2022 Subaru WRX Official Announcement *Merged*

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

MANY buyers of a WRX/STI always DEMAND that there are no miles on the car. They see miles? They assume it's been thrashed. We have had some WRXs that sat on the lot longer than others simply because of the miles on them. I'm kinda in that category. I didn't want my ordered cars driven more than necessary. I was lucky enough to be there for my '08 to come off the truck. He didn't put 5 feet on that thing off the truck. If you're considering buying a car, ABSOLUTELY you get to test drive. But, if you're there just for a joy ride, I have to disagree.


Your last statement? I am in 100% full agreement.

I agree, I wouldn't want a car obvious with test drive miles on it. Half the people probably thrashed the car, or burned out the clutch.

There should be a demo model on the lot, which can be driven, and then sold as a demo or CPO.

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[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Cliffs notes: test drove a SPT/HTCVT '22 WRX, my expectations were low to very low, but the car did pretty good.

So, I went in, talked with a salesperson and test drove a SPT WRX in Premium trim.
Guess what? I had low expectations but the car does drive pretty well and the SPT in its default S mode is pretty responsive up and down its fixed ratios.
A few thoughts:
- The first surprise for me was the stock exhaust note: it's pretty loud, in a good way, with a good amount of low bass in it. It's especially noticeable on cold start.
- Because of COVID, sales people no longer come with for test drives, I had the car to myself for nearly 40 minutes.
- I went around a couple of sharp 90 degree corners on suburban streets, at lowish speeds, and the car corners pretty flat, there's some viscous rear diff or selective rear wheel braking action happening back there. It's very apparent and I think it's nice.
- The ride is on the firm / taught side, but it's not punishing at all, went over a couple of train tracks crossing and it was fine.
- Power delivery is good with the SPT in default S mode as it doesn't allow the engine to dip below 1.8K~2K; I now understand why advertised fuel economy is what it is.
The engine really starts pulling at around 3K but there's some decent grunt from 2K.
- Spent 10 mins playing with the stereo over Bluetooth with Spotify; it's alright/decent but I think I'd need to listen to the optional 11-speaker HK system.

The front/rear diffs are open. The SPT has a center differential which is planetary gear (Subaru calls it VTD). This provides a baseline 45:55 torque split (rear biased AWD). The front wheels for all WRX have brake vectoring to help with turn in.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

You're confusing attitude and expectations.
I can have low expectations and yet keep an open mind; the two are not mutually exclusive.
Anyway, I left my thoughts/comments about the car. It's a decent vehicle, drives well and it's selling at MSRP or slightly below.

Apologies. One thing that sucks about text is you can't tell the tone. The gist of the comment I responded to just seemed totally negative. Glad to hear it was better than your expectations.

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

I agree, I wouldn't want a car obvious with test drive miles on it. Half the people probably thrashed the car, or burned out the clutch.

There should be a demo model on the lot, which can be driven, and then sold as a demo or CPO.

That would be nice. Would also give me something to play with more. I don't get to drive the cars the way I'd want to.

[Snow Drift]

So, I went to check out an Ignition Red Premium 6MT in natural light at Competition Subaru. Overall, I like the car, just get rid of the damn cladding/plastic. They also had a Ceramic White Premium 6MT, and I think a WRBP Base was being prepped for delivery.

I did not speak to anyone and left shortly after. The inside of the dealership is empty. One Crosstrek Sport and a Not-For-Sale heritage Baja Turbo on display.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

So, I went to check out an Ignition Red Premium 6MT in natural light at Competition Subaru. Overall, I like the car, just get rid of the damn cladding/plastic. They also had a Ceramic White Premium 6MT, and I think a WRBP Base was being prepped for delivery.

I did not speak to anyone and left shortly after. The inside of the dealership is empty. One Crosstrek Sport and a Not-For-Sale heritage Baja Turbo on display.

Awwww. Why couldn't you have shared a pic of that Baja?!?!?!?!

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Awwww. Why couldn't you have shared a pic of that Baja?!?!?!?!

You know what it looks like and any reminder of Subaru’s creative past would be saddening.

