OUR NEW 2011 SUBARU IMPREZA

Alas, our old car stopped running and, even though it had been purchased only seven years ago, it needed over five thousand dollars worth of repairs. The purchase of a new car seemed almost forced on Ann and myself. In a way, I was happy about this since we hadn't enjoyed the quality of a Subaru since our Justy had been retired several years ago. This had been a four-wheel drive car and, despite the fact that it was a small car, had allowed to go anywhere regardless of the weather. Ann and I selected a silver 2011 All-Wheel Drive Subaru Impreza.

The reason we had not purchased an Impreza at an earlier time was that we thought it was too large a car for us. We're small car fans. This time, the choice could not be denied. It had to be an Impreza despite the fact that it's larger than the Justy was and even larger than the Smart Car that we own and enjoy. Being an All-Wheel Drive car, the Impreza will keep Ann safe for everyday driving and will serve me well when I drive to work on terrible wintry days.

Our new Subaru is a five-door hatchback. It's a fourth generation Impreza, the first having been introduced in 1993. It has a 2.5 liter, 170 HP, four cylinder boxer engine located at the front of the vehicle. It's a Plain Jane version but has all the safety features found in today's autos. It will not reach 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds but we don't need that. It will not get to 150 miles per hour in a quarter mile. We don't need that either. It will not give 42 miles to the gallon but we have already discovered that it easily gives 27 mpg on the road and about 15 in the city. This is fine for an all-wheel drive car. The cost of the car was painless; a little over $20,000. (Our Smart Car cost more than this and does not have a back end.)

The car is compact but large inside. With the rear seats folded down, it has the capacity of a station wagon. Ann needs this for her Ebay work. It has an automatic transmission that can optionally be shifted manually. There is a computer that tells what is the miles per gallon we're receiving as we drive. There is even cruise control that we don't plan using.

Is there anything I don't like? Yes, the driver can adjust the seat to a height that is comfortable, but the passenger's seat doesn't adjust. When Ann is driving and I'm a passenger, the seat is so low I feel like a kid. We have solved this problem with the purchase of a thick cushion to be used on the passenger's seat.

Ann gave her vote of approval for the car we purchased on the first day we owned it. I gave mine today, two weeks later. (Ann has not allowed me to dive the car until now.) I found the car comfortable, nimble, and quiet. It has the quality feel of an expensive car. I especially enjoy the doors that close with a soft thud rather than the kerplop of most other car doors. I think it's a luxury touch. In the old days, luxury car doors closed with the sound of bank vaults; today it's with a soft thud. Ann and I like the new car very much and know that it will serve us well.