Aria Rashidzadeh that’s a bummer. I drive a manual 2013 GTI and love it. The clutch was expensive to replace though. My mechanic said it was bigger than clutches he’s swapped on Ford F150s.
Aria Rashidzadeh I have a 2018 and yeah, the transmission is not very smooth. It has bad rev hang going into second gear which is annoying if you live in places with heavy traffic like I do. The rev hang could be fixed with a tune but I have no intentions of voiding my warranty.
Aria Rashidzadeh I think you were experiencing the driveline shock they were talking about. Subaru’s have a real awd system that does not like losing traction at all. That’s what that shaking is, it’s the car desperately trying keep the wheels from slipping
I bought a 2020 brand new in November, and every day I drive it feels like my first test drive. It has no techno bullshit that plagues other new cars. It's like the best of the early 2000s in a brand new car
Hear, hear! Got my '20 in mid-November and I completely agree with everything you've said there. My roommate can't understand my desire for fewer 'features'. I adore the simplicity.
@Michael Davis I'm about to sell my 18 Type R for a 2020 base wrx. Just bought a house and kind of want to have more cash to spend on house projects, but honestly, I have been through the golf r, sti, wrx and the wrx or sti both feel very nice when hopping in from the Type R. The only thing I will miss is the engine. Both the sti or wrx have a nice old school feel that the Type R lacks, and the awd will make it a more fun car all year round. Gotta say though, I am not a track guy and haven't fully experienced the Type R as it should, it just is not for me.
:D hear hear! I got a 2020 in November! Base model! I think it has the OEM short shift. Thing is quick when I want, basic, roomy, fun, and gets awesome mpg (compared to my old STi hahha). Thinking of Cobb Stage 1... I bought the accessport but it's still in the box...
Every model since 2000 has got more futuristic & ridiculous looking, to the point they now look like a bmw crossed with a prius & a civic. They've all looked awful since they changed from the original impreza.
Yuri’s happiness when he shifts from first to second is sooo noticeable vs when Jacob was shifting it-well then again, he was trying to rip through the gears and Yuri wasn’t
@@YuriTereshyn hold down the button for 3 seconds and it completely turns off the traction control and hill start. it will launch less clunky but with access port flash and new computer turbo lag is gone and it will launch like a champion
@@oslotismcboom6733 - LOL! That is why everyone drives them off the road into ditches at the first sign of bad weather, while cars make it through all right. Also SUVs are all ugly monstrosities (along with all Nissans, especially the Joke which is kind of an SUV).
Great video fellas. I have a 2018 STI and i do agree with your statement about driving it smoothly. It definitely takes some getting used to drive it smooth and sometimes even a conscious effort. I do hear the WRX is harder to drive smoother than the STI? Nonetheless, I love it. It's my affordable dream car like your raptor and plymouth - not without its faults, but so much character!
I’m team AWD, live in Portland, ME. Even my friend’s FWD with good winter tires doesn’t do as well on the hills as my wrx does. I also like to go adventure up north. Lots of mud and dirt in some of those back roads
@Tyler Wilson It's mostly just the roads to get to my camp. Not really going mudding, but definitely need the awd just to get the cabin haha. The side by side is for the trails!
One of my favorite reviews for a while, Intro was og pipes. You guys are super chill and happy in this. Review was informative without being overdone. Really want a WRX in the future 🤞🏼
@@THESLlCK Im not sure what you mean. But I'm pretty cool with my Subaru tech advisor and even show me the parameters they look at to see if you where tuned or not. I don't think there is hiding it. I may be wrong though.
@@THESLlCK ECU has the vin number programmed into it. If a dealer wants to find a fault of yours to deny your warranty, trust me they will. They have more equipment than your average car owner. They will know.
only thing about their “i don’t need AWD in snow” argument is if you live on a solid hill not near a major city u may have issues getting up it if the plow hasn’t come by, i know im thankful for my quattro when i am about to climb my hill before the plow has hit it while passing front and rear wheel drive cars at a stand still midway up the hill
No kidding, Snow tires have apparently gotten so good I guess the Military can buy RWD tanks fitted with a good set of snow tires. Imagine the savings!
WRX Base model is awesome. I love how it doesn’t not have any of that comfort or sport modes. It simply a car. Get in and drive. Also best to upgrade with aftermarket parts.
Stephen Ye at this price point, with a spacious backseat and four doors, something I need for my kids still in a car seat, in my opinion this is the best option. I looked at everything that directly compares to this and they are either much slower, not offered in a manual, or too small to be a family daily driver. Or considerably more expensive.
Colt Capperrune That’s fair enough if you are looking for a four door and decent cargo space. I would go for the wrx too in that case. But if you really don’t care about practicality, you can still buy 370z, brz, 2.0 Camaro etc. But none of them are practical tho.
As a person who lives in Colorado, AWD is a must. We don't have any flat roads, all are up or downhill, plus the elevation change alone is enough to warrant it. I drive up a hill with almost 500 feet of elevation to work and back, so that combined with 10+ inches of snow is dangerous without AWD.
I got a 2019 Base WRX. Same car as this review. I love it. The AWD has helped me multiple times (even though the snow this year has been sparse). I did the change the tuning with a COBB access port (and additional few hundred dollars) but that seemed to take care of the rev hang. Also, if you turn off the hill start assist, it really improves the jerkiness. I absolutely love this car as my commuter and it doubles as a sweet vehicle when I want to punch it. Base '19 WRX cost me brand new $25k US. You just can't beat that with any other vehicle and trust me, I was really leaning towards a Golf R but couldn't justify the price tag.