[JustyWRC]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

You know what it looks like and any reminder of Subaru’s creative past would be saddening.

So, you show a current offering that makes you more sad?











I like seeing older models in great shape. Like that one that sold for $40K+ earlier this year. Going through SOA's collection was a blast.

[D-Rodman]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

So, I went to check out an Ignition Red Premium 6MT in natural light at Competition Subaru. Overall, I like the car, just get rid of the damn cladding/plastic. They also had a Ceramic White Premium 6MT, and I think a WRBP Base was being prepped for delivery.

I did not speak to anyone and left shortly after. The inside of the dealership is empty. One Crosstrek Sport and a Not-For-Sale heritage Baja Turbo on display.

You were in my neck of the woods.
I went there to look at the new wrx a few weeks ago, they had a couple of them on display. They wanted $5,000 over sticker, I won’t be going there ever again, not even for free food.


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[YungBoba]

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Cliffs notes: test drove a SPT/HTCVT '22 WRX, my expectations were low to very low, but the car did pretty good.

So, I went in, talked with a salesperson and test drove a SPT WRX in Premium trim.
Guess what? I had low expectations but the car does drive pretty well and the SPT in its default S mode is pretty responsive up and down its fixed ratios.
A few thoughts:
- The first surprise for me was the stock exhaust note: it's pretty loud, in a good way, with a good amount of low bass in it. It's especially noticeable on cold start.
- Because of COVID, sales people no longer come with for test drives, I had the car to myself for nearly 40 minutes.
- I went around a couple of sharp 90 degree corners on suburban streets, at lowish speeds, and the car corners pretty flat, there's some viscous rear diff or selective rear wheel braking action happening back there. It's very apparent and I think it's nice.
- The ride is on the firm / taught side, but it's not punishing at all, went over a couple of train tracks crossing and it was fine.
- Power delivery is good with the SPT in default S mode as it doesn't allow the engine to dip below 1.8K~2K; I now understand why advertised fuel economy is what it is.
The engine really starts pulling at around 3K but there's some decent grunt from 2K.
- Spent 10 mins playing with the stereo over Bluetooth with Spotify; it's alright/decent but I think I'd need to listen to the optional 11-speaker HK system.

My thoughts after driving the CVT were similar to yours. The one I test drove was the GT model with the Recaros and adaptive dampers. Same as you, I thought the CVT was responsive enough for a regular daily driver, which, let's be honest, real performance junkies wouldn't buy a CVT and take it to the track to begin with. Most of the people buying a CVT WRX are probably just driving it to/from work and the grocery store, and the CVT is plenty adequate for that. Same exact thoughts with the exhaust note too, it was quite a bit louder and deeper than my 2017 WRX's stock exhaust which was a pleasant surprise. I don't believe any of it is pumped in either but I might be wrong. AFAIK only the BRZ has pumped-in exhaust audio out of Subaru's lineup.

The biggest turnoff is still the $42K+ pricetag for the GT which is just not worth it.

As far as the dealership experience pertaining to test drives, the dealership I drove this at was super chill. Didn't even have to ask them if I could drive it, they basically handed me the keys after a few minutes of me asking questions about it. They also asked if I wanted to drive the 6MT but I was in a hurry and also realistically did not have any intentions to buy one, so I politely declined. I agree with Scrappydo, it's a WRX, not a 6-figure car, I won't give my money to any dealership that refuses to let me test drive one.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by 4S-TURBO

Not a GT?

I sat in a GT, in the lobby, at the dealership, but I didn't test drive it.
The Recaros have a narrow/tight backrest, not uncomfortably so, but clearly not designed for a large dude like me (6 ft, 245 lbs).
I'm coming from Mk7 Golf R seats that have a pretty wide backrest (maybe too wide even).
I told the salesperson to have me drive any other SPT WRX on the lot; so, yeah, I didn't get to play with the adaptive dampers in the GT (or the nice HK stereo).

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

The front/rear diffs are open. The SPT has a center differential which is planetary gear (Subaru calls it VTD). This provides a baseline 45:55 torque split (rear biased AWD). The front wheels for all WRX have brake vectoring to help with turn in.

