So I bought a WRX with flappy paddles, here's why

"highmodulus" (highmodulus)
08/21/2014 at 11:48 • Filed to: WRX

As a driver in the Commonwealth of Virginia (aka the "go too fast, go to jail" state), Matt's sobering piece on the dangers of the state's absurd obsession with speed enforcement made me sit back and take stock. Is it worthwhile to have an E92 M3 as a daily driver in a state this hostile to speed? After running through a speedtrap from a cop who backed his cruiser into a giant bush in a blind corner (didn't nail me, but gave me a real scare) I had enough. I was sick of driving with a bullseye on my back.

My M3 had just gone out of warranty, and the $3400 BMW wanted for a two year extension was at least $2000 more than I want to spend on it. I had started to think about moving to a fun car that was under warranty, had AWD for the mid-Atlanttic winters, heated seats, sunroof, back-up camera and all the little things that make a daily driver easier to live with.

I ride bikes with the co-owner of a Subaru dealership, who mentioned that a buyer had backed out of a 2015 WRX Premium in Silver due to job loss, and would I be interested. I was until he mentioned the CVT. Noooo, the no-fun transmission! But after reading some favorable reviews and drive impressions, I said I would at least try it, as 2015 WRX's are very thin on the ground right now and otherwise the car was exactly what I wanted. After two long and spirited test drives, I was surprised that the CVT had some real upsides. The Sport sharp mode does a very good ZF 8 speed impression. Manual mode with the flappy paddles works like it should. And the CVT was very good at keeping the 2.0 DIT engine right in the sweet spot when giving it the beans. And for commuting, leaving it in Sport while listening to the XM radio (btw- base stereo system as I have a Crutchfield in town- so an Pioneer Apple CarPlay Nav unit will be going in) and drinking coffee is nice. Still have enough engine to pass dimwits quickly and safely when needed (something the BRZ sorely lacked in stock form), but in normal driving 24-25mpg looks easily doable.

So overall, the WRX with the CVT is an very good option for those wanting an AWD Sports Sedan that plays well in heavy traffic, is stick-adverse spouse-friendly, but still wants to go Because RallyCar on the weekends. Just plan on using that nice double din opening to update the stereo.

DISCUSSION (61)

Brian Silvestro > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 11:52

A CVT with paddles makes literally zero sense.

heliochrome85 > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 11:56

i don't think i could come up with a more effective boner killer than CVT.

highmodulus > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 11:57

How did your test drive go?

MINI COOPER POWAH! > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 12:01

Nice, speeding is the same reason i settled for a base cooper instead of an S

mcseanerson > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 12:02

If you want something safe for speeding you need a Fiesta Ecoboost.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 12:03

yea i dont quite get this. So the shifting is really fake right? I got to drive my bro-in-laws new corolla and its an auto CVT. In "sport" mode (lol right?) it shifted, in eco it didnt.

 V8 Rustler > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 12:03

Well, at least it is AWD and not FWD.

Tripper > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 12:04

Was your M3 manual or DCT? I got rid of a WRX for my 1st M3 I can't picture going the other way around.

The Real Dacia Sandero > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 12:08

That's why I love my Miata. I have to flog the piss out of it to keep up with traffic. I get to run each gear out, and even then I'm barely even speeding. Which is good for my driving record here in the police state.

macanamera > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 12:10

Brian Silvestro > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/21/2014 at 12:16

Literally fake.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 12:25

dumbest thing ever. you take this innovative technology and remove all the beneficial aspects of it

ColoradoTaco > Brian Silvestro
08/21/2014 at 12:29

In a WRX I agree but, in our base Impreza it works well. Without the paddles the cvt in the mountains would be a real pain in the ass but the 'shifting' works well enough that you can keep in the desired ratio to make it up the hill without it constantly changing and losing momentum.