@@Mosio64 It helps a little on inclines. If you are used to driving stick, hill start is just a pain (imo) because it holds the break instead of letting you feather the clutch. Getting a COBB accessport and remapping (literally, plug and play, took about 5 minutes) really helps a lot because the rev hang is reduced significantly which makes it more enjoyable to commute and drive like a maniac :)
@TheMetalGuy852 I hear you. But to be fare we need to compare getting a new WRX vs Golf R. And the delta between the two price tags is pretty large. I've had my 19 wrx for 1.5 years and the only mod I've done is remap the ECU with a COBB accessport. I hear ya if I were trying to eck out even more HP, and modded even more, than the value of the Golf R becomes more apparent. Dont get me wrong, If i were to spend 40-50k I think I would be looking at the GOLF R and frankly a few others :)
"I got a 2019 Base WRX. Same car as this review. " No, it's not the same car as the review; big price difference. I also have the $25K base, and in spite of it's quirks, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm biased towards Japanese, otherwise there's good argument for the many, many other model choices beside VW. Cheers.
Just bought a basic one with a short shifter and fog lights for 28.5K USD and having previously owned a Dodge Dart (don't get me started) and a Crosstrek, this thing is so much fun.
This review definitely helped with my decision. I was looking at this and the 2020 Si. The AWD and more power is what did it. I ended up getting a Sport Tech (one trim level below this). Thank you both for another amazing and well thought out review!
Great choice. I was in the same position in 2019 and chose the si. Something about it just drove nicer to me. I have since sold it though and am very excited for the new 2022 wax model.
How is the WRX? How you liking it after 3 years? I have a 2020 Si right now and there's a 2020 WRX at a dealership in my city that I'm considering at looking at. And does yours have bad rev hang?
@@riley1733 if it has rev hang, I’ve gotten used to it. My WRX is now NexGen Stage 2 and has 54xxx km on it. AWD is great in winter. Great community and company support as well
I myself have a 2018 Civic Si. Great daily driver, sun roof heated seats, android auto (all for $23,000). Get 30-42 MPG. Handling is amazing and feeling the LSD rip you out of corners is addicting. Also have a 2003 5-speed forester for the bad weather. The best of both worlds.
When I drive the Honda on back roads it makes sense. Plenty of torque and with the LSD and the overall driving dynamics you do not need crazy power. When i drive my Subaru on snowy roads the car comes alive and you can tell it is in its element.
I had a 2003 Subaru WRX STI Type UK Prodrive (a ridiculous mouthful) and I had an absolutely great time in it. This car looks almost identical with a slightly different body shape and seems hardly to have changed at all in 16 years. I think you are quite right, it really does need a refresh.
Their point about the "sloppy" driveline issue is true. I had a 2019 and it simply wasn't fun to drive between the driveline shocking and the rev hang. I traded it in after about six months.
Just didn’t have the patience to figure out how to drive it smoothly.. and that’s okay. I have a damn near still brand new 2021 with 4K miles and I’ve figured it out after about 1k miles.
I loved the WRX when I test drove it. Right after that I test drove an STI and and couldn't go back to the WRX. I've had my 2019 STI for one year and it's overall (based on fun, driving engagement, cargo space, AWD) the best car I've ever owned. MPGs are low but smiles per mile are high.
The way I shift from 1st to 2nd in my 17 WRX is that I give a tiny bit of throttle when I'm engaging the clutch. You just gotta know how much gas to give it during the shift, but most of the time it works pretty well.
If only there were a version of this chassis with a large, easily accessed cargo area for increased utility. If only some sort of WRX hatch/wagon were possible...
I love this car. I want it. Affordable, turbocharged, standard transmission, awd fun. But, it would be nice to have an updated body style. Other than that, it’s great. And btw, I’d take a WRX STI over a Type R ANY DAY 100%. Great review guys.
Yeah I wish I had enough to afford it at the moment. I'd be down with the base trim honestly. It has everything I want in a car (Sporty, plenty of room, AWD)
@@coflyer2949 Subaru head gaskets only really blew on the old EJ25 SOHC motors from the mid 90's to about 2007. WRX/STI's had their issues but only blew head gaskets if there was a true cooling issue. More typically, modded WRX/STI's will spin a rod bearing or crack a ring land (piston). Stock ones occasionally have issues but frankly have fewer issues than most performance cars at any price point. The biggest issue is that people just mod them like crazy, subaru needs to put more power in these off the shelf and shut down the ECU hacking.
@@BrandoDrum I agree, the other issue with these cars is that there's a cult following so they hold their value way better than they should. These cars are actually really underpowered from factory, and I would personally mod one just because I need more power, but my current car is super reliable. I know it will start every morning, and it makes 300hp, which is plenty enough for me.
Went from a 2002 Impreza RS to a 2005 WRX. Was disappointed. Went from a 2005 WRX to 2015 WRX and it absolutely blew me away. It's hard to overstate just how much better the new ones are, in every respect. Get a new one. 8)
Quite possibly the best car I've owned. (2015 WRX base) Nothing else has been more reliable, more fun, and cheap to own. It is a great family car and quite capable on twisty roads/track with very little modifications. I have not left it stock since 30k miles and I am now approaching 134k miles with ZERO problems. And I have not driven it gently either (still on stock clutch). It returns fantastic MPG on road trips for a 300ish whp car. WRXs get a lot of hate but personally I would never get rid of mine and I'll probably buy another one if something does happen to mine. If only more people bought them.
Beautiful, old school classic with just the right mix of new stuff like blind spot monitor, nice seamless infotainment and that amazing awd. Good looks, manual and a streamlined (in the best way possible) driver experience. If i had that kinda money rn, would go for it for sure!
After watching this video I purchased a 2020 wrx premium performance pack. The U.S. wrx equipped with the brembo breaks. I’ve tracks the car twice now and put 6k miles on it. It’s one of the best first time track cars for the money. I’ve not needed to to upgrade break pads or fluid yet and the recaro seats are great. The factory sunroof deleted sucks but I still have heated seats. At Watkins glen in the rain the car fell Uber confident. Initial push but tons of grip on corner exit. The factory Dunlop sport maxx tires are predicable and ware well on track. The car can use, like every wrx/sti, more front camber and a stiffer rear sway bar, and michilen sport 4s tires. I also get 30 mpg commuting on the highway with shell v-power 93. Power is good and it’s very stable at high speed 130+ mph. Needs better headlights. Swapped to led bulbs but will probably do the 17 sti led swap.
