by "Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
Published 02/27/2017 at 14:09
by "Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
Published 02/27/2017 at 14:09
Tags: subaru wrx
; wrx
; subaru
STARS: 6
It all happened rather quick. One moment I’m reading my mail. The next I’m across town signing paperwork for a 2015 Subaru WRX. This is a trend in the RFD family .
Read on Right Foot Down or continue below
Let me explain. It’s no secret that I’ve been searching for a more practical, smoother riding, family friendly but still fun BRZ replacement for a while. The WRX is a natural progression - in fact, I compared the two last year , and determined that if I was to make the choice today I’d take the WRX over the BRZ. I also spent a week with a Ford Focus ST last summer, and though I haven’t yet driven a Volkswagen GTI , I can extrapolate from the Golf R I drove what the GTI would be like - especially its excellent interior, which I have sat in. All three were strong contenders to be my next daily driver.
My BRZ is due for its 45,000 mile service - no big deal. With decent snow tires it’s getting through this winter just fine, like the other winters before it. There’s nothing wrong with it. I don’t need to replace it. But when I got a letter in the mail about a special event at North End Subaru offering me significantly more than book value on a BRZ trade-in, it got my attention.
Now, I know that letters like these are nothing more than marketing ploys. The price they offer you is for a best case scenario with about a thousand disclaimers that the car’s actual condition, mileage, etc. may (in other words, will) reduce the offer. If you actually use your car at all, that number will go down. But, considering that I already have a good relationship with salesman Bob Waite, who hooked me up with the WRX I reviewed last year and is a fellow BRZ driver, I figured there was no harm in seeing what they could do for me anyway.
I went. I got a $10 Target gift card just for showing up. I missed out on the $5,000 raffle by two transposed digits in my number, and was unable to convince them that mine was close enough. I was very clear about what I wanted - to turn my BRZ into a WRX for similar payments and no money out of pocket. We checked out a 2017 Dark Gray Metallic model on the lot - a base model, which they had a special offer on, but with a few add-ons like fog lights and such. It was a nice car, very much like the 2016 model I reviewed, but with a better infotainment system. Then they gave me the numbers. Even with my discount coupon for being a Subaru Ambassador, It would cost me an extra $100 a month to get into this car. I immediately said, “I can’t do that.”
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
But, I had a Plan B. I had perused their online inventory for both new and used vehicles, and I saw that they had a couple of older models in the same 2015+ generation in stock. One of them was a blue 2015 model, which is of course the fastest color, especially on a Subaru. Unfortunately it was the wrong blue - Galaxy Blue Pearl rather than World Rally Blue. But it was a Premium rather than base model, which meant features that the 2017 base WRX doesn’t have - heated seats, a tasteful trunk lip spoiler (not the giant wing of the STi or Josh’s WRX), and a sunroof. It also had a few tasteful modifications, such as window tint and carbon fiber SPT trim pieces here and there.
The biggest issue with buying a used WRX is that being a rally bred sport sedan, chances are it’s been driven like one, and in some cases not driven or maintained particularly well. This particular car, however, previously belonged to the dealership manager’s brother. A man in his 50s put all 32,000 miles on this car. No doubt he enjoyed it, but it’s also unlikely that he fancied himself the equal of
Bucky Lasek
and drove it like him. (
RFD knows exactly how Bucky Lasek drives
.) The car was in beautiful shape, inside and out, with only a couple of minor scratches on top of the rear bumper giving away the fact that this was not a new car.
That, and this first year WRX had the old style stereo from the previous generation instead of a modern infotainment system. Even my BRZ’s
not-so-great infotainment
is more modern. Navigation isn’t even an option, but I typically use
Waze
anyway. This is basically what our stripped down
Kia Rio rental in Puerto Rico
had. But it still has satellite radio, aux in and USB ports, and Bluetooth capability. I can live with that, or upgrade the system later if I decide I can’t live with it after all.
