Question for the long term WRX owners, or the newer ones, on the board. What is the cost of ownership like on these cars? Passed one in town this am and has me considering one for a fun to drive daily that is still snow capable.
All wheel drive means always buying 4 tires @ same time, mileage is average in the 23 mpg range and I have to buy 91 octane. I assume not the friendliest car for home mechanics either?
I would like extended ownership, as the vehicle I am looking to replace has been my daily for 11 years. Not interested in a good lease but don't buy car.
I would likely modify to some extent (rims, shifter and the travel limiter thing for 1-2 gate, intake/filter, top mount intercooler and exhaust) but nothing past bolt on.

IMO pre-07 models are better made and sharper.

Low mileage 06 WRX is a grail car.

The 2 liters just run though and do not cost much if you keep the boost reasonable.

It all depends on the previous owner with these cars.

I thrashed an 02 for 60k trouble-free miles before I sold it. Thats like 150000 miles for normal people.

Expect around 20 mpg in city, gas tank is bigger than a lancer's.

Dont go e85, that shit is not good long term.

Spark plugs are a pain. OEM clutches can chatter but its semi-normal, dont be one of those pansies that expects the car to be transparent(tranquil, silent, dead). Like all good cars bred from racing, they are alive.

Following...

I'm very skeptical about buying a used turbo.

My son will be within driving age in a few years (2), so I might convince myself to buy a base WRX. I like the STi, but I don't need all the bells and whistles, and honestly I think the base WRX looks better.

I have a '15 WRX but owned a 04 forester prior. So far, great vehicle. I have two sets of tires/wheels for winter/summer. My 14 forester just gets all seasons. Fun car to drive. and only normal maintenance so far.

The new WRX STI is orderable without that wing.

Had a 2002 WRX that I bought new and sold at the end of 2015. It was my daily driver for most of those years although my typical commute was only about 12 miles round trip. I only had to change the clutch, tires, timing belt, air filter, and spark plugs. It was also tuned to about 300hp to the wheels on 93 octane with big turbo, IC, injectors, etc. for most of the years I owned the car.

I know the early US WRX were actually made in Japan and were pretty well made cars for what was essentially an economy compact sedan. All electronics worked to the day I sold the car so no real electrical issues in the 13 years I owned it.

Now my Mercedes on the other hand will most likely be gone when the warranty expires.

What did that clutch replacement cost, if you don't mind my asking?

Are you considering buying one that is used or new?

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:

I'm very skeptical about buying a used turbo.

Hell, I'm showing my age, but I'm skeptical about buying a NEW turbo.....
I could tell you the story about my oldest daughter's 1994?? Volvo 940?? turbo car....

Sorry about the question marks, but I've tried to erase that money pit from my memory...

I have a 2006 wrx sti that I bought new. It has been really good. No significant issues that were not my fault. With proper tires it is virtually unstoppable in the snow. I have pretty much snow plowed with mine before.

That being said I did need a new shortblock around 100k due to playing pretty hard in the snow with a moderately modified engine. The 2.5 was known to blow the ringlands but not sure if the 2.0 suffers the same. But I blame that on myself if there were no mods I do not think it would have happened.

I agree changing spark plugs is the worst. Bloody knuckles and many bad words over the Japanese and their tiny hands.

Newer models of the wrx have a higher hp than the older versions which may or may not matter if you are going to modify anyways.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
What did that clutch replacement cost, if you don't mind my asking?

I got the OEM clutch (Exedy) through Amazon for under $200. Rest was all labor and I can't recall what I paid my mechanic.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
What did that clutch replacement cost, if you don't mind my asking?

OE quality clutch done by an independent specialty (Subaru only) shop, was about $1300 all in for my brother last year.

He had over 125K before he needed to do a clutch - he drives in a spirited way on the street and the car is an every day driver, but has no modifications or track type activity on his.


Looking at the how to guides online and on forums we elected to pay a specialist to do it - we are pretty decent shade tree mechanics when we put our heads together.

Was thinking new, base model is about all my budget will stand. I am also hesitant to buy a used turbo car.

quote:

Originally posted by craglawnmanor:

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:

I'm very skeptical about buying a used turbo.

Hell, I'm showing my age, but I'm skeptical about buying a NEW turbo.....
I could tell you the story about my oldest daughter's 1994?? Volvo 940?? turbo car....

Sorry about the question marks, but I've tried to erase that money pit from my memory...

You can't lump shitty Volvo in with WRX's.

The subarus are toyota reliable in comparison.

I owneda 02 Wrx that was lightly modded for 100k until it met a tree and I have a low milage 04 Sti that I have had for 4 years or so. Pulse a few other Subaru's over time. The older 2.0 motor was built to be a turbo motor. The 2.5 is a nod to the American market and the need for more torque. Outside of regular maintenance you shouldn't need anything but tires. The older ones are not overly difficult to work on. There are lots of 200k WRX's still on the original turbos.

quote:

Originally posted by craglawnmanor:
I could tell you the story about my oldest daughter's 1994?? Volvo 940?? turbo

My daily driver now is a 1994 Volvo 940. It has been absolutely reliable. The 940 is normally aspirated; the 960 was the turbo version.

A very good friend of mine ran an independent service shop specializing in European auto service. He told me that his experience was that Volvo and Mercedes turbos were at opposite ends of the spectrum. Volvo turbos failed frequently, Mercedes did it right and they were very reliable. He replied a lot of Volvo turbos, rarely had to do so with a Mercedes.

I have a 2011 WRX 4-door that I bought new. The miles are so low that I'm embarrassed to say what's on the odometer.

It has given me zero trouble, but as I said it has very low miles. Always had it maintained by the dealer.

It's going to be a dream car for someone younger in the hopefully DISTANT future. Low miles, owned by a codger who only floored it on Sundays!