I have a new 6 year update video! Check it out: • 6 Year Long Term Revie... Follow me on Instagram: / projectwrx15 Wheels: Avid AV-20 18x8.5 +33 Offset (Matte Bronze)
Hey guys there are tons of great comments and questions here. I started answering some but figured a follow up video reading through some of these comments and questions would be even better! Look out for that follow up in about week or so.
The check engine light is due to the heated seats being on! i had the same issue so I have stopped turning them on. Havent gotton a check engine light since
@TheMetalGuy852 saying summer tires, witch are designed for warm-hot weather are bad in the cold and snow makes them awful is strange to me. i mean, would you call a snow shovel awful for digging a hole for a fence post? the dunlops are not the best summer tire but i absolutely guarantee that they will out perform every single all season tire ever made when its 80F outside.
I have a 2017 with 40k miles. The sound that you hear after you turn the car on from a cold start is the throw out bearing. It's a very very common issue and it seems to happen more on humid days. I just started to have the clutch pedal squeak and I took it to Subaru. They quoted me about $584 to fix it. I'm just driving it with the squeak and I've noticed that it goes away for about a week then comes back for a couple of minutes and disappears. Both of these issues wont affect the cars performance or lead to any further damage. Just a heads up because I know I had a hard time finding answers to these questions.
Great review man, I like your optimism. I have a 2019 and at first I was disappointed. The heat soak gets pretty bad when it's hot outside (90F+) and the power tapers off.. To get a few satisfying shifts from 1st to 3rd while keeping the car on boost feels like a blessing from heaven. Starting off a stand still at a light makes my wife think that I try to drag race all the time. But interestingly, the longer I drive this car, the more I want to drive it. Tough love
I bought a used 2015 WRX a couple of years ago and I love it. I had the same AC issue, but dealer said it was an o-ring issue. The suspension is just brutal sometimes driving on bad roads tho. You can pretty much feel every crack when you drive over it. That would be my only complaint. The look of the car and the community has been awesome.
I was specifically looking for long term WRX review to understand what to expect from those when shopping used, but didn't find any some time ago, and now youtube just suggested it to me. (They knew I'm still interested :D) Thanks dude!
I just got a 2015 wrx I love it! 70k miles it really is amazing great for my son very safe, AND WHEN HE'S NOT IN THE CAR, the pulls are amazing! I love the sound of the stock turbo
Mine is nearly 5 years old. Still loving it. Owned mine from 15km old. Just clicked over 70,000km been tuned since 2500ish km. Still drives just new. No issues. I'm keeping mine till at least 100k.
I just ordered a 2021 WRX Premium in the same color as the WRX you owned. I really appreciate the long-term ownership reviews. It makes me more comfortable and excited about my purchase. I will be taking delivery in mid-August. I also live 5 minutes from where you track. I hope to see you there once I get my new car, I would love to see the Nismo, or Type R in action.
@@drewlindsay3553 tough to say man. If you're mechanically inclined and can spot a good one that hasn't been abused, then yes. I've replaced alot of the stock parts as they wore out - water pump, timing belt (x2), clutch, struts, valve gaskets. etc.
I own 2015 WRX CVT for almost 4 years...0 major or minor issues so far. Couple of times *check engine* light came on but went away itself it was O2 Censor code, went away itself. Light only comes on after a snow storm or when I hand washed my car. So far great car.. year around blast to drive. It loves hunt V8 RWD muscle cars on snowy winter day. PS: My car is 100% stock planning to keep it that way forever. Love from Canada 🇨🇦
I just bought a '17 on Saturday with 24k miles.. never knew how the previous owner drove it so I got a warranty lol. I have wanted one for years before this generation came out and I'm glad I watched this to reassure myself that they're still reliable. Keeping mine mostly stock except for exhaust because I feel they built the car how it should be. Great video.
