Who's Looking Forward to the Release of the 2022 Subaru WRX?

[skrypj]

I had a 2007 Legacy GT SpecB and my wife a 2009 Legacy 2.5i. I was more of a fan of subarus prior to my ownership of the two cars. I think they are great cars on paper but my general sense that I got was that they are not the best from a reliability/durabillity standpoint. The EJ255 motors were pretty weak. The 5 speed transmsissions were weak. The new WRX 6 speed(not the STI 6 speed) seem to be weak. The CVT's suck. etc. I do think that the FA20DIT is a better motor than the EJ255 though.

-My wifes 2.5i had a failed valve cover gasket and I believe a leaking head gasket at -My uncle had an Outback 2.5XT manual that blew multiple transmissions stock
-My buddy had a 2012 WRX, bone stock, that needed the heads fully replaced before 65k miles. Luckily he had an extended warranty.
-My Aunts 2016 Forester XT lost a transmission very early on and they had to have it replaced with a reman transmission because Subaru had none.
-I was just at physical therapy the other day and the intern there was a former 2016 WRX owner and his transmission blew and was replaced under warranty due to faulty internals.

I really didnt love how my SpecB handled either. It was a light car, but it plowed through corners like mother if you were on the gas. I had a 2006 Pontiac GTO before the LGT, which was like 3800 lbs of overweight iron, but that car was way more balanced and fun to drive. If I needed another 4 door car I would have a hard time passing up something like a Pontiac G8 or Chevy SS or some other sport sedan to get a WRX.

I am sure the WRX's are better than my LGT was but they are still extremely front heavy. My freaking F150 has better weight distribution than a WRX.

 

[skrypj]

Not me.. unless the exhaust note is totally redesigned. Has got to be the most obnoxious exhaust ever. Actually resembles a bullfrog choking on a fly

That went away in 2015 when the WRX went to the FA20DIT motor. I agree though, the boxer rumble did suck.

 

[ad244]

 

[oggb]

Never saw the need for a WRX/STI when the GTI/R exists.

They're just better. And you want a hatch, so...

100% the correct answer.

 

[benjy]

tested a WRX in 2001, no lo torque + a real tin can compared to the 2001 Wolfsburg jetta 1.8T i bought + put 200 thou on, now own a 2001 audi TT 225Q roadster, even better!!! both tuned + upgraded a bit both manuals of course + no DI!!!!

 

[skrypj]

tested a WRX in 2001, no lo torque + a real tin can compared to the 2001 Wolfsburg jetta 1.8T i bought + put 200 thou on, now own a 2001 audi TT 225Q roadster, even better!!! both tuned + upgraded a bit both manuals of course + no DI!!!!

That is one thing I hated about my Legacy GT. The engine was boarderline useless below 3000 rpm. And then when you hit 3000 rpm its like a grenade went off and the next thing you know the thing is at 5500 rpm and the turbo would crap out and it fell on its face. It had a usable 2500 rpm range.

 

[haggler]

In 2019 I test drove WRX along with new, manual cars of same model yr: Civic SI, Toyota 86, ND miata and Ecoboost Mustang. You could easily tell the WRX was nerfed for emissions....the rev hang was the most ridiculous thing way worse than the Civic SI and Mustang. They made it so you practically have to modify it to drive the thing correctly. Rev hang with the crappy clutch engagement immediately took it off my list. Car did feel decently quick though.

 

[john_pifer]

The next generation WRX and STI should of came out in 2018-2019 when the new Impreza hit the market. Them keeping the last generation for 3-4 years into the newer generation makes no sense. The current Subaru drivetrains are dumbed down versions of their past ones. The AWD systems are mediocre at best. The high insurance rates on the WRX/STI is because of the vap crowd, one of the reasons I never bought one.

The current WRX engine was all-new for 2015, and doesn’t suffer any of the ringland or head gasket problems of the old 2.5.

Re: AWD system: I wasn’t aware that the Subaru AWD systems weren't very good. I know just about every Subaru has been AWD for years and years now. I never had a problem with the system on my 2016 (granted, I only owned it for 3 years, and I changed the fluid once during that time).

Re: Insurance: Mine was very reasonable, but I was in my late 30s with nothing at all on my record when I owned the car.

Care to elaborate on what makes Subaru’s AWD systems mediocre?

 

[dareo]

In 2019 I test drove WRX along with new, manual cars of same model yr: Civic SI, Toyota 86, ND miata and Ecoboost Mustang. You could easily tell the WRX was nerfed for emissions....the rev hang was the most ridiculous thing way worse than the Civic SI and Mustang. They made it so you practically have to modify it to drive the thing correctly. Rev hang with the crappy clutch engagement immediately took it off my list. Car did feel decently quick though.

You really have to drive the WRX manual with precision. I was too lazy to do that every single day so i bought the DSG alltrack.

