Looking at a 2016 base WRX

"Wacko" (wacko--) 11/02/2018 at 15:34 • Filed to: None

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What do in need to know, and look out for.

Car has 60000 kms and asking 25000 cnd

Tried it, and feels great. Car is a manual and is blue

Talk me out of it or convince me

Will drive about 2 hours each day.

Arrivederci > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:44

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I don’t own one, but haven’t heard too many complaints from those who do.  Biggest complaint seems to be that the stock tune kind of sucks with non-linear response.  Fortunately that’s pretty easily remedied with a Cobb tune.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:45

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Are you OK with the turbo lag? I found it unacceptable...

marshknute > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:49

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Used to own a 15’.

It’s a perfect daily driver. The 16’s got a better infotainment system and nicer wheels.

It can handle autocross duty no problem.

It WILL NOT perform on a racetrack. The stock pads melt after one lap and you’ll barely be able to stop. And the stock engine tune craps out and prematurely engages the rev limiter at around 5500 rpm on straightaways after the first 2-3 laps. Doesn’t harm the engine, but you’ll be coasting around a track for 5-10 seconds at a time before the car lets you use the throttle again. Can be fixed with a tune, but it’ll void the warranty.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:50

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I read there was Rev hang that can be fixed with a tune. May or may not bother you personally.

https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/4nb818/does_the_2016_wrx_still_come_with_rev_hang/

I read on the forums lots of people complained how turning the AC on completely sucks the power, shouldn’t be a problem for you in Canada most of the time , I assume.

paint is soft. common complaint.

Base audio system is shit.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/02/2018 at 15:50

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Turbo lag is the fun of performance oriented forced induction engine. 

Arrivederci > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 11/02/2018 at 15:51

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paint is soft. common complaint.

That must be a global problem for Subaru - the paint was so bad on my BRZ, they fixed it under warranty.

Urambo Tauro > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:52

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Required reading:

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > marshknute 11/02/2018 at 15:54

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That’s funny, my Juke somehow lasted 12 laps of short turn heavy track no issues. I had high temp fluid & pads, apart from m y rotors where very hot. The engine showed no signs of any power loss. I only pulled my because my brakes did not feel right. 

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 15:56

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Seems like a great price. If you like the car and can sacrifice modern features any semblance of comfort for 2 hours a day I’d say definitely go for it. I haven’t heard of much going wrong with these that soon into it’s life span.

I had my rear struts replaced in July since one was already leaking (I thought buying the extended warranty was a mistake up until this) , my steering wheel is peeling (apparently not an uncommon Subaru problem), my throw out bearing makes noise when it hasn’t been warmed up yet but it’s done that pretty much since new , and I’ve blown two speakers out (my fault).

I’ve noticed a rythymic humming at certain highway speeds but I’ll chalk that up to some uneven tire wear,  and at idle I occasionally notice shaking, but I don’t think it’s major.

That’s pretty much my whole list of things that have “gone wrong”. I have ~57,000 miles on mine.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 16:07

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Front bumper will not clear a raccoon. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 11/02/2018 at 16:07

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Agreed. If a car is a turbo I’d much rather have that fun factor of dealing with when it comes on and planning for it, instead of it just trying to act like an N/A motor. So many cars are getting so “good” that they’re becoming boring.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 11/02/2018 at 16:13

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“You want power past 5500rpm, lol screw you.” most turbos now are as large as a thumb nail. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock 11/02/2018 at 16:13

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I know that, I was asking if he is OK with it . DDing a SC car mean I get annoyed wit the lag, especially on the WRX coz its so bad.

camarov6rs > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 16:50

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Came here to say never buy a WRX used. Then to say listen to everyone else...that is all

Wacko > marshknute 11/02/2018 at 16:57

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No race track close to me soni should be ok.

DasWauto > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 11/02/2018 at 17:04

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Can confirm. :)

DasWauto > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 17:17

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It’s not the most comfortable daily driver but it can be a hell of a lot of fun. If you can live with the ride and  fuel costs I’d say go for it.

