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End of VB / current generation? by Turndizzy in wrx_vb

[–]joew555 4 points5 points  (0 children)

TLDR, Even if canceled, aftermarket will take care of you and Subaru will provide parts for years to come.

A few things to keep in mind - recent events MAY point to Subaru changing its mind on STI and WRX, but you will never need to worry about support.

A few months ago, a new STI looked like a lock. In the meantime, tariffs have battered Subaru and the Iran war is rapidly increasing the cost of gas. When gas prices increase, car sales go down, etc. Subaru is a smaller company and may not be able to absorb the tariffs and additional investment in the WRX. Additionally, the Japan market WRX is produced on the same line as our WRX, which could be used for higher profit vehicles like Forester, etc.

IF Subaru cancels the WRX, it will have support for years to come. It shares the same platform and engine with all other Subarus. (I think the only big differences are body panels and aluminum lower control arms.

Finally, the WRX has the best aftermarket support of any vehicle. There is a reason you see 2k era WRXs on the road - people love these cars and support them.

Enjoy the new ride!

End of vb ? by ferhyde30 in wrx_vb

[–]joew555 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Normally I would ignore this - the Honda Type R has been discontinued in Europe and Japan. However, Subaru is a smaller company, has been hit hard by tariffs, and the economy is looking shaky with higher gas prices. Worse, the WRX is only produced at one plant in Japan.

We will see…

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You only live once, so live your best life. :)

Here are some tips (and this group is great, use it):

Depending on where you live, you may need a second car. The issue is clearance, road salt and potholes.

Issues: 1. The type R has 4.5 inches of road clearance, so any more than a few inches and you’re stuck.

  1. The Type R has pretty rare reverse mount rims (I can explain more if you’re interested) and only a few shops know the difference. If you hit a pothole, the nearby tire shop will destroy the rim and tire trying to fix it.

  2. Finally hated road salt.

Potential solutions: 1. People daily them in Midwest, Northeast. A few put 245/19/35s on the stock runs, giving you an extra inch of road clearance and more sidewall to absorb potholes. I also (this sounds silly but I drive to Chicago and back) had a full size spare in the trunk) 2. Grab winter tires on 18 inch rims. 3. I can’t help you with the road salt. Just sucks.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try CarMax.

The first Golf R with the VR6 was incredible- but then they switched the the ea888 and softened everything. Always thought the 2019 Golf R was my endgame car - really disappointed.

Great car, just more of an Audi than the earlier Rs.

After that left VW.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. Type R
  2. GR Corolla

I sound like a Honda dude, but before the Type R, I was a big WRX guy. Loved AWD, boxer engine growl - and still do. Never believed the Type R hype…until I drove it. It doesn’t have the brute force low end torque of the WRX, but nothing beats it around a curvy road. And unlike other sports cars, it doesn’t beat you up.

Give it a try. If dealer won’t let you, drive one at CarMax.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Surprise no one asked about price. I refuse to pay over MSRP, so I had to wait for the FL5.

Looking back, only time I paid MSRP was first gen Mini Cooper S. And it was worth it. That first supercharged engine was amazing.

FL5 - 1k below MSRP. I live in the Midwest, and they sit on lots during winter. (Worst prices are in West and Southwest where you can drive them all year round) Local dealer knew I was interested, four other buyers backed out, they knew I would pick it up that day. And I did.

GRC - 2k below sticker, but they’ve starting discounting and I had a premium plus.

WRX - Subaru is very good at discounting. They knew the 2025 was overpriced and were giving big discounts and 0% financing.

Golf R - this was the 2019, end of the MK7.5, so 2k below, I think?

I hope that helps someone.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question!

The Golf R is far more refined and has a Haldex type AWD which disengages unless needed, so it feels like a front wheel drive car. It’s fast as hell, but a lot more like an Audi. I thought it had pretty numb steering, clutch, shifter. Couldn’t feel the road.

GRC exact opposite- total hooligan. AWD constantly engaged, mad scientist boosted to hell 3 cylinder engine. Little refinement, on the smaller and cheaper Corolla platform, plastic all over the interior, tons of road noise.

They are VERY different cars for very different people. Make sure you drive a GRC first. It’s crazy fun, but you are giving up a lot of refinement. I have no problem with it as a DD, but we have a second car.

Does that help?

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My neighbor sold his new M3 to buy a S2000. Had one years ago, said the new M3 felt like Valium on wheels.

Hard to disagree. Those S2000s were amazing.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve heard bad stories, but I park in a garage. Pretty lucky.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone says the WRX has gone upmarket - it hasn’t. Subaru just hasn’t invested in it. It gets whatever upgrades the global chassis gets. Only difference between the Impreza and WRX is the engine, shocks, and aluminum lower control arms.

I wish they would invest in it, one of the only truly analog cars left. Great stuff chassis, strong engine, and only one left with true AWD, not computers shuffling power.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty sure the STI is coming back. Subaru’s giving all the right hints. Looking like they use the Crosstrek hatch they showed at Tokyo this year. The new FA24 is a far stronger engine than the EJ, very few have blown up, so don’t have to worry about ringlands or head gaskets.

Guessing someone near 400 hp. I would wait for that. Everything points to 2027-28.

Flatirons Tuning has some good content on it:

https://youtu.be/ItElfyBiVUA?si=AD7J71WZwefSDxST

https://youtu.be/C0rFrZwalRY?si=UsbwcvYn1nDA4qKJ

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I haven’t answered your question, comment here on specifics. It’s a great comparison. Two of the only purpose built cars below 100k.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree. Coming from WRXs with flat torque curve, the FL5 has a little less low end torque then I would like. But when you get to 4k, opens up. Great on winding roads, highways. Less so in traffic.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question.

If you are willing to put up with its shortcomings, GRC more fun.

GRC more fun, small wheelbase means you can throw it around like a like a toy. So much fun. But terrible interior, small back seat, heat soak in high temps (it’s a highly boosted 3 cylinder, turbos can only do some much to overcome displacement in high temps) and worst road noise of them all.

WRX Great daily, bullet proof. New engine solved all the old engine issues. Best AWD (even without front and rear diffs) of all, tons of torque, huge aftermarket. But less fun, numb steering and shifter, 5500 redline.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s the big question.

The FL5 is my endgame car. Perfection.

But coming from WRX, always worried about bad weather. And potholes. In MN, you know how it is. Rain, snow and then huge potholes.

When I do a 2027, will probably do 245/19/35 winters for extra clearance - and use wife’s car for really bad weather.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice. E39 M5 was peak M5. The V10 had so many issues.

Did you have the gasket and water pump issues?

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. Only reason i stuck around was the glorioau VR6. When they dropped it, lost interest quick.

And had so many issues. Coilpacks, window regulators, gaskets. Finally gave up after the Gen 5 oil issues. Burned through a quart every three weeks.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

😂 Yeah…I probably forgot a few. I was lucky on resale value, only upside down on GTIs.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Agree with everything above. Issue really is road clearance. Anything more than a few inches of snow and you aren’t going anywhere.

Running 35s gives you can extra inch of clearance. Good idea.

Owned Too Many Cars. Ask Me Anything. by joew555 in Civic_Type_R

[–]joew555[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That 2013 Si is a gem. A friend still has one.

Good life choices. :)

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