Do you like it? If yes then buy it. These are not for everyone so if you can forgive the atrocious ergonomics, rattly interior and Subaru's fragile paint... Then keep it since fun, practical and affordable manuals are becoming more and more rare.
I just bought the same a few days ago but 2018. Already put over thousand miles on it in the few days I’ve had it lmao. Def fun as fuck. Just wanna make the exhausts a little louder cause that Subi gurgle exhaust sound was always one of my favorites.
AWD is the best most fun and safest after 20 years on the road and over 20 different cars and trucks owned Subaru has by far been the most overall fun and reliable car I’ve owned.
Boys, drive up to Thunder Bay and come experience what true winter feels like. AWD truly comes in handy when you don't live down in tropical Toronto. Love you guys and everything you do, keep it up!
I'm old. Drove a '73 mach-1 in 86, senior year. 88 5.0 in college. 73 mr Norms challenger 340 4bbl 4spd in grad school. Designed cars for a short spell. Wife had 3 omni glh turbos. 92 galant VR4. 03 evo 8. Got rid of all that and focused on home-schooling my kids for ten years. Big win. To get my blood pumping again I bought a 2020 wrx. Black. Clearbra. Dark triple. O/A separator. Tiptoed it for the first 5k. Then K&N. Booyah! I'm back, baby! Traded our ho-hum 16 Kia forte 6spd 1.8 for the new GT about a month later. I like my WRX. I LOVE my Kia Forte GT!!!
Buying this car for AWD isn’t just about winter though.. I genuinely enjoy AWD dynamics. Car grips like there’s no tomorrow, 4-wheel drifts are predictable and safe, and the basic 50/50, VLSD dynamics are so basic and yet, so instrumental in making this a fun, easy, and impressively capable little machine. It’s October in the pacific NW, and I’m just about to get my winters put on. But I went for a drive in heavy rain today and had a blast breaking traction. The car always caught me, like I knew it would, and losing/re-gaining traction was so predictable and controllable. It’s just a fun, decently powered, manual, AWD sport sedan experience, and a bargain for what you get. The fact that it can handle any conditions, seat 4 and has a big trunk is all bonus. It’s a great daily. It’s not a smooth or comfy car, but I love my WRX.
Nope, don't need to slip the clutch, just have to be very slow with your shifts. And it is a bit sloppy being that it's a cable actuated shifter. Don't get me wrong I love my 17 wrx. But I wanted a real sports car so I'm trading for an sti
I still dig these cars and I like what Subaru is doing with their interiors right now. They have character and personality all their own. That being said I am really interested in the redesign that's coming next year as the current WRX is quite old.
5:58 "it's in the cool category now cause it's so old it's good" had me rolling. As far as snow tires go, they DO make a difference. I'm from the northeast US and our winters are pretty nasty. I've had snow tires twice. Once on my 1996 lowered Ford Probe GT with an intake and exhaust (that car was a blast) and currently on my 2000 Camry (5SFE). Swapping all seasons over from a parts car I picked up soon along with a few other things. PS I've been researching Subaru's lately, mostly the BRZ/FRS/86 vs the 00's Legacy (n/a, manual, sunroof, wing, NOT the GT), and you guys constantly pop up. It makes sense since you're in Canada. You've earned yourself a subscriber. Keep up the great content! Plus it reminds me of my friend and if we were to review cars.
I live in northern MN and have the 2019 WRX. On pavement you are left wanting. On the snowy roads (non stock tires OC) it is a beast. So much fun. My advice is that if you live in an area that dose not get lots of snow in the winter buy a rear wheel drive car. After all, dry pavement is not rally and that is the idea of the wrx.
I had one and drove it for 2 years. just upgraded for a Golf R 2019 6 months ago. the upgrade is insane.... interior and drive experience is not on the same level
ben pilon apart from interior, what would you say you like about driving the Golf R over the WRX. I would consider the WRX if they made in a cool hatch like they used to and if it was a tad smaller
@@harrisonsloan6036 the power delivery. to me the turbo lag was anoying... and the feeling of the manual transmission clutch etc..the feelings is so much cleaner on the vw. the steering feels way more precise too. plus the driving mode is a plus. confort on highway mode race when you wanna send it.
@@samurailottery4052 The chassis will be larger than previous STIs. More safety features for a larger car as well as more creature comforts. Look at the current say, 2018 STI vs the 2005. Is the 2018 faster?
It's the same thing as the 4Runner and the Lexus GX (or any Toyota truck for that matter). Mid cycle, everyone hated them because they were so outdated, now everyone loves them because they're like a "classic" and more traditional/dated.
Still driving a 2000 (manual) Civic DX hatchback. Been great through 20 Ottawa winters, and there is usually a ton more snow here than Toronto, let me tell ya (!)
I had a 2015 WRX and I loved it! It was amazing in the snow and I live south of Buffalo, NY in the "snow belt". I eventually traded in in for a Crosstrek...just because of the ground clearance. Cheers!
I was gonna say something about challenging you to have fun and taking out four friends in the R8. But I'd need the WRX and four friends to make that happen.
I like the fact that the WRX still offers a pretty raw, old-school experience. That's what I and a lot of people prefer, but they never should have dropped the hatchback...big stupid mistake. I will definitely consider buying a WRX if they revive the hatch for the 2021 redesign. I assume they will since they already have the platform to build it on in the current Impreza. This car with a hatchback would be perfection for me.
11:53 "Yeah, you just have to make it do it a different way than the way that you naturally think you need to do, which is with the throttle." Wow, that actually makes sense! Well done! Best sentence of 2020 accomplished.
First time watching this channel and I have to say I really liked it. Quite different from your average car review channel, with a refreshing approach (e.g. "it has the best infotainment system!").
What do you think of the WRX? Modern day classic or desperately needs an update? Would you take it over any of its competitors?
