Would a stock current gen WRX make a reliable long term commuter? I admit I was spoiled by my civic, 16 years, 230k miles, and done in by a deer last month. I understand it would have a higher operating cost and more stringent maintenance requirements.
My commute is 22 miles each way of back hills and 2 lane 55. In upstate NY, so, "winter weather". Also roadtrips, 1200 miles each way to FL, at least once a year. Lastly, with a properly sporty car, an actual SCCA membership and full season of auto X would be doable.
Not sure how new you're looking, but I had a 2011 WRX hatchback as a daily for 7 years, and it never let me down. I also autocross'd it fairly often, and it was a good time. With winter tires, it was a tank in the snow. Biggest let down was gas mileage, as it would struggle to get over 23 mpg on premium fuel.
Edit: just realized you asked about current gen WRXs, not older ones. The above does not apply, but leaving it in case someone is looking for info on the old ones.
How good are you at checking and replenishing oil?
The current crop of Subaru engines seem to hit a kneepoint of oil consumption, where they will seem to be fine and then they will drink four quarts before the next oil change is due. The first clue is usually the oil light coming on because you don't have oil pressure anymore. Then you break timing chain guides when the chain whips around untensioned, or just plan lose a rod bearing or two. This is more prevalent with people who like to go 5000-6000mi or more between oil changes.
Whatever Subaru says is acceptable oil service intervals, ignore it. 3000 miles. 4000 miles maybe but you better feel really bad about yourself for stretching it that long. You want to keep the car long-term, the specified OCIs are as long as they are to make cost of ownership look cheap for people who lease for three years then trade up.
Aside from that, rear wheel bearings seem to last about 50-60k miles, front control arm bushings about 90-100k. The rest of the car is pretty solid. Subaru even seems to have figured out rust protection, if you live where they put down salt in equal parts to expected precipitation. Took 'em long enough.
Should be fine. we've had a 2016 forester xt (same motor as wrx) since 2018 and its been a tank other than me not knowing it had a certain sensor that just needed a cleaning to stop throwing codes I chased for a year and a half(They have a maf and a map sensor). I'm not bitter. On time air filter changes, coolant flushes, spark plug replacement (it really is 60k miles) and transmission and differential fluid changes and it should just about run forever we have 150k miles on ours and it runs just fine. Pete is 100% right on the oil changes. Subaru used to say the turbo engines needed oil changed every 3750 miles. That really is a hard ceiling. SOMEONE keeps telling people the interval is 5000 miles. That is the interval for naturally aspirated cars. Not the turbo motors. I will say the lower spec cars seem to have a cheaper made interior. Like WAY cheaper.
They are fun to drive but from my experience with our 2012 WRX I'd say no. Throwout bearing self destructed and took out the trans snout. Head gasket went at slightly over 100k. Now it sits waiting for me to spend either gobs of money, or slightly less money and a lot of time to get it back on the road. It's my wife's car and has had very little abuse. It has had the same level of care that has kept other vehicles alive well past 200k.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
How good are you at checking and replenishing oil?
The current crop of Subaru engines seem to hit a kneepoint of oil consumption, where they will seem to be fine and then they will drink four quarts before the next oil change is due. The first clue is usually the oil light coming on because you don't have oil pressure anymore. Then you break timing chain guides when the chain whips around untensioned, or just plan lose a rod bearing or two. This is more prevalent with people who like to go 5000-6000mi or more between oil changes.
Whatever Subaru says is acceptable oil service intervals, ignore it. 3000 miles. 4000 miles maybe but you better feel really bad about yourself for stretching it that long. You want to keep the car long-term, the specified OCIs are as long as they are to make cost of ownership look cheap for people who lease for three years then trade up.
Aside from that, rear wheel bearings seem to last about 50-60k miles, front control arm bushings about 90-100k. The rest of the car is pretty solid. Subaru even seems to have figured out rust protection, if you live where they put down salt in equal parts to expected precipitation. Took 'em long enough.
I'm interested to learn a little more about this.
What mileage are you seeing the oil issue show up? Is this all cars or does it vary? Maybe with synthetic oil? Wondering if I need to pay more attention
Our 2018 Crosstrek has been rock steady. I just did an oil change at 97k and it still doesn't burn anything significant. I don't add oil over the 6k mile OCI. I've used Mobil 1 and Wix filters once the dealer stopped paying for the changes.
Still on the original wheel bearings and control arm bushings too! Haha
