2019 WRX Performance Pack 6 Month Review
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- čas přidán 1. 02. 2020
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I have a 2016 wrx (that I bought brand new) that just rolled 140k miles. I absolutely love it. Obviously it’s been my daily driver and I drive it year round. It’s been the best vehicle I’ve owned and I’ve had quite a few. I got out of an F350 and into the WRX and it was a bit of a change at first. I got used to it’s quirks. I agree with your comment about sunroofs. In 2016, this package didn’t exist. I went with a base model because it had no sunroof. I would have liked to have the Recaro seats but they just weren’t available in 2016. I love how easy it is to work on, and it has responded well to tuning. I love love love that it has a timing chain as opposed to a belt. I love the fuel mileage to performance. I feel like it gets great mileage despite performing quite well (mine is tuned). I haven’t had the common intake valve issue that others are reporting, I don’t know if it’s because of how much I drive it, but I scoped it at 80k just for grins and giggles and it was very minimal. I scoped it again at around 120k and nothing worth noting. I do change my oil often, maybe that has something to do with it? Anyway love the video and your opinions as much as I disagree lol love your channel!
Have a 2020 WRX with performance pkg, clutch is like no other, have a partial handle on it now.
Had Mustang, 392 Scat, prefer this car far more, not better just more connected and balanced.
Hey brother at least you’re honest, and you make total sense about the cable shifter when I test drove one I thought it was just me because I don’t normally drive a stick and I haven’t in years, you surely make a great point!
Thank you for the video in between buying a 2015 - 2019 brz 2011-2014 wrx hatch or the newer 2017-2019 wrx was very helpful
Right on. Gosh that clutch return spring is really making driving this car challenging. If I had it longer I sure I'll get used to it .
This was a great, honest review. I appreciate the perspective.
I purchased my wrx last year,
The other Subaru that I have is a 2000 outback automatic so I noticed a huge difference,I really like the car.
I've owned the 18 wrx for 1 year now and I 100% agree with you on this. I even changed the clutch to an ACT, I still hate it. I've got a short shifter, shifter bushing, stiffer transmission mount, nothing helps. Ended up buying an Sti for this reason.
good honest review, I have a 2013 wrx hatchback and have loved it, definitely has its personality I really like it and might try to to get a 2014 sti hatch
I deleted the clutch pedal helper spring, added a stainless steel clutch line, deleted the clutch hydraulic dampner, added a solid shift bushing, installed the whiteline positive shift kit, installed the STi group N transmission mount, and upgraded all the diff bushings in my 2012 outback with the same cable shift trans as the WRX to get it to feel like I wasn't stirring a jar of peanut butter and pushing my foot in a vat of honey
Really enjoyed this review. Though I’ve never owned a wrx i certainly would like to!
Completely agree with your sun roof gripe. I’m 6’4 and they do cut down on the head room big time.
Agreed, sun roofs are bunk.
Less headroom (depending the make of the car), More weight up high hurting the center of gravity, and its just one more thing to break (Motor, rails, glass) and hey it could leak from age, or as they usually do, get stuck open while its raining.
These VA WRX are truly tricky to drive smoothly at first. But, once you drive it for some time it's like butter! Lots of ppl cry about the throttle mapping too but it's like OEM pedal commender! Honestly, because you drive other cars on a daily basis, probably the reason you can't get used to it. It requires some catered skill but nothing difficult.
I got a 2020 WRX premium. I stalled it on the test drive but still bought it. It’s been 7 months and I got use to the clutch and shifter. I personally really like the car. 25.5 mpg. Like the harder suspension where you can feel the road and how the car sticks in the corners. I did get the sun roof too, but I park the car in my garage. Honestly it’s a fun car and a decent commuter. Few modifications can make it better.
Thanks for sharing your opinions good & bad!
I love my 2019 WRX Series.Gray, but you hit the nail on the head when you were talking about the clutch pedel. I've only ever driven stick shifts, and I stalled this car out maybe 10 times. It's been a few months since I've done it, now, but I'm sure I'll do it again at some point. That's really the only thing I dislike about the car. I don't know what they did to make the clutch the way it is, but man, it's not good haha.
