got my car around september and now its above 9000 miles.
a few weeks ago i ran into some major problems with a misfire in cylinder one. had to bring the car in a few times to get it fixed. haven't put anymods yet and now after all that i'm a bit scared to.

aside from that major problem this car is a champ, such a step up from my old maxima.

 

How can the dealer void the warranty just because you don't pay them $$s for a clear coat? I thought warranty issues are between the owner and SOA.

 

They are. If a dealership denies to warrant a claim you can take it to another dealer and have them look at it. They still may not warrant anything, but they cannot deny the warranty simply because someone else did.

 

Got MY04 in Sept and it's been a pretty smooth 4500mi. Only problems I've encountered were taking it from 3rd to 5th on the highway. It took a little work to get it in and in a couple of instances, it grinded. So I don't do that anymore. Other than that, the paper speakers and wipers are whatever.

 

The clearcoat is free. They actually can't void the warranty (paint is a FACTORY installed item, they can only void warranties on DEALER installed items) but they like to say that to get you to use the clearcoat. They REALLY REALLY want you to use it; they give you a full month window to bring the car in any time, and they start mailing you reminders two months in advance. This is Camelback Subaru in Phoenix.

 

Hishiriya, yes I am a mechanical engineer at Pitt. Brought my wrx out on sunday just in time for the snow storm. Went out and did some driftin. It was the first time I've had my car in the snow and it was a blast. Well until I hung the tail out too far and my left rear clipped a large rock on the side of the road. Did a number on the rim of the wheel so I found used wheels on ebay. Subaru wanted $320 for a new oem wheel but for $265 I got 4 used oem wheels with the stock tires on them. I'll stick to parking lots until I get a better feel for controlling my drifts.

 

Got my WRX in Blue 5 speed since Sep. 03, I have alreday put 13000 miles on it. No problems at all.

 

Got mine on Sept. 14th and I'm happier than a clam. She has 6100 miles on her and not a single thing has gone wrong (knock on wood). I may as well kiss my warranty good bye tho cause I gutted my uppipe, added a TBE, a 20mm swaybar, and lowered her on Eibachs. Can't wait for the Access Port.

No problems with the paint but she seems to attract rocks and other stray things on the freeway. Four rocks have hit the windshield so far with 1 chipping it, and a huge piece of plastic siding flew across the whole front end leaving black and white scuff marks all over the place. Luckily eveything rubbed out with a little wax.

Oh yeah, as for the revised suspension, the 04's have stiffer struts and springs but smaller sway bars, the rear is 17mm instead of the 02/03 20mm.

Only complaint I have is that SOA should have painted the sideskirts to match the body.

 

Got my '04 Dec. 22nd! I LOVE it!!! I have always wanted one since it hit the states! Finally.

:To all the paint chipping problems I guess I know why my dealer gave me a free bottle of touch up paint.:

I got about 1800miles and she runs perfectly. Can't get enough of it. As for the stereo, yes it does suck! I have to turn the bass to '2' just to be able to listen to loud music. The door panels rattle like crazy with bass.

Also I have experienced the creaking. It only seems to happen on cold mornings. I figured out it was the ashtray. (just put some pressure on it and it stops)

One other thing. In the snow.....this car is the bomb, at low speeds. But on the highway at a more moderate speed, the lightweight car and AWD like to drift a little.

 

That's completely normal on these cars. Reverse has no syncro. Just roll the car forward an inch in 1st and then try again.

Great cars, old outdated manual transmissions.