Love my 2019. Yes, it has a turbo lag spot in 1st. Yes, I have killed it a few times, but, it’s the all around best drive I ever owned. And I am 70. 28,000 miles of fun driving on this one.
What 70 and still drives a "rally" car? I thought I was too old until you mentioned your age. Enjoy it so now I will follow your footstep. The NEW WRX will be coming soon so I will test drive it and decide.
As a fellow 2020 wrx cvt owner, I can definitely say the automatic is fun. With any wrx you will have rev hang which is an annoyance but a tune will definitely get rid of that. This is the most fun car I’ve owned and it’s a great daily driver. Not to mention the modification list on these cars is infinite.
@@buildmorefarms1007 revhang is mostly an issue with 15-17, from my understating 18+ they really fixed the issue. I have a modified 15 and I don’t have any rev hang due to having a pro tune. Cobb stage 1 really fixes the majority of the issue though if you’re below 18
I had a 2008, and the Cobb Accessport really cured that off-idle stumble you are experiencing. i was surprised that a one minute flash of the ECU could so transform how the engine ran.
Immediately bought a catch can. Dude did his research. Should drop those wheels asap though even though they were free they're kinda ugly. And there is one biiiiig option he coulda got in 2020 that I wish I did but I'm poor: the performance package with the Brembo's and Recaro seats. And he should really reconsider not tuning it. An accessport gets rid of the factory drivability quirks without needing any mods.
@@t.k.morris For a catch can or an accessport? Catch can is down to your preference. Have to choose between that or an AOS (Air/ Oil Separator). The difference is a catch can has to be emptied periodically but is cheaper. AOS puts oil back in the pan but is alot more money. And Cobb makes the Accessport.
I just traded in my 6spd rt challenger for a 2020 sti. Immediately it was way more fun to drive. My only problem, 1st gear is so hard to shift in smoothly with no jerk.😪 I got 268 miles on it but it's a blast of a car. Nice vid..
...I did sort of what Ron did, trading a V8 muscle car (a black 2004 GTO with a built LS1/6 speed) for a Subaru (a red 2018 WRX 6spd Premium with the performance package (Recaro's/Brembo's)). I found out all about the dreaded WRX rev hang and quickly picked up a Cobb access port and a Cobb cold air intake. I had the WRX a year or so and, quite frankly, got bored with the car. It had decent power, great handling and I loved the AWD in the snow, but it was missing the low end torque and LS high RPM shriek that made the GTO so satisfying. So, the WRX went bye-bye and in it's place is a blade silver 2016 C7 Corvette 7 spd with the Z51 package. I don't regret having the WRX, it was an excellent car but didn't stir any passion in me. It was more of an appliance than a performance car. The C7 is every thing I could ask for in a performance car, except for year round capabilities here in Northern Idaho. But I've got a Frontier 4x4 for snow covered roads. Who knows, if the WRX had the older EJ motor rumble and a couple hundred more horsepower, it might still be in my garage, but it isn't. The WRX is a fine car, just not for me...
I guess there’s nothing wrong with playing it safe and picking up the last year of the VA WRX but I would have at least waited to see what next year’s model is going to offer. That’s true of all the WRX’s competitors too. All the major players are getting in one last generation of fast, fun, affordable cars before the EV revolution so any enthusiasts reading this should really do their best to be patient for another year or two. I’m personally waiting to buy until ‘22 to ‘23 so I can decide between the next gen WRX, STI, 400Z, S650 Mustang, GR Corolla, Golf R, CTR, next gen Challenger, whatever Mazda brings to the table, and potentially the return of the Focus RS. And if you’re planning to pay cash then R33 Skyline GT-Rs, S14 Koukis, and EVO IVs are legal to import starting this year too, so next year you’ll be able to find them already in the US if you want to test drive before you purchase.
I like to say my Impreza has cop repellant. I was driving 75 MPH outside Vegas and a cop pulled over a Camero in the lane over that was doing 70 MPH. In LA I drove 85 MPH right by a cop that was targeting people with the speed gun. I have had my car for 10 years and never once have I been pulled over in it. It's incredible, my car is invisible to cops.
I own 2020 WRX in the same silver except with the CVT. I've owned it since Nov. of 2019. It has 14600 miles on it now and I love the crap out of it! I drive a lot in traffic and so I didn't want to end up hating the car and that stiff clutch pedal every time I drive on the highway and get stuck in I-70 traffic. Yeah, I also live here in Colorado. You guys know if you live here you own a Subaru or a Jeep or both. In my case yes, both. The Jeep is a 1995 XJ that me and my son built up. Also way too much fun. The only vehicle to be out and about moving around on Monday this week after the huge snow fall. Love that thing. 4.5inch lift and bigger tires is a blessing when you get almost 30 inches of snow the night before. I own all the snow blowers! Subaru, Jeep and Troy Built. LOL!
