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

[slacktide_bitog]

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.

the VDC Override was not activated

The SJ Forester (non-turbo, no X-Mode) automatic/CVT was noticeably worse in the snow this past winter than an SF with no VDC. Default power/torque split is 60% to the front on the SJ, and 80% on the SF

 

[dareo]

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.

0% direct from VW, not a Pick A or B scenario. Coulda paid cash but the zero really was free this time.

 

[OppositeLocK]

the VDC Override was not activated

The SJ Forester (non-turbo, no X-Mode) automatic/CVT was noticeably worse in the snow this past winter than an SF with no VDC. Default power/torque split is 60% to the front on the SJ, and 80% on the SF

I think the manual trannies have better AWD systems.

 

[OppositeLocK]

0% direct from VW, not a Pick A or B scenario. Coulda paid cash but the zero really was free this time.

But if you bought it at a time where there wasn't "0%" financing, the car would've been cheaper paying cash.

 

[gregk24]

The only thing about Subarus that peak my interest is the "quirk" factor. At least around where we live there aren't many on the road so you get points for driving something different / "foreign". Other than that they seem generally dated. I can't say I follow them.

 

[OppositeLocK]

The only thing about Subarus that peak my interest is the "quirk" factor. At least around where we live there aren't many on the road so you get points for driving something different / "foreign". Other than that they seem generally dated. I can't say I follow them.

I think it's a seriously underrated brand. It's not just for lesbians anymore!

 

[dareo]

Got me curious, so i looked it up, $328.48 a month. I put zero down at the dealer, so this was for the car itself and their doc fee. Out the door but not taxed/plated. I paid that in cash when i got it back to utah. They even gave people 90 days payment grace period, so it appears as a 75 month 0% loan. it would be an epic discount today, but wasn't amazing for a 2019 VW in 2020. A full price WRX hasn't really gone up much in price compared to the sweet deals of yesteryear.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Got me curious, so i looked it up, $328.48 a month. I put zero down at the dealer, so this was for the car itself and their doc fee. Out the door but not taxed/plated. I paid that in cash when i got it back to utah. They even gave people 90 days payment grace period, so it appears as a 75 month 0% loan. it would be an epic discount today, but wasn't amazing for a 2019 VW in 2020. A full price WRX hasn't really gone up much in price compared to the sweet deals of yesteryear.

Remember though, we're comparing a utility wagon to a sports sedan. Totally different bases.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I think the manual trannies have better AWD systems.

Certainly simpler

always 50/50, no electronics, makes for a simple, cheap AWD that works. And the manual Subarus still have a dipstick, too

 

[OppositeLocK]

Certainly simpler

always 50/50, no electronics, makes for a simple, cheap AWD that works. And the manual Subarus still have a dipstick, too

Exactly! Why fix what isn't broken and when the improvement alternative offers more downsides than upsides?

 

[dareo]

Remember though, we're comparing a utility wagon to a sports sedan. Totally different bases.

Msrp is the nearly the same, curb weight the same, almost the same displacement. The VW starts out tuned lower but tunes up very easily and reliably. All manor of bolts exist for both platforms. They are more alike than not.

My only point was the WRX is cheaper today relative to 2019 and prior.

 

[skrypj]

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.

The design also hangs the engine out over the front axle. The half shafts come out of the transmission instead of having a normal transfercase, driveshaft and front diff under the engine, which means the engine hangs out in front. It results in like a 60:40 weight distribution.

I always thought this was very apparent driving my LGT vs my GTO. Hit the gas mid corner in the LGT and it would plow. Hit the gas mid corner in my GTO and the back would ever so slightly kick out and oversteer through the cornee. It was a thing of beauty.

 

[UncleDave]

My parents have a forrester that is a fairly nice rig. I like WRX's.

Up here in the gold country, I've seen so much trouble with the brand that I've lost my affinity for them.

 

[haggler]

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.

Ive driven manual for 15 years. While it's true that every manual transmission has it's nuances that u have to pickup, theres no other modern car that rev hangs this much. No point of driving a manual if you have to wait a good second to shift smoothly. Real boner killer. They practically corner you into modifying it to delete all that crap to drive correctly. The few subie folks I spoke with say the STI doesn't have those problems. Sounds like some EPA bs.

 

[john_pifer]

Hopefully they’ve addressed rev hang, crappy tune and throttle programming, and inadequate brakes for this new from ground-up 2022 model.

If they’ve fixed all that, and added more power & torque, along with some other upgrades (infotainment, etc), I think it’ll be excellent.

If they would only make a hatchback that looks as good as the old 2014 models! While the front end of that model wasn’t so hot, I really dig the aft end and the profile.

 

[fisher83]

I'm interested to see what the specs will be. It's long overdue for a power upgrade. We have the regular Impreza and it has been a good car so far.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Msrp is the nearly the same, curb weight the same, almost the same displacement. The VW starts out tuned lower but tunes up very easily and reliably. All manor of bolts exist for both platforms. They are more alike than not.

My only point was the WRX is cheaper today relative to 2019 and prior.

Nobody in the market for a hot hatch or sports sedan cross-shops against an Alltrack. The WRX has 60% more HP, a lower ride height, a stiffer ride, is 90/10 biased towards FWD in most situations, on top of many other things.

This is no knock against the Alltrack.

 

[OppositeLocK]

Ive driven manual for 15 years. While it's true that every manual transmission has it's nuances that u have to pickup, theres no other modern car that rev hangs this much. No point of driving a manual if you have to wait a good second to shift smoothly. Real boner killer. They practically corner you into modifying it to delete all that crap to drive correctly. The few subie folks I spoke with say the STI doesn't have those problems. Sounds like some EPA bs.

Every single manual transmission vehicle on the market today has rev hang and how much is debatable. The same posts can be found about the Civic Si, Civic Type R, Genesis, Camaro, Mustang, etc.. Type in "Porsche GT4 Spyder Rev Hang" and you'll get the same results.

Like I said, get off the gas fully before clutching in or drive with the AC on, they'll fall too fast for you then.

STI doesn't have this problem because it's a 15 year old design using drive-by-cable.

Lastly, synchros are a thing. Don't "encourage" it to pop in faster than it wants.

The car is fine. The hyper aggressive throttle input is a bigger problem than the rev hang.

 

[OppositeLocK]

I'm interested to see what the specs will be. It's long overdue for a power upgrade. We have the regular Impreza and it has been a good car so far.

Maybe the STI is but I think the WRX has plenty at 268hp. They should just focus on drive-ability refinement. Still, they'll probably make the new one closer to 300hp and the STI closer to 400hp. I say that mainly looking at the new BRZ numbers.

People focus way too much on peak power output when that's not what makes a great car. Remember, the legendary Miata is the best selling sports car of all time, and for good reason.

 

[john_pifer]

From what I’ve heard, the new WRX will get a modest 15-20 HP boost (giving it somewhere between 280-290 HP), but with a much bigger increase in torque (300+ ft-lbs, up from 258 in the current model).

Rumor is that the STi will get a bigger boost in HP (350+). Not sure about torque on that one.