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Old 06-09-2018, 09:21 PM   #1
ChaudMasterFlex
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 286487
Join Date: Jun 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: NH
Vehicle:
2014 WRX
Blue

Default About to pull the trigger on a 2014 WRX

So I’m really close to buying a 2014 WRX Premium sedan. 48k and it’s completely stock. I’ll being honest, I have my doubts though. I’ve never owned a Subaru before, and I’m worried about reliability. While I know it doesn’t matter, it’s the one car that I can’t get anyone to support me with. Some of my hesitation comes from the fact that the car I’m trading in has been wonderful (a 2006 Chrysler 300c) and it almost feels like, “if it’s been such a good car why am I trading it in?” I guess I just like changing my daily driver every couple of years (plus AWD for the winter would be nice). The other thing I guess I don’t like is that “boy racer” stigma that comes with owning one. I do plan on a few mods, but nothing crazy considering I already have a toy, my 2004 supercharged Mustang. Plus the last time I owned a turbocharged car (2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege back in 2007) it was a nightmare. Anyway, I guess I’d like to hear what you guys think.
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Old 06-09-2018, 10:03 PM   #2
Mulder
Trust no one
Moderator
 
Member#: 11170
Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NYC
Vehicle:
02 RAV4 MT
15 WRX/11 CRZ

Default

Never owned a Subaru, so just what have you been doing here since 2011?
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Old 06-10-2018, 12:54 AM   #3
ChaudMasterFlex
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Member#: 286487
Join Date: Jun 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: NH
Vehicle:
2014 WRX
Blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mulder View Post
Never owned a Subaru, so just what have you been doing here since 2011?
I guess the same thing I’m doing now. Back in 2011 I was considering purchasing a new STI.
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Old 06-10-2018, 04:45 AM   #4
BigWrecKs
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Member#: 93830
Join Date: Aug 2005
Default

Coming from a Chrysler, you're worried about the reliability of a Subaru?

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Old 06-10-2018, 11:16 AM   #5
bennb
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Member#: 483463
Join Date: Mar 2018
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Currituck, North Carolina
Vehicle:
2008 WRX Rally Blue
2009 Forester Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWrecKs View Post
Coming from a Chrysler, you're worried about the reliability of a Subaru?



Lmao I read that and thought the same thing.

I think it’s amazing you had a wonderful Chrysler experience. Those things are made for dealer maintenance.
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Old 06-11-2018, 01:34 PM   #6
ChaudMasterFlex
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Member#: 286487
Join Date: Jun 2011
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: NH
Vehicle:
2014 WRX
Blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWrecKs View Post
Coming from a Chrysler, you're worried about the reliability of a Subaru?

I’ve had my 300c for 3 years and the only thing I’ve done to it is front brakes. I know the 2.7’s are horrible, but the Hemi’s been great.
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Old 06-12-2018, 10:48 AM   #7
roepke414
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Member#: 480348
Join Date: Jan 2018
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Minnesota
Vehicle:
2012 WRX Premium
Lightning Red

Default

To be honest I have never really felt the "boy racer" stigma because if you are buying a younger subaru you have money for it, boys do not have money for the toys. Its cool waving to people though. A cool feeling.
The reliability is something that is spooky to everyone. But a well maintained WRX with a good driver will run a long time. Simple as that. My 2012 is at 85K right now on a stage 1 +SF 93oc COBB OTS tune and it has been running great for the past 20K miles I have had it run on that tune.
One thing to be happy about is buying it stock. That to me would ease my mind a bit when buying it. Knowing its stock means there is less likely the car has been tinkered with. BEFORE YOU BUY IT BRING IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT BY A OUTSIDE MECHANIC specifically someone who really like subarus.
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Old 06-12-2018, 11:10 AM   #8
cmiovino
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Member#: 134005
Join Date: Dec 2006
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX Premium
PSM

Default

Back in the day, WRXs were known to be reliable. Why? People checked their oil and used quality fluids. Today, people only check oil at 5k miles in, never change gear fluid, and vape.

In more recent years (2010+) more younger folk have gotten into the GDs due to falling prices, which are aging with boost lines and turbo inlets needing replaced, but the new owners are skipping checking that, changing coolant, or oil, and adding BOVs and other mods without tuning. Then wonder why there are issues.