I had the first bug eyes I paid 33k financed and taxes out the door in 2002 . You got a great deal . With WRXs the power band is from 2900RPM up it doesn’t like any thing under 2000 and tends to stall. This car is made for high revs as red line is 7k . I’d suggest you do 2500k launches and you will love your car!
Surprised he didnt complain about the power dip Subaru purposely put around 4K to 4800 rpms. Once he gets Cobb Accessport and run E30 tune he will love the TQ.
"The arm rest raises and lowers" This sounds like a pretty underwhelming option, but as a '17 WRX premium owner one of the first mods I did was the JDM dual-console arm rest extension. The standard arm rest is way too low to be used by any human comfortably, so this option is actually one of the best.
A 400$ tune/reflash of the ECU will change the problem you are having with the lagging torque and feeling of in being out of breath past half throttle. And it won't change your mpg much at all. Plus no mods needed for a stage 1 tune. Look into it👍🏼
@@easycomeeasygo8901 yeah you can unmarry the accessport and set the car back to stage 0, aka stock tune. The dealer might ask why the ECU was reset, and you can usually get away with saying you took it to a buddy’s house, autozone, etc. and used a scan tool to reset it to try and fix whatever problem you’re having.
@@sadsquad8124 great that's what I was hoping to hear. Last thing if you know. Does getting a tune on the WRX 2.0 engine result the Rev hang issues? I'm doing some research for my sibling who will be getting a 2020 wrx. Thanks
I've got a 20/20 STI I love this car there is like no time when I get in it that after I crank it up and let the turbo and everything else get oil up good that I don't smile it is the most responsive car that I ever hope for ever wanted. If I want to pass somebody change the knob to sport mode I can pass anybody like a big block Corvette. And I can see five and I can travel all over the country. In great comfort I might add
My biggest gripe with the WRX is the lack of proper throttle response and the engine cutting timing constantly to keep things happy, but with a few mods it should fix that. Not sure what people are complaining a about with turbo lag, just need to know how to drive a turbo manual car, tho I get the stalling, the tuning for clutch engagement pisses me off...
Took a WRX out for a test drive today. Didn't stall the car one, last drove a stick shift over 20 years ago. Maybe you need to learn correctly how to drive a manual car.
Good video. 👍 I have a base model 2017 WRX. I love my car too. I'm waiting for the new STI to come out. I won't buy it right away. Stay safe brother 🙏.
Miss my 2013 wrx limited world rally blue but traded that in for a 2019 Raptor. But the wrx is definitely a great vehicle. And he said his wrx is top of the line, but it's not the limited is the top of the line then there's the sti. Considering he also said he didn't have everything on it.
@@lllateralus new clutch was the extent of it, other than that just regular preventative maintenance and brakes. I’ve been on e60 for the majority of the time, and I have a charge pipe as my only engine mod. Still on stock air box and stock exhaust save for Nameless muffler deletes. I had a strut mount start making noise (there’s a a TSB for it). One of my shocks got a little lethargic so I swapped to Bilsteins on Tenabe springs...night and day difference to stock but it’s an acquired taste for sure. Passengers either love it or hate it. I have some chassis bracing as well.
@@codydakota95 wow over to hear a high miles tuned wrx alive n well. How many miles on the tune? What numbers? Where did you get the tune? I got a wrx as a daily and I'm scared to mod it as I need a reliable car and I've heard people blowing them after like 70k on a "good tune"
1:52 - I was really impressed by the low-end torque 9:54 - The torque....the turbo lag, not enough power. Lol....I know that dealership he bought it from too. I get why he said he was ready to leave.
Seems like a great car but this guy needs to stop exaggerating how much torque his cars have had and if he thinks that challenger rode rough idk what to say I have driven a few and they were like Cadillacs
When he said the wrx has a ton of low end torque i couldn't help but laugh out loud. Ive owned a couple wrxs. And they have NO power under like 2800 rpm. My 16 was a dog at low rpm. Fun cars. And they do make good power with the turbo spooled up. But, low end torque just isn't even a thing in those cars
both cars are different and one will have something worse over other, nothing to be downing on that... i like both of my half tons from both manufactures for different reasons
I recently did the opposite haha traded the WRX for a Scat Pack. I strategically bought my WRX premium in the middle of the pandemic shutdown last year. 1.9 APR for 27K, which is a steal for a new Premium. Interior space, handling, power was all top notch. The engines mounted low so the view out the front is surprisingly great. That turbo boxer engine and Subaru’s all wheel drive definitely make a unique driving experience. Everything it lacked could be chalked up to the price point or the WRX being a cheaper model than the STI, not too sure though. The plastics in the car scratched extremely easily, and the seats weren’t comfortable. The interior just felt cheap. There’s definitely issues with the shifter, modding this off the bat is normal. Learning to drive the car wasn’t too hard but I’ve seen people who drive manuals get in and stall out. There’s something different, but I can’t say because I didn’t have too hard of a time getting used to it. I’ve ready online how unforgiving this car can be in a manual, I’d say hopping in a civic or something and just driving would be easier.. So why do I like my 2021 392 Scat Pack? It’s comfortable, the interior feels premium. I still get PoWa to have fun with and a shit ton of comfort... Oh and I don’t have to freak out about my kids scratching up the inside of the car. My son Literally scratched a plastic piece on the inside of door with his iPad. They’re both nice cars, the WRX does feel like an old school early 2000s Japanese go fast, and that’s cool in today’s market. That being said I wouldn’t mind if they completely overhauled the thing. The 392 just meets today’s standards all the way down to the infotainment system...
