Trading in for wrx?

[Ground Speed]

You need what meets your personal needs/wants/desires. No one but you can answer that question. If four doors is a great thing and better winter driving characteristics favor the WRX then let that be your guide.

This is sound advice.

Going from a Mustang to a WRX is like going from a Mustang to a Raptor truck. Sure they are both "sporty" but totally different vehicles, so it's hard to do a side by side comparison.

I've never been a fan of Subaru (I've owned two old sedans in the past) and I'm not fond of the "family car with a wing" styling that the WRX always seems to have.

That being said, I know they are decent and have a loyale following (that's a Subaru joke), and if you want 4 doors and AWD, you don' t have a lot of sporty options out there.

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[ForTehNguyen]

[ame]

 

[Hack]

I was interested in a WRX, but they are too expensive for what you get IMO. At least in my area of the country they are. Then I looked at sporty hatches and they were mostly the same way. Very expensive and not much performance. I'd buy some snow tires. You'll get around fine in the snow. If you are the type that gets really nervous or insecure about driving rear wheel drive in slippery conditions, I can definitely understand why you would pay more for less performance, though. It's very confidence inspiring having 4WD certain days of the year. Even FWD is better in the snow on those few days of the year that are very slippery. But if you try a newer Mustang with snow tires you will be surprised at how good they are. Plus they are more fun on the less slippery days.

 

[RedRyan98]

I had a 2015 (first year of the recent gen) for about 6 months. On paper, great car and convinced myself I wanted one. In reality, I couldn't stand it. Yes, AWD in winter is nice, but (to me) RWD is more fun the ~345 days a year it isn't snowing. Plus with snow tires you'll get around just fine with RWD and have a lot of fun doing it.

The reasons I couldn't stand mine...

First off, its pretty ugly though with certain colors/wheels it can look somewhat decent
Throttle response was pretty bad
Rev hang was horrible
Manual Trans was the worst I've driven
The ride was uncomfortable, though supposedly the '18 is better
Carbon deposits are pretty bad with this car. Have fun cleaning those valves!
Interior looks cheap and dated

I think there were others that I can't think of at this point. Even with a couple mods and a stage 1 tune it simply wasn't a car I enjoyed driving. Left me frustrated instead of happy more often than not. But if you're interested definitely try one out. The beauty of a WRX is you can pick one up and if you don't like it sell/trade in for not much less than you paid for it. I "only" lost about $1,500 on mine in the six months I had it.

 

[swat 79]

A couple of things about the WRX:

It has a great turn in and virtual no body roll. It also has 4 Doors, AWD, and is fun to drive.

It is slow compared to the mustang, especially from any speeds outside of a dig. You'll miss the sound, and you won't like the non-linear power build up (I don't know if anyone does).

 

[FranzVonHoffer]

I loved my WRX but the lack of torque got annoying.

I probably have a shallow ego as well, because I always felt I was driving my kids car.

 

[SJulian10mm]

I remember getting excited back in 04 when they brought out the STi with 300hp and AWD...13 years later it's still 300hp. Mustang has gone from 260 to 460 in 14 years.

 

[Hashbrownn]

I'll never ever buy another Subaru ever again.
Why not get a truck with 4x4 for winter driving? mine works well as a sled lift in the snow.

 

[NoVaGT]

So I've had the urge to trade in for a wrx lately. The 2018 looks great and I love that I could have 4 doors and the awd would come in handy here in the north west come winter time. I love my mustang but it's just a thought that I have had. What do you guys think? Any advice?

Other people's advice means nothing.

It's your decision to make, no one else can make it for you.

 

[Rock&Roll]

They're so frekkin ugly but whatever, enjoy.

 

[crs2879]

I know "Subies' have an almost cult following but I bought my wife an Outback in the early 2000's and I was generally unimpressed with it. Boxer engine was very smooth but the overall quality of the car left a lot to be desired. Weirdest thing was both headlights went out, about 1 week apart, within the first month we owned the car. Worst issue was that vintage engine had an issue with head gasket leaks (I think Subaru was even hit with a class-action suit over it). Our car had the exact same symptoms as the recall cars but Subaru told me my VIN did not fall within the "affected" cars. After going back and forth with them for weeks (including having to send them copies of every receipt showing I had followed the maintenance schedule by the book), they agreed to pay for 1/2 the repair....better than nothing but huge hassle. I would get intermittent CEL lights that the dealer could never find an actual fault....very annoying. I finally got rid of it at 80K miles when the catalytic converter went bad. I would put it 2nd on my list of least reliable vehicles I have owned....

 

[bootlegger]

I owned a 2011 WRX STI for about 3.5 years. I traded my 2008 Mustang GT in for it, as I was living in VA and got tired of being stuck any time it snowed. The turbo lag and throttle response sucked in stock form. After I got a Cobb tune, it was much better. The quality of the 2.5L engine sucked, and I had constant knock issues in stock or tuned form. The car felt very cheap in the interior. That said, the WRX has the newer DI engine, and I have heard good things about their reliability. The regular rex will not feel as solid as a GT PP, but still not bad. I would say get what you need. If 4 doors and AWD are must haves, go for it. Just remember you are comparing a 4 door econobox to a 2 door pony car.
FYI, the Focus RS isn't a good comparison against the WRX (someone suggested this). The two cars are about $12k apart, and the RS is much more limited.

 

[nastang87xx]

As with a few others, only you can make that call.

 

[whalesalad]

I wouldn't jump to a regular WRX but I have considered the STI. My fiancé has a Cobb Stage 2 STI and it's fun as hell to drive. The driver ergonomics blow the Mustang out of the water too... the recaro seats are more aggressive but still comfy for a DD, and the position of things like the steering wheel and shifter are superior. Plus it has a true flat bottom wheel that is made of something that doesn't feel like a used lambskin condom (i'm lookin at you, Ford).

I drove my GT PP last winter with Blizzaks but I am not looking forward to doing it again. Driving it wasn't the bad part, the damage is what bugs me. I hit some rough gravel that was embedded in frozen snow and have bad scrapes that look like curb rash on my PP wheels now. When I installed my Corsa catback I noticed quite a few rust spots on the exhaust bits (nothing on the frame or anywhere else, fortunately).

Anyway... do what makes you happy bro. I think that I would miss the power of the V8 and all the other creature comforts that come with having a Premium Performance Package ... but I would love to have something that I can throw around in the winter with AWD.

 

[16EBPPAY]

Snow Tires in Winter

Running a good snow tire in the winter is sufficient with either FWD or RWD cars. I've run Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's on both types in Michigan for the last 12 years. None of the 3 cars have ever failed to get us where we were going, or gotten stuck. That says quite a bit about having the right rubber as one was a turbocharged Miata.
Even the wife who hates snow can't figure out why everyone seems to drive so slow with them on. You can generally keep up with any of the AWD vehicles until it comes to braking, at which point they'll be way out in front of you The same goes for cornering too, snow tires work in all directions, AWD doesn't have that advantage.

AWD + Nokian's would probably be scary fast though...

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