Read on Right Foot Down or continue below
The numbers came back, and the payments were just $35/mo more than I was paying on my BRZ. For that much more car, it was well worth it - and within the limits my wife gave me. Speaking of whom, there was just one more test - could she drive it? She knows how to drive stick, but the BRZ’s shifter actually causes her pain when she drives it. She had no problem rowing gears in the Focus ST, so how would the WRX measure up? I asked for and got permission to drive the WRX home to show the wife and her kids for final approval. The BRZ has the slicker, sportier shifter, but the longer throws, reduced effort, and lower position of the WRX shifter didn’t put her in pain like the BRZ’s. She had no problem easing the car forward and backward in our driveway. Unlike the BRZ, she would be able to drive the WRX, and she was sold. Therefore, so was I.
I’ll miss the BRZ and its amazing handling on the track and fun back roads. I still believe that the Subaru BRZ, as well as its Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S clones, are the closest you can get to a true sports car experience this side of a much more expensive Porsche Cayman. (Before you say, “Um, MIATA ,” yes, they’re great cars, but the Miata/MX-5 is a roadster, not a sports car. Even Subaru and Mazda don’t consider the BRZ and MX-5 to be direct competitors, despite practically everyone else comparing them to each other anyway.) But the WRX is no slouch at the fun factor, and in reality 99% of my driving is commuting or running errands, not carving corners or banging apexes. Though I’ve handled three winters with rear wheel drive just fine, I’ll enjoy the sure footed all wheel drive of the WRX - a feature the Focus ST and GTI I considered don’t have.
Honestly, I’ve loved the WRX ever since I drove various versions of it in
Gran Turismo
. I’m talking about the original version, the one without a number after the name. I was thrilled when Subaru finally brought it to the US in 2002, though I couldn’t afford one at the time. When I had to give up my ex-cop Crown Vic in March 2014, a WRX was my top choice to replace it. Unfortunately, none were available at the time. All of the 2014 models had sold, and the redesigned 2015 model wasn’t out yet - so I “settled” for the BRZ. I use quotes because I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my three years with it, and have no regrets about buying it other than its rapid depreciation. That won’t be an issue with the WRX - it holds its value well, and I’m not taking that “new car” hit myself this time.
Josh gave up his WRX after just 7,000 miles because he wanted the quality of the BMWs he’s accustomed to driving. I don’t blame him - the WRX doesn’t offer that level of refinement and luxury, and doesn’t claim to. It’s a more raw experience, yet still more refined in the 2015+ version than any previous model. Coming from the opposite direction of the pure sports car experience of the BRZ, the WRX feels more upscale - not that it takes much, as the BRZ is often criticized for having a rather spartan interior. The WRX will be refined enough for my current wants and needs, but it also won’t give up much to the BRZ when it comes to performance, and deliver more in some areas such as power and all wheel drive traction. In last year’s article , I concluded that if I was given the choice between a BRZ and a WRX today, I’d get the WRX. I meant it then, and I’ve followed through on that now, because now there’s a WRX in my driveway.
Now it’s time for me to go read
Josh’s old WRX articles
...
(If anyone would like to buy my BRZ, it will be for sale at North End Subaru in Lunenburg, MA. Email Bob Waite and tell him you heard about it on Right Foot Down!)
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 0
And in case anyone’s wondering, no, I didn’t lease it , but bought it as Oppo suggested. Thanks for the tip!
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 14:10, STARS: 1
And in case anyone’s wondering, no, I didn’t lease it , but bought it as Oppo suggested. Thanks for the tip!
"CB" (jrcb)
02/27/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 0
Unpopular opinion: I prefer that blue to WRB on a WRX. On an STi, WRB all the way.
Great looking ride! Congrats!
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
I like this blue on the WRX. Between that and the tinted windows, it’s a lot more subtle than a WRB car with an STi spoiler. I’m already getting used to it. Best of all, I don’t have to go back on my previous claims that blue is the fastest color. :)
"TheTurbochargedSquirrel" (thatsquirrel)
02/27/2017 at 14:21, STARS: 2
Galaxy Blue is my favorite color on these. Too bad they killed it.
