My first car, the one I learned to drive with, was a full-sized Ford Bronco. My second (college-student) car was a Plymouth Acclaim. The entire time in college, I dreamed of a Subaru Impreza Outback Sport purely on the looks. I loved the boxy, almost Gremlin-like back window, and I had read up on the performance and safety ratings, and I liked what I knew about it so far.

I never imagined I'd be able to buy a new one, so I went to a nearby dealer to ask about used Subarus. He (fortunately for me) didn't have any used ones in the lot, and he offered that I test-drive a new one. I was extremely hesitant, not to mention because of the manual transmission which I knew I wanted but wasn't too familiar with. It was POURING down rain and had been for days, making for horrible driving conditions. But the salesman walked me out to the car, and we strapped in. I wasn't used to the small interior, and I felt that the car was hugging me into the seat. Now I see that the hugging part is a good thing -- at a curve in the road marked for 35 mph, the salesman told me to speed up to 55 and not brake on the curve. I immediately thought he was bonkers, considering the slippery road, but I hadn't bought the car yet, so I thought I'd give it a go. As we approached the curve, my knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel, expecting the worst. As quickly as I could blink, we were through the turn -- no screeching tires, no slipping or sliding, and I felt as though the steering wheel would easily and quickly respond to any command I gave it. The salesman explained that the rear tires actually RESPOND during a turn, creating a smoother, quicker turn.

Another example I have of the responsiveness of this car is during the first time bringing it home. I had to drive from Western PA down the mountains into Harrisburg. Needless to say, the drive is full of curves and twists and big 18-wheelers! On these curves in my old Plymouth, I had to cling to the steering wheel to keep it from getting too close to the median at 65 mph. My boyfriend often napped in the passenger seat during these trips home, and every curve would jolt him awake with fear. In the Subaru, he never twitched a muscle and couldn't believe that we were back home when we arrived. I can drive with one hand on these curves and not fear for my life.

The ONLY big complaint I have about this car is that I often find myself whipping around at 80 mph and not realizing it. I don't know how I've managed to evade the cops so far!!!!

I have smaller complaints, like the touchy transmission which can get jerky if you aren't really paying attention, but the handling and smooooooth ride make up for it. I sit and smile sometimes while driving on the roads in PA (voted some of the worst roads in the US), and my coffee hasn't spilled once.