Anyone cross shopping the new WRX?

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Not everyone needs to agree with everyone! You don't need to try and convince others that your train of thought is more right than another's either.. unless they're straight murdering people or something, that's not cool.

Yeah, you've made your point very well known. No need to keep regurgitating it.

Don't like it, don't buy one. It's pretty simple.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Pete

I have been driving a FWD hatch these past few years and I think that is the primary drawback of this platform. It is competent but rarely fun(for me). From what I have read the civic type r is an amazing FWD car but it is pricey and I've never driven one of those. I admit, I've also never driven anything AWD that is meant to be sporty, but there are plenty of fast cars that have it...like... the 911 turbo lol.

I started looking into the CTR as an alternative to a gen 2 BRZ, but it is pretty much guaranteed you will have overheating problems with the CTR if you’re a moderately fast driver and you track it above 80 F ambient. Honda tried to address the problem by opening the grill and making other changes for the 2021 models but the issue persists. To me that’s a deal-breaker for a car like the CTR since I’d be using it not only for hpde’s but also open tracking days.

For $10k less, you can get a 2nd gen BRZ with rwd handling balance which I prefer. The biggest drawback vs the CTR is how difficult the rear seats are to use, but in my case I’m not planning to use them often so I’m fine dealing with that.

[LanceLane174]

I just test drove 2 different Gen 1 BRZs and 2 brand new WRXs and I can tell you that they are not comparable.

WRX is a great car, but not much better handling than my Legacy Limited. Straight line power, sure. But that's all it has going for it.

The BRZ is more of a true sports car feel. I did cross shop both of them. But once you get into both, it ends. You want one or the other. It is that simple.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by LanceLane174

I just test drove 2 different Gen 1 BRZs and 2 brand new WRXs and I can tell you that they are not comparable.

WRX is a great car, but not much better handling than my Legacy Limited. Straight line power, sure. But that's all it has going for it.

The BRZ is more of a true sports car feel. I did cross shop both of them. But once you get into both, it ends. You want one or the other. It is that simple.

Very true. The WRX needs suspension mods to improve the handling, but once you do that it’s pretty good. The steering is not as good as the twins , so it does not always feel like it can handle. Pretty sure I can rip a turn faster in the WRX than my BRZ, but the BRZ will feel better and is more fun.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by Ernest72

Very true. The WRX needs suspension mods to improve the handling, but once you do that it’s pretty good. The steering is not as good as the twins , so it does not always feel like it can handle. Pretty sure I can rip a turn faster in the WRX than my BRZ, but the BRZ will feel better and is more fun.

To people who prefer RWD, dragging a car around a turn by the front end at 60 isn’t nearly as much fun as pushing it around the same corner from the rear at 45. I think that’s why most of us are here and why there is little overlap between these cars.

[LanceLane174]

Agreed. That doesn't make one better than the other. Just different. And not really crossshoppable after you have driven both.

[bmxr]

IMO, the 15+ WRX is terrible for track or even just fun driving. Engine response, clutch feel, shifter...and the brakes are beyond useless. I bought one new and could not wait to get rid of it. The suspension is actually OK, but the fake throttle map, rev hang, fall-flat powerband... It's my least favorite car I have ever bought by a wide margin.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by OkieSnuffBox

Yeah, you've made your point very well known. No need to keep regurgitating it.

Don't like it, don't buy one. It's pretty simple.

Hate me. It's a public forum.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by bmxr

IMO, the 15+ WRX is terrible for track or even just fun driving. Engine response, clutch feel, shifter...and the brakes are beyond useless. I bought one new and could not wait to get rid of it. The suspension is actually OK, but the fake throttle map, rev hang, fall-flat powerband... It's my least favorite car I have ever bought by a wide margin.

This is good feedback. Specific, detailed and succinct. I am planning to go to the Subaru dealer this weekend and get my order in for a BRZ.

[LanceLane174]

Originally Posted by Pete

This is good feedback. Specific, detailed and succinct. I am planning to go to the Subaru dealer this weekend and get my order in for a BRZ.

I am obviously a huge fan of Subaru and the BRZ specifically. But it may not be for everyone. I would encourage you to drive one a few times before you order. Find some used ones and make them think you plan on buying it.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by LanceLane174

I am obviously a huge fan of Subaru and the BRZ specifically. But it may not be for everyone. I would encourage you to drive one a few times before you order. Find some used ones and make them think you plan on buying it.

I owned a '13 FRS for several years, loved it. Never driven a WRX though.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Because I don't think a car is good? And not willing to agree otherwise?

Ope, there you go again. What is this 2 dozen times now? Desperate for attention, mate?

[Ernest72]

Don’t get a WRX if you want a sports car or a track car, it will need a lot of mods to get it right. Get it if you get significant snow and need a fun grocery getter daily instead of an SUV. My 04 WRX with snow tires is a blast every winter. And it’s a rally wagon.

[tenderization]

I had a '17 WRX for four years and to me it was a car full of compromises (which is why it sells _way_ more according to the salespeople I've talked with). It's tuned to understeer (because that's more predictable for most people), it has an annoying throttle mapping (because that _feels_ fast on a test drive), it runs out of steam at high revs (are most people hanging out near redline all the time?).


I think it's a usable daily but not really a driver's car. I actually got pretty used to the rev-hang, but then it would be disconcerting at first to drive other cars that didn't have it. However, the compromises also bit into daily use as it will funnel in a lot of road noise in places with old freeways (e.g., Seattle) and the suspension is definitely firm for a "crossover." I will say if you drive it relatively mildly it was fine on gas. I probably saw 23-24 mpg (actual) mixed and 30-32 (actual) mpg highway. It'll do 450 miles comfortably on a tank which is nice for road trips which I'm not sure a 2nd gen BRZ will manage.