Brian Silvestro > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/21/2014 at 12:53

THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING

highmodulus > Tripper
08/21/2014 at 13:06

I have had both- an E90 DCT and an E92 6mt. I have also owned a E46 M3 Coupe 6mt. My BRZ was 6mt. My beloved 2000 3rd Gen 4Runner has the stick, rather than manual. I go through a lot of cars now that I started listing them out. I shouldn't do that. . .

highmodulus > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/21/2014 at 13:08

Makes perfect sense. Plus they are cheap, reliable, have tons of parts and older ones are usually owned by Jalops. I think the S2000 similarly appealing if the budget allows.

The Real Dacia Sandero > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 13:13

Mine's a 91. As most say, it's far from good, but good from far... I love it. The only part of the british roadster experience it's missing is the whole constant repairs thing.

highmodulus > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/21/2014 at 13:18

In manual, you are selecting ratios in the transmission rather than a physical piece of metal gearing like a ZF 8 speed. It feels pretty similar. That's why I was curious what Brian had tried- as there are some horrible econobox CVTs out there (see e.g., every rental car).

I wasn't a fan of CVTs before this one, but its quite clever and INFINITELY better than the 4 speed auto I tried in a SAABARU. But I get if someone wants the 6 speed for the full Because RallyCar experience that's cool too.

highmodulus > mcseanerson
08/21/2014 at 13:20

That car is awesome. Wanted AWD though.

mcseanerson > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 13:22

Yeah the whole reason I love things with tiny motors is you can drive them at 10/10 and the cops can't touch you because you're only doing 35.

highmodulus > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/21/2014 at 13:25

Maybe you could pull half the fuses for the full British roadster experience. And punch a hole in the top to drip water on you. And install a driveway oil dispersing device under the car.

Übel > MINI COOPER POWAH!
08/21/2014 at 13:47

Based on the '03 I drove, speeding wasn't really an issue for the S, either. ;)

MINI COOPER POWAH! > Übel
08/21/2014 at 13:49

eh, i already managed one ticket in my cooper, (in MD thankfully). but its still a blast to DD.

The Real Dacia Sandero > highmodulus
08/21/2014 at 15:39

Oh, the top already leaks a bit when it rains, and there's an oil leak I'm chasing. I get that part of the experience at least. Last halloween, the headlight switch broke, so I only had highbeams driving home. Good times...

Tripper > highmodulus
08/22/2014 at 08:25

yea I've gone through a few as well haha, 05 wrx, o4 sti, E46 M3, E90 M3. Somwhere in the mix there have been 3 explorers an 87' ranger and a mazda protege5 I never owned one more than 15 months before my E46 and that I had 7 years! 4runner with a stick is badass!

Socraticsilence > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 00:17

How is the CVT, I've had the 04 WRX Auto wagon for a while and while clearly not manual with a redone exhaust its pretty good, I've heard that the Sport # is basically manual level performance with the expected cost to fuel efficency while the normal base setting actually makes it the first WRX to be road trippable without paying for 22 mpg.

Tom McParland > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 09:55

"Matt's sobering piece on the dangers of the state's absurd obsession with speed enforcement made me sit back and take stock." - do you mean Patrick? Or is there a different post that you are talking about. Anyway, nice post!

highmodulus > Tom McParland
08/23/2014 at 10:47

Thanks Tom, I think I goofed on the name.

AndTheyCalledHimGearhead > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 14:20

You know what? Good for you, dude.

I'm nearly always in the 3-pedals-good-2-pedals-bad camp but I can't say I don't get it in your case. You managed to give a reasonable argument for the CVT 'Rex without doing any bashing. That is an accomplishment.

Much like transmissions of the row-your-own variety, I think the mistake the pitchfork carrying, BURN ALL THE CVTs! shouting mob continually makes is failing to recognize that there are abysmally torturous CVTs and surprisingly good CVTs.

