[Jbravo_AK]

^ and worrying about if their car is going to have ringland failure. I've seen cars treated like museum objects still have problems and guys who drove their car like they stole it never have problems. Sometimes you just get unlucky.

 

[zax]

Ring land failure peaked in 2009-2011 and has become less of an issue since.

Of course it still happens, but tuners have become much better at their craft, the ECU definitions have become much more refined in AccessTuner, and people are fairly well aware of the stock block "safe" limits of roughly 400wtq.

 

[vegman]

Taking delivery of my WRX this month. One of the main competitors right now is obviously the Corolla GR. Better horsepower/torque and LSD available, it looks way better (IMO) and is available in a hatch.

All things considered, it’s a better car on paper for the same price as MSRP for many VB WRX’s in premium trim (although good luck finding a GR at MSRP while WRX’s are advertised under all around).

That stated, all of that power in the Toyota is coming from a 1.6L THREE cylinder engine. Toyota’s are usually extremely reliable and well built (my wife’s mini van is a testament to this), but that’s a lot of power to squeeze out of very little displacement and 3 cylinders. I’m not an engineer or a mechanic, but my laymen’s brain thinks this engine is about as tuned as it’ll ever be. I want to have faith that Toyota is continuing with their legendary reliability in this, but do we have any idea how much more performance could be reliably eeked out if that drivetrain?

While we don’t really know yet, the 2.4L has already been shown in the Accent of more power from the factory, and the popular rumor is that this engine has lots of room for tuner improvement.

So what do we think…. Will those of us going with the VB WRX be proven right in the long run (so long as RTV doesn’t clog our pickup), or will Toyota’s legendary reliability stand? Will a JB4 or state 1 WRX deliver similar numbers but still be a 9/10 Subaru still on the road in 10 years while GRs are blowing up engines just outside of warranty?

Really curious on more smarter people’s thoughts.

the gr sales for way over sticker ,,,saw one for 75k ,,plus they are more track ready car ,,,rough street ride

 

[ProZach626]

Probably no more rough than my STI.

Saw a youtube video the other day of some dude with a cobb OTS tune who blew his motor and had a glazed clutch that needed to be replaced. I think it had another mod, too. He was pissed he still had to pay a few thousand dollars...

 

[Marmaduke]

Probably no more rough than my STI.

Saw a youtube video the other day of some dude with a cobb OTS tune who blew his motor and had a glazed clutch that needed to be replaced. I think it had another mod, too. He was pissed he still had to pay a few thousand dollars...

On the GR or WRX? Sounds like homeboy really abused it regardless of what it was.

 

[zax]

On the GR or WRX? Sounds like homeboy really abused it regardless of what it was.

Doesn't matter - welcome to the WRX/STI owner community.

There were two distinct points when the owner base started to become bad...

1. When the 2011 WRX was launched and all of a sudden you could get a car that looked identical to the STI for $10k less
2. When the 2015 WRX was launched and it brought over Honda fanbois in absolute droves

When I bought my first WRX more than 15 years ago, the community was quite a bit different. The WRX was sort of the "black sheep" of import tuners in the USA. The brand hadn't been featured in Fast and Furious, the LA Import Culture largerly ignored the WRX, and when people started blowing up EJ20s and EJ25s almost immediately, there was a lot of fanfare about how the platform wasn't tuner friendly. The owners that bought the WRX and STI back then were more motivated by the quirky nature of the platform and the engineering advantages of the boxer engine rather than sticking BOVs and cheap coilovers on their cars. That still happened of course, but I feel like it's far worse now that the WRX has gained a positive reputation in the sport compact segment and older examples are fully depreciated.

 

[ProZach626]

^This.
Nothing warms my heart more in the "cOmUniTy" than seeing a stock GD chassis STI. Those are some of the few WRX(/STI) owners I can relate to.