Definitely agree man, had a 2009 wrx, now have a 2019. I honestly just don't have the same love for this car. It has no feeling to it, just another sedan with a turbo now.
Now my favourite part of the car is the seat, something about the Alcantara just makes it super comfy to me 🤷♂️
I have the same car with 2700 km on it and I agree with everything you said. I have stalled mine many times as well.
YES, AGREE 100%. I pulled out of the lot with a 2020 base WRX with 12 km. on the odo.(Canada) Hate the car.The way I drove changed completely overnight. Moving from a 185 hp 5 speed to a short throw 265 hp WRX 6 speed, I was experiencing a lot of lurching at the gear changes and the car would take off at the higher rpm range. "Scary" is the term I use to describe that. Kids don't know of the dangers, so they abuse the technology. Disregarding the speed to weight ratio has dire consequences. After 40 years of driving manual I'm still learning.
I got a 2019 premium. It took like 7k miles for my clutch to stop launching my foot back. It does get better. I'm at 11k now. I put a tune and an exhaust on it and it fixed my issue of not being able to rev match. It's just not well done from the factory. Stock throtl map is 100% when you're only pushing it 40%. As for the sloppy shifting...yeah that doesn't get better.
I can say the '21 clutch hasn't changed. 878 miles on mine and I've stalled it 6-7 times at least. Been driving manuals since '86. I think the issue is how late it finally engages. My '02 WRX engaged this late with 244k miles, but it still started clamping around half pedal travel. The hill assist aggravates the problem, as you're easing the pedal out, but have no idea where it's clamping. And then the bloody hill assist lets go after 2-3 seconds. Oh well, I'll live with it.
I have this exact car. I agree with the mushy clutch pedal. I’m surprised you didn’t mention the rev-hang, especially between first and second gears. I like the driver info gauges too, and tend to keep it in the 3-gauge setting for oil temp. I really appreciate the normal ignition key-no push-button-and no awful auto start-stop “feature”. I bought the car to back-up my daily-driver BMW E36 with nearly 400,000 miles. Overall, the E36 is more fun to drive than the WRX.
I got a '13, and all you did was make me wanna take care of it and have it for 10 more years. I don't want to lose my EJ for an FA, and I don't have any clutch or shifter issues. I do have the big side skirts from the widebody. I totally accept it, because I made the decision I didn't want an 8-11 because they don't look nearly as cool without the widebody. And I'll live with my 25 mpg on the highway, my 02 wasn't much better. Maybe in 10 years they'll have figured out an engine that actually gets significantly more HP and 30 mpg. Until then I'm taking good care of what I got. I mean I gotta, it took six months to find a 12-14 no accident WRB stock manual WRX.
Thank you for your honest views on the car, you may have kept me from making a big mistake.
I'll make the $30k mistakes, so viewers don't have to. Lol
LOL! Well thanks for that too, I am sorry though that it didn't work out for you
I think you were pretty much spot on. Reinforced my decision to go with the STI (not the limited...didn't want the sunroof, either). I do bump into the lower side skirt pieces but that's really my only complaint. Got it with the short throw shift and it's a great transmission and clutch. Wanted to get this before the EJ went away, mainly because of the DI carbon issue. EJ's old, sure. But it works.
I would have loved to have headlight washers as an order-able feature for USDM.
As far as the clutch feel. The Perrin line which came with the firewall brace improved the feel by a good amount on my 2016.
You seem like the kind of guy that likes the late 90’s 2 door impreza stuff size wise. The 15 plus wrx stuff is bigger for sure. Hope you find a fit that gives you some Subaru performance in ur life. ;)
Are other manual transmissions in newer cars like that too? I am thinking about buying a small Toyota Yaris 2019 with a manual transmission, just for the fun of having a manual car, my other car is an SUV an auto Forester XT. Never thought it could be something other than a rod driven mechanism. Thanks for the video and honest commentary.
I have never even driven a WRX so I’ll take your word on this car.
Sounds like you would have appreciated the STI and its 6 speed as it's still a mechanical shifting linkage and the classic push type clutch. Maybe worth a test drive and trade in. The stiffer suspension might remind you of the GD Chassis too.
