps again. :confused:

bought a new 04 WRX, 4000 miles so far, no problems at all, trunk is fine, everything is great.

I've had my 04 WRB Wagon for 5 months and 9200 miles with no problems. Oh ya, yes the wagon seats fold down.

oh yea,, the sedan is lighter =) by 100lbs.

About the trunk problem. There is switch that you can pull up or down on the back of your trunk. That switch determines if your trunk can be open with the lever and keys OR WITH KEYS ONLY. That might be the problem you guys having now, try it out. Btw, we should all start a new thread and post our 04 WRX hehe

i just bought my 04 about a month ago and i have a big problem with it..... ever since i got it i just cant stop driving it... are their subaru driving abuse classes ?:D

hahahaha! if u guys dont know about ur little safetly lock for the trunk... then that is sad!! haha jk well im sure ur driving aint all that great either, people there is a safety lock for the trunk.

learn ur car. hahahahah

Hey Captain,

I too had a problem with my security system on my 04 rex. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the keyless entry module and the security system module. It works fine now. It looks like by this thread that several people are having problems with the security system. Mine started acting up immediately after I got the car, so it was already malfunctioning probably on the dealer lot. Sounds like this could be a recall issue.
It wouldnt even let me into my car without the alarm going off, and the high "beep" stopped working completely. Other than this, It has been a wonderful car! Buy one, you wont regret it!

Originally posted by jdmpwrdr
So there are also some issues with the trunk not opening and shutting properly? Wouldn't the dealer fix this? Also I heard that the backseats of WRX's don't fold down. Is this true? I will need folding rear seats because of the munchkin.

Buy a wagon - no trunk/folding seat issues and more room for all the kid stuff.

Thanks WRX, I'll have to keep that in mine. The dealer is such a pain in the @ss to go to though.

I will carry the motion that the wagon has folding rear seats :)

I have 2500 miles on my wagon and have not had one problem, randomly the alarm will take a second push to beep, but I won't consider that a problem until it doesn't work at all.

anyone with a '04 wrx wagon...have you guys had any problems with your tranny?? i keep hearing all these horror stories...is it just the older models??

Hey Guys,

I just picked up an 04 wrx wagon - 3 weeks@2500 miles (been driving quite a bit to break it in.) It's a fun ride. Much better now that I don't have to keep myself under 3.5 RPMs. Woohoo break-in period is over!

No problems to report on the tranny. Very responsive. Being a newbie to manual cars, I feel like the car is really saving my ass.

The seats are a little stiff for long drives, but if you're the driver you'll be having too much fun to notice your uncomfortable passengers.

Funny how all the astro-vans suddenly want to race you on Interstate 5...

Now if they only kept the larger foglights in the US design...<sign>

I have mine for 2 months with 4500 miles. No problem so far.

I just wanted to mention something that I don't think anyone has yet--the WRX sedan front seat fabric is incredibly susceptible to damage. :( I don't know if the wagon has the same seats...

I've had my 2004 WRX sedan for about 3 months (just under 4000 miles), and my driver's side seat already shows signs of damage from where my wallet rubs up against the fabric. I've read that the velcro from cargo pants can also cause this type of damage, but I don't wear cargo pants that often so I doubt that's the issue. The fabric is just ****, pure and simple.

In any case, this type of damage is covered under the factory warranty so I guess I'll be getting that fixed soon.

5000 Miles on my STI and no problems.

Originally posted by Sheep
I just wanted to mention something that I don't think anyone has yet--the WRX sedan front seat fabric is incredibly susceptible to damage.

are you talking about the Mesh style fabric?? If so, I know what you're talking about...I've snagged my seats a few times with my skirt & have now learned to either a) not wear the skirt or b) if i am wearing it, to sit on my jacket or something...i dig the seats though, just not the fact that we have to be soo careful..

There are some great problems here...the clutch shudders, etc experienced with the 03 models have been rectified (they went back to the 02 configs). The only tranny problem is really not the tranny (which are proven to be pretty durable under significant horsepower increases), it's in the synchros. WRX synchros are notoriously weak and take severe damage at rpm'd launches. Another to look out for are the stock hoses. I definitely recommend replacing them with high quality silicone hoses (Samco, Perrin, etc). This info comes from my cousin who worked for Stuhlman Subaru in Northen VA and owned an Alpine White Scooby. He's seen and experienced these problems firsthand. Hope this helps.

Do they use the same clutch in the 03 Legacy as the 03 WRX? The '98 or '99 thru '01 imprezas also had a lot of clutch shudder problems. I thought that was fixed in '02?

Originally posted by vinman
Do they use the same clutch in the 03 Legacy as the 03 WRX? The '98 or '99 thru '01 imprezas also had a lot of clutch shudder problems. I thought that was fixed in '02?

It was rectified with th 02 model, but they tried a change for 03. They then switched back to the 02 config and everything was made right. Dunno about the Legacies, though, sorry.

Originally posted by Sheep
I just wanted to mention something that I don't think anyone has yet--the WRX sedan front seat fabric is incredibly susceptible to damage. :( I don't know if the wagon has the same seats...

I've had my 2004 WRX sedan for about 3 months (just under 4000 miles), and my driver's side seat already shows signs of damage from where my wallet rubs up against the fabric. I've read that the velcro from cargo pants can also cause this type of damage, but I don't wear cargo pants that often so I doubt that's the issue. The fabric is just ****, pure and simple.

In any case, this type of damage is covered under the factory warranty so I guess I'll be getting that fixed soon.


Yeah this sucks. I need to call the dealership.