 

[OppositeLocK]

I daily drive a manual fully loaded 2019 WRX that I purchased brand new. 26 lifetime MPG in mixed driving (I frequently redline it). Have 25,000 miles on the ODO. I do all the maintenance on it myself as everything is simple to do and get to. Change the oil every 3,500 miles. Zero problems so far, car finally feels broken-in, and like it is built to last. Only fill up with 91 or better. Front end has lots of tiny stone chips (paint seems a little thin).

It's a tricky vehicle to drive until you learn it. Almost all of the rev hang is solved by letting go of the gas completely first, clutching in, waiting for the synchro to suck in the shift (not forcing it in), and smoothly letting out the clutch. I can shift it smooth every single time. If you clutch in while still on the gas it will hang. It's a mechanical vehicle and not a video game, so don't drive it like one. If you want that get a car with paddle shifters.

It's very quick from a dig but you have to abuse it to get that which I'm not willing to do because drag racing doesn't interest me. It has plenty of pep for the streets and more than enough to put you in jail.

The stock tune is crappy, yes, but it's built for safety. You'll never blow up anything with it. It and the hyper aggressive throttle input are the only things I dislike about my WRX.

Plenty of space (check out the trunk), and rear passengers have enough legroom, great in all weather as long as you have proper tires on it, and fun to drive.

It holds its resale value extremely well, and is cheaper to insure than comparable vehicles when I shopped around. The top safety rating on it is nothing to scoff at either.

I think a turbo, flat-four, manual, real AWD vehicle for ~$30K brand new is a bargain. Is it a perfect vehicle? No, but if you're striving for perfection you're going to be spending single-dwelling home cost money.

I'm happy to deal with the EPA tune if it means I can still purchase such a vehicle.

Lastly, the gearing isn't Porsche 718 terrible but I do wish it was geared more like an STI where 2nd didn't take you to 60mph. 0-60 is a stupid arbitrary figure.

 

[OppositeLocK]

You really have to drive the WRX manual with precision. I was too lazy to do that every single day so i bought the DSG alltrack.

Surprisingly that's actually one of the things I like about it. It makes the drive feel more rewarding in the end and feels like I as the driver am making a difference.

I understand that's not for everyone, and why someone might enjoy driving a cammed manual C5 than a C8 where the computer does everything.

 

[john_pifer]

I daily drive a manual fully loaded 2019 WRX that I purchased brand new. 26 lifetime MPG in mixed driving (I frequently redline it). Have 25,000 miles on the ODO. I do all the maintenance on it myself as everything is simple to do and get to. Change the oil every 3,500 miles. Zero problems so far, car finally feels broken-in, and like it is built to lay. Only fill up with 91 or better. Front end has lots of tiny stone chips (paint seems a little thin).

It's a tricky vehicle to drive until you learn it. Almost all of the rev hang is solved by letting go of the gas completely first, clutching in, waiting for the synchro to suck in the shift (not forcing it in), and smoothly letting out the clutch. I can shift it smooth every single time. If you clutch in while still on the gas it will hang. It's a mechanical vehicle and not a video game, so don't drive it like one. If you want that get a car with paddle shifters.

It's very quick from a dig but you have to abuse it to get that which I'm not willing to do because drag racing doesn't interest me. It has plenty of pep for the streets and more than enough to put you in jail.

The stock tune is crappy, yes, but it's built for safety. You'll never blow up anything with it. It and the hyper aggressive throttle input are the only things I dislike about my WRX.

Plenty of space (check out the trunk, and tear passengers have enough legroom, great in all weather as long as you have proper tires on it, and fun to drive.

It holds its resale value extremely well, and is cheaper to insure than comparable vehicles when I shopped around. The top safety rating on it is nothing to scoff at either.

I think a turbo, flat-four, manual, real AWD vehicle for ~$30K brand new is a bargain. Is it a perfect vehicle? No, but if you're striving for perfection you're going to be spending single-dwelling home cost money.

I'm happy to deal with the EPA tune if it means I can still purchase such a vehicle.

Lastly, the gearing isn't Porsche 718 terrible but I do wish it was geared more like an STI where 2nd didn't take you to 60mph. 0-60 is a stupid arbitrary figure.

You make some great points, especially about resale (best in class), rear seat legroom (I’m 6’2” and im comfortable in the back with the seat almost all the way aft), and ease of maintenance (oil filter housing on top, and even has a drain to route any spilled oil back to the crankcase!).

I also agree with you about the unique nature of the powertrain. This is not some FWD, transverse-mount, in-line-4 with AWD added as an afterthought. The boxer engine allows really good symmetry and weight distribution, and it was designed as an AWD performance sedan from the get-go.

No surprise that these cars interest me - I like boxer engines, and would have a Porsche 911 if I could afford one and could justify having a car with only 2 seats now that we have a baby and another on the way.

And, again, tremendous utility potential with these. I had a Torklift hidden hitch on mine (with a 2” receiver, even), and it was completely invisible when not in use. It was easy to mount a bike carrier, hitch-mount cargo carrier, or tow a light trailer. And if that’s not enough, you can mount a rooftop cargo carrier.