It also seems like there's a younger crowd buying up the GRs and even the newer 2015+ cars. The demographic in the 2000's for turbo Subarus were engineers and IT guys, but now it's shifted more towards boy racers. I personally see on a lot of the Facebook pages of people doing highway pulls, not letting their cars warm up, and general things like that you should probably limit on any car. Again, issues happen and people complain the car isn't reliable.

With all that said coming from a 30 year old, turbocharged cars are inherently more complex than non-turbo. More pipes, vacuum lines, more complex ECU calculations and changes, etc. They do have the potential for more problems in that sense. However, maintenance is still key!
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Old 06-12-2018, 01:19 PM   #9
D-rock240
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Member#: 284221
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: West of Baltimore, MD
Vehicle:
2011 WRX GV SSM
2013 MacLeod

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChaudMasterFlex View Post
So I’m really close to buying a 2014 WRX Premium sedan. 48k and it’s completely stock. I’ll being honest, I have my doubts though. I’ve never owned a Subaru before, and I’m worried about reliability. While I know it doesn’t matter, it’s the one car that I can’t get anyone to support me with. Some of my hesitation comes from the fact that the car I’m trading in has been wonderful (a 2006 Chrysler 300c) and it almost feels like, “if it’s been such a good car why am I trading it in?” I guess I just like changing my daily driver every couple of years (plus AWD for the winter would be nice). The other thing I guess I don’t like is that “boy racer” stigma that comes with owning one. I do plan on a few mods, but nothing crazy considering I already have a toy, my 2004 supercharged Mustang. Plus the last time I owned a turbocharged car (2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege back in 2007) it was a nightmare. Anyway, I guess I’d like to hear what you guys think.
Was the MSP modded? That engine was a sidethought from Mazda, shame considering how good the chassis was.

I'd normally be nervous about buying a used WRX as you don't know how the previous owner took care of it (maintenance,etc.). If it really is stock (never tuned) then that's a good thing. I woudn't assume it is stock because it looks stock though, these cars are notorious for being modded and then returned to stock.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmiovino View Post
Back in the day, WRXs were known to be reliable. Why? People checked their oil and used quality fluids. Today, people only check oil at 5k miles in, never change gear fluid, and vape.

In more recent years (2010+) more younger folk have gotten into the GDs due to falling prices, which are aging with boost lines and turbo inlets needing replaced, but the new owners are skipping checking that, changing coolant, or oil, and adding BOVs and other mods without tuning. Then wonder why there are issues.

It also seems like there's a younger crowd buying up the GRs and even the newer 2015+ cars. The demographic in the 2000's for turbo Subarus were engineers and IT guys, but now it's shifted more towards boy racers. I personally see on a lot of the Facebook pages of people doing highway pulls, not letting their cars warm up, and general things like that you should probably limit on any car. Again, issues happen and people complain the car isn't reliable.

With all that said coming from a 30 year old, turbocharged cars are inherently more complex than non-turbo. More pipes, vacuum lines, more complex ECU calculations and changes, etc. They do have the potential for more problems in that sense. However, maintenance is still key!
I think the source is why you say that. There are still some professionals that own these and take care of them. Don't judge us all on FB videos by brosefs.

Also if you have a good thick oil you can go 5-6k intervals (hell, my owners manual says the factory interval is 7,500 miles). I do about 6k, checking my oil level and condition every other week.
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Old 06-13-2018, 10:47 PM   #10
3g rex
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Member#: 236333
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle:
2009 Impreza WRX
dgm

Default

I would avoid this generation WRX.

- crack firewall welds
- power steering leaks
- hood scope and rear wing fades after a couple of years
- likes to drink a lot of oil
- random rattles from cheap plastic panel

If you're looking for an easy car to maintain, look else where.
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Old 06-13-2018, 11:39 PM   #11
airbornesoldier
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Member#: 282013
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fairbanks
Vehicle:
2012 Subaru WRX
SPW

Default

I bought my 2012 wrx brand new back in February of 2012. 80k miles later, ZERO maintenance issues. I would get a rattle here and there but this isnt a mercedes. Im a religious 3,000 mile Oil change with Rotella T6. I run mpss in the summer and blizzacks ws7 in the winter.
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