 

[Marmaduke]

The WRX is probably the best bang for your buck and now sits basically alone with the evo gone and apparently GRs selling at twice of MSRP.

I wonder if the recent reviews calling the car more “tame/refined” will turn anyone away. I think the body cladding certainly will if going for the ricer-fuckboi look. WRX has been a bucket list car since I was a kid and now that I’m in my 30s and am blessed enough to where I can easily own one and afford the maintenance it just makes sense. A machine shop I used to work with in Vegas has a Subaru tuning/shop place next to it. All manner of WRXs would flow through there and talking to some of their customers it was stupid the WHP numbers they were claiming. Cool people though!

Hopefully all the swill you’re complaining about will go to the Si and Elantra N (🤮).

 

[Jbravo_AK]

I dont think the wrx is being marketed the same way it used to be. You don't see some guy doing a 80 MPH shitty. Even though it has rally in the name its more taylored for the driving experience of a performance turbo car that wont get stuck in the mountains with the right tires. Best bang for your buck is subjective but its a decent entry level AWD performance car. When i first got into the Subaru game with my Sti all I wanted was monsterous performance and HP numbers but as time went by I just enjoy the wrx for what it is and purchased other vehicles to fill my skull crushing acceleration.

 

[ProZach626]

The "twice the MSRP" thing is completely bogus for the majority purchases. I've actually seen a few people on Facebook snag them for MSRP, others having a few mandatory dealership add-on's, and some paying three or four thousand over MSRP. That strikes me as relatively reasonable, only relative to today's market. They are more hard to come by than most, but it's not quite the Type-R unobtanium people thought it was going to be. Although, all of everyone's comments do likely apply for the circuit model.

I had at least a few problems with the GR Corolla (GRC). First, although not as difficult as originally thought, I didn't want to screw with the waiting game. Second, I'm not going to be 42 years old (when I get rid of the car) and not have a center console. On that note, I also work too hard for basic cloth seats. My in-transit WRX is a limited. Third, ride quality is supposedly inferior to the WRX. Lastly, I don't like the way it looks.

I hate to be the party pooper, but the "I always wanted a WRX and now I have one" statement almost doesn't apply to anything but the badging. The car is so drastically different and has matured so much that if you were lusting for one in 2002, you're not getting the same vehicle. It's not even near the same vehicle as my 2013 GR. This is especially true with the unique characteristic Subaru rumble forever gone.

Comparatively, the motor sounds like trash and can only truly be loved by the Honda owner transplants... I roll my eyes when they refer to the FA as having the "boxer rumble."

 

[219673]

The "twice the MSRP" thing is completely bogus for the majority purchases. I've actually seen a few people on Facebook snag them for MSRP, others having a few mandatory dealership add-on's, and some paying three or four thousand over MSRP. That strikes me as relatively reasonable, only relative to today's market. They are more hard to come by than most, but it's not quite the Type-R unobtanium people thought it was going to be. Although, all of everyone's comments do likely apply for the circuit model.

I had at least a few problems with the GR Corolla (GRC). First, although not as difficult as originally thought, I didn't want to screw with the waiting game. Second, I'm not going to be 42 years old (when I get rid of the car) and not have a center console. On that note, I also work too hard for basic cloth seats. My in-transit WRX is a limited. Third, ride quality is supposedly inferior to the WRX. Lastly, I don't like the way it looks.

I hate to be the party pooper, but the "I always wanted a WRX and now I have one" statement almost doesn't apply to anything but the badging. The car is so drastically different and has matured so much that if you were lusting for one in 2002, you're not getting the same vehicle. It's not even near the same vehicle as my 2013 GR. This is especially true with the unique characteristic Subaru rumble forever gone.

Comparatively, the motor sounds like trash and can only truly be loved by the Honda owner transplants... I roll my eyes when they refer to the FA as having the "boxer rumble."

It's like the RS fiasco. You could get them at MSRP from a reputable dealer but most dealers started bidding wars and would just ask whatever.

