last gen STI vs. new WRX vs. Corolla GR vs. Evo??

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by re-animator

Sounds pretty sweet but my budget is probably more in the $20-25k range. I'm looking for an actual light duty daily that will probably see some track time so not an investment piece.

That said, your only smart option is a used WRX. You can get a clean, lower mileage VA easily inside that range. Finding an STI in that price range you'll be looking at a modded car with high mileage. Very risky to the wallet for such a slight reduction in lap times vs. a stock WRX + some light, proper mods done by you. New WRX doesn't have any real benefits over the VA aside from higher power ceiling with mods if you plan on going nuts. Even with the discounts we're seeing on VB's you still won't be in the $25k range.

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by fredzy

That said, your only smart option is a used WRX. You can get a clean, lower mileage VA easily inside that range. Finding an STI in that price range you'll be looking at a modded car with high mileage. Very risky to the wallet for such a slight reduction in lap times vs. a stock WRX + some light, proper mods done by you. New WRX doesn't have any real benefits over the VA aside from higher power ceiling with mods if you plan on going nuts. Even with the discounts we're seeing on VB's you still won't be in the $25k range.

The VB chassis is quite a bit better. Similar to the 1st gen FRS/BRZ vs the 2nd gen 86/BRZ, the new chassis is consistently posting times like 2-5sec faster around the same track compared the previous gen.

While the new engine definitely has more potential than the FA20, it's a bummer to see the redline all the way down at 6k. Getting close to a turbo diesel at this rate.

The problem is it's just ugly. The WRX saw the biggest price increase it's had in well over a decade and yet the bottom 1/3 of the car isn't even painted lol

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

The problem is it's just ugly. The WRX saw the biggest price increase it's had in well over a decade and yet the bottom 1/3 of the car isn't even painted lol

I agree. It’s weird that they did it — I get why they’d do it on the other cars like the Crosstrek and Forester since those are going to see backroads more often, but I would assume most WRXs aren’t going to… at least not the kind of backroads that would warrant it, plus it doesn’t really have the ground clearance to do much beyond driving over flat dirt/gravel.

[fredzy]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

I agree. It’s weird that they did it — I get why they’d do it on the other cars like the Crosstrek and Forester since those are going to see backroads more often, but I would assume most WRXs aren’t going to… at least not the kind of backroads that would warrant it, plus it doesn’t really have the ground clearance to do much beyond driving over flat dirt/gravel.

Even on SUVs and crossovers, unpainted plastic cladding is a design choice. I guess it's technically functional, maybe, but for sure its first job is to represent a rugged style. No cladding = normal car. Cladding with no other changes = off road mountain wilderness machine.

And this is why I'm so baffled by the WRX. That look, that kind of cladding has never been a part of rally. On any real rally car, anything tacked onto the fenders is there to cover up the wider track, and it's painted body color. The WRX's cladding is purely SUV culture stuff. Nobody asked for that.

Over the last 8-9 years, there were a bunch of people saying "I really want a WRX hatchback but if Subaru makes a turbo manual Crosstrek I'd take that." Lots of guys willing to compromise to get what would effectively be a WRX hatch. Subaru getting that backwards is the only thing I can figure as to why the VB WRX is the way it is.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by fredzy

Even on SUVs and crossovers, unpainted plastic cladding is a design choice. I guess it's technically functional, maybe, but for sure its first job is to represent a rugged style. No cladding = normal car. Cladding with no other changes = off road mountain wilderness machine.

And this is why I'm so baffled by the WRX. That look, that kind of cladding has never been a part of rally. On any real rally car, anything tacked onto the fenders is there to cover up the wider track, and it's painted body color. The WRX's cladding is purely SUV culture stuff. Nobody asked for that.

Over the last 8-9 years, there were a bunch of people saying "I really want a WRX hatchback but if Subaru makes a turbo manual Crosstrek I'd take that." Lots of guys willing to compromise to get what would effectively be a WRX hatch. Subaru getting that backwards is the only thing I can figure as to why the VB WRX is the way it is.

Subaru makes wierd decisions lately.....
Fans = We want an STI hatch!!!!!
Subaru = No hatch for you!

Subaru = the WRX manual transmission take rate is somewhere like 60%. Its a glorious ratio!
Also Subaru = We'll offer our best trim levels with only a CVT! The manual exists only on the base model! Because reasons!

