That's a problem. That will just drive entry level people away from the SOA AWD marketing.

Honestly, I feel a good set of snow tires in all you need. Even then, in a metro area do you really need them?

Peace,

Greg

No AWD is not a must have, but a plus. Subaru checks a lot of boxes for teen drivers though, safety, features, nice space, good MPG. Not hard or too expensive to maintain. Good resale value too. But as I cross shop something like a Mazda CX-30 or 50 the Mazda is definitely a much nicer step up in terms of styling and interior for the same price.

WRX sales are down 60%? Based on what information? Pretty hard to gauge today's sales to historical sales during what's been the worst stretch of parts shortages in decades.

Yeah I don't trust the historical trending either because of continued supply chain issues.

But it's pretty startling to see so many brand new WRX's for sale on dealer lots in New England. Especially when everything else is selling within days or already sold when it hits the lot. Some of the dealers around me have more WRX's for sale then Crosstreks which is nuts.

Sales percentages mean nothing. The fact that brand new WRX's are sitting on lots while even base imprezas aren't is telling. The car sucks.

I do think demand is lower than before; but, I also think the sales could be more per month if they'd get the cars out to the sold orders before sending them just to sit on lots. We have 5 customers waiting. Why not send those cars to us? Could also be bad choice in what to make. Maybe big demand for a limited and they are pumping out unwanted other trims.

As to the comparison to the Impreza.....well, Impreza has typically sold more than twice the WRXs; so, not sure your point with that.

You know the reality is pretty much what you said. All those stealers watching these things sit on their lots while they know the entire car market right now, what is going on, etc. Well you can bank on that dealership has contacted SOA and complained about the model. Sales managers, salesmen/women stating “When we had the hatch WRX and STI they sold. The previous sedan only WRX and STi moved faster than this!” Something to that effect because they’ve seen the GRC by now, all of them. Anyone with any sense has seen the car, the overwhelming demand, and said “For F sakes we used to sell that!” And to a point, Subaru did. And VW is moving R’s even with the crap tactic haptic setup in that thing. So of course they see this body cladded monstrosity sitting and look to the other AWD competition, even if they cost more and want something similar to compete and actually move product.

The reality is people took it in 2014. Well we didn’t. Many others did. You went R, I went RS, and I’m definitely going GRC. But people split. Many existing folk they took it. Then Boobaru attracted new buyers of the WRX and STI over the VA lifecycle. FHI, SofJ, whatever, force fed the deal and it worked. Well they doubled down on that deal this time, and it’s blowing up in their face. So stealers and SOA are crying out. “Do something”. But what are they gonna do? All of a sudden gonna flip the script and do something they should have done in 2014, in this car market, with these supply chain shortages? It’s too late. Vehicles take many years of development unless you are Ford with the RS where it was rushed and pushed through and we saw how that worked out. It would take them years and by then it’s ev/hybrid time. Ship has sailed. You’ll get painted fenders, a rear bumper change. Maybe they will wisen up and have some trim offered that equips the WRX with diffs front and rear, maybe call it the STi “trim”. They’ll do something like that, because it won’t cost bank. That’s as much as you’ll get, and for some that will be enough.

I gave them 3 years to correct that mistake in 2014. They never did so I left the brand for good. I’m just not willing to wait for them again, my deposit was in well before even the official announcement of the GRC. I’m guaranteed a car, and at MSRP, no higher, and after the first dude dips I’m #1 on the list and have first right of refusal so I can fat cat wait for the trim/color I want. Probably 2024 special trim/model whatever. Subaru would have to bring a monster to get me to even rethink the decision. Hatch, not wagon, full diffs, 4 cylinders so I demand 350 HP. It would be larger, and weigh more than what I’m buying and really the ship has sailed. Toyo went and did it right. I’m still sore over the GRY not being offered but all in, hard to be upset or feel like I’m settling with the effort they have shown. I mean look at that Morizo edition on top of the CE. At least they are trying. WTF effort has Booby shown over these past 8 years? F all. These sakes reflect that. Well eat that crow SOA. Pour BBQ sauce on it and choke on it for all I care. You abandoned your customers 8 years ago so I’m not hearing the crying in 2022.

That wish list on the STi "trim" ain't ever gonna happen. SOA and Tom Doll are hell bent on meeting demands for the mainstream. That plan was never going to work for the WRX buyer, but they listened to their focus group and basically killed the WRX. Well now sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

I can only hope that this is true and that the Levorg comes to help fill the gap.

Everyone claiming that the WRX isn't selling, is true. The *why* thought is up to dispute, and I'll throw another reason why they are not selling into the mix... gas prices. Those that buy the WRX generally aren't *that* affluent, and paying almost .90 per gallon more for premium over regular at 20-25mpg, is a big factor. Gone are the days where premium is only .20-.40/gallon more over regular. You're talking almost $20/week, $87/month, $1000/year.

Now throw that in with the design change, and no bump in power, for all new *bigger* engine, and it's a perfect storm of inadequacy.

And insurance hasn't gone down either. Other cars beckon if you *need* a new car. WRX is a desire, a want, emotional, and being stuck as a sedan, no hatch/wagon, loses in the utility... but today, just today? Doesn't make sense, when you're looking to spend $30-$35k. Other cars beckon.

I can only hope that this is true and that the Levorg comes to help fill the gap.

Everyone claiming that the WRX isn't selling, is true. The *why* thought is up to dispute, and I'll throw another reason why they are not selling into the mix... gas prices. Those that buy the WRX generally aren't *that* affluent, and paying almost .90 per gallon more for premium over regular at 20-25mpg, is a big factor to be made in the decision. Gone are the days where premium is only .20-.40/gallon more over regular. You're talking almost $20/week, $87/month, $1000/year.