I think the new one is going to turn out to be a great car, probably even better than the current iteration, which is probably already the best hot sport compact car value on the market, and, to put it mildly, compares VERY favorably with its competition.

 

[dareo]

I also agree with you about the unique nature of the powertrain. This is not some FWD, transverse-mount, in-line-4 with AWD added as an afterthought. The boxer engine allows really good symmetry and weight distribution, and it was designed as an AWD performance sedan from the get-go.

The way its all laid out and balanced is really sweet. If they were the same price, in may 2020 when i bought, i may have gone WRX. At the time the VW was heavily discounted. This may sound like a foreign concept in this car market but they actually negotiated and sold it for far less than sticker. Subarus rarely get much off, but now everything is pretty much full price. So its more even/favorable to Subaru.

 

[OppositeLocK]

You make some great points, especially about resale (best in class), rear seat legroom (I’m 6’2” and im comfortable in the back with the seat almost all the way aft), and ease of maintenance (oil filter housing on top, and even has a drain to route any spilled oil back to the crankcase!).

I also agree with you about the unique nature of the powertrain. This is not some FWD, transverse-mount, in-line-4 with AWD added as an afterthought. The boxer engine allows really good symmetry and weight distribution, and it was designed as an AWD performance sedan from the get-go.

No surprise that these cars interest me - I like boxer engines, and would have a Porsche 911 if I could afford one and could justify having a car with only 2 seats now that we have a baby and another on the way.

And, again, tremendous utility potential with these. I had a Torklift hidden hitch on mine (with a 2” receiver, even), and it was completely invisible when not in use. It was easy to mount a bike carrier, hitch-mount cargo carrier, or tow a light trailer. And if that’s not enough, you can mount a rooftop cargo carrier.

I think the new one is going to turn out to be a great car, probably even better than the current iteration, which is probably already the best hot sport compact car value on the market, and, to put it mildly, compares VERY favorably with its competition.

Agree with everything, especially the oil filter. Best design ever.

I also like the fact that it's made in Japan and not some third world crap hole.

 

[gathermewool]

The FA20DIT debuted in 2013, in the 2014 Forester XT. Why do you guys always forget to show us some love!?

 

[OppositeLocK]

The way its all laid out and balanced is really sweet. If they were the same price, in may 2020 when i bought, i may have gone WRX. At the time the VW was heavily discounted. This may sound like a foreign concept in this car market but they actually negotiated and sold it for far less than sticker. Subarus rarely get much off, but now everything is pretty much full price. So its more even/favorable to Subaru.

I'm a patient buyer and a good negotiator (I think). I bought one brand new in 2019 for over $2,000 USD off MSRP (without it being put back in anywhere else like admin fees). Most dealerships weren't willing to play ball though. They're tough to get a discount on for sure.

That's both a blessing and a course with Subaru. They price their cars at what they're worth. They're not Ford or Chrysler where they have $10K off "employee" pricing every other month.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

The current WRX engine was all-new for 2015, and doesn’t suffer any of the ringland or head gasket problems of the old 2.5.

Re: AWD system: I wasn’t aware that the Subaru AWD systems weren't very good. I know just about every Subaru has been AWD for years and years now. I never had a problem with the system on my 2016 (granted, I only owned it for 3 years, and I changed the fluid once during that time).

Re: Insurance: Mine was very reasonable, but I was in my late 30s with nothing at all on my record when I owned the car.

Care to elaborate on what makes Subaru’s AWD systems mediocre?

I think it's just the VDC cutting power too early, when the AWD can still pull you out

 

[dareo]

Not to brag but my VW was like 5-6k off AND 0% for 72 months. A whole other ballpark than 1-2k off MSRP like a Subaru/Toyota thing. Now, according to NADA, its worth more than the sticker price somehow. Totally broken car market! I'd sell it but its a wagon and you can't really get those anymore.

I can't wait for the market to get back to normal. A freakin credit union repo sale got $65k out of a 2018 hellcat challenger. like totally what the F.

 

[OppositeLocK]

I think it's just the VDC cutting power too early, when the AWD can still pull you out

I've never had any problems with the AWD system. If you're activating the VDC's override even with it off or in "trac-mode", you're doing something very stupid on the street.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Not to brag but my VW was like 5-6k off AND 0% for 72 months. A whole other ballpark than 1-2k off MSRP like a Subaru/Toyota thing. Now, according to NADA, its worth more than the sticker price somehow. Totally broken car market! I'd sell it but its a wagon and you can't really get those anymore.

I can't wait for the market to get back to normal. A freakin credit union repo sale got $65k out of a 2018 hellcat challenger. like totally what the F.

That doesn't mean much, because what you have to look at is the out-the-door price. Financing is always included in the price. There's no such thing as a 0% loan.

That's inflation for you. You haven't seen anything yet, things are just getting started. 46M people on food stamps and they're increasing everyone's benefits by 25% permanently.