Matt O totally agree!! 👍🏻
Agree, Matt. Love my 2019 STI with the short throw. Nice crisp shifts and good clutch feel. And did not get it with the sunroof (ie don't go with the limited)
@@JenniLudes You save some serious weight and chassis rigidity by passing on the sunroof!
@@matto7138 Lotsa reasons to not have the sunroof!
Informative points
Just watched this. I have a 2020 WRX (base model, 6 speed) that has the STI shifter kit installed (was delivered with it). I am 6'4" and appreciate the headroom the WRX has which makes it one of the extremely few vehicles I can sit in comfortably with my helmet on (for autocrossing, trackcrosses, etc.) after replacing my over 210,000 mile, 1998 Neon Expresso Coupe. While my 1984 Omni GLH used rod shifters for the 5-speed, I guess I've been acclimated to cable shifters over the past 21 years. Clutch feel - I'm with you 100%. I just now (took receipt in late Dec 2019) am approaching 20,000 miles on mine and did have more than one stalling event. The clutch is not as communicative as my GLH, Expresso or (2006 Pontiac) GTO clutches and more inline with my 2008 VW (2.5L) Jetta's clutch. Seems they tried to reduce NVH as much as they could and resulted in minimal tactile feedback during clutch engagement. Since I like driving manuals, I like having the tactile feedback Subaru! Agree on the side skirt issue too. As far as the central display pod, I switched to the engine oil temp display 100% since I don't idle to warm up and drive gently (to warm everything from the tires up) until I get at least 140F before any meaningful boost. My 2020 base model has no sunroof - one is to clear my helmeted head and the other is I prefer steel over glass for protection! Nothing has surpassed my 2004 SRT-4 "Viper" seats to date! My performance "mods" have been to replace the lame OEM brake pads with some Hawk pads since the car wouldn't slow very well at autocross speeds, max'ed out the front negative camber via the OEM bolts/strut slots and the Group N transmission mount and torque arm to minimize power train wrap up during a start - no engine mods for me. But I do wish the OEM tuning did not have the blatant torque dip - never had a car with such poor OEM engine tuning!
Would you be able to make individual videos about certain Subaru vehicles as they come out? Because you would be able to explain the mechanic side review of those Subaru’s pros and cons.
I agree! While I don't mind hearing his opinion on the comfort of seats, for example, MrSubaru1387's unique selling point is his deep mechanical expertise when it comes to Subarus. Would definitely follow a "series" of videos like that.
I did add a catch can by the way . So far only a film in the canister with about 1000 miles. I only did the PCV side so far. Meanwhile my PCV side on my twin turbo 3.5 Ford Expedition throws about an ounce or more every 1000 miles. I’m kind of interested to see what the CCV side throws when I put them on both vehicles eventually.
Hill assist in my 2018 Crosstrek had me “jerking my neck” as my spouse was quick to point out. Turned it off.
Had a 2003 WRX - put 225,000 miles on it with no engine or clutch work - best car I ever had but salty roads here in Upper Michigan took out the body.
Thanks for the great videos.
John C
I had an 07 TR “Hawk Eye” and I really miss the EJ engine it had 224 hp and I left it stock throughout the whole time owning it. The new FA engine doesn’t have the same rumble as the other one did but I agree the clutch is spongy and the transmission feels different. After an at fault driver crashed into me and totaled the car, I bought the 17 Limited Rex and also keeping it stock. It has a sunroof haha but I don’t mind it’s actually nice with tinted windows (maybe tint yours? I’m sure a young kid will want to buy the car especially from a mechanic). But the clutch and trans I didn’t realize it’s cable...I’ve stalled the car a few times too but as you said, once you drive it a little more, you’ll get used to it. I’ve heard the new Ascent engine may be the one going to the STI so that will be interesting to see if it makes it. Thanks for posting and for the other vids! Def enjoy watching!
Every time I hear the sweet, deep rumble of a Subaru, anywhere, I yell in the most guttural Japaneseish voice:
“ SUBARUUUU !!!! “
As far as the side skirts go I had the same issue on my legacy for the first couple months it’s not as bad as the WRX however! I totally agree with you sunroofs I hardly ever use them out here in California they leak and they add weight and its weight up top, I remember back in 13 test driving one with the sunroof and the sunroof was defective from the factory it wasn’t even sealing right, I told the salesman that you got an issue with the sunroof hopefully they fixed it for the next person! I ordered mine the salesman thought I was nuts for not getting the sunroof lol
Yeah, I'm tall and have long legs, still awkward to get in and out of.
