2008 Subaru Impreza WRX

"Had a good time driving the WRX this weekend," says senior editor Ed Loh. "Fast and tossable, the Rex seems invincible, feeling like a budget rally car right out of the box. There's a ton of suspension travel, and it's all very well damped-as though you're constantly riding in the sweet spot of the springs. Bumps literally get soaked up, and there is some body roll, too, but as you corner, this imparts the feeling the loaded wheels are getting max traction (again, like a rally car)."

He adds, "It's geared to go fast. Shifts under full throttle like rapid-firing slingshots-the engine winds and thwacks you every time you clutch out." With the WRX parked back in the Motor Trend garage, Loh ponders, "I remember when the first WRX came out in 2002-how much buzz there was that we finally got this world famous rally car. Now that it's been here a few years, and we've had several iterations of the STI, we've become jaded. Perhaps we've forgotten how capable and competent the WRX is."