 

[Marmaduke]

The "twice the MSRP" thing is completely bogus for the majority purchases. I've actually seen a few people on Facebook snag them for MSRP, others having a few mandatory dealership add-on's, and some paying three or four thousand over MSRP. That strikes me as relatively reasonable, only relative to today's market. They are more hard to come by than most, but it's not quite the Type-R unobtanium people thought it was going to be. Although, all of everyone's comments do likely apply for the circuit model.

I had at least a few problems with the GR Corolla (GRC). First, although not as difficult as originally thought, I didn't want to screw with the waiting game. Second, I'm not going to be 42 years old (when I get rid of the car) and not have a center console. On that note, I also work too hard for basic cloth seats. My in-transit WRX is a limited. Third, ride quality is supposedly inferior to the WRX. Lastly, I don't like the way it looks.

I hate to be the party pooper, but the "I always wanted a WRX and now I have one" statement almost doesn't apply to anything but the badging. The car is so drastically different and has matured so much that if you were lusting for one in 2002, you're not getting the same vehicle. It's not even near the same vehicle as my 2013 GR. This is especially true with the unique characteristic Subaru rumble forever gone.

Comparatively, the motor sounds like trash and can only truly be loved by the Honda owner transplants... I roll my eyes when they refer to the FA as having the "boxer rumble."

Interesting comment. I’m certain you’re right about it being a totally different car, but is that the case for anything? I had a 2000 Acura Integra GS… Look at the Integra now (just one example… let’s not even get started on trucks).

I’ve always wanted a WRX, I now live so where that AWD is a very nice feature, and it’s super affordable “performance” with the proper amount of pedals on the floor.

I Turo’d 2021 STI last year and really liked the car, but remember even then realizing just on driving my it that Giulia (that I’m releasing for the WRX) was faster, had way more refined steaming, and a much better torque curve (boost hits 30psi on the stock 2.0L pretty quick). That stated, I absolutely loved driving the car and even spent some time at a Subaru dealership trying to make talk myself into a WRX.

It’s a shame the STI as we know it is gone, so I’ll go for the next best thing. Compared to my car now it’s slower, uglier, and less refined….. But it has AWD and I get to row my own gears so I’m super excited about the car. I had a legacy GT years ago that I had a ton of fun with on back roads (especially when it snowed) so I’m stoked.

But that was insightful and made me think. 👍

 

[silver_scooby]

The "twice the MSRP" thing is completely bogus for the majority purchases. I've actually seen a few people on Facebook snag them for MSRP, others having a few mandatory dealership add-on's, and some paying three or four thousand over MSRP. That strikes me as relatively reasonable, only relative to today's market. They are more hard to come by than most, but it's not quite the Type-R unobtanium people thought it was going to be. Although, all of everyone's comments do likely apply for the circuit model.

I had at least a few problems with the GR Corolla (GRC). First, although not as difficult as originally thought, I didn't want to screw with the waiting game. Second, I'm not going to be 42 years old (when I get rid of the car) and not have a center console. On that note, I also work too hard for basic cloth seats. My in-transit WRX is a limited. Third, ride quality is supposedly inferior to the WRX. Lastly, I don't like the way it looks.

I hate to be the party pooper, but the "I always wanted a WRX and now I have one" statement almost doesn't apply to anything but the badging. The car is so drastically different and has matured so much that if you were lusting for one in 2002, you're not getting the same vehicle. It's not even near the same vehicle as my 2013 GR. This is especially true with the unique characteristic Subaru rumble forever gone.

Comparatively, the motor sounds like trash and can only truly be loved by the Honda owner transplants... I roll my eyes when they refer to the FA as having the "boxer rumble."

GRC has a center console, and the wrx armrest is pretty useless anyway so not much of a change.

Leather sounds great until it gets really hot, or you have to apply conditioner every 6 months. Unless you need an easy to clean material, cloth is usually more comfortable.