The gear shift feels exactly the same in my 2015 wrx as the shifter in my 2002 wrx wagon felt. At one point I had both cars at the same time and they seriously felt the same. Clutch feels the same in mine too. & yes the throttle has no feel too it & the hill holder comes on way too often. I hate it. It drives me crazy and does cause me to get a weird feeling when releasing the clutch at times. Same complaint about the side skirts too. Mine has a deep scratch that my wife put in it somehow.
Agreed w the clutch and shifter. The Perrin shift bushing helps a little bit. I still wish it had a more solid feel.
I’ve asked on forums about the clutch, because it wasn’t sure if it was normal. It doesn’t have that tactile feedback you get with other vehicles.
I was actually going to ask if a clutch upgrade would change the feel. Is that something I can look into?
I have a 2012 Impreza non turbo... and the clutch peddle is just garbage... like you I’ve driven many many manual transmissions even 18 speeds... I’ve stalled that Subaru so many times🤦♂️. When I bought it new the sales guy stalled it twice and I stalled it 3 times on the test drive but I refused to get a CVT. It’s quirky and took me over 10k miles of driving it to get it down. When my mom visits she refuses to drive it since the clutch peddle is so heavy(she has prosthetic knees). It’s at 110k miles now with orig clutch still going strong.. I had to buy my own change holder too🙄
Love the videos
2020 WRX here. I had to put a stage two on mine with a pro tune to get it to drive how I thought it should have. However, the clutch is still mushy regardless. Looking at selling mine and getting an outback.
I have a 2020 Limited,
I wasn't told that the transmission was cable operated, but I figured it out on the way home about an hour from the dealer. TBH being cable operated doesn't bother me too much, I was accustomed to cables from my CG5 accord. The other manuals I have run are the strong CD009, and the 5spds from both USDM 240sx, so I am 3:2. There is definitely a lack of feedback from the shifter, and the throws are still wider than I'd like, my invoice shows that I have a factory installed STI short throw. I would give the shifting experience a 6/10.
The clutch pedal is okay..., I get a wide range of feedback, sometimes too much. I have had the car for about 3 months and about 2700 miles, I believe that I have some dead space in the top of the pedal throw, still working on that. As far as stalls, I think I have stalled this thing maybe twice. I have however, bogged the engine down countless times because of poor feedback in the pedal, every time it happens I am shocked I recovered in time to prevent a stall. I would also give the clutch a 6/10
On your point about the side skirts, they are hella wide! I have hit my door with my shoe so many times so that I avoid kicking the skirt of dragging my pant leg across it. I have never had wide skirts on a vehicle, no rating available
I am surprised at the infotainment review, I am not pleased with mine. I remind myself at least once a day that I bought a car not a radio. I think the system is sluggish and has poor build quality, the buttons are sloppy and the touch interface takes a few attempts to register that it has been interacted with. For the infotainment head unit 3/10.
On the point of the smaller digital cluster at the center of the dash. I would like to see the ability to rearrange the order of the screens and add in other things like digital water temperature, oil pressure, transmission temperature, etc.
For the FA20, I have hope for it despite the added complexity. The VE of the engine compared to the EJ20 clearly suffers, but the trade off is a more efficient engine. I hope that with time the design can mature and be a worthy successor. I am in agreement on the timing business though, except the chain, I hate timing belts.
Just my 0.02
I've driven and lot of manual cars too and In my 2017 wrx I actually have no problems with the clutch or transmission. I probably will upgrade the shifter bushing but otherwise mine feels perfectly fine and I like it. I am also running a catch can so direct injection shouldn't be too much of an issue anymore. With some simple bolt ons these cars can easily make 300 whp. I've known so many people with ej series engines that have had them blow up with low mileage and it wasn't even because they were neglected. I've heard far fewer cases with this engine
Hey man just got a 2003 WRX bone stock gunna watch a lot of your vids for assistance. Not new to wrenching just new to Subaru
Edit: Also the 02 and 03 WRX with EJ205 put out around 13 or 14 pounds of boost and made 227 hp or about 170kw at the crank
I have a 2019 wrx with 22,000 miles on it. You do get used to the clutch, I stalled at first too. You will get used to it. I like driving with traction control off. It seems to drive better.
