Daughter thinking about a WRX

One that new probably will have been "adult" owned, but check it over for any signs of it being bought for a kid. I would get the manual. They aren't too fuel efficient, and shouldn't run regular, so if that's OK, they are a good car.
Going from a wagon to a sedan for your only vehicle might be a PITA? I guess it depends on her hobbies. There are awd manual VW golf wagons which I am far more interested in, but the newest is 2019 in the US, and they have a few more known issues that could need to be addressed.
 
Al said:
I believe that High test is recomended but NOT REQUIRED.
Click to expand...
Subaru requires 91 or higher.
Pablo said:
You need to realize some things. A car won't make a crap life good.
Click to expand...
The crap part of her life is almost behind her.
edyvw said:
Definitely manual.
But, she should check GTI as it is a far better-assembled vehicle, more potent, with better brakes and suspension.
Click to expand...
When you look at a car and say YUCK it doesn't matter much about anything else does it?
benjy said:
a 5.0 mustang or Camaro are good options,
Click to expand...
She's likely going to be living/commuting in a metro area in an apartment for a while, a wide 2 door with poor visibility will get old in a hurry (my opinion but I won't argue.) If the future looked different sure why not.

Realize that whatever car she buys will be driven normally 99.9% of the time, .1% may be hitting an on ramp faster or getting up to speed with some push back into the seat. It's a re-imagining of her life IMO I'm just along to point out things and help her not buy something with known potential issues cause dad isn't going to be close by. A sporty 4 door seems like a good idea. We're going to go sit in most of the cars mentioned next week to weed out the hard passes. Sounds like there's nothing to be wary of with a manual WRX.
 
I have a 22 wrx. I really love it. Fun and practical daily driver. Get the manual and do some shifter mods to get a very excellent shifter. Catback exhaust sounds great.

These cars are making mid to high 300s whp with just an intake and tune. I rode in one last weekend with 375 whp with just an intake and tune on e64 gas.
 
AZjeff said:
Subaru requires 91 or higher.

The crap part of her life is almost behind her.

When you look at a car and say YUCK it doesn't matter much about anything else does it?

She's likely going to be living/commuting in a metro area in an apartment for a while, a wide 2 door with poor visibility will get old in a hurry (my opinion but I won't argue.) If the future looked different sure why not.

Realize that whatever car she buys will be driven normally 99.9% of the time, .1% may be hitting an on ramp faster or getting up to speed with some push back into the seat. It's a re-imagining of her life IMO I'm just along to point out things and help her not buy something with known potential issues cause dad isn't going to be close by. A sporty 4 door seems like a good idea. We're going to go sit in most of the cars mentioned next week to weed out the hard passes. Sounds like there's nothing to be wary of with a manual WRX.
Click to expand...
Ah, when you said lukewarm, I was thinking she is kind of interested. Yeah, taste is none negotiable.
 
Depending on budget, if she can, wait for the 2025 WRX tS. Manual AWD sports sedan are unicorns in today's car market.
Tune out the online noises, including this forum. Subaru are just as reliable and fun as anything coming out from Germany. One thing is for certain, cost of ownership is much lower than anything from Germany or Europe in general, both in service cost and parts. VW, Audi and MB are slightly better as their parts are mostly made by Bosch, BMW is the worst as just about everything is proprietary.
 
Tifosi said:
Depending on budget, if she can, wait for the 2025 WRX tS. Manual AWD sports sedan are unicorns in today's car market.
Tune out the online noises, including this forum. Subaru are just as reliable and fun as anything coming out from Germany. One thing is for certain, cost of ownership is much lower than anything from Germany or Europe in general, both in service cost and parts. VW, Audi and MB are slightly better as their parts are mostly made by Bosch, BMW is the worst as just about everything is proprietary.
Click to expand...
2022 model years. All prices are dealer, just some examples:

Front brakes (OE):

Pads:
Wrx: $144 (And WRX brakes are absolute junk!).
GTI: $133

Rotor (OE):
WRX: $149
GTI: $121

Control arm:
WRX: $385
GTI: $285

Strut:
WRX: $358
GTI: $252

AFtermarket, RockAuto:

WRX options are extremely limited. Does not have any aftermarket shocks and struts, while for GTI SACHS offers front struts for $72.
Brkaes, for SUbaru you can only get at best BOSCH, Centric, Powerstop. For GTI you can get Bremboi, Pagid. Not to mention that for Euro brands passenger cars aftermarket support is much better than for Asian vehicles.
As for BMW I have no idea what are you talking about. But I know one thing: parts for my BMW were cheaper than parts for my Sienna, and the Sienna was junk.
 
Some of the dealers by me rent cars, newer models, the same ones they use as loaners. Besides just sitting in one you might be able to rent for a couple days. It might not be the MT since many don't want but overall car would be close and same for handling/ride.