Really, slapping a convenient stereotype on any vehicle equipped with one is no better than saying "oh it's a stick shift? That must SUCK in traffic." Right. Of course. Because depressing a Yaris' left-most footpad is definitely the same as having to stomp the floor pan of a Supra with a triple-plate clutch.

There's a car/transmission to meet everyones needs nowadays. That's what makes autos so great... dammit.

Andrew T. Maness > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 17:39

You make a compelling argument. As a long time Subaru guy and former WRX owner, I laughed when they announced the CVT model.

Then I drove one and I wasn't laughing anymore. I was silent because my brain was re-wiring itself. Having driven a manual around LA for a few days I can tell you that it's far more of a pain in the ass than my '08 was. It just wants to go at every start and who can blame it, it's a WRX.

In a weird way adding the CVT makes the WRX more grown up. It's useable in everyday city life and as you said, you can still have fun on the weekends BECAUSE RALLY CAR.

Enjoy it, I think you've made a mature and wise decision.

Saracen > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 17:47

I don't have a problem with anyone buying flappy whatevers for their own vehicle.

What I don't like is when I don't have a choice of which one to buy, and when someone tells me I should get the one with two pedals.

BlackLab > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 18:28

No excuse for buying a CVT. You could just buy a car with a DCT or a convential automatic. Both work much better then CVTs for aggressive driving and provide better real world performance. The issue is that for say an 8-2 shift real physical gears just work quicker. This is why a CVT will 'lag".

A poor gearshifter changes the whole character of a car and its the saving grace for many poor cars. Take the Honda Civic - seen as 'fun' and 'surprisingly sporty' with a manual but the same car with a crappy auto is a dog.

The world of automatic transmissions works like this DCT (PDK) > 8 ZF > 7 Speed Auto (Mercedes/Nissan et al) ... > CVT > 4 speed auto. Your manual purist generally thinks all autos are equally bad - but its just not the case. But a CVT - is among the worst.. Why do the Japanese use them? They are cheap - and they do well in the MPG tests. An enthusiast should never choose them unless they care about those two features..

Hi there > mcseanerson
08/23/2014 at 18:35

That is how I repaired all the points I accrued on my license in and shortly after high school. Enter the 1991 Civic DX hatch w/ 5 speed and 1.5L SOHC. Instead of having 30 points on my record I now have zero points for a few years now and don't pay out the nose for car insurance. I can ring that thing out to 7k rpm through 3rd gear and not exceed the usual highway speed limit around here. It is glory.

patd67 > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 19:18

I won't argue with your decision (I've owned a couple 3 STIs and a BRZ) but I'm really thinking about a CPO S5 with a tiptronic. 354hp and a sports rear diff is pretty appealing now that my commute has more than doubled...

Coty > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 19:59

"Has the stick, rather than manual?"

What?

M54B30 > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 20:22

"AWD for midatlantic winters"

LOLcute

FlimFlamMan > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 20:33

I haven't had a chance to drive one yet so I can't provide any opinion.

But... I applaud you sharing your decision. A CVT would be a tough sell for me, but I must admit that I often wish I had an auto for LA traffic.

mcseanerson > Hi there
08/23/2014 at 21:04

My situation was worse. No points on my license but I was driving a Ford Aspire with a 3 speed auto. I mean I could wring it out on city streets with 35-45 mph limits and still never get in trouble.

burpbeepburp > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 22:52

I had a Suzuki Burgman 650 that convinced me about CVT's. It would go like spit of the line and still give excellent mileage. The self shift buttons were enormously stupid. The only good manual control was the big yellow go fast button (in essence a Sport button) that would hold the "gears" longer and rev higher. My next Subaru will have the CVT (the 4 speed is basically useless) and if it has the flappy paddles I will probably snap them off.

SirRaoulDuke > M54B30
08/23/2014 at 23:04

Depends on where in the mid-Atlantic. Eastern WV is considered mid-Atlantic. I give you Terra Alta, Preston County WV, in 2010:

Kinja'd!!!