I remeber watching yours, and just about every 2015 WRX video on youtube back then. I bought the limited in galaxy blue pearl, and have about 60k miles on it now. Just love it. Great to see you post about yours :)
It’s really nice to hear feedback regarding reliability from someone who’s been driving this car for 5 years and hasn’t modded/tuned it to hell. Reliability has been my biggest concern when thinking about picking up my 2019 STI since it’s such a mixed bag with a lot of the modding community. I plan to do less to it than you did to your WRX so it’s nice to have a good frame of reference reliability wise since it’s a car I plan on driving it for 5-7 years 👍
Great review, a very accurate review of owning the car. I’ve also had problems with the air conditioning in my 2015, unfortunately I haven’t been able to get it replaced under warranty.
This is great information. I love that you made this video as I have some worries about the car's reliability. However, after watching this video, I definitely feel more comfortable with the prospect of getting this car in two years or so
15 wrx owner here too - 5 years as well. Hit everything spot on. Especially the AC issues. Car is stage 2 and running strong since 13k miles (85k now). Hate the car, the only difference is I own it, I don’t drive often anymore besides weekends, so it works. If I could do it over again I’d just get an sti. But I learned my lesson and never want a car payment again lol
Owner of MY16 Subie ReXy from OZ Melbourne here, I have same owner experience like you. It's a reliable, powerful & safety machine. I dislike the driving position much while on track day (u really need a lower bucket seat), but doesn't really matter for daily driving. I gotta go for next generation of STI if Subaru deliver to Oz as promised. Anyway, thx for video mate!!!
That was fun. I just retired my 2004 Impreza. Had she not been rusting out (even though she was garaged and undercarriage washed plenty). I loved that little car. 16+ years and no real problems. Engine and transmission were absolutely perfect always. So I got the 2020 WRX I Picked her up on the 28th. I had to order her before she entered the country. They are a hot item in New England. It being a new car, it has all the bells and whistles. I’m reading the manual every night. She’s FAST 💨
My 2016 just turned 4 years old. I'm 47 and this is the first car I've ever kept for more than 2 years. Still enjoying it and plan to keep it for a few more years. (The noise you're experiencing with the clutch is your throwout bearing. Nothing harmful, just annoying.)
I cant believe i am just seeing this video. Ive had my 15 wrx since 2017 and had exactly the same issues you mentioned. The stutter, the CEL, and the AC issue. I couldnt find any info on them except the same problems, and just did the ecu flash and compressor swap myself kind of guessing, seemed to fix it. glad i finally found this to confirm what i suspected. great vid man, i'm at 117k (bought at 30k) and have had the same experience as you. no issues on my clutch, though. still on the stock clutch with stage 2 tune and a few other mods.
@@igotthejuice2090 really inexpensive, exactly like any other "normal" car. for me, $5 for oil filter, $35 for 4.4L/5L top synthetic oil when on sale (castrol, rotella T6, Mobil1 euro, etc) $100 for 6L of gear oil every 50k km. not expensive at all. other fluids and maintenance items are inexpensive as well.
We have about the same mods and got a custom tune, although I have a CVT. 5 yrs old, 26k miles, daily driver 1. AC problem fixed with a condenser replacement. It's a known Subaru issue after 2 yrs or so where it leaks. 2. Pre FW update and maybe a bad fuel load caused a spark plug to go bust. Only had to change 1. 3. Revving on a cold engine gets a CEL for "stuck intake sensor". Don't go over 25mph until the temp is at 40 degrees C. 4. Cvt overheats after about 20mins of hard driving and when forced to go slow suddenly. Fixed with an upgraded cvt cooler. 5. Oil temperature goes high on extreme heavy loads and high angle mountain inclines. Driving in the tropics need a separate oil cooler (installed) and maybe a bigger radiator (soon). 6. Passengers complain about ride comfort on 19s especially if I go beyond 33psi on the fronts 😂
I've driven the na 2.5 impreza from 2007 until 2014 and my clutch leg felt some pain on those stop and go hwy jams. As soon as you mentioned that in the video inwas like. Omg my leg knows exactly what you mean!
Awesome work man! Very informative, thank you so much! I would like to purchase a new car in a few years and I have a couple of cars I am casually looking at in addition to this one (Golf R, Civic Type R, Jetta GLI, BMW M3) Thanks for showing the tune you did on it as well! I would love to add some extra zip to whatever I got without totally destroying the gas mileage as it would be my daily and I would drive it ALOT.