We took a test drive in a Jeep Renegade that FIL wanted. I was in the back seat on the "test drive loop". I thought it rode like crap, too small, noisy. He loved it because in his mind it was he wanted. 7 years later, he complains about the poor ride quality especially for his back and the noise. Room he is OK with. It also has a new motor under warranty at 87k and multiple recalls/problems spending over 1 year at the dealer waiting on parts.

Some rental car companies also have choices like that. Maybe a "premium" extra but you can take a long ride where you go normally.

I have wanted a WRX a long time. Friend at firehouse bought one. I drove it around town and part way to my job, the really stiff ride was jarring on the daily drives I need to take. Fun toy car, definitely, but my daily home/work life isn't at the play time unfortunately.

Sadly the boring '17 Accord is perfect. It's quiet, gets upper 30mpg (to 40 on highway trips). It handles the daily grind very well and can be tweaked some for better handling with sway bars etc. Tint the windows, add some different tunes maybe, oh and for my "fun" the 6MT in it see's close to redline when I want. Rev limiter is at about 6800 rpm or so I heard ;) :oops::ROFLMAO:
 
My daughter picked up a 2023 when they were selling at a decent price with all the 2024's were hitting the lot. I actually tried to talk her into buying the Mazda 3 sedan with the turbo. I actually like both cars, but prefer the Mazda's real 6 speed transmission vs the CVT. As soon as we left Mazda and got into the WRX, I could see the look on her face, SOLD!
 
To OP, like I said, people tend to feel passionate about their cars and loyalty to a particular brand and even continent. Which is why I suggest that you tune out those types of online opinion and form your own opinion after listening to actual owners.

1) Not sure why GTI was brough up here because unless I am mistaken, it is only a FWD and not AWD, thus not a great comparison from the start, especially if you daughter lives anywhere that AWD vehicle is a plus. However, I will go ahead and use it as a point of reference for now. Follow the links: https://repairpal.com/cars/compare/subaru-wrx-vs-volkswagen-gti

2) Scroll down to the section "Comparing Volkswagen Maintenance Cost to Other Brands" on this link:
https://www.motor1.com/products-services/auto-warranty/volkswagen-maintenance-cost/

3) And just for fun, comparison between BMW, Audi, MB and Lexus (Seems more appropriate, considering the market segment, to use Lexus instead of Toyota) vehicles overall:
BMW: https://caredge.com/bmw/maintenance
Audi: https://caredge.com/audi/maintenance
MB: https://caredge.com/mercedes-benz/maintenance
Lexus: https://caredge.com/lexus/maintenance
 
AZjeff said:
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.
Click to expand...
Get an extended warranty. My parents purchased an Impreza. The A/C never truly blew cold. They had it looked at under warranty 3 times and every time was told everything check out. Not an issue with the wrx but every hubcap has come off their wheels. Premium gas is a must not sure head gaskets are still an issue.
 
Tifosi said:
To OP, like I said, people tend to feel passionate about their cars and loyalty to a particular brand and even continent. Which is why I suggest that you tune out those types of online opinion and form your own opinion after listening to actual owners.

1) Not sure why GTI was brough up here because unless I am mistaken, it is only a FWD and not AWD, thus not a great comparison from the start, especially if you daughter lives anywhere that AWD vehicle is a plus. However, I will go ahead and use it as a point of reference for now. Follow the links: https://repairpal.com/cars/compare/subaru-wrx-vs-volkswagen-gti

2) Scroll down to the section "Comparing Volkswagen Maintenance Cost to Other Brands" on this link:
https://www.motor1.com/products-services/auto-warranty/volkswagen-maintenance-cost/

3) And just for fun, comparison between BMW, Audi, MB and Lexus (Seems more appropriate, considering the market segment, to use Lexus instead of Toyota) vehicles overall:
BMW: https://caredge.com/bmw/maintenance
Audi: https://caredge.com/audi/maintenance
MB: https://caredge.com/mercedes-benz/maintenance
Lexus: https://caredge.com/lexus/maintenance
Click to expand...
I posted you price of parts for each vehicle and you still think it is cheaper. Oh, and let’s not forget how “easy” is boxer to work on.
Labor cost is same across the dealerships per hrs. Now, VW has model woth AWD, R, but I don’t think any of this is determinant factor as OP’s daughter simply doesn’t like GTI.
 
One thing about any Subaru, tell her to get full glass coverage. Bcs. eyesight windshields are thinner and really good business for Safelite.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

john_pifer
Elantra N ... new purchase
2 3
Replies
46
Views
4K
Revving2Redline
ls1mike
Tell me about Mazda, maybe the CX 30
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
13K
javacontour
PandaBear
Housing choices for a family for 8 years
Replies
13
Views
642
chemman
M
1 Week Review - 2025 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Limited
2 3 4
Replies
79
Views
19K
We're Metals
C
Being Thankful
2
Replies
21
Views
2K
ZZman
Back
Top Bottom