That's true of any car, legislation alone won't allow the same thing to exist for 20yrs unchanged. And all gens have a vaguely similar design strategy and fun factor.

Rumble's overrated. FA20 and 24 sound fine. Also a big chunk of owners will always be happy with the sound, no matter what. Remember, affordable sport compact, i.e. first sporty car for many owners after a lifetime of driving camrys, accords and rogues.

 

[ProZach626]

I'm talking about the complete lack of armrest. It looks very economy.

I've owned leather. I prefer it. I never put anything on our leather but all purpose cleaner and chemical guys inner clean. The crosstrek held up fine after six years. We got it because it's easier to clean, especially with dog hair.
The WRX limited comes with microsuede. It looks and feels much better than basic econo cloth.

Sound is important to me. It's why I fell in love with the WRX/STI line. Luckily, the cabin sound is decent on the new WRX compared to other modern four cylinders. I just have to pretend not to know what it sounds like on the outside. Jalopnik listed the FA on the list of the worst sounding cars after it came out. The 2.4 is slightly less worse.

 

[Marmaduke]

I'm talking about the complete lack of armrest. It looks very economy.

I've owned leather. I prefer it. I never put anything on our leather but all purpose cleaner and chemical guys inner clean. The crosstrek held up fine after six years. We got it because it's easier to clean, especially with dog hair.
The WRX limited comes with microsuede. It looks and feels much better than basic econo cloth.

Sound is important to me. It's why I fell in love with the WRX/STI line. Luckily, the cabin sound is decent on the new WRX compared to other modern four cylinders. I just have to pretend not to know what it sounds like on the outside. Jalopnik listed the FA on the list of the worst sounding cars after it came out. The 2.4 is slightly less worse.

The cloth in the new “premium” trim is different than the base. I actually thought it looked and felt pretty upscale. I prefer REAL leather too (whorehouse red leather adorns my current car), but the fake leather crap pisses me off. At least Subaru doesn’t try to call it “vegan leather” or “leatherette.”

 

[ProZach626]

Is the cloth higher quality than the lower trimmed WRX's?

 

[silver_scooby]

Yes, better texture and closer to microfiber I think.

Sounds like you got lucky with the crosstrek. After repairing heat cracked honda, suzuki and vw leather in less than 50k miles each, I swore off it. Might be partly cause all were parked outside.

Eh, personal preference, I liked the FA20 cabin and outside sound more than EJ. FA24 is smoother but more monotonous and makes fewer noises on tip-in.

The whorehouse red on alfa is over the top lol, combined with black paint and gloss black grille frame, it looks like a pimp mobile from GTA.

 

[Marmaduke]

Is the cloth higher quality than the lower trimmed WRX's?

Base and premium both come with cloth. Premium has “premium” cloth.

I’ve attached photos to try and show the difference. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the quality of the cloth on the premium - last 3 vehicles I’ve bought have all been (real) leather.

base, premium, linited, GT (in that order)

limited looks a lot like base, just with the WRX stitched in.

couldn’t find a good photo of the premium cloth but looks really nice, imo, in person.

 

[ProZach626]

Got it. I'm aware of the WRX. I'm excited for the limited seat material. It's much softer than my Recaros.

I like everything about the interior ergonomics my VA, but I also like just about everything on the VB, too. This, of course, is with the exception of the armrest. I learned from the past and remedied that with the armrest extension. It won't make much of a difference in town, but it will be nice to extend on my highway commute.

 

[Jbravo_AK]

I liked my Alcantaras better than leather but I guess I appreciate both for what they do. The cloth on the WRX isnt the worst but far from the best. I too got into subarus for the rumble and not hearing it is sad. Thats the thing that upsets me in my C8 is it sounds so good but chevy did such a good job sound proofing the cabin you literally can't hear it with the top and windows up. Oh well at least other people can hear it lol.