So far I have every one beat. 2015 wrx. I bought with 5 miles on it and now it just hit 130,000 miles! Yup! I drive A LOT! With the original clutch. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with a few hiccups. My ac compressor died completely. I've had the battery replace 3 times in 4 years. I get the clutch squeak when theres a lot of moisture in the air. I have had the check engine light while it's cold. My truck does it too, I just let it warm up and it goes away. Typically cold fluids? I also have an issue with depressing the clutch. So much so I feel like I'm driving a manual for the first time. Ha! Its definitely a calf killer! Wonderful review. It will definitely help others if they are looking to buy. Mine puts a smile on my face every time I drive it! It makes my commute to work fun!
I've also go a 2015wrx with a little over 100K. No issues, except I also had the AC compressor go out. I replaced the OEM battery with a third party battery, and had no further issues. In cold weather with summer tyers, my center diff tends to lock up when a turn hard when the car is cold. I don't think that counts as a problem though. I agree that the clutch is hard to use smoothly. I find that I have to rev it more than you think you should. My Dad has a 2016, and the clutch is remarkably easier to use. I think there's an issue with the throttle mapping on the 2015s.
@@Sethgolas I've only used the subaru batteries only because they were all covered under the battery warranty. I've already decided that my next battery will not be by Subaru. I just replaced my clutch due to the throw out bearing going out. I made it to 140k. It made more sense to replace the whole thing simply because it would be due for one sooner or later. After a bit of research I decided to go with the original stock clutch. Depressing the clutch isn't so rough now. its catch point is still a little tricky, which results in revving it more then needed. Other clutches I was interested in would result in the same response, so mapping makes more sense now.
You are essentially speaking to me. I agree with every assessment and issue. My clutch was replaced at 52k, my AC condenser is being replaced on Tuesday. My seat bracket completely rusted out, they're also replacing that on Tuesday, all under warranty. The clutch is exactly what you said, basically uncomfortable to the press. I do keep my seat upright and a bit close to the column, but it does suck any way you set it. Thank you for this 5 year review. I bought mine at 11 miles, currently have 66k. Keeping until 90kish
I have a 2015 Subaru Forester XT and I had the same issue of the check engine light coming on when it was cold also, but after 60k on the odometer. Because it was intermittent, it wouldn't hold a code. I finally was able to get a code when the light came on right by an Autozone. I changed out the Fuel/Air sensor, which is after the catalytic converter, with an original Subaru part (Recommended by the Autozone Clerk because said aftermarket sensors are junk. His words, not mine). Expensive, but no problem since, but I went ahead and changed the O2 sensor shortly there after. Both were caked with soot due to normal oil burn Subaru turbo engines are known for. My only mods are a 2015 STI mid-pipe and mufflers, along with an AEM dry filter.
great video man .Ive had my 2016 rex for a month now .I love the instant lowdown boost response it's great for everyday driving .Hoping to go stage 1 soon but likely a protube not too sure about the cobb ots maps
My wife's 2016 wrx has been down for 2 TOB repairs, a/c compressor change out, and has an annoying hesitation around 4500 -5000rpm in 2 (maybe it's 3rd) gear. It drives like a tank and I love it.
I have a 2018 WRX Sport Tech RS (Canadian Model). I love it, it has the Recaro seats and I did have to fiddle around with them to find a good seating position but because of the 8 way power adjustablity, I was able to find a good comfy position. When I first found out that my car had the Recaros, I was a bit worried as I am 6 foot 3 and 285 pounds. I was worried that the width of the seats would be too narrow(Mitubishi Lancer Evo) but I fit in perfectly. Great video and thanks for the insight into owning a WRX long term!!
7:19 those are the exact same lights that came on when i cleaned the intake manifold with cdc gdi valve and turbo cleaner, and the maf sensors with maf sensor cleaner. it also disabled cruise control. i drove the car afterwards with the lights still on and it felt fine, pulled over and used the ap to clear the codes and they haven't come back. i drove my 18 wrx in -4F, -35F windchill weather in canada once and no cel, but maybe its just not old enough yet. i sure hope thats one thing that they fixed over the years.
