Looking at a CPO 2015 WRX STI

[MCompact]

I'll be the first to admit that I'm the cross-shopper from H*ll; I've been checking out new/CPO Challengers and Mustangs(only V8s with three pedals) and I ran across this Subaru. I like the idea of a 7 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty-that's the minimum time I usually keep a car anyway-and I definitely like to hooligan vibe. My research hasn't revealed any time bombs lurking in those models, but have I missed anything?
And yes, I know that the WRX is a bit noisy, has a lo-fi sound system, and has a very stiff ride...

 

[wemay]

Coming from someone whose owned an '03 Evolution, '10 Ralliart Sportback and an '03 WRX, you might think i was biased but i would go with the Challenger first, the STi a close second. You won't go wrong with any of those choices though. My only gripe with the new WRX/STi is the ( for me ) excessive front overhang, and that's nit-picking.

 

[skyactiv]

What would it cost new?
Anyway, I owned an 07' WRX which I bought new and sold with 136K on it. I have a used oil analysis or two on here.
I was scared at first about the five speed manual being a so-called glass transmssion.
My wife put more miles on the car than I did, mostly Columbus, OH - Brooklyn, NY. The only issue I had with mine was the clutch slave cylinder going out. Ordered a rebuild kit at the dealer and fixed it myself for $20. With decent tires, my WRX was unstoppable. I modded mine to a stage two Perrin tune which did mid 13 second 1/4 miles. It was crazy how I could squirt from a standstill on wet pavement to freeway speeds in 5-6 seconds.
It was a drama free car that went where you wanted it to.
The factory radio and speakers sucked as they still do on the new ones. I had Circuit City replace that junk the first week I owned the car. I thought mine rode pretty decent. Maybe the new ones are stiffer than my generation. I wouldn't worry about the reliability. A lot of young guys own these cars and do stupid things in them. Is that you?

 

[gathermewool]

The drive-train is essentially unchanged from the '08 STI I had. That's good, because the issues that were known then have been ironed-out (eg, ring land failure,) but that also means your efficiency will not have improved much, so expect very poor mileage from such a small car - i drove moderately (granny around town and on the highway, with Max boost on on-ramps or when safe to accelerate that way, such as during my morning commute, being the only one on the road) and averaged 21 mpg over 60k miles. I could not get more than 26 mpg all-highway.

I would have kept the car forever had it not sustained $19k in damage a couple of years ago when some lady turned left out of her complex right into me...

I've driven big, powerful N/A cars (short-term) and loved it, but, with the STI, conditions can be set for an intoxicating, violent onset of boost that I'd not experienced anywhere else. A safe way to experience this (and to get a satisfying Yelp out of you passengers) is to shift early into 2nd gear and mash the go pedal. Max boost will come on quickly, just before 3k RPM, and the car will LAUNCH forward.

Be careful, because redline just before 60 mph will come before you know it and you'll look like a fool if you're not prepared. I typically let off of the gas and clutched-in for a relatively smooth transition to a coast past 60 mph and would shift to 4th or 6th, depending on the circumstances and speed limit.

If you couldn't tell, I miss my STI...

I chose the Forester XT as a more practical replacement with the baby on the way, and while it's great, it's not an STI.

 

[IndyIan]

Don't know much about them, but one with sticky tires is quite impressive on a tight autocross course. No smoky time wasting drifts, just grip and rip from mid-corner out.

 

[MCompact]

Thanks to everyone for their input and advice. I'm going to take it for a spin(no pun intended) in the next couple of days.

 

[cptbarkey]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
I definitely like to hooligan vibe.


what?

Anyway, its okay, but a disappointment in my eyes. I like the original bug eyes from 2002 or so. I have had my time with japanese sports cars and as I age much prefer domestic or bmw's.

 

[JTK]

A co-worker of mine bought one a couple months back. It's that WRX blue, has the 6spd manual, etc. He loves it.

For day to day functionality, I personally prefer my overpriced version of the Impreza, vs. the more overpriced WRX version.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
Originally Posted By: MCompact
I definitely like to hooligan vibe.


what?

Anyway, its okay, but a disappointment in my eyes. I like the original bug eyes from 2002 or so. I have had my time with japanese sports cars and as I age much prefer domestic or bmw's.



Make that "the hooligan vibe." I'm 58 and really grew to like my Mazdaspeed 3 the longer I owned it. BMWs? I've owned 10 and most all of Munich's newer cars leave me cold. I like the M235i; but not for @$50,000($3,000 for a LSD is beyond ludicrous). The jury is still out on the domestics- I like the Challengers but they are big and heavy- although I found a Demo 2015 R/T Plus with a really nice interior and a beguiling list of features. I also discovered a 2015 Mustang optioned with just the Performance Package. If the STI doesn't pan out those two are on deck...

 

[Cujet]

From a driving dynamics point of view, I generally prefer AWD cars. It's always amazing to track a well prepped AWD Evo or Sti. They are simply so good, all the time. Even when they are down on power, the lap times can often match much more powerful RWD cars.

And the ease at which they perform on real world back roads is important for many drivers. My 400HP turbo S2000 can't match a 300HP Evo on a twisty back road. I can't get the power down anywhere near as easily.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
From a driving dynamics point of view, I generally prefer AWD cars. It's always amazing to track a well prepped AWD Evo or Sti. They are simply so good, all the time. Even when they are down on power, the lap times can often match much more powerful RWD cars.

And the ease at which they perform on real world back roads is important for many drivers. My 400HP turbo S2000 can't match a 300HP Evo on a twisty back road. I can't get the power down anywhere near as easily.


That's one thing about the STI that intrigues me; I've never owned/driven a powerful AWD car. I bought my Mazdaspeed to learn the finer points of driving a FWD hot hatch and it has helped me when I instruct drivers with GTIs and STs, so I'd like to do the same thing with the STI.