"arl" (arl1968)
02/27/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 3
Nice write up! Enjoy the ride.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 14:37, STARS: 2
Thanks! We’re about to go pick up the kids from school in my car for the first time. We would’ve had to chop off their legs for them to fit in the BRZ, and school administrators might frown on that. It would also stain the seats.
"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures)
02/27/2017 at 14:48, STARS: 0
Ironically I’ve been thinking about going the other way and getting a BRZ as a second car for when I don’t need the Outback (local solo trips, the commute to/from work, etc).
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/27/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
If you have an iPhone, you will learn to hate that stereo. The secret to getting the bluetooth to connect is to initiate the connection from the phone, then start the car. If you start the car before initiating the connection, it will take three or four (or five or six on bad days) before it will connect.
"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit)
02/27/2017 at 14:53, STARS: 0
Congrats! GBP is such a pretty shade, I wish more people specced it in this colour. IIRC it’s a one-year only option on the BRZ but not sure for the WRX.
Looking forward to more!
"BeaterGT" (beatergt)
02/27/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0
Same here! World Rally Bro just doesn’t cut it anymore.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
My BRZ will be for sale at North End Subaru if you’re interested. :)
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 15:35, STARS: 0
Interesting. I do have an iPhone 6s. It worked the first time Bob and I paired it, but we’ll see how it does in the future. Thanks for the tip!
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 15:36, STARS: 0
Thanks! I’m a huge WRB fan, but GBP works well on this car, especially with the tinted windows. I may work on dechroming it further in the future, like the front fender emblems and such.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/27/2017 at 15:38, STARS: 0
Mine worked well for a month or so, then it all stopped working. It’s the most frustrating part of the car.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
02/27/2017 at 16:08, STARS: 0
Not that unpopular, really. If they hadn’t discontinued the colour for 2017, I’d have gotten Galaxy Blue instead of WRB.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
02/27/2017 at 16:09, STARS: 1
They axed Galaxy blue for 2017. That’s why I had to go for WRB. :<
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/27/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 1
Fortunately, it’s a double-DIN unit, so I can always replace it with something else if necessary.
"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit)
02/27/2017 at 17:44, STARS: 0
Solution: wrap it galaxy blue !
"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit)
02/27/2017 at 17:46, STARS: 1
My opinion on GBP changed the first time I saw it in person, in direct sunlight. It’s that middle ground between not too dark yet not as bright as WRB that gives it a special feel. Theres a lot of different angles on the WRX that occur simultaneously that you kind of get to see a bunch of different shades at once!
"Arrivederci" (arrividerci)
02/28/2017 at 11:26, STARS: 1
Congrats! Great color - wish it lasted more than a year on the BRZ, because I’d probably have one over my DGM.
Now throw some snows on those stock wheels and get a nice looking set when summer rolls around! :)
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
02/28/2017 at 11:28, STARS: 0
I have the exact same problem in mine. Had the head unit warranty replaced because I thought something was wrong with it. Still have the same problem now. Can’t hear phone calls, constant disconnecting when listening to music.
I have a Galaxy S7 Edge. I was hoping to switch to an iPhone soon to solve this problem...now I’m not so confident.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
02/28/2017 at 11:32, STARS: 1
“the wrong blue”
^^ thems fightin words
Jokes aside I’m really excited for you. I remembered your last and was wondering how it turned out.
Despite all the flaws of mine, I can’t imagine driving anything else in the near future.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
02/28/2017 at 11:52, STARS: 0
I have an iPhone 6. I don’t have the problems with random disconnects *knocks on wood*, but getting it connected in the first place is always an issue. When it is connected, I can hear other people fine, but they have a hard time hearing me. I always thought it was a result of how noisy the car is. The other thing that bugs me is the low volume. I have to crank it up when I switch to Bluetooth as the audio source, even when I have the volume set to max on the phone.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
02/28/2017 at 12:11, STARS: 1
Well since these are the exact same issues I was having with the old head unit MAYBE a new phone will help.
