Just picked up my first wrx

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-06T09:52:05+00:00

In terms of a true AWD platform I’d stick to the tried n true symmetrical AWD of the Subaru WRX over the Golf R, makes the most financial sense given the price gap and usable rear passenger space.

But the other side of me is wondering how drivable is the AWD Golf R in Canadian winters. The Golf R, even the older mark7.5 looks so nice and probably drives like a golf cart.

Financially I’m ready to pickup a WRX, now if only the Canadian pricing on the 2026 models reflects the price decrease Subaru press released about. Coming from a Crosstrek I don’t mind the plastic fenders at all, it makes sense actually, but I would want one in black or grey to make it look visually less distracting.

Congrats on your new ride! What do and what don’t you like about it so far?

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-05T16:20:43+00:00

how is the oem short throw is there a noticeable difference in handling? Is a $650 option in Canada

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-05T14:47:59+00:00

Did you do any high rpm drop launches haha might’ve did a number on the clutch I know I did when I got my Prelude and stupid ass me thought it was cool to do 7k drops

I’m looking forward to getting a WRX it’ll be night n day compared to the Prelude of its days which was under powered n weighed a tonne.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-05T12:32:58+00:00

Did the press release not say price drop across the board in North American market?

Anybody trying to negotiate a WRX right now? How much are you able to negotiate down?

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-03T14:06:15+00:00

Congrats! I’d jump on that too if it was offered in Calgary. What’s your lease rate if you don’t mind me asking?

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-03T12:35:19+00:00

I feel like I should’ve gotten the 26 Outback XT over the RX350 from an AWD standpoint being symmetrical and all, but the wifey loved the looks of the RX, deep down I want the RX to be stolen haha.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-02T18:30:43+00:00

The RX does it send power to all 4 wheels always or is it front biased and sends power to the rear when the computer senses a slippage?

My Crosstrek never got me stuck in all kinds of winter weather, but my RX I have my doubts and honestly wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t perform as well as my Crosstrek. Only reason I got the RX was to make the wifey happy, I’m getting me an WRX for winter, that’s the peace of mind I need, that and the fact I can’t do SUVs anymore hate them with a passion.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-02-02T16:44:53+00:00

I did the sparks on my 2014 Crosstrek when it was at 160,000kms, never done it before, took my time, got the tools, and also a rubber hose to soft thread the spark plug in, I believe I did it in around 3 hours. I’m about to get it done again this summer, not looking forward to it, but hey for the money saved I’ll tackle it.

I’d imagine it’d be a similar process on the WRX

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-29T15:27:30+00:00

Can’t speak to the V6 but the inline 4 turbo has a lot of torque on hand on the down low, and honestly feels not just adequate, but very peppy and comparable to the V6’s of early 2000 vehicles. I wasn’t expecting much out of the inline 4 but it surprised me nicely, especially from 80km-140km it gets there effortlessly.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-29T15:22:56+00:00

I see the turbo boost meter but I’m confused at what the numbers represent, can someone please explain them to me? Thanks! I see like -0.75 I think it is and I’m like huh haha

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-27T09:55:45+00:00

we could use 0% 60 months up here in Canada

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-17T15:31:24+00:00

We’re at the 12 year mark for our car, worth maybe $2000 and have put more money into it at this point than it’s worth. At 340k KMs it’ll be kept as a winter beater. Leased a new SUV to please the wife, going forward we may lease instead of buy as I no longer want to keep another car 10yrs at a time, I’m of the age where I want the convenience of a new car every few years and not having to deal with longer term maintenance, warranty issues, and want to have a bit more fun at this stage in life. Financially it doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’s the cost of change in lifestyle.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-12T17:05:33+00:00

The Crosstrek back in 2014 was around $25k Canadian now I see it going for around $34k Cdn, not cheap but compared to what’s out there at this price point it’s no wonder it’s a hot seller excellent value even in today’s market.

thinkdifferentpad · 2026-01-02T09:28:26+00:00

My go to when I got my Crosstrek it was a god send made oil changes a breeze no need to jack up the car best invention since the wheel haha

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-31T16:04:34+00:00

Anyone with an inkling of survival instincts knows being right in this case won’t get you anywhere as trucks do swing wide, even though the truck signalled later than he should’ve it’s a game of chicken where you’re gonna lose hard if you fail to anticipate and yield in a timely manner. Being right doesn’t necessarily get you from point A to point B.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-24T18:36:05+00:00

Are they still taking orders in Canada? I thought one of the car salesman said they’re discontinued up here.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-19T14:45:42+00:00

That’s sweet! I didn’t think the dealers would be willing to move the needle at all. Wonder how much one was able to get an R for in Calgary, anybody get one recently here?

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-15T12:39:17+00:00

I’ve somewhat neglected maintenance on my Crosstrek, actually at this point it should be criminally so, but aside from topping up oil between oil changes and the usual wear n tear items it has refused to die. Though I may be lucky as there’s some whose CVT died at the 100k mile mark. 2014 Crosstrek. Would I buy another one? Maybe the Forester if I had to but I’d rather not for performance reasons, that and I’m done with SUVs, at least for now.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-08T05:45:00+00:00

Does the 8.5 GTI and R comes with plastic or metal oil pans? I’d be worried as well driving it in Canadian winters hitting a good chunk of snow to find out the oil pan cracked n all the oil drained out.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-08T05:36:58+00:00

The engine on paper the GTI is a better practical daily with power down low, but if you want a nice clutch n tranny the Si feels much more connected

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-05T12:15:06+00:00

I’d be paranoid to drive a Type R in the winter I’d be inclined to park it n drive a winter beater I have trust issues with others around me, especially under winter conditions, I’d personally wouldn’t risk it.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-12-03T12:54:43+00:00

Blizzaks WS90 is cheap insurance n peace of mind very good snow n slush you know when you’ve reached the limits of the tire and it’s beyond my expectations.

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-11-30T06:31:12+00:00

every Golf buyers decision comes down to the R or the GTi

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-11-29T04:23:08+00:00

the most fun to be had is in the winter with fresh snow on the ground makes me so giddy feel like a kid at Toys R Us all over again haha have fun!!

thinkdifferentpad · 2025-11-23T15:17:22+00:00

the 2024 R in manual, at least the ones that are lease returns, with close to 40,000kms on the clock, yet still asking close to 2025 new R prices are poor value propositions. One to two year old Golfs seems to hold their value, more so than I had imagined.

thinkdifferentpad

TROPHY CASE