All of Subaru's cars are ultra-reliable
Cool
I would love the hatch again
Shouldve made a hatch with that sharp legacy look but noooo lets give that to the XV with a mediocre power plant
Need a Ford explorer st review been watching a bunch of vids about it would like to see yall's reviews about it
Not a Subaru guy but at least they still make manual transmission.
too bad the manual transmission is trash. I test drove one and I could feel the repair bills every time I shifted into 2nd.
Aria Rashidzadeh that’s a bummer. I drive a manual 2013 GTI and love it. The clutch was expensive to replace though. My mechanic said it was bigger than clutches he’s swapped on Ford F150s.
@@AR-ix8fq Solid assumption considering it's not a smooth transmission, but had mine since 2014 and no repair bills in my MT.
Aria Rashidzadeh I have a 2018 and yeah, the transmission is not very smooth. It has bad rev hang going into second gear which is annoying if you live in places with heavy traffic like I do. The rev hang could be fixed with a tune but I have no intentions of voiding my warranty.
Aria Rashidzadeh I think you were experiencing the driveline shock they were talking about. Subaru’s have a real awd system that does not like losing traction at all. That’s what that shaking is, it’s the car desperately trying keep the wheels from slipping
I bought a 2020 brand new in November, and every day I drive it feels like my first test drive.
It has no techno bullshit that plagues other new cars. It's like the best of the early 2000s in a brand new car
Hear, hear! Got my '20 in mid-November and I completely agree with everything you've said there. My roommate can't understand my desire for fewer 'features'. I adore the simplicity.
Immortalcheese People who usually likes to enjoy driving their car appreciates the simplicity of a car.
@@thrillcraftmcg5804 the less high tech features the less money you spend and waste time at the shop!!.. that's what some people don't understand
@Michael Davis I'm about to sell my 18 Type R for a 2020 base wrx. Just bought a house and kind of want to have more cash to spend on house projects, but honestly, I have been through the golf r, sti, wrx and the wrx or sti both feel very nice when hopping in from the Type R. The only thing I will miss is the engine. Both the sti or wrx have a nice old school feel that the Type R lacks, and the awd will make it a more fun car all year round. Gotta say though, I am not a track guy and haven't fully experienced the Type R as it should, it just is not for me.
:D hear hear! I got a 2020 in November! Base model! I think it has the OEM short shift. Thing is quick when I want, basic, roomy, fun, and gets awesome mpg (compared to my old STi hahha). Thinking of Cobb Stage 1... I bought the accessport but it's still in the box...
Last time I was this early, the Evo still existed.
My girlfriend says that I'm early all the time and should see my doctor...
It exists, it’s that it’s an entry level crossover now.
@@ElZamo92 Are you thinking of the Eclipse Cross?
Last time i was early, the Evo 6 still was in production.
MB AMG A45S and a wheelbarrow of cash to pay for it.
The WRX is the perfect example of maximum sport and power just shy of mid-life crisis level
Idk if I'm at that point but I wanted a fun car, and it delivers. Great car.
the new honda accord touring 2.0l is quicker.
Then how about civic type R
Can confirm, 33 years old and just bought a 2020.
roblox is life yea but this is AWD AND fun. Can’t say that for the accord
*RIP* Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 😢😢💐
They were brothas
inflow divide rip
rip ✊
RIP. So disappointing Mitsubishi still doesn’t do an Evo.
@@henryhealy well, mitsubishi didn't really do well these past years, even on regular-cheap city car. Their mirage is awful.
F, massive respect
Subaru is the only car manufacturer that managed to keep the original style and still be modern.
Every model since 2000 has got more futuristic & ridiculous looking, to the point they now look like a bmw crossed with a prius & a civic. They've all looked awful since they changed from the original impreza.
@@leejohnson3742 nah
@@shob8516 fascinating input, well done...
Nah
Not any more
Me: Started work 10 minutes ago.
Straight pipes: drop new video.
Me: ok time for my 15 min break.
Jonathan Zuege me too
Its 5am here in Cali
Put it on double speed, seven and a half minute break
Jonathan Zuege dude, yes?!?!? Priorities!!
@@flacjacket So I could watch it twice. Damn. Good idea. 👍
Yuri’s happiness when he shifts from first to second is sooo noticeable vs when Jacob was shifting it-well then again, he was trying to rip through the gears and Yuri wasn’t
Jakub & Yuri TURN off the HILL START ASSIST it helps remove that JERKY feels
Zed Lucas ok but how about when I try to launch
@@YuriTereshyn hold down the button for 3 seconds and it completely turns off the traction control and hill start. it will launch less clunky but with access port flash and new computer turbo lag is gone and it will launch like a champion
@@YuriTereshyn Hi:)
From my understanding, disabling hill assist also disables traction control.
I’ve had a 2016 WRX since new. Can confirm that this helps, but the car is always punchy. Annoying on date night. Fun when solo.
I’ve owned my WRX for 5 years now and it still puts a smile on my face everyday, the driving experience is something else.
You guys smile so much when driving Subarus. It's a tell.
I can't be the only one thinking it
"Don't buy SUVs!" Words to live by. Thumbs up.
Paul Wolff in a world of rally cars, why would anyone?
100% agree
SUV is better in every way though.
@@oslotismcboom6733 - LOL! That is why everyone drives them off the road into ditches at the first sign of bad weather, while cars make it through all right. Also SUVs are all ugly monstrosities (along with all Nissans, especially the Joke which is kind of an SUV).
Wagons are better suvs anyway
It’s nice that Subaru kept that classic manual transmission even in 2020. Good going Subaru 👍
Just a shame they've all looked ugly as shit since 2000..
@@cat-le1hf the blobfish? 🤔
It’s good that Subaru still have the manual transmission for the WRX and STI🙌
The fact they didn't call the exhaust a Double Double is a sword through my Canadian heart
As a former Tim hortons worker, that phrase gives me nam flashbacks 🤣
Great video fellas. I have a 2018 STI and i do agree with your statement about driving it smoothly. It definitely takes some getting used to drive it smooth and sometimes even a conscious effort. I do hear the WRX is harder to drive smoother than the STI? Nonetheless, I love it. It's my affordable dream car like your raptor and plymouth - not without its faults, but so much character!