I’ve had no issues with mine through 44k km. I’ve gone through a set of brakes but that’s mostly due to frequent autocross use.

I haven’t heard of this being an issue yet but t he only thing I’d maybe anticipate is carbon buildup on the intake valves, which is a common issue on any direct injected car, especially those that are also turbocharged. I like to think I’m keeping it at bay with regular Italian tuneups. :)

DasWauto > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 11/02/2018 at 17:19

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I don’t think the a/c affects the power too badly. I leave mine on pretty much all the time but do turn i t off for autocross.

Can confirm the soft paint and shitty base audio system though. 

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 18:19

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My first thought is to look out for evidence of hooning, abuse, being ‘tuned’ and/or other mods that are bad for durability.  That includes crawling under the front and back and having a look underneath to see if you can see anything obvious.

My second thought is to call your insurance and verify what it will do to your premiums.

And last... get it inspected by a mechanic who knows these cars.

Wacko > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 11/02/2018 at 18:39

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If i do buy it it will be recertified by Subaru, by the dealer.

It is bone stock, didn't crawl under it yet.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/02/2018 at 18:55

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Don’t the FA20 cars peak at like 1500rpm?

MUSASHI66 > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 19:57

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If you hear a rotational noise that goes away when you press the clutch in, your throw out bearing is out. My wife and me, we both have 2017s , and they both needed it at 11k miles. Some people are on their second or third by the time they hit 50k miles. The repair is around $600. The new, upgraded bearing should solve the problem.

That price is stupidly high for US prices - brand new base model can be had for USD25500.

It’s loud inside, and it doesn’t sound nearly as good as 2.5L models of yore. I have nameless muffler delete, and it makes it have a slightly nicer sound.

Seats are tight - any love handles will rub on bolsters.

As mentioned, it’ll suck on track but it’s plenty zippy on the road.

It comes with summer tires, and you’ll need something for winter driving.

It’s pl enty fast, but it lacks a soul. I’m very serious about getting another Abarth 500 when my lease is up.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/02/2018 at 20:53

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Pretty much jk jk

They only make power between 3 and 5k. They really really struggle to redline in anything above 1st gear.

wafflesnfalafel > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 23:09

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daily a 2018 - other than the obvious, “has the car been abused” stuff, there is the flat spot around 3400, there is a bit of throttle hang which makes shifting a bit more of a challenge, manual transmission is a bit squidgy - not as good as a Mazda. You really have to want to drive a manual every day. I personally love the base cloth seats and ergo is better in this car than any other I’ve driven. Oil changes are easier in this car than any I’ve ever owned.  

wafflesnfalafel > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 11/02/2018 at 23:18

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T hat was one of the biggest things I had to get used to - throttle response is totally different than on all the NA cars I’ve driven. It’s less linear, more jumpy, no torque from start (easy to kill the car) but then the thing takes off even under light throttle.  Power builds quickly, but again not linearly.  

Wacko > wafflesnfalafel 11/02/2018 at 23:32

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I only drove it for 20-30 minutes, felt really solid, but the shifts felt iffy, I thought it was my 2 year absence from manuals. The seats were great, even my wife was impressed. Only problems I spotted was the cracked windshield and one little touch up to do on a rear door.

What scares me is the gas. How bad is it? Cause even  regular gas here is expensive. That and could get a brand new regular Impreza for cheaper and way better mpgs.  

wafflesnfalafel > Wacko 11/02/2018 at 23:46

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honestly, mileage is not terrible. I came from an 09 Mazda 3 sport hatch with the 2.3 NA MZR motor and 5spd manual and I’m getting nearly exactly the same mileage but with an extra HUNDRED hp , (albeit with more expensive premium gas.) 24-25 mixed, 30 on the freeway if I stay around 60 mph with cruise control.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > wafflesnfalafel 11/03/2018 at 07:57

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I was considering one as a DD but no can do. Its too jumpy for my taste and the engine doesn't like to redline :(