Anything wrong with 2016-2019ish Subaru WRX?

[92saturnsl2]

My wife has always loved her minivans, but she's growing tired of it. They've served their purpose when our 4 kids were little, but the two oldest are driving now so she's usually the only one in it or with just one or two passengers. Anytime we have people over and want to go out, she (or I) often get stuck as driver because it can fit everyone lol.

Since my daughter got a 1999 Camry, she borrows it often and sees the practicality of a smaller vehicle. I can't blame her, the big land barge is sort of unnecessary to get from A to B even though it's a nice ride.

She likes the WRX and not opposed to the six-speed manual which checks every box I'd want out of a car (we often share rides). Whatever we buy needs to stay under $20K. Are there any known issues with the Subaru FA engine or the WRX as whole in these model years?

 

[Rand]

Those are the FA20DIT years?
needs premium gas. which is a 35% upcharge here.

Its tuned pretty hot for the displacement.

Edit: Correction!
OTOH 2022+ have the FA24DIT which were engineered to be fine on 87.
Almost same power output stock.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Those are the FA20DIT years?
needs premium gas. which is a 35% upcharge here.

Its tuned pretty hot for the displacement.

OTOH 2020+ have the FA24DIT which were engineered to be fine on 87.
Almost same power output stock.

The FA24DIT isn't on 2020-2021. Just 22+

 

[Rand]

The FA24DIT isn't on 2020-2021. Just 22+

I was thinking outback..
on the model years oops.

 

[edyvw]

Get GTI.

 

[PF52]

The FA24DIT isn't on 2020-2021. Just 22+

+2

And the premium fuel recommendation is still there; that hasn't changed.

 

[Fa24wrx]

+2

And the premium fuel recommendation is still there; that hasn't changed.

With the 22+ it's recommended but isn't required like it was with the previous gens. I'd still recommend the premium fuel.

 

[CarbonToast]

For a sedan, the fuel economy is not great.

I always say subaru is the best "utilitarian" vehicle. I dont consider their interiors nice, quiet, comfortable. - Full disclosure, I have a forester not a WRX.

Have you spent any time driving an impreza?

 

[PF52]

Mine is a '21 and my only real complaint is the brakes. They're adequate.... But nothing more. Of the four cars in my signature, I'd rank the WRX at about Number 3 for brakes. There is a reason so many people spend big money to get the STI brakes.

I do however like the gas mileage. Driving responsibly, on rural 55-MPH roads, it gets mid-30s MPG. Less than that obviously on the Interstate at 75 MPH.

 

[edyvw]

Mine is a '21 and my only real complaint is the brakes. They're adequate.... But nothing more. Of the four cars in my signature, I'd rank the WRX at about Number 3 for brakes. There is a reason so many people spend big money to get the STI brakes.

I do however like the gas mileage. Driving responsibly, on rural 55-MPH roads, it gets mid-30s MPG. Less than that obviously on the Interstate at 75 MPH.

Brakes were always big issue on WRX.
As fuel economy, honestly, that is really not that good. I get 32-34mpg with BMW doing 80-90mph. With VW CC that had dual clutch, I could easily het 34-37mpg doing same speed.

 

[PF52]

As fuel economy, honestly, that is really not that good. I get 32-34mpg with BMW doing 80-90mph. With VW CC that had dual clutch, I could easily het 34-37mpg doing same speed.

True, but I was prepared for much worse. Lots of reviews on Youtube complaining of MPG in the low 20s..... But that is mostly kids with a VERY heavy right foot and shifting at redline every time. Because racecar, or whatever it is they say.

 

[Chris142]

Keep in mind that many of those cars were owned by younger people who may have beat on them pretty hard.

 

[AZjeff]

Higher likelihood a manual WRX was flogged like a rented mule by PO?

Chris beat me to it.

 

[CarbonToast]

I have also hear the insurance costs are fairly high?

Not sure if this is just a bad rumor. Get a quote!

 

[92saturnsl2]

Keep in mind that many of those cars were owned by younger people who may have beat on them pretty hard.

Very good point.

This a purchase that can take as long as it needs to. Any evidence of mods, it would be a hard pass. I don't care if it's just a drop in K&N. Fortunately with car prices they way they are, you can weed out most of the riff-raff by buying 1 owner. Someone buying a new car has to be at least semi-responsible perhaps further into their career, but I realize there are plenty of exceptions.

The premium requirement doesn't really bother me, I'm used to it. Most of my car purchases (aside from minivans lol) have recommended above 87. My '07 Pacifica, a pretty utilitarian vehicle, recommends mid-grade. My Maxima takes 91 "for best performance." Can't catch a break.

 

[Ws6]

My wife has always loved her minivans, but she's growing tired of it. They've served their purpose when our 4 kids were little, but the two oldest are driving now so she's usually the only one in it or with just one or two passengers. Anytime we have people over and want to go out, she (or I) often get stuck as driver because it can fit everyone lol.

Since my daughter got a 1999 Camry, she borrows it often and sees the practicality of a smaller vehicle. I can't blame her, the big land barge is sort of unnecessary to get from A to B even though it's a nice ride.

She likes the WRX and not opposed to the six-speed manual which checks every box I'd want out of a car (we often share rides). Whatever we buy needs to stay under $20K. Are there any known issues with the Subaru FA engine or the WRX as whole in these model years?

If it's stock, it's pretty boringly reliable. The problem also is that unless you're throwing it into the corners, it's pretty boring in general, unless you're not the one paying for a clutch replacement and like redline clutch drops. Otherwise it's a total dog.

 

[Ws6]

Very good point.

This a purchase that can take as long as it needs to. Any evidence of mods, it would be a hard pass. I don't care if it's just a drop in K&N. Fortunately with car prices they way they are, you can weed out most of the riff-raff by buying 1 owner. Someone buying a new car has to be at least semi-responsible perhaps further into their career, but I realize there are plenty of exceptions.

The premium requirement doesn't really bother me, I'm used to it. Most of my car purchases (aside from minivans lol) have recommended above 87. My '07 Pacifica, a pretty utilitarian vehicle, recommends mid-grade. My Maxima takes 91 "for best performance." Can't catch a break.

Nah man, you need to look for a dealer service history on schedule. Plenty of hoons buy a cheap commuter car like this to beat on.

 

[Ws6]

I have also hear the insurance costs are fairly high?

Not sure if this is just a bad rumor. Get a quote!

Depends on the company. State Farm insures anything I've bought for about the same amount. 505hp Z06 or 4 cylinder CX5 SUV. $50 diff/mo, lol

 

[MCompact]

I almost bought a new 2016 STI. It was a hoot but my wife and I both thought the overall driving experience was too similar to my modded 2007 MS3. Still, it was a great car.

 

[JimPghPA]

I don't know if it applies to that engine, but a lot of Subaru engines commonly have headgasket failures after 80 K miles. And if it leaks antifreeze into the oil and is then driven the main bearings get damaged.