2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Online associate editor Rory Jurnecka feels the STI is "the result of Subaru engineers making a laundry list of things wrong with the standard WRX and fixing them." To that point, Jurnecka says, "Where the WRX feels like rubber, the STI feels solid-the gear lever throws are firm and precise, the clutch is light yet full of feel, and the car seems taut and well-planted."

Not that Jurnecka is head over heels about the Subie. "Still, the STI doesn't feel as fast as you'd think it might, though the numbers tell a different story, and there's plenty of understeer on a twisty road." At around 5000 miles, the STI's right turn signal began blinking at a feverish pace-a likely sign of a faulty fuse or bulb-so an impending dealer visit is right around the corner. We'll just have to pry the wheel away from those eager to take this sexy machine out for a spin.