After his opening, "bad clutch/batch shifter" salvo at the front end of the video, 19:35 is about when he rips into the engine mechanics with a lot of high quality info. (I wonder if my family would consider a visit to MrSubaru1387 a good stop on our planned South Carolina spring break road trip...haha...well, at least I know who to call if our Outback has trouble down there!)
Have you considered importing a 1st gen WRX? Could get a wagon super cheap.
My complaint is that the cam phasers all had to be upgraded one at a time with the last two giving up after the warranty ran out.
Can you take out the return spring? I know the BRZ folks have been doing that to help with clutch feel
but also if you've driven manuals all your life did you realize these issues when you first test drove the car or did you would end up liking it?
So I average about 24 miles per gallon and that’s going through a couple spots in the city of Sacramento and then jumping onto the highway and round-trip to work is about 40 miles a day however I’ve been doing 80 miles an hour and there’s a huge fuel economy difference from 65 to 80 I’ve noticed with the EZ36 5EAT i’m running mobile one synthetic 5:30 in the engine mobile one synthetic in the differentials and the OEM fluid in the transmission I stay on top of all my oil changes every 5K and I do the tranny about every 20k however we get crappy fuel out here in California it’s such a joke I think if I got whatever guess y’all have back there would make a huge difference
I'm really debating buying a 2020 wrx premium but it seems like a lot of people that i talk to have a lot of issues with it. So im guessing with your experience it's not worth it??
Hey I have a question and IDK how to use send a message on CZcams 😅. I want to know how reliable would you think a 5 speed from a 2003 outback with 261k miles would be and should I be worried about it failing soon? Car shifts great, changed the fluid, nothing too disgusting, no unsually sized pieces of metal, looks pretty normal to me. Just would like to hear your opinion on this, thank you in advance!
I have a '17 WRX and an '08 STi. The WRX is my third, previously had an '02 and '07. I agree on the shifter and clutch. Also, would add the rev hang that I experience mostly between 1st and 2nd gear is brutal and the steering, although pretty direct, doesn't return the feel that the hydraulic system of the STi gives you or the previous WRX's. I think the current chassis is much improved though and makes the WRX feel smaller than it is. All in all it's a heck of a car compared to its competitors, especially for those of us who drive in harsh climates. There is a significant difference between WRX/STi still despite what a lot of people say. Not sure that'll be the case when the new gen materializes.
I totally forgot to mention the rev hang. Makes smooth shifts difficult, to say the least.
My previous car (Civic SI) had rev hang between 1st and 2nd that I thought was slightly worse, but it’s definitely still an issue with the WRX. I have found no answers other than to wait, short shift, accept a rough shift, or slip the clutch.
Gotta be a weird sensation a stick gear transmission with cables, cannot imagine it...
I had 2017 premium, before the sport package was offered, and my biggest issue was the rev hang. I thought the car otherwise drove well, but that rev hang sure made it tough to enjoy the freeway on-ramps. I had no problems with the clutch or the feel of the shifter. Did you end up selling your wrx? Anyway, I enjoyed all the info. 👍
Sold it March 2020
Yeah and my cable got messed up on my 2017. First ever problem but a big one cause I can’t drive it now lol
I wonder if there is a way to integrate D4-S onto an FA20 or newer FA24?
I mean if it works on a BRZ why wouldn't it work on an Impreza or WRX?
The BRZ under hood packaging is even tighter than the Subaru sedan and wagon models
I suspect there will be too many different component locations to do that but, I'm still curious especially if they share similar ECUs/PCMs and the pin out is similar why not.
I was looking to get a newer STi but after watching this I think I’ll stick with my GGA (bugeye wagon) or find a clean older STi if there are any still around. I love the solid feel of everything on the older chassis, and would hate to lose that just to have a bit more power that I don’t really need anyway.
Also I had a brand new GDB in 2002 and aside from the terrible RE92 tires, it felt great right off the dealer lot. You didn’t have to do much to really enjoy driving the old bugeyes. Just remove the 6 disc CD changer and put in a 7” touchscreen and that’s all the infotainment I need.