Yes, I'm familiar with the VTD setup and I knew about front brake actuation to improve turn in.
But, based on what I felt was happening with the rear end around that tight street corner, maybe VDC was actuating rear brakes to help tighten the line.
It felt eerily similar to what other manufacturers do with open diff RWD sporty vehicles.

Originally Posted by JustyWRC

Apologies. One thing that sucks about text is you can't tell the tone. The gist of the comment I responded to just seemed totally negative. Glad to hear it was better than your expectations.
[...]

I said what I had to say, you did the same and we didn't call each other's name: no apologies necessary .
But, even though the car is fine, for my money, I would still get an Elantra N.
Having said that, at the moment, Elantra N is nearly unobtanium; meanwhile, WRX are on lots. So, I think WRX wins by default.

Originally Posted by YungBoba

[...]The biggest turnoff is still the $42K+ pricetag for the GT which is just not worth it.[...]

I would only do a $40K+ GT trim is that was the only trim available for a USDM WRX Wagon / Levorg .
I'm just putting this out there...

[Snow Drift]

Originally Posted by D-Rodman

You were in my neck of the woods.
I went there to look at the new wrx a few weeks ago, they had a couple of them on display. They wanted $5,000 over sticker, I won't be going there ever again, not even for free food.
Sent from my iPhone using NASIOC

Wowie. I guess that's par for the course these days. I used them for service. Never bought anything.

Originally Posted by neg_matnik

Yes, I'm familiar with the VTD setup and I knew about front brake actuation to improve turn in.
But, based on what I felt was happening with the rear end around that tight street corner, maybe VDC was actuating rear brakes to help tighten the line.
It felt eerily similar to what other manufacturers do with open diff RWD sporty vehicles.

I'm going to say it's not, since that would be a function they would advertise, but who knows. Again, it's a rear biased system.

[neg_matnik]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

[...]I'm going to say it's not, since that would be a function they would advertise, but who knows. Again, it's a rear biased system.

Yeah, whatever it is, it works. It would be nice to monitor VDC/ABS system intervention to really find out what's what though.

[JustyWRC]

That's essentially what the Sport VDC does for the STI and later WRX. Turning it "off" turned everything off(of course). The "green" VDC light was more turning off the throttle retarding part of it and still allowing the yaw/brake controls to work. Haven't been told of any newer versions of this(if any) without putting it into that setting.

[Planetskynet]

Base car is sleek but lacks the claw of the sti versions it's like a sheep

[Scorpius]

I have yet to see this new wrx in the wild.

[chanomatik]

Mmmmmm. Just listen to that STI Performance Muffler.

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

And also that smooth, techno beat.

[ajsti24]

I got these JDM STi mufflers on my WRX! Ordered them after being launched back in July.

[gtlyearsley]

I like those! They look really good. Hopefully sound as good as they look.


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[hackney1]

EPA is going after diesel tuners, gotta wonder if Subaru etc. tuners are next.

YouTube (Short URL)

YouTube (Short URL)

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[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by hackney1

EPA is going after diesel tuners, gotta wonder if Subaru etc. tuners are next.

First of all, that has nothing to do with this thread.

Secondly, this has been a thing for years now and not new.

[Snow Drift]

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/s...n-test-review/

“Sub-$35K Sporty Car Comparo: 2022 Subaru WRX vs. Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, VW Golf GTI, Toyota GR86”

Oh noes.

[YungBoba]

Originally Posted by Snow Drift

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/s...n-test-review/

“Sub-$35K Sporty Car Comparo: 2022 Subaru WRX vs. Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra N, VW Golf GTI, Toyota GR86”

Oh noes.

I was just reading that article also. I would've really liked to see where the GTI ranked, but it is what it is...

[dwf137]

Our drivers were fond of the SUV-like seating position

target demographic acquired.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by YungBoba

I was just reading that article also. I would've really liked to see where the GTI ranked, but it is what it is...

Somewhat related: A 2022 GTI just beatup on the dominant Civic Si's at SCCA Solo nationals:

[dwf137]

I bet the civic SI had better control over their volume and temperature settings though.