When it came time to buy a modern car for Virginia to drive to Newport Beach we looked for something reliable, affordable with a great reputation.

Looking around, listening, it became clear we were looking into Japanese cars. We finally decided on a Subaru. We were very impressed, 97.5% of all Subarus ever made are still on the road. That’s a pretty impressive number. On another really very important factor is that flat four cylinder opposed engine was originally an Alfa Romeo engine. Yes, you heard it here. It is NOT a VolksWagen Beetle engine. Seriously. Rodolpho Hruska had developed the little flat four for Alfa Romeo new AlfaSud. I owned several AlfaSud Sprint (the black one).

Then came choosing the model. The hatchback has always been my favorite, not too big but enough to carry things around. I knew the reliability of the original engine and with a turbo grafted onto it, it made even more sense. The appeal of a permanent four wheel drive made the car a no brainer. We finally found a Cobalt blue one.

Driving a four wheel drive sedan car for the first time feels clumsy at low speed but when you pick it up, it is riveted to the road. The engine is smooth as I remembered it, this time with the turbo kicking in at 2,500 rpm. And it is a happy revving engine. The turn radius isn’t great but normal considering the four wheel drive system. It handles neutrally and will let go in a neutral manner, on all four. It’s a very easy car to have fun with.

We opted for a 2003 model with round lights. I love the retro look. Plus, I’ve seen Subaru race them in rallies. I feel the later years design lost their edge.

The car is easy to drive and maintain. We’ve taken it on a few trips without any problems. I will take it in the snow next year to go skiing. All around, it is one car that has greatly impressed me and shown the value the Japanese have brought into the auto industry, affordable performance. Come to think of it, wasn’t that post-war Alfa Romeo?