Now throw that in with the design change, and no bump in power, for all new *bigger* engine, and it's a perfect storm of inadequacy.

And insurance hasn't gone down either. Other cars beckon if you *need* a new car. WRX is a desire, a want, emotional, and being stuck as a sedan, no hatch/wagon, loses in the utility... but today, just today? Doesn't make sense, when you're looking to spend $30-$35k, other cars beckon, especially when you're looking at an additional $4k in premium gas over regular during a 5 year loan (if gas prices remain the same). I could get a much nicer $35k/$40k car, that runs on regular, just not as fun, for the same price.

The wrx is so bad I ordered a fozie. Why are they wasting micro chips on the wrx when I need to wait until September for a fozie? That sucks.

Yeah but we aren't seeing that for similar cars. You can't get a Golf R, you won't be able to get a GR Corolla or Civic Type R. Sure those cars aren't produced in the same numbers but for the last decade the WRX has sold very well as a sedan regardless of outside circumstances and now all of a sudden it's a rare car sitting on lots unsold. Clearly it's not resonating with it's intended audience and I'm not surprised as the black plastic cladding is simply the wrong styling cue for a car like this. Subaru was quick to correct the mistake that was the 2008 WRX so not totally surprising that they may be looking to correct this car as well. It's the right decision IMO.

Curious to see how this will play out, if OP is to be believe. I don't know his/her track record with "sources" but it's plausible IMO. There have been several online automotive publications who already put out articles about poor sales on the new WRX.

The last car I remember that was overhauled after just one year was the 2012 Honda Civic, which was so poorly received after the stellar 8th gen (2006-2011) that they completely redid it for the 2013 model year.

Curious to see how this will play out, if OP is to be believe. I don't know his/her track record with "sources" but it's plausible IMO. There have been several online automotive publications who already put out articles about poor sales on the new WRX.

The last car I remember that was overhauled after just one year was the 2012 Honda Civic, which was so poorly received after the stellar 8th gen (2006-2011) that they completely redid it for the 2013 model year.

Domestic market WRX
Odds much stronger than I initially thought.
All I will say is that Friday is a very big day.



As for the current model… The owners of these dealerships are NOT happy. Things are getting very ugly for this product, very fast. 50/50 shot Subaru starts offering painted flares as an option before end of this year is what it sounds like.

I think some of the issue here is MPG too, as I think about it. The WRX isn't really a looker and has always had somewhat quirky styling. But the MPG is pretty bad for a 4 cylinder car. Combined MPG for the manual is 22mpg and for the CVT is 21mpg. On premium gas.

Taking current gas prices into account and if you are cross shopping, an Elantra N is 25mpg combined and something like a Civic SI is 32mpg combined and a GTI is around 28mpg combined.

I am just less sure it's about painted fenders and think it could be something much more significant like MPG. 21-22mpg combined is abysmal on a modern 4 cylinder. My 3.0 Supra got 25mpg combined!

Duplicate.....

Didn’t hear anything about gas mileage.
I would assume MPG is unrelated. These cars have never been good on gas. The target buyer for these usually doesn’t care about it as much as you think.
If 8-10 MPG is going to break the bank for a perspective buyer of a “performance car” they should be shopping elsewhere imo

Totally agree. Gas mileage has never been a consideration for the average WRX buyer. If MPG mattered the VA would have been a flop but instead was the most successful selling WRX.

MPG is a consideration, but I think, like most things, people compromise depending on the benefits. With the WRX not really being a great performance car (no big brakes, no LSDs, weak torque) while also costing over $30k to purchase outright and getting abysmal MPG, plus looking like it does... just too many dings against it.

Are the 18" wheels a different design from the 17" wheels? They look exactly the same. Even if they aren't exactly the same, the fact that Subaru couldn't be bothered to differentiate them (or even stamp "WRX" on the headlight housing) tells me that the WRX is the result of minimal effort.

Friday matters bc of the Hyundai N announcement, or something else?

Gas (premium) has never been $5-6+ per gallon in the U.S. either. And shopping elsewhere is exactly what the prospective buyers are doing - buying other cars.

But if you say Friday, then I'm looking forward to some news. Not that I'd buy one anyway. Hard to believe it's already been 10 months since the reveal - still feels relatively recent to me at least. But any opportunity to improve the model is always welcome in my book.

In my opinion, a fully painted car and manual offering in the GT or GT seats available in a package with the manual would go a long way without much effort. Still doesn't fix the car, but I think it would help a lot.

They already said all they will say!

Yeah, but I can't remember the last time I saw $5 gas either (and closer to $6 per gallon for premium where I live).

I am approaching this with a unique perspective. I am shopping for a practical, safe, gas sipping vehicle for my teens. Think Civic, Corolla, HRV, Elantra, Crosstrek, etc. Around the $20-25K price range.

Good luck. Inventory is really tight and many dealers want over MSRP. Meanwhile if I want an Ascent or Dodge Ram or Jeep Wrangler there are tons in stock.

Most people buying a WRX are buying it as a daily commuter car, not the weekend toy car. So while it's possible MPG is not a big reason for poor WRX sales, I do think it is something to consider. It's (WRX) about as good on MPG as most American V8's. And with high inflation affecting food, rent, etc I do think many Americans are concerned about MPG right now. I know EV's are more popular than ever.

And how does the CVT in this modern age, get worse MPG than a manual and have worse performance to boot? Very odd.

All true, but I don't think the WRX demographic is that gas-price conscious. The Golf R 6MT EPA is 20/28 (avg 23) vs WRX 6MT 19/25 (avg 21), so not a big difference and the Golf R is basically sold out.

Then again the car has exterior issues that the Golf R does not.