SirRaoulDuke > highmodulus
08/23/2014 at 23:07

Thank God my soon-to-be-spouse is not stick-adverse. She daily drives a Mustang GT stick, and likes to give it the beans.

M54B30 > SirRaoulDuke
08/23/2014 at 23:17

how often does that happen? We get that every 3 weeks about

SirRaoulDuke > M54B30
08/23/2014 at 23:42

Enough that it wasn't shocking. Just pointing out that some places in the east get hammered. At least in the mountains the road crews can handle it. The DC area is a fucking mess with not a lot of snow.

Arben72 > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 01:37

Hey, that 4 speed in the saabaru can handle 800whp, so don't make fun of my shitty transmission, mmmk? I'd love a new wrx even with a cvt though, it's the ultimate dd.

highmodulus > Arben72
08/24/2014 at 07:05

While I wasn't a fan of the SAABARU 4 speed box (it seemed to want to always shift before the fun part of the torque curve, like it was programmed by my insurance company or something), the car itself is cool as heck.

highmodulus > burpbeepburp
08/24/2014 at 07:09

The paddles actually work. The "downshift" one in particular is fun for blasting out of corners in just the right ratio. The the paddles are critical for full manual mode where you pick the ratios and the box holds it until you tell it otherwise. That said, Sport and Sport Sharp are perfect for 99% of the driving I do. iMode is just for hypermiling, no thanks.

highmodulus > SirRaoulDuke
08/24/2014 at 07:10

keeper!

Braniff747SP > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 13:03

As far as CVTs go, the one in the WRX is great. It's still an amazing car—and if you live somewhere that has parking lots in lieu of freeways, it makes sense. Best of both worlds.

Louis Subearth > Brian Silvestro
08/24/2014 at 14:21

Why would you shift gears on a gear-less transmission? It's like asking a man to change his maxipad, which he doesn't need.

Burrito de EJ25 > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 14:42

Congratulations! Welcome to the Subaru family. Where nice middle aged women in Bajas at gas stations tell you that your WRX is cute.

Burrito de EJ25 > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 14:44

Subaru's CVT is the best in the business. They've come a long way with it.

Burrito de EJ25 > FlimFlamMan
08/24/2014 at 14:52

I'm so glad I only have to spend around 30 minutes in traffic per commute. If I lived in the valley you'd probably see my ass in a Prius instead of my WRX.

This car hates puttering around in first and second gears that low in the RPMs. It's almost screaming at you to get it the fuck out of slow moving traffic.

Nibby > heliochrome85
08/24/2014 at 16:26

I can. Justin Bieber driving a CVT.

Nibby > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 16:26

Yo, congrats on the new ride!

Nibby > Brian Silvestro
08/24/2014 at 16:26

TOYOTA COROLLA S YO, NOW WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS

Brian Silvestro > Nibby
08/24/2014 at 16:39

Huge selling point for young buyers!

highmodulus > Burrito de EJ25
08/24/2014 at 18:21

I will take what I can get. . .

#have a soft spot for Bajas, they're my kind of weird

boobaru > highmodulus
08/24/2014 at 20:10

Baja XT with the 5MT and the removable hatch = mmm. A bit rare though, even in Subaru Mecca that is the PNW.

RotaryLove > highmodulus
08/26/2014 at 00:03

I think people buy manuals because its more engaging, not because rallycar.

RotaryLove > The Real Dacia Sandero
08/26/2014 at 00:20

I feel you man. Having people telling you to slow down even though you're under the speed limit was old at first, but funnier than hell now.

The Real Dacia Sandero > RotaryLove
08/26/2014 at 00:51

On back roads I am almost never under the speed limit, especially in the corners. There's one road where I've just about doubled the suggested speed limit in a corner...

On regular roads I do about 5 over. I actually accelerate kinda fast compared to most, but not that fast in the grand scheme of things.