I’m team AWD, live in Portland, ME. Even my friend’s FWD with good winter tires doesn’t do as well on the hills as my wrx does.
I also like to go adventure up north. Lots of mud and dirt in some of those back roads
slifernoslifing I’m in Berwick Maine and love having my Jeep xj on mud tires to handle snow and mud
In Portland, wrx and snow tires are heaven
Hey man I live in southern Maine also. I love my '19 WRX, does everything thing I need and can still use it as a daily driver for work.
Let's go CHAMP let's all get JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE SRTS
@Tyler Wilson It's mostly just the roads to get to my camp. Not really going mudding, but definitely need the awd just to get the cabin haha. The side by side is for the trails!
I can’t wait for you guys to hit 1 million subscribers. You guys deserve it more than most. Keep up the hustle boys. 🇺🇸💯
Still got my WRX bugeye 2001...from new.......44k and still puts a massive smile on my face....
I’m so pissed I got the performance package In 2019 now they come with brembo
Tyler Bryant oh dude, damn. This one looks just perfect.
Parag D I have identical spec just no brembos
Same 2018 performance pack with these dumper red brakes
@@ah11980 its just money, you'll make more. DIY and save money.
The risk you take buying a new car. I did the same, bought a 19 Si and MY20 was a sizable refresh.
Respect Subaru for keeping manuals alive!
Ok, the prowler doing doughnuts in the snow, is the best thing I will see today! Bravo!!
One of my favorite reviews for a while, Intro was og pipes. You guys are super chill and happy in this. Review was informative without being overdone. Really want a WRX in the future 🤞🏼
The WRX seems to still have some character left, I need to test drive one someday.
Let's go CHAMP let's get the WRX FORGET GETTING THE STI WE DONT WANNA CATCH IT
You would pay 40,000$ for this
@@deni8814 $29,000 USD btw.
@de danging sounds more reasonable, cant see a wrx being a 40k car man not with that plasticity interior.
@de danging i think for the money u did great, i bought a infiniti q50 with 11k miles for 21,000$ awd v6.
The rev hang and jerking is because of emissions. It helps with gas mileage supposedly. With a tune, it fixes it right away.
It's better with a tune, not fixed. Had my STi for 6 years. Still found it easier to drive any rental car smoother after 10 mins getting used to them.
Nah fuck that I rather keep my warranty when I inevitably need it
@@THESLlCK is not that easy. dealers have ways to tell if the tune was changed at some point.
@@THESLlCK Im not sure what you mean. But I'm pretty cool with my Subaru tech advisor and even show me the parameters they look at to see if you where tuned or not. I don't think there is hiding it. I may be wrong though.
@@THESLlCK ECU has the vin number programmed into it. If a dealer wants to find a fault of yours to deny your warranty, trust me they will. They have more equipment than your average car owner. They will know.
only thing about their “i don’t need AWD in snow” argument is if you live on a solid hill not near a major city u may have issues getting up it if the plow hasn’t come by, i know im thankful for my quattro when i am about to climb my hill before the plow has hit it while passing front and rear wheel drive cars at a stand still midway up the hill
No kidding, Snow tires have apparently gotten so good I guess the Military can buy RWD tanks fitted with a good set of snow tires. Imagine the savings!
This is step 1 in my dream car journey , that I should be accomplishing in a few months and my favorite cartubers doing a review on it is a win win
👍👍
WRX Base model is awesome. I love how it doesn’t not have any of that comfort or sport modes. It simply a car. Get in and drive. Also best to upgrade with aftermarket parts.
I have this exact car, bought it two months ago, and I truly believe in this price point it’s the most fun you can have.
Colt Capperrune if you don’t have to get awd, there are still quite a bit options
Stephen Ye at this price point, with a spacious backseat and four doors, something I need for my kids still in a car seat, in my opinion this is the best option. I looked at everything that directly compares to this and they are either much slower, not offered in a manual, or too small to be a family daily driver. Or considerably more expensive.
Colt Capperrune That’s fair enough if you are looking for a four door and decent cargo space. I would go for the wrx too in that case. But if you really don’t care about practicality, you can still buy 370z, brz, 2.0 Camaro etc. But none of them are practical tho.
I see Subaru, I press like. Automatic.
no, manual
Why not manual?
@@jacobsierakowski8749 : )
@@blakecaliper5406 : )
@@jacobsierakowski8749 lol
As a person who lives in Colorado, AWD is a must. We don't have any flat roads, all are up or downhill, plus the elevation change alone is enough to warrant it. I drive up a hill with almost 500 feet of elevation to work and back, so that combined with 10+ inches of snow is dangerous without AWD.
I got a 2019 Base WRX. Same car as this review. I love it. The AWD has helped me multiple times (even though the snow this year has been sparse).
I did the change the tuning with a COBB access port (and additional few hundred dollars) but that seemed to take care of the rev hang. Also, if you turn off the hill start assist, it really improves the jerkiness.
I absolutely love this car as my commuter and it doubles as a sweet vehicle when I want to punch it.
Base '19 WRX cost me brand new $25k US. You just can't beat that with any other vehicle and trust me, I was really leaning towards a Golf R but couldn't justify the price tag.
Does turning off hill start actually help with the jerkiness?
@@Mosio64 It helps a little on inclines. If you are used to driving stick, hill start is just a pain (imo) because it holds the break instead of letting you feather the clutch.
Getting a COBB accessport and remapping (literally, plug and play, took about 5 minutes) really helps a lot because the rev hang is reduced significantly which makes it more enjoyable to commute and drive like a maniac :)
@TheMetalGuy852 The cost of the Golf R is over $40K (US) , for a $25k WRX, I felt that it was a fair trade-off :)
@TheMetalGuy852 I hear you. But to be fare we need to compare getting a new WRX vs Golf R. And the delta between the two price tags is pretty large. I've had my 19 wrx for 1.5 years and the only mod I've done is remap the ECU with a COBB accessport.