Reviewers = The Crosstrek and Impreza need more power!
Subaru = nahhh its fine. (3 years later) Ok we got a bunch of extra 2.5's, we can put them in the crosstrek/impreza. But only with CVT and only on top trims levels. NO STICK FOR YOU!

new WRX = WTF is with the cladding?
Subaru = our focus group liked it (Maybe they focus grouped the Viziv concept where the cladding didnt overwhelm the car...unlike the catfished production car) so MOAR CLADDING!

[WolfpackS2k]

Whole lot of WRXs just sitting on the lot at my local Subaru dealership. Seems weird given sports/enthusiast cars in general are almost impossible to find in dealer inventory.

Yikes

[Stephen W.]

More cladding sorta reminds me of the line "More pies, more pies" from the movie The Great Race.

[Sasquachulator]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Whole lot of WRXs just sitting on the lot at my local Subaru dealership. Seems weird given sports/enthusiast cars in general are almost impossible to find in dealer inventory.

Yikes

Subaru's are pretty popular up here.
The only model i dont actually see alot of is the Impreza.
Ive seen a far number of new WRX's...except in silver and I think ive seen a red one in the past as well.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Whole lot of WRXs just sitting on the lot at my local Subaru dealership. Seems weird given sports/enthusiast cars in general are almost impossible to find in dealer inventory.

Yikes

Speaking of which, Chris Rock cracked a little Subaru joke in his new Netflix special

[TylerLieberman]

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

Subaru makes wierd decisions lately.....
Fans = We want an STI hatch!!!!!
Subaru = No hatch for you!

Subaru = the WRX manual transmission take rate is somewhere like 60%. Its a glorious ratio!
Also Subaru = We'll offer our best trim levels with only a CVT! The manual exists only on the base model! Because reasons!

Reviewers = The Crosstrek and Impreza need more power!
Subaru = nahhh its fine. (3 years later) Ok we got a bunch of extra 2.5's, we can put them in the crosstrek/impreza. But only with CVT and only on top trims levels. NO STICK FOR YOU!

new WRX = WTF is with the cladding?
Subaru = our focus group liked it (Maybe they focus grouped the Viziv concept where the cladding didnt overwhelm the car...unlike the catfished production car) so MOAR CLADDING!

Subaru is more interested in catering to the purple hair'd they/thems these days.

I used to really enjoy Subaru as a brand and supported a lot of their efforts. Hell, the last 5 new vehicles I've purchase have been boxer equipped vehicles (2 of which were Scion/Toyota). But I think they've lost their way quite a bit when it comes to their more performance minded enthusiasts/loyalists. The WRX, much like the STI before it was killed off, just isn't the heavy hitter like it was in the earlier 2000s. They used to punch well above their class in performance while sacrificing a bit of the refined feel and some of the luxuries/comforts. Now they just sort of their in their own segment and still aren't the most refined or luxurious lol.

As you mentioned, the decision to only allow Recaro seats and adaptive dampers as options for a CVT equipped car is stupid. And the price is ludicrous. $42,000 for an automatic WRX. The only people defending it are people who were insane enough to buy one and are now trying to justify it to the world so they can sleep better at night.

Then the cladding. They say it's "more aggressive like customers wanted" and "for better aero". Since when is leaving half the car unpainted more aggressive? Maybe some widers/more defined fenders/rear quarters would be better. And they can say whatever they want about aero, but the fact is no supercar manufacturer, racecar shop, or F1 team is running that texture garbage on their vehicles.

While the chassis is better than the outgoing model, I think they had the opportunity to do so much better, but it looks like they just threw it together with whatever parts were available so they could go back to focusing on figuring out what car in their model lineup they were gonna throw a wilderness badge on next.

[WolfpackS2k]

Even if you like it, to me it's not a WRX. At this point its basically a Legacy GT in size and performance, for all intents and purposes (I'm clearly referring to the last LGT that anyone cared about).

And plastic cladding is one thing, but hexagonal shaped wheel wells? WHY?!?

[re-animator]

Guys I bought an Evo ✊

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by re-animator

Guys I bought an Evo ✊

Pics or it didn't happen

[re-animator]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

Pics or it didn't happen

Feels like I got the last stock one in the whole world lol. It's a 2012 gsr with only coilovers and wheels (returned to stock). Has 120k on the clock but the last owner has had it since 4,000 - almost brand new. I knew I'd rather buy a higher mileage one than one that has been beat on. Took it to an Evo specialist and they said it is in great shape and has no signs of abuse. Only downside is that it has been parked outside it's whole life and the clear coat is in rough shape - definitely will need some paint work or a wrap