I'm currently in the market to upgrade from an oil consuming 2.0i I bought in college... Completely undecided right now. I'm used to the EJ platform, but I can't see my self investing in it again. Old, dated, same stuff everyone has been saying for years. For now, I'm holding out hoping Subaru will make something fun, without a damn CVT...
WoodyVT test drive an ‘18, ‘19, or ‘20 STI. You may be pleasantly surprised.
STI still has ej and rodlinkage shifter. I dunno if clutch has that stupid assist spring mechanism tho
Pulled thr intake manifold off to clean the valves on our 2015 wrx but once I saw the valves I realized it didn't need any cleaning. Maybe we got lucky because my wife has a lead foot?
Have you driven the 2020 WRX? If so, could you please provide some comments on it? Rev-hang is supposedly better
What are you listing it for?
I'm sad to hear the news but not surprised. It seems as if they never know where to stop.
I have a 2018 WRX Premium. There are really only a couple things I'm not a fan of on the car. I hate the clutch pedal feel, and the rev hang in 2nd gear is annoying as hell. I turned the hill assist off as it bothered me but I can no longer hold that against the car.
It's the stupid hill hold feature? I stall my 18 Forester all the time because it randomly engages the hill holder. I tried following the instruction in the manual multiple times and I just can't disable it
I have a 2020 wrx premium performance pack. They now come with 4 piston brembos in the front and 2 at the rear. I’ve heard that they are the same as the pre 2015 sti brembos. Can’t check this and I’m looking for a good track pad to run. Is this true? Also it the same for a series white. Thanks to anyone who can help.
To increase braking performance in any vehicle, ceramic brake pads with new rotors. Is it equipped with ceramic brake pads?
I believe they used a semi metallic pad on these rather than ceramic. May be wrong though. I do know it was a different compound than normal WRX models. Then, for 2020 they got Brembo brakes rather than an ungraded pad compound.
I have a 2021 WRX and agree 100% about the clunky, sloppy shifter. Hopefully mine gets better with age (has only 800 miles on it now) but I've driven numerous stick-shift vehicles over the years and have owned several long-term (Jeep, S-10 pickup, '71 Nova) and this new WRX is by far the most awkward and clunky shifter I've ever driven. Why can't they build one that is crisp and precise like a Honda?
That long step exiting the car is for your protection in case of a side crash.
That 20psi of boost is due to having such a small turbo that ensures max torque at 2000rpm instead of 3600rpm with the 13psi ej205.
Well, when you put it like that, I'll take the old, slow, death trap.
@@MrSubaru1387 me too, I have a 2002 wagon wrx I would never part with.
We're just a different species I guess.
How did the clutch spring swap go?
I saw your update a week ago or so, but couldn’t find it again.
Great. Much improved. Planning a video on it. 👍🏻
MY19 and had same issues like you. It does feel better after driving more though. How many miles have you put on so far?
2,800
@@MrSubaru1387 shifter bushing and stopper also helped
I own GG Impreza WRX and BF5 Legacy GT. I really like them both but for the driving experience, BF5 is better than GG. BF5 feels much more mechanical than GG. I guess when the model gets newer, everything becomes numb and disconnected. It’s not the power of the engine. It’s about how the car makes you feel.
So weird about the clutch and shifter. I've got a 21 WRX and I love them.
My wife has an '18 WRX Premium edition. She hates the fact that it's big. There's a Legacy Spec B down the street from us and it's smaller then the new WRX. She went from a '02 BMW Z3 MCoupe to the WRX and performance wise it is a big downgrade, but she wanted an AWD car and there aren't many affordable performance AWD cars out there. She doesn't have any issues with her clutch.
The side skirt issue isn't just you. I ended up putting a strip of 3M paint protection film along the skirts because she was scraping them every time she gets out.
I ended up installing a dual catch can system in the car to help reduce carbon buildup and it collects about 1/2 cup of gunk every 3000 miles.
My wife has the same car (2015 wrx) no catch cans. At 60,000 miles I pulled the intake manifold to walnut blast the intake valves...they were so clean I didn't bother doing it. Seriously the catch cans are unnecessary at least in the case of our car and her daily commute.