I hear ya if I were trying to eck out even more HP, and modded even more, than the value of the Golf R becomes more apparent.
Dont get me wrong, If i were to spend 40-50k I think I would be looking at the GOLF R and frankly a few others :)
"I got a 2019 Base WRX. Same car as this review. " No, it's not the same car as the review; big price difference. I also have the $25K base, and in spite of it's quirks, I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm biased towards Japanese, otherwise there's good argument for the many, many other model choices beside VW. Cheers.
What you all said about an old car sucking while its getting old but being good once its old is so true! Great review!
9:40 I solved that issue by getting the angeled charging cable. That way the cable isnt bent.
I don’t want awd for winter because I think I need it. I want awd for winter because it enables me to do some hoon shit 😂
ConLee Exactly! 👌🏼🤙🏼👊🏼
easy there ken block jr
Just bought a basic one with a short shifter and fog lights for 28.5K USD and having previously owned a Dodge Dart (don't get me started) and a Crosstrek, this thing is so much fun.
This review definitely helped with my decision. I was looking at this and the 2020 Si. The AWD and more power is what did it. I ended up getting a Sport Tech (one trim level below this). Thank you both for another amazing and well thought out review!
Great choice. I was in the same position in 2019 and chose the si. Something about it just drove nicer to me. I have since sold it though and am very excited for the new 2022 wax model.
Same. I was going to get the new si until I saw the lack of power. Wrx is not fast but it is very fun to drive. Just quick enough. And reliable
How is the WRX? How you liking it after 3 years? I have a 2020 Si right now and there's a 2020 WRX at a dealership in my city that I'm considering at looking at. And does yours have bad rev hang?
@@riley1733 if it has rev hang, I’ve gotten used to it. My WRX is now NexGen Stage 2 and has 54xxx km on it. AWD is great in winter. Great community and company support as well
I myself have a 2018 Civic Si. Great daily driver, sun roof heated seats, android auto (all for $23,000). Get 30-42 MPG. Handling is amazing and feeling the LSD rip you out of corners is addicting. Also have a 2003 5-speed forester for the bad weather. The best of both worlds.
my 92 Si lasted 750 000 kms, and owned 4 subarus (Impreza and Legacy) after...Love both brands
When I drive the Honda on back roads it makes sense. Plenty of torque and with the LSD and the overall driving dynamics you do not need crazy power. When i drive my Subaru on snowy roads the car comes alive and you can tell it is in its element.
@@sirchippyton I concur, well said.
This model is in such need of a refresh. cant wait to see what they will release with the new 2020 imprezas out. Hopefully a hatch wrx
Agreed!
The design never grew on me like the older models did
I would absolutely love a Levorg. A REAL wagon.
I had a 2003 Subaru WRX STI Type UK Prodrive (a ridiculous mouthful) and I had an absolutely great time in it. This car looks almost identical with a slightly different body shape and seems hardly to have changed at all in 16 years. I think you are quite right, it really does need a refresh.
Yea you can really tell its an odd design without the sti spoiler its bloated to high hell
Their point about the "sloppy" driveline issue is true. I had a 2019 and it simply wasn't fun to drive between the driveline shocking and the rev hang. I traded it in after about six months.
You need an ap changes all the “sloppy ness” from factory you’ll be a happy camper after that
Tyler Wilson you don’t buy one of these cars in general if you aren’t going to mod it if that’s the case then ya go buy another grandma car lol
@@sixstrz8310 or a more refined car in the segment, which is pretty much every car
Just didn’t have the patience to figure out how to drive it smoothly.. and that’s okay. I have a damn near still brand new 2021 with 4K miles and I’ve figured it out after about 1k miles.
Great video guys!! Very informative I just bought a 2020 Wrx premium and I’m super excited for it!
I loved the WRX when I test drove it. Right after that I test drove an STI and and couldn't go back to the WRX. I've had my 2019 STI for one year and it's overall (based on fun, driving engagement, cargo space, AWD) the best car I've ever owned. MPGs are low but smiles per mile are high.
The way I shift from 1st to 2nd in my 17 WRX is that I give a tiny bit of throttle when I'm engaging the clutch. You just gotta know how much gas to give it during the shift, but most of the time it works pretty well.
If only there were a version of this chassis with a large, easily accessed cargo area for increased utility. If only some sort of WRX hatch/wagon were possible...
Bro a new WRX wagon would be so sick!!
Jput.319 there is a extremely unsubstantiated rumor that 2021 may have one. But then again we have had these before.
@@eastwardExpansion OOOOO
Closest thing to that is a Levorg bro
Outback now has the 2.4 turbo engine in the XT model. Basically WRX power and acceleration, and lots of space and utility.
Only the MANUAL version is a classic, the CVT is an abomination, CVT needs to be utterly destroyed
🤮
can we get an f in the chat for manuals
MacTechG4 I smoked my friends manual wrx with my Cvt ...
@@G4LIFE74 cvt all day
@@G4LIFE74 o shit 4realz?
so much positive vibes in this video
I love this car. I want it. Affordable, turbocharged, standard transmission, awd fun. But, it would be nice to have an updated body style. Other than that, it’s great. And btw, I’d take a WRX STI over a Type R ANY DAY 100%.
Great review guys.
Affordable until the head gaskets blow... I love these cars, they just have issues.
Yeah I wish I had enough to afford it at the moment. I'd be down with the base trim honestly. It has everything I want in a car (Sporty, plenty of room, AWD)
@@coflyer2949 Subaru head gaskets only really blew on the old EJ25 SOHC motors from the mid 90's to about 2007. WRX/STI's had their issues but only blew head gaskets if there was a true cooling issue. More typically, modded WRX/STI's will spin a rod bearing or crack a ring land (piston). Stock ones occasionally have issues but frankly have fewer issues than most performance cars at any price point. The biggest issue is that people just mod them like crazy, subaru needs to put more power in these off the shelf and shut down the ECU hacking.
