I can only get 1st gear with a lot of force and 2nd is only a bit better - wife cant get 1st at all
3rd - 5th easy

Is this normal on a car that has only done 18k miles on a 2004 plate?

As it was bought in May 2004 and is over 1 year old will there be any issue with warranty?

Also as I live in central London I'm surprised at the total lack of Subaru dealers - i.e. none - I'm going to look on the West side - who is better between Maidenhead or Reading or Surrey dealers.

I think the synchro has failed...... after a few rapid starts at junctions!

It does surprise me as I have a 1999 sti5 that has never had any gearbox issues - is the Syncro on WRX's much weaker than the sti's?

 

You want to Try Hunt and Heal. The service dept are based on an industrial Estate not far from Willesden Junction. Here's a link to their main site.

http://www.huntandkeal.co.uk/index.php