I went from a 2011 Legacy 3.6R Limited to my new 2020 WRX Premium CVT. The amount I drive in high way bumper to bumper traffic meant there was no way I was going to get the 6 speed manual. It's a bit weird, but I'm getting used to it, It is fast going through the ratios. I had the paddle shifters with the 3.6R so I get them. Also, the side skirt thing is old hat to me. The Legacy also had those same wide side skirts. Just pivot in the seat and swing your legs out. The rest of the other stuff sounds like you being an old curmudgeon and I know I'm older than you! It's time to put the EJ25 down and move forward with newer tech.
Though I will complain a little about the standard brakes on my Premium, non-sports package (no Brembos for me either) The flexy firewall and 2 piston calipers are just terrible. Again, coming from the 3.6R with its 4 piston fronts I'm just not satisfied. I think a brake upgrade is one of the first big upgrades I get.
yeah... i sort of regret my 2015 wrx. im coming up to a year of having it and the clutch itself is what kills it for me a second close is the stupid rev-hang. I have had people ask me if im just starting to learn how to drive a manual car, because is never smooth. Ive owned 4 cars before this one and were all manual. Also... the seating position is just awkward.
everyone says that getting a cobb and tuning the car can make it feel that much better but i rather keep my CPO warranty. such a shame, i love the car otherwise.
Nope I have a 2020 sti and I can’t believe you said you been driving manual since 6 as I have been driving manual since 13 years old old my dads car and 5 speed on my Mazda Rx7 at 17 years old. Omg I thought I was the only one with stalling out this car and not enjoying driving it at all
funny you say that but it is a big reason why I would sell mine shift quality is not the best.
I had a 2015 premium wrx with the sloppy 6spd. It was garbage and the rev hang was horrendous. Other than that, it was a fun car. Oh and the "audio system unavailable" message popped up quite a bit.
The rev hang is bad. I've learned how to overcome it without riding the clutch. When it's hot out the car pulls power pretty aggressively at about 3500rpm. The clutch is weird. I don't hate it though. Overall I love my 2019 WRX. But, this is my first Subaru so I don't have anything to compare it to. I feel like the WRX checks all the boxes, and does it for less than $30k. I feel like it would be hard to get more car for 28 grand unless you buy used.
Yeah, I forgot to mention the rev hang...
Supposedly, the rev hang has been eliminated for 2020.
@@d.w.j.1114 lol I own a 2020 and there's still rev hang. the worst clutch ever, already kicking myself for trading by 2010 hatch in
... I had a loaded 2014 FXT. It was a POS. Traded that off for a crosstrek for the wife and went back to a 2005 FXT with 170k on it for myself. Couple grand with of parts and it drove like new. The older subarus are a lot more fun to drive.
I'd have been happier with another 02-07 I'm sure.
@@MrSubaru1387 Also - > thanks for the videos. You've helped me get several things apart.
@@benjaminlately you're welcome. 👍🏻
Agree. I recently had my 2005 Outback (174K miles) in for another airbag recall, and they gave me a brand new loaner Forester (which is nice in a lot of ways; terrible in others--how they manage to make cars bigger on the outside, but smaller on the inside is forever a mystery to me) but my primary thought was, "I can't wait to get MY car back."
Do you have similar transmission complaints about the newer model STI?
No. They still use rods instead or cables.
Other things I hate...the street noise coming from the trunk when the
seats in the back are down. The lack of clearance. Not everyone drives
at track speeds, so speed bumps become hazards. Asshole tire guy takes
my car out for a joy ride when I bought winter tires.(day 20). No one
ever took my Suzuki for a joy ride, I'd prefer it that way. "Turbo lag",
I don't think it's actually the turbo doing this, as others have posted
online that a retune would eliminate this. It's more of a computer
configuration that makes for a lacklustre take off at the lower rpm
range. I can live with it as long as this would allow for engine
longevity. Truth is the other option would be a Civic Sport. UHG!
Would you trade it in for a BRZ with the STI package? Also, how do yo think the fa20 will hold up against carbon build up on the valves from using DIT?
No. Too small of a car for me. Not a BRZ fan honestly.