Just hit 5 years been a great car gonna keep it for another 5. Just did my own first oil change. Was great! I've owened it from 17km and it's done 80,700km.
It all starts with the 1st oil change! Before you know it you will be bleeding the clutch and changing plugs and rear diff front diff fluids! Its all easy v
I have a 2015 WRX Limited, I still own the car. My experiences: car is completely stock, also had in cold climate in North Dakota for 3 years and I would say all my problems came when I was there. I’ve had it go in limp mode because the cam gear failed, dealer replaced it. They also put a brand new ECU in as well. I went through 2 batteries while there because the extreme cold (warranty replaced) Also has my AC fixed for the same issue. I’ve had the car home in California at sea level for the past year and a half and had 0 issues, I love the car and plan on keeping it forever, it handles great and gets 25-30 mpg. I’ve always changed the oil every 3k and would recommend that to everyone for longer engine life. It’s a great all around car.
Just subbed, great video man. You don’t hear from anyone that really talks about the pro’s and con’s in detailed honest form. I’ve had my 2017 for three years and she’s doing great (knocks on wood) I have 50k on the stock clutch and have been hoping to get much more considering hearing about others having theirs go out at 30k lol.
I bought mine with 25 miles on it at the end of 2015, it’s a 2016 and I just crossed 115k miles. It has been a solid car despite the fact I do drive it hard. Most surprisingly is the clutch is still factory.
2006 sti have had it since 2008 got it with 22,000 miles now has 124,000 miles. No issues except for emissions. Been a nightmare . In ct. Po442 po456 bought smoke machine fixed. Then po448 and po447 replaced pcm cleared in july now po447 back again
Great video, I subscribed a while back. At this time I am patiently waiting for my 2019 WRX sport-tech which is due to arrive in early fall (Canada). It will be made in Japan so I hope they improved some of these bugs before mine is built. I will show it on my channel later for sure. It is a small channel focused on auto and travel. Keep up the good work on the vlogs.
Subaru has a service bulletin that addresses many different clutch issues. The repair is to replace everything. The pressure plate, friction disc, fly wheel, and release bearing are all updated with heavy duty larger units. And the pedal Assembly is also replaced with an updated unit. The whole repair can still be covered Under your powertrain warranty. If the claim is for noise not abnormal wear. I'm a Subaru Master Tech And have performed this repair many many times and it is always fixed any noise problems. And you get a more heavy-duty clutch also.
My Nissan Sentra had the EXACT same check engine light related to temperature, it never failed. It was essentially the mass air flow sensor and carbon build up in the intake manifold. Unfortunately the dealer had to fix due codes on the mass air flow sensor, cost me about $600.00 and the issue has never happened since.
Hey man! Have watched a few of your videos. I just got a 2020 WRX 2 months ago. Was watching this one and it hit me where you are driving around lol I live in mason.
Even if they don't, the new WRX with the Smaller engine and turbo are just gutless. I feel like my moms Toyota Matrix would keep up and thats just pathetic.
@@chinchy111 This is false. Do more research bud. Is this as reliable as a camry? No. But failing at 100K? If you run it without oil maybe.... Please stop spreading misinformation.
@@DJ_CRIZP type wrx rod knock in youtube. Tons of issues. Yeah some do last over 100k but also theres some that have rod knock at only 50k. they will fail sooner or later. Its a shame because i really wanted to buy a newer wrx. Get one if you reslly want as a weekend car but i would never daily drive one
I've had my 2017 base model (completely stock) for 3 years now 32,000 miles, only problems i had was my battery died out around 20k miles and sometimes (but not very often) while idling my rpms will bog down for like a second and go back to normal idle, this has only happened a handful of times. My clutch pedal squeaks, Sometimes i notice it sometimes i don't. On really cold days my windshield creaks in the exact same spot. Clutch still feels really tight. The sound system is worse than my 2003 jeep Grand Cherokee, But from what I've read if you change the head unit its a lot better. The car has been extremely reliable and very fun to drive.