I had a 2014 Subaru Forster XT turbo and I loved the way it drove (when in S mode, at least). However, the interior fell apart, which was shocking since it had less than 70k miles on it. Things that happened: all four windows had issues due to the electronics of the power window buttons on the driver's door. The front passenger window did go up or down (the other three we were able to get working). The mirror in the front passenger sun visor fell out completely (clips broke, glue failed and the entire plastic housing for the mirror was on the floor). The driver seat bolster was ripped and heavily worn by simply entering and exiting the car (I'm roughly 200 pounds and I don't carry anything in my rear pockets that would have caused this). And the paint was notoriously easy to scratch and chip.
I have a 14XT currently as my daily with 62k miles. Driver seat tearing on the side, front drive shaft went kapput and had to get a new radiator assembly. No other issues so far. Problem is i drive it like a WRX and i drive my WRX like a Forester.
Can I suggest Alloy Gators? I have them on my '18 STI and they're spectacular...I'm not a rep for the company or anything, I just noticed he curbed the hell out of his wheels. I put the gold alloy gators on the stock black STI wheels and people compliment my wheels CONSTANTLY.
A dude that makes sense and you can tell is a real driving enthusiast. He understands that more power does not always mean more fun to drive. The gearing alone in import cars makes them more fun for banging gears than those 500hp american cars that just reeeeeeeeeev forever. Oh and automatics suck..!!
Haven’t been pulled over once since I upgraded from my wrx hatch to my sti, and in the 8 years of having quick, loud cars and driving like an animals, not a single speeding ticket... point is if you have good eyes and quick reaction time, you’ll always slip right past cops slow enough or see them ahead of time.
@@originalmusic401 Then that would be beneficial for you for getting the AWD option because that's what the WRX is good for is handling the snow.. . If i were you, i would get the STI instead of the WRX. The STI is a beast , you can definitely tell the power and handling difference if you compare the two.
Interesting to hear the Challenger rode rough. Pretty much everything I've read/watched and every person I've spoken to about them has complimented the good ride of the Challenger. I've been considering trading my '15 GT on one.
First person ever to say a Wrx rides soft compared to any other mass produced street car and is down on power. A 392 has a suspension to put the power down. Yet another person who thinks they know about cars, but knows nothing. I applaud Andre for carrying on through the video with a grin. Honesr man. Love TFL, hate this middle aged dude whose spouse made him get rid of the two door . Doubt this bro keeps this car more than a year. You want a real review, I will bring either of my rides to Colorado and you can drive the wheels both off them. Love Nate's objective review, Tommy's a bit nerdy review and Andre's to hell with it review. Where is the blatent dude who just drives the wheels off everything reviews? I would do it for free and let you drive something none of you have ever driven. I have a unique and perfect for that time in life vehicle list. Even come here and take a lap around the Glen. I get the idea of content for content, but as our The Autopian brothers know, cred has a price and a limit.
@@DarklightRebel it’s pretty easy honestly. The gas and brake are in a good position to do it even if you have smaller feet. I tried to heel toe in my buddy’s focus ST and that’s a whole different story
Awesome car...looks fast!! Great first name Ron...I spell mine with two N's... Awesome Dakota..😎 Great Sunday morning 🌞 video.. thanks TFL... thanks Ron.
@@patrickevans5680 Love the raptors! I traded mine for a 2016 F150 platinum. The Raptors IMO is kinda an evolution of the WRX being an all weather, all terrain performance vehicle.
Are you suggesting the challenger is a peice of steak???? Sooooo like chicken steak at a bad diner? Have you ever driven a challenger? I have, scatpack srt and a hellcat, they are fast.... thats about it and it punishment in every other way. Steak it is not...