Ah you answered the second part in the video.
@@dominicancheif117 If u pair an decent AoS like one from IAG with a EGR delete. It will eliminate the carbon buildup issues.
@@timothyvu7006 don’t got those here in Ontario Canada anymore. 👍🏾
You pretty much summed up why I hate my 2018 Mazda 3 hatch. The 2.5 na makes 185hp/184 ftlbs of torque. The horrible mushy vague clutch ,cable shifter and drive by wire ruin it. Otherwise everything else is great. I prefer my 97 Outback 5mt way more. It drives how a manual should. I'm trading mine in after 1.5 years. For a Tacoma or if I convince the wife a 11-14 Sti.
If the manual transmission is undesirable for the vehicle, it defeats a large part of the appeal.
I have a ej253 6MT '12 outback and love the clutch and gear box.
56,000miles
It has a damper in the clutch system, it’s right above the pedal. Delete it. I had the exact same experience with the clutch in my 2010 legacy gt. That damper completely eliminates the feel of the clutch. Stupid stupid system. The delete is easy.
On the cable trans, I’m with you. Too notchy, sucks in the cold and sloppy.
You know you hate the car when the first thing you like about the wrx is the infotainment system when it's the most outdated infotainment system in the car business.
You have to think of this car from a marketing perspective, the WRX is now for the average consumer who does not know exactly how the car works (cable shifter, electronic throttle) and wants the "fast" version of the car. All you need to know is that this "WRX" is sold with a CVT, and the manual has the same cable shifter and center differential from the 19k base model impreza.
Subaru does this intentionally so that people who want the REAL version of the car are forced to pay yet another 9k to get the STI model on top of the extra 9k for the WRX over the impreza.
Meanwhile they can mass produce the fake "WRX" by making minimal changes to the impreza base and sell them to average ignorant consumers at a price that is much cheaper than any BMW but more expensive than almost any other Subaru.
The real "competition" for the WRX are the Civic SI and Focus RS, so as long as the WRX is better than those cars your average consumer will buy it and the real drivers will buy the STI.
why did you bother buying this car lol. agreed with all of your points regardless but they don't seem to bug me enough to sell, albeit I do miss my 2010. it just shifted a lot better. I do have this seriously annoying clicking sound every time I release my brake pedal and im guessing it isn't supposed to do that. I only have 400 miles on my 2020
This is really making me kick myself in the ass for selling my 02 wrx.
I really think I'd been happier with another 02-07.
02 sport wagon treated me very well for over 200000 miles.
no sun roof is lighter too
Trade ya my 19 Legacy sport... 8k om it 😁
Yeah right now toilet on the 20% a Subaru but I think in the year is coming forward you’re going to basically on all the Subaru and that’s my issue holding me back from buying a WRX an STI I’m totally confused but you’ve made great points buddy
I have that same 2020 WRX with performance pkg and felt exactly as you described it. However, my car is currently at 13k+ miles and I can tell you it is starting to feel super different. The clutch and shifting is becoming smoother. Funny story...got the short block replaced at 9k miles.
What was the cause of the block
I totally agree. I like pretty much everything about my 2019 WRX except the clutch and shifter. Which is bad since that’s the focus of the car! I find myself focusing constantly on my shifting, it’s almost a game to hit the shifts without a hiccup. The first gear is ridiculously tall in comparison to second gear. I think that’s a lot of it. I think that might be a “rally heritage” thing but who knows. I feel like I’m in an old truck going from granny gear to second with the difference in the ratios. I kill it constantly and I’ve driven manual most of my life. I love the handling, brakes, trunk, seats, etc. Power isn’t too bad, my view it’s better to have a relatively slow car that you have to push a bit than a ridiculously fast one you can only really use at the track. I’m in California so our smog rules are so stupid we can’t even put a catch can on legally, so big mods probably won’t happen. If the economy or politics don’t kill it, I might look at the 2022 WRX or STI with its 400 HP. We’ll see.
They have the granny low 1st due to being AWD and having relatively low torque low in the boxer engine.
Did you trade it with car max?
No. Local Subaru dealer bought it from me.
Man, I am getting one that was sold in SC and shipped to carmax in TN. So I wasn't sure. Lol