But it only takes eyes to see that this head unit is pure garbage, bluetooth problems aside. Part of me wishes I had exercised a little patience and bought one of the 2016s a couple months later when they arrived to have the STARLINK unit, but I’ve heard those are garbage too. I don’t feel like asking for a working head unit is asking for too much.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/28/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 1
I’m sad that my gold 5x100s for the BRZ won’t fit the WRX. I’d rock the gold with this blue.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/28/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 1
Honestly the GBP is REALLY growing on me, especially on the WRX. WRB would look better on an STi with the big wing and all, but the more sedate WRX works well with a more sedate shade of blue.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
02/28/2017 at 12:21, STARS: 0
I think it shows off all the lines of the car really well in the daylight, and is understated at night. I’ve had a lot of compliments on the color.
The paint is really really fragile though. I used something a bit too abrasive to rub something off when washing it one day and now that area looks a bit dull. Its only noticeable when pointed out though, and its nothing a good claybar and buffing won’t fix. I’m sure you’ll be attentive to it, but I just thought it was worth pointing out.
"W123WRX" (w123wrx)
02/28/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 1
Congrats! I wish mine was that color. They only had a base in DGM on the lot when I picked mine up, so I’m stuck with sparkly grey for the foreseeable future.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/28/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 1
Yes, I’ve heard that the paint is less durable than some other manufacturers. There are some scratches on the trunk lid to prove it. But I’ll be careful with it.
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
02/28/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 0
The dark grey like the 2017 I almost bought? I like that color too. In fact that was my second choice (after World Rally Blue) for my BRZ, since it makes the car look like a mini-Aston.
"W123WRX" (w123wrx)
02/28/2017 at 23:59, STARS: 1
Yep, mine’s the same color as the ‘17. It’s certainly grown on me, but I really do love that dark blue.
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
03/03/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 1
Congrats on the new ride, just finished reading over on RFD!
I also had a question for you, see this post I just made:
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/brakes-question-1792933798
How’d those powerstop brakes hold up on the Flex?
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
03/03/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 1
Thanks man! Just got the inspection sticker today, so the WRX is totally good to go. Now I need to install some stuff I removed from the BRZ over the weekend!
I replied in detail on your other post about the brakes, but they’ve held up great. Good performance and no warping over a year later.
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/20/2017 at 13:17, STARS: 0
you have to pair it using the voice command system so it is set up as the “primary phone” in the radio and it will use it for calls and pair automatically when you get it.
That will clear up 90% of the goofyness, if you have multiple apps making sounds at once it will still occasionally get confused and if you plug it in on usb the bluetooth audio will often mute itself for music (solved by using USB)
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/20/2017 at 13:18, STARS: 0
As long as you pair it using the voice command system so it is set up as the “primary phone” in the radio and it will use it for calls and pair automatically when you get it.
If you just pair it as a device on your phone it will act very goofy
"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
03/20/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 0
A bit under a month later, I’ve had few problems with it. Not “none,” but few. The first few days it would sometimes sound like a CD skipping due to some Bluetooth weirdness, but the past few weeks have been fine.
The weird part is that when I plug it into the USB port, the phone charges just fine, but the car doesn’t recognize a device being connected, even though the phone is unlocked and ready to play music. I should try a different cable and see what happens.
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/20/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 1
HA, we basically have the same car! Mine is also a 15 GBP Premium WRX.
If you’re bored I have a build thread over here:
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2826559
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/20/2017 at 13:27, STARS: 0
wow, that’s pretty special. I have an old ipod permanently shoved in the center console for music and use a cigarette charger for my phone so audio from that always goes through bluetooth. Usually works fine, occasionally looses its mind if multiple aps try to use sound especially if you are trying to use the phone too.
"DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back" (karsonkinja)
03/20/2017 at 15:46, STARS: 0
Yeah I have it paired like that. No dice. The radio rings for phone calls but when I pick up I can’t hear them and they can’t hear me. And when listening to music the bluetooth will randomly disconnect and reconnect or straight up freeze. That behavior is totally random. There are bad days, and there are good days.