Daughter thinking about a WRX

[AZjeff]

My daughter is going through a mid-life reset including a soon to be final divorce. She's going to need a car and wants something fun not something practical and boring. She's owned 2 cars, a 2002 Saturn L200 for 10 years and a 2014 CX-5 for almost 10 years that ex is getting. She was talking about a Camaro first but has moved to the WRX. I'm not trying to influence her decision, just gathering information about plusses and minuses. I understand from reading some threads here the WRX isn't the WRX of old but that will mean nothing to her. She isn't going to be ripping down Tail of the Dragon. Has no interest in the Elantra N and lukewarm about the Golf GTI. The base WRX comes with the 6mt which is fine, she's been driving my manual stuff all her life. Is this latest Subaru manual a better choice than the CVT for reliability? Anything to know about with a new to 1-2 YO WRX? thanks.

 

[Nukeman7]

Coming from a L200 and CX-5 over the past 20 years, be sure she understands the financial impact and necessity of premium gas for a high performance engine like in the WRX. To the uninitiated, it can be a real turnoff after the initial shine of a new, fast ride wears off.

Maybe even consider a 1 or 2 year lease of something fun to get it out her system?

 

[TheOilWizard]

My daughter is going through a mid-life reset including a soon to be final divorce. She's going to need a car and wants something fun not something practical and boring. She's owned 2 cars, a 2002 Saturn L200 for 10 years and a 2014 CX-5 for almost 10 years that ex is getting. She was talking about a Camaro first but has moved to the WRX. I'm not trying to influence her decision, just gathering information about plusses and minuses. I understand from reading some threads here the WRX isn't the WRX of old but that will mean nothing to her. She isn't going to be ripping down Tail of the Dragon. Has no interest in the Elantra N and lukewarm about the Golf GTI. The base WRX comes with the 6mt which is fine, she's been driving my manual stuff all her life. Is this latest Subaru manual a better choice than the CVT for reliability? Anything to know about with a new to 1-2 YO WRX? thanks.

Not a Subaru owner and don't have first-hand experience with them, but I've never heard anything bad about the manual in the WRX. If I were buying a WRX, I would get the manual over the CVT.

 

[skyactiv]

I once owned a 2007 WRX I bought new. It had a 5 speed manual while the newer ones are a 6 speed manual. My WRX was the most reliable car I ever owned. My wife put a ton of miles on it. Replaced it with a 2013 GTI but kept the WRX around a few more years after that. The GTI was my most favorite car I ever owned, despite needing a few repairs. The WRX was hard to learn its limitations on being AWD--I never did. The GTI was an easy driver and more fun despite being FWD. I think the same holds true for the new ones today. If she wants a stick in a GTI look now as 2024 is the last year for one.

We got compliments on the WRX about every time we were out in it.

 

[PF52]

I once owned a 2007 WRX I bought new. It had a 5 speed manual while the newer ones are a 6 speed manual. My WRX was the most reliable car I ever owned. My wife put a ton of miles on it. Replaced it with a 2013 GTI but kept the WRX around a few more years after that. The GTI was my most favorite car I ever owned, despite needing a few repairs. The WRX was hard to learn its limitations on being AWD--I never did. The GTI was an easy driver and more fun despite being FWD. I think the same holds true for the new ones today. If she wants a stick in a GTI look now as 2024 is the last year for one.

We got compliments on the WRX about every time we were out in it.

You got the right color!

Mine's a '21, and yes its the 6-speed.

 

[cptbarkey]

There is something about the 2022+ rear profile in Silver or White that is extremely attractive. It looked pretty stunning in person for the few I've seen.

 

[wemay]

There is something about the 2022+ rear profile in Silver or White that is extremely attractive. It looked pretty stunning in person for the few I've seen.

View attachment 237661

Agreed, these have grown on me.

 

[wemay]

I had a silver 2002 bug-eyed WRX. Back then it was only 227 hp. This was a long time ago, but i found it easy to drive and not obnoxious at all.

 

[AZjeff]

She happens to like the blue which I think is cool. Needs gold wheels though. A new base model can be had for $31k here which seems like a decent price. They have nice standard features.

 

[Al]

I believe that High test is recomended but NOT REQUIRED. Doule check me here. The CVT on the Subaru is among the best in the business. The belt is steel. A used vehicle can be a problem. Consider New. You can get new for under 33K$

 

[daves87rs]

Nothing wrong with a WRX!

Newer ones are really growing on me…

 

[Al]

Nothing wrong with a WRX!

Newer ones are really growing on me…

Will be my next car.

 

[Rand]

I believe that High test is recomended but NOT REQUIRED. Doule check me here. The CVT on the Subaru is among the best in the business. The belt is steel

Double checked: They don't use belts.

 

[Graham Piccinini]

I'm a bit weird with my definition of a fun car. But I'd be looking at the last few years of Legacy and Outback with the 3.6R, the H6 engine. Fun on power, vehicles are more upscale, cheaper since they're used, and H6 has proven to be more reliable long term than any turbo boxer-4 in Subaru lineup.

 

[Pablo]

You need to realize some things. A car won't make a crap life good. And WRX is a pretty "tinny" car. BUT internal panel sound deadening works wonders.

I had a 2014 hatch. Ordered the last model year from Japan, waited 5 months. Neat car, but that 5 speed was a pretty not so good transmission. Not comparable to the new six speed really. I loved the car not because speed, but mainly how much fun it was to drive in the snow and ice. I bought it to commute, hassle free until I retired, sold and bought truck. Sold the WRX for almost exactly what I bought it for, after driving 5 years. can't beat that. I didn't like the car because everything about it was so chintzy.

And that leads to my last point. Think buying new. Used can be expensive and you just don't know how many missed shifts and stuff.

 

[TheOilWizard]

You need to realize some things. A car won't make a crap life good.

I disagree. My Mach 1 is therapeutic to drive.

 

[edyvw]

Definitely manual.
But, she should check GTI as it is a far better-assembled vehicle, more potent, with better brakes and suspension.

 

[TheOilWizard]

Definitely manual.
But, she should check GTI as it is a far better-assembled vehicle, more potent, with better brakes and suspension.

Only issue with this suggestion is you then own a Volkswagen.

 

[Pablo]

Only issue with this suggestion is you then own a Volkswagen.

And define "potent". What are, say the 0-60MPH?

I would bet the VW feels a little more "solid". At first.

 

[benjy]

VW + Audi are much better built from experience + a 5.0 mustang or Camaro are good options, test drive them + check insurance rates before buying if $$$$ is an issue! NO CVT,s IMO!!!!