@@BrandoDrum I agree, the other issue with these cars is that there's a cult following so they hold their value way better than they should. These cars are actually really underpowered from factory, and I would personally mod one just because I need more power, but my current car is super reliable. I know it will start every morning, and it makes 300hp, which is plenty enough for me.
@@coflyer2949 what car?
I legit bought a Series White WRX because of this video and what you both do, could not be happier with it. Cheers!
Nice purchase
I still have my 2002 wrx wagon. I’ve had it from new. Brilliant car!
🔥
Marry me. My silver 03 needs a sibling.
Went from a 2002 Impreza RS to a 2005 WRX. Was disappointed. Went from a 2005 WRX to 2015 WRX and it absolutely blew me away.
It's hard to overstate just how much better the new ones are, in every respect. Get a new one. 8)
@@Waccoon Noway. I'll keep my Legendary Colin McRae machine.
Let's go white girl, we love our subies
Quite possibly the best car I've owned. (2015 WRX base) Nothing else has been more reliable, more fun, and cheap to own. It is a great family car and quite capable on twisty roads/track with very little modifications. I have not left it stock since 30k miles and I am now approaching 134k miles with ZERO problems. And I have not driven it gently either (still on stock clutch). It returns fantastic MPG on road trips for a 300ish whp car. WRXs get a lot of hate but personally I would never get rid of mine and I'll probably buy another one if something does happen to mine. If only more people bought them.
4 last owned cars are subarus. Still owning 2 bought new 2017 and 2019.
Beautiful, old school classic with just the right mix of new stuff like blind spot monitor, nice seamless infotainment and that amazing awd.
Good looks, manual and a streamlined (in the best way possible) driver experience. If i had that kinda money rn, would go for it for sure!
I’ve been appreciating my 2017 WRX MT... old school car.
After watching this video I purchased a 2020 wrx premium performance pack. The U.S. wrx equipped with the brembo breaks. I’ve tracks the car twice now and put 6k miles on it. It’s one of the best first time track cars for the money. I’ve not needed to to upgrade break pads or fluid yet and the recaro seats are great. The factory sunroof deleted sucks but I still have heated seats. At Watkins glen in the rain the car fell Uber confident. Initial push but tons of grip on corner exit. The factory Dunlop sport maxx tires are predicable and ware well on track. The car can use, like every wrx/sti, more front camber and a stiffer rear sway bar, and michilen sport 4s tires. I also get 30 mpg commuting on the highway with shell v-power 93. Power is good and it’s very stable at high speed 130+ mph. Needs better headlights. Swapped to led bulbs but will probably do the 17 sti led swap.
I’m leasing a 2019 WRX.. and having a turbo 6-speed is enough to convince me to buy it
Why not finance it
Do you like it? If yes then buy it.
These are not for everyone so if you can forgive the atrocious ergonomics, rattly interior and Subaru's fragile paint... Then keep it since fun, practical and affordable manuals are becoming more and more rare.
I just bought the same a few days ago but 2018. Already put over thousand miles on it in the few days I’ve had it lmao. Def fun as fuck. Just wanna make the exhausts a little louder cause that Subi gurgle exhaust sound was always one of my favorites.
AWD is the best most fun and safest after 20 years on the road and over 20 different cars and trucks owned Subaru has by far been the most overall fun and reliable car I’ve owned.
Boys, drive up to Thunder Bay and come experience what true winter feels like. AWD truly comes in handy when you don't live down in tropical Toronto.
Love you guys and everything you do, keep it up!
Paul Cotton I mean the winter this year was a joke 😂,
This is the perfect car. Fun engine, manual gearbox, down to the basics in terms of the car itself, but with an updated, modern infotainment system.
Comparison between 2020 and 2015 ? vs 2005 vs 1995 JDM Ultimate comparison.
I just like the AWD because it makes me feel more confident in the snow and rain, that’s why I chose a Subaru
Great vid. Thankyou for the old intro's. Need to tone the music down just a bit though. LOUD vs voices.
I'm old. Drove a '73 mach-1 in 86, senior year. 88 5.0 in college. 73 mr Norms challenger 340 4bbl 4spd in grad school. Designed cars for a short spell. Wife had 3 omni glh turbos. 92 galant VR4. 03 evo 8. Got rid of all that and focused on home-schooling my kids for ten years. Big win.
To get my blood pumping again I bought a 2020 wrx. Black. Clearbra. Dark triple. O/A separator. Tiptoed it for the first 5k. Then K&N. Booyah! I'm back, baby!
Traded our ho-hum 16 Kia forte 6spd 1.8 for the new GT about a month later.
I like my WRX.
I LOVE my Kia Forte GT!!!
you remove the rev hang and this sloppiness stops. That is the reason for non-smoothiness. Well, you explained that later, I was rapid.
Buying this car for AWD isn’t just about winter though.. I genuinely enjoy AWD dynamics. Car grips like there’s no tomorrow, 4-wheel drifts are predictable and safe, and the basic 50/50, VLSD dynamics are so basic and yet, so instrumental in making this a fun, easy, and impressively capable little machine. It’s October in the pacific NW, and I’m just about to get my winters put on. But I went for a drive in heavy rain today and had a blast breaking traction. The car always caught me, like I knew it would, and losing/re-gaining traction was so predictable and controllable.
It’s just a fun, decently powered, manual, AWD sport sedan experience, and a bargain for what you get. The fact that it can handle any conditions, seat 4 and has a big trunk is all bonus. It’s a great daily. It’s not a smooth or comfy car, but I love my WRX.
Will this be the decade of part 2 of the Japanese Renaissance?
God I hope so, born in 82 and grew up with all the JDM hero cars.
One of the coolest car review I’ve watched. I liked how enthusiastic they are. You found a new subscriber here. Keep it up!!! 👍🏻
Not "sloppy"
"Driveline Tight" "Jerky bit"
Gotta slip clutch little bit to smooth out.
