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Often the more things change the more they remain the same. Maybe that's why two of my favorite pleasures in life remain good food and fast cars. This week it was time for great steaks in the theme of the old west at Yahooz and the new generation of power performance from the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan. A new generation is coming of age, and like the generation that went before this younger driver still hungers for horsepower and thirsts for torque. But gone are the all American fishtailing rear wheel drive cars, fuel gulping Holley 4-barrel carburetors and "there's no replacement for displacement" V-8 engines. The new fast and furious generation opts for imported front or "all wheel drive" vehicles and fuel injection turbocharged 4-cylinder engines. With an eye for performance per pound, these lightweight pocket rockets out perform many of the classic muscle cars. Muscle cars of the sixties were born by bolting big engines into the entry-level economy cars of the day. Likewise the "tuners" of today often are high performance variants of entry-level sub-compacts. And just as the young GM executive John DeLorean turned the frugal 1963 Tempest LeMans into the blockbuster GTO, today's automakers are responding to the demand for radical performance based on inexpensive entry-level vehicles. Sliding behind the seat of the 2003 Subaru WRX at Jack Miller's Subaru in Olathe, I considered the humble beginnings of this performance car as the Subaru Impreza Sedan. For about $18,000 the base 2003 Subaru Impreza is a worthy competitor in the entry-level sub-compact class. Full Time All Wheel Drive technology and distinctive 4-wheel Independent Suspension sets Subaru apart from the competition. This alone makes the difference for many people who want to be prepared for unfriendly driving conditions. However Subaru steps up the performance with the much praised WRX. Weighing in at around 3,000 pounds the turbo-charged 227 horsepower and 217 foot-pounds of torque rockets this sedan from 0 to 60 in less than 6.4 seconds. Those are serious numbers for any car but for about twenty-five grand this is one of the best price for performance cars on the road today. Of course if you want to get monster numbers, Subaru has a new STI version of the WRX for 2004 with 300 horsepower and 300 foot pounds of torque along with other performance features for slightly over thirty grand. Remaining true to its economy roots my manual transmission version was rated an impressive 20 MPG in the city and 27 on the highway. After selecting this 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan from stock at Jack Miller Subaru in Olathe I had the opportunity to drive on a variety of roads and conditions. While not a true luxury sport sedan this was well equipped with power windows and remote entry. Looking past the very sporty Momo steering wheel all of the gauges were clear and easy to read with the tachometer as the dominant gauge. As I pulled into the parking lot at Yahooz restaurant at Town Center Plaza in Leawood, I knew the car made a real statement. The large functional hood scoop and bulging fenders are clues that this is not a normal subcompact. Neither is Yahooz a normal restaurant. Located on the Roe Avenue side of Town Center Plaza at 119th Street, Yahooz is a striking Western style restaurant. In addition to the comfortable and popular outdoor deck, the cowboy theme décor invites one to relax from the modern pressures. Looks aren't everything. And like the Subaru WRX where the real thrill is under the hood, the rewards of Yahooz are beyond the big leather chairs and Western ambiance. From the Barbequed Texas Gulf Shrimp flown in daily to the Spit Roasted Rack of Alma Farms Pork, my dining experience was superb. Proud of their excellent wine list and multiple Wine Spectator awards, Yahooz is developing a history of dining excellence in a casual environment. Just as with the 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan the real test of this restaurant is performance. This week both the car and Yahooz left me with a smile on my face. With this experience I will continue to rate great vehicles and good food as two of life's most enjoyable pleasures.
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©2003 - Stan Risener