Subaru WRX STi 2004

Good points: value, brakes, practicality, performance, heritage.

Needs improvement: Turn in, transmission shift linkage, rear visibility.

For about $32,000 you can own one of the fastest rally cars in the world and still take the family to the local supermarket, or just revel in the fact that the Subaru WRX STi, even with its 300 horsepower, gets 22 mpg on premium. In fact, your only worry is how you are going to pay the insurance premium.

Mom's view: The car is much better looking than the regular WRX and it is a much racier vehicle in all ways. I disliked the rear spoiler, but when you are packing this much horsepower in a 3200-pound vehicle it is probably needed by those hell bent on losing their driver's license. The problem with the large and expensive rear spoiler is that it interferes with rear visibility.

Driving the car is easy, but you must be very tender with your right foot because the STi was born to run. In fact, it is so smooth that you don't even have to downshift on the freeway to pass. You can just leave the STi in sixth gear, which is overdrive, and it pulls from 50 mph to faster than I care to drive.

I did notice that this Subaru had an abundance of comfy features despite its rich racing heritage. Besides the aluminum hood and functional hood scoop, you get great headlights, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, rear window defogger, and a nimble 34.5-foot turning radius.

The interior is basic, the seats very supportive, and the radio is an option. This is a street version of Subaru's successful rally car and it is not meant for a sissy. The seats are good, the steering wheel adjustable, and the gear selector easy to use. In fact, all the gauges and switches are exceptionally easy to use. That is, except for the shifter. It is easy to shift, but finding the gears properly, especially the third and fifth gear notches, takes a lot of practice. But we doubt anyone is going to mind this kind of practicing.