Nope, don't need to slip the clutch, just have to be very slow with your shifts. And it is a bit sloppy being that it's a cable actuated shifter. Don't get me wrong I love my 17 wrx. But I wanted a real sports car so I'm trading for an sti
honestly, these reviews are so detailed, there is no other channel that is like it
Love the review guys! Totally agree with you both, which is why I went 2019 base sti classic. Cheers!
Same here! I went with the 2019 Base WRX! I'd rather have the cheapest lightest base model than a fully loaded expensive one :)
extreme989 plus you can spend just as much extra on aftermarket stuff
Exactly!
I still dig these cars and I like what Subaru is doing with their interiors right now. They have character and personality all their own. That being said I am really interested in the redesign that's coming next year as the current WRX is quite old.
Stage 1 tune (at least), turn off Hill-assist and traction and itll drive 1000x better.
5:58 "it's in the cool category now cause it's so old it's good" had me rolling. As far as snow tires go, they DO make a difference. I'm from the northeast US and our winters are pretty nasty. I've had snow tires twice. Once on my 1996 lowered Ford Probe GT with an intake and exhaust (that car was a blast) and currently on my 2000 Camry (5SFE). Swapping all seasons over from a parts car I picked up soon along with a few other things.
PS I've been researching Subaru's lately, mostly the BRZ/FRS/86 vs the 00's Legacy (n/a, manual, sunroof, wing, NOT the GT), and you guys constantly pop up. It makes sense since you're in Canada. You've earned yourself a subscriber. Keep up the great content! Plus it reminds me of my friend and if we were to review cars.
Tim Hortons- truly a Canadian review!
I live in northern MN and have the 2019 WRX. On pavement you are left wanting. On the snowy roads (non stock tires OC) it is a beast. So much fun. My advice is that if you live in an area that dose not get lots of snow in the winter buy a rear wheel drive car. After all, dry pavement is not rally and that is the idea of the wrx.
I had one and drove it for 2 years. just upgraded for a Golf R 2019 6 months ago. the upgrade is insane.... interior and drive experience is not on the same level
ben pilon apart from interior, what would you say you like about driving the Golf R over the WRX. I would consider the WRX if they made in a cool hatch like they used to and if it was a tad smaller
That’s a completely different tier of car. Compare the sti to it
Well i kind of hope so, not sure where you live but a golf R is 5-10k more than a WRX in the States
@@harrisonsloan6036 the power delivery. to me the turbo lag was anoying... and the feeling of the manual transmission clutch etc..the feelings is so much cleaner on the vw. the steering feels way more precise too. plus the driving mode is a plus. confort on highway mode race when you wanna send it.
@@jaybosher6144 yes like I said its an upgrade...
I bought the subaru wrx because here it snows 9 months of the year, and it's been amazing. No regrets.
Desperately needs an update. And it’s coming. Over 400hp, apparently (STi).
It needs the power. It will be considerably heavier than the old ones.
Steve Holt will also be about 10k more you watch
Steve Holt why so heavy? Let me guess unnecessary creature comforts like Karen’s Bluetooth.
For 50k yea
@@samurailottery4052 The chassis will be larger than previous STIs. More safety features for a larger car as well as more creature comforts. Look at the current say, 2018 STI vs the 2005. Is the 2018 faster?
As a recent Veloster N owner, this video pleases me :)
"Punch it"
"Aaaand turbo lag"
Yea okay..... The turbo is the size of a postage stamp you just didn't drop nearly enough gears
Actually the stock turbo's on the FA20's are fairly large for what they are. 2959 from Garrett.
And if you are between 2 and 4k rpm, the torque is instant. I don't know what they are on about.
It's the same thing as the 4Runner and the Lexus GX (or any Toyota truck for that matter). Mid cycle, everyone hated them because they were so outdated, now everyone loves them because they're like a "classic" and more traditional/dated.
Still driving a 2000 (manual) Civic DX hatchback. Been great through 20 Ottawa winters, and there is usually a ton more snow here than Toronto, let me tell ya (!)
I had a 2015 WRX and I loved it! It was amazing in the snow and I live south of Buffalo, NY in the "snow belt". I eventually traded in in for a Crosstrek...just because of the ground clearance. Cheers!
Another great review, guys. 👍
Just got my bone stock 2021 yesterday. Love it. Compliments my heavily modified evo quite well
Definitely clean and a solid car. Still a 4 cylinder though :D Good luck pulling up next to my R8 :D
I was gonna say something about challenging you to have fun and taking out four friends in the R8. But I'd need the WRX and four friends to make that happen.
What a dumb comment.
@@hellobooom ouch, my self-esteem
Who's pulling up to an R8 in a stock WRX?
Had a chance to drive this the other day coming from a front wheel drive car man it handles corners like a beast!
Needs more power but the fundamentals are still great.
absolute best car channel on the interwebs!
I like the fact that the WRX still offers a pretty raw, old-school experience. That's what I and a lot of people prefer, but they never should have dropped the hatchback...big stupid mistake. I will definitely consider buying a WRX if they revive the hatch for the 2021 redesign. I assume they will since they already have the platform to build it on in the current Impreza. This car with a hatchback would be perfection for me.
Best part of the day is seeing these guys uploaded a new video.
i'm a simple man I see a blue Subi, I click like
Picked one up today!
11:53 "Yeah, you just have to make it do it a different way than the way that you naturally think you need to do, which is with the throttle." Wow, that actually makes sense! Well done! Best sentence of 2020 accomplished.
"Double Duel" should be the next straighpipes t-shirt...
I have a 2018 STI, sport tech. Love the beast in our MONTREAL winters 🤪
Btw I am a bit late Buuuuuuuuuuuuut in Lithuania we have milk bags too
#bagmilklife
Tiddies
First time watching this channel and I have to say I really liked it. Quite different from your average car review channel, with a refreshing approach (e.g. "it has the best infotainment system!").
It's direct competitor was the long dead EVO
Nice!! Great car and review! Here in Norway it's stupid to have 2WD. The other day I laugh at a guy who was stucked in a Golf.
Sti wheels and scoop ;) I remember those days J!!!