@@LafemmebearMusic I was or am considering the purchase of a 2020 / 2021 Challenger R/T 5.7 L with manual transmission. Should I consider the WRX myself ? My current daily driver is a 2006 Mazda3 5 speed sedan I bought new and have enjoyed for 15 plus years.
Hear you, 100% - Traded my Mustang GT and got my 2020 Audi A3. Pretty much all of what you said. Fun, lots of mod potential. Winter is not terrifying. Though I wish the A3 came in manual.
I totally get it, I had a 2018 Mustang GT and it was fun to drive but you can never really go all out in it. Now I have a M340i with less power but more fun to drive.
He mentioned the Scat Pack riding rough. Having recently owned both the Scat feel like you’re in an SUV when going over train tracks, and bumps, rough roads. 100% the WRX has a harsher ride. I’d have to creep over train tracks or it would feel like my ass was about to fall off haha. Maybe it’s the inverted struts on the premium...
With perhaps the exception of track-ready cars like Corvettes, Shelbys, Hellcats, etc., I think all vehicles come with a recommendation in their respective owners manuals for certain practices for the first 500 or 1,000 miles. Typically, it might be to keep the RPM under a certain ceiling, not use cruise control at first (steady RPM mile after mile is supposedly not an ideal for a new engine). There are endless positions and blabber about break-in to be found online and in general conversation with car owners/enthusiasts but bottom line, just follow the owner's manual.
@@danh655 Car Wizard? OK. Now let's take a look at what the engineers who designed my 2015 Genesis have put in the owner's manual and I can assure you I have seen similar verbiage in owner's manuals of other cars I have owned, including my wife's 2018 Prius Prime: "For the first 600 miles (1,000 km) do not race the engine; while driving keep engine speed between 2,000 and 4,000 RPM; do not maintain a single speed for long periods of time. Varying engine speed is needed to properly break-in the engine; avoid hard stops except for emergencies."
Speed limit, speed limit, speed limit. 😂 what I’m hearing is, “I talk a lot of shit like I’m a big baller, and I’m big and loud and get what I want”, but but what really is going on, is I couldn’t afford the challenger, it sucked in the snow, I beat the shit out if it for a year, now I’m so upside down on my loan it’s ridiculous and I need something to drive but I still want to think I’m cool so I’ll get a regular etc, not an Sti. That little car does not ride better than the challenger, it’s not more comfortable for him considering his size this guy is so full of shit, his breath smells like the southbound end of a northbound dog. “I stalled it out 3 times” 😂😂
lol Imagine swapping a used engine into a brand new $34k car. There’s really nothing wrong with the FA20 if you go with just bolt ons and e85 and use it as your daily. It’s not until you get into competition that you would consider a swap, and at that point I’d think most guys go with an EJ.
@@Borp56 so you’re saying that my perception of sound is actually false? Interesting. With that logic, I could claim that the STi sounds like a poorly tuned Honda with a fart cannon, and there’s no possible way to make it sound pleasant. The FA20 sounds way better than the EJs any way you look at it, whether the exhausts are modified or not. Plus to top it all off, the EJ is one of the most unreliable engines because of the stupid decision to put unequal length headers on it. Super inefficient, lacking power especially when compared to the FA platform’s potential, and pretentious drivers make the STi the degenerate shitbox of choice.
@@sadsquad8124 First off FA20 WRXs literally sound like a turbo is taking a Taco Bell shit on a Honda. Secondly, I have three cars with EJ25s in them with the lowest mileage being 115k miles and the highest being almost 300k, and they’re all still stock block stock heads never split the case housings.Turns out when you don’t take care of shit and don’t maintain it, it’ll break. The problem stems from the kids that buy older wrxs and stis that put an intake and a down pipe and either don’t tune it or use OTS garbage tunes and never check their oil.
@@Borp56 you probably use royal purple and change your oil every 8,000 miles. The only possible reason that you have 3 different STi’s is to increase the probability of actually having one running. Guaranteed the other two are out of comission for the time being, plus what’s the point of owning 3 of the exact same car? If you have a Car, truck, or any other different vehicle, that makes sense. But when you have a car, car, and car all of the same make and model, where’s the logic in that? I can understand high caliber collectors doing that with reputable brands and models, but Subaru? It’s just a good thing that Subaru pulled their heads out of their asses and put equal length headers on a new engine for a change, because not everyone enjoys driving a car that sounds like it has a blown up boat engine.
@@xklymr4395 Those rims were tossed into the deal as an extra so the owner could keep dedicated snow tires on them. They probably already had curb rash on them, which is maybe why the dealer included them in the sale since they would have very little if any value. Therefore, since the rims came from another car, it probably means means nothing that the scratched ones are now on the driver's side of this guy's WRX.
it's funny how owners are judging their NEW cars after a month or 2. Most of new cars are good, but you can say you love your ride, only after owning it at least a year or more... IMHO