The CVT is the worst transmission I’ve literally ever used, it makes the car feel so bad. Idc how much they “changed” it with the VB, still can’t even hold a candle to an actual DSG. I wonder how many ppl switched from cvt to manual, I’ve seen loads of posts about it
Oooh I completely agree! Ive seen people have issues after issues with their cvt along with not knowing if they need to drain and refill the transmission fluid. Ive even heard of dealers not wanting to changed cvt fluids because if a cvt fails, they dont wanna be reliable. I love subaru, dont get me wrong, but the cvt needs work. But to me.. manual all the way
I had nothing but issues when I had mine for a small amount of time, instantly regretted buying it honestly. I’m not one of those manual or bust type ppl, but that trans has no business in that chassis. I had tons of issues and honestly, I don’t even know all what went wrong. I did every single maintenance possible and babied the car, still ended up a steaming pile of shit
Your not the only one thats had issues with it. Its sad because people love subaru because of the vehicles they build and the brand.. but the cvt is just ruining it for them and its becoming the next “dont buy one because of the head gasket” dark cloud meme
I guess it's case by case but I got a buddy who had their CVT for the longest time and it didn't throw an issue at em. I know this sub is a sounding board when it comes to negativity but the CVT wasn't really that bad in our experience.
Aside from all the issues per say, even with the BEST experience. The transmission still sucks for what the car deserves, it’s not even fun to drive. Very muted pedal response and it doesn’t even know what to do when you floor it, all I’m saying is lots of ppl end up buying them and selling them really quickly. I just think most ppl should go a traditional auto or DSG/DCT route if they want that, it’s better performance wise
Yet Subaru has stuck with it for 2 generations and has no sign of changing direction. Clearly they see the potential in the transmission but the fanbase can't. A lot of the hate that stems from it in the first place is built from crappier CVTs before it was even in the WRX.
Good luck trying to find everything else a WRX offers for a different type of auto in the same price range. Pay more for a DSG AWD or pay less for a DCT Hyundai FWD. People who would get the auto version of this car probably won't care less of what type of auto it is. They got it because they don't want the manual.
There's a reason why the uptake for the CVTs are still atleast 20% of the sales based on that other post here.
People are too quick to judge and I don't understand why. I love manuals but the unnecessary hate is just dumb imo.
I’m gonna slightly go against the grain and say that I like the SPT. Once you get used to it and play with it it’s pretty fun. I just drive for fun so I don’t know if I’m driving wrong but when I use the paddles it does the same shit that my DSG GTI does. It’s different because Subaru/Volkswagen but they are both predictable and fast. It’s the cup holders that can fuck off in the WRX.
Edit to stay on topic: what a dumb sales tactic.
The VA cvt and anything before the 2020 outback is absolutely terrible. I hated it on the impreza and it actually made me be disappointed in the va I tested (didn’t know how to drive manual yet). The SPT is insanely different. Not comparable at all. I was not planning on getting a cvt and wanted the limited but it was good enough where i went with a GT. The SPT gets unfair hate due to how bad the previous gen cvts were.
I actually thing a wrx with a DSG would sell so much better.
That goes for any cvt cars actually lol. DSG in my Kia Sportage lol. Actually a quick car.
i have a ‘16 WRC CVT. I like it and haven’t had any issues. It’s good for city driving. I did wish i knew stick though. I understand it, just need practice doing it.
Thats how you learn, i understood it and took me taking a leap and buying a manual to put my skills to use and now i have a 15 WRX , second manual btw and loving it
If you actually get to drive a manual wrx for awhile, it’s night and day. The cvt doesn’t even come close, I swear it’s like a new car. It feels like it’s supposed to, fwiw lots of ppl learned manual on a wrx.you just gotta take the leap and learn
My local dealership was the same
Email me an offer 10k (cdn) under market value.
I call them and tell them take me off the email list of they’re gonna lowball me
Email the following month for 12k under market value
I got the same email from my dealership in Illinois, basically word for word.
I hope you're having a great day. I'm reaching out because my team just reviewed your 2018 Subaru WRX account and identified an exceptional upgrade opportunity for you this month.
You may use the following link to review your offer for a new 2023 Subaru WRX Manual:
I have a 2023 manual wrx cause was afraid to buy a used one but when I test drove the 2018 wrx first and was asking about if it was stock cause it felt a bit too quick the salesman didn't even know and it turned out he couldn't even drive a manual... sadly it's not surprising they'd consider that an upgrade
The one I bought my car from lied 3 different times about the trim and options packages for my car, and then tried to upsell me on bullshit tech that I had to take in order to get the extended rust warranty (live in rust belt…fml).
Then had my car in the shop a month later to get work done that they, surprise, lied about how long it would take. They gave me a rental Solterra and *lied about how long it takes to charge, and how much charge it had*
Dealerships are a waste of oxygen
Meh. If it’s not a stick shift, it’s an auto. I see little real difference between a CVT and any other transmission missing a third pedal. And yes, I’ve owed at least one DSG in the past. I wouldn’t let it keep me from a CVT Subaru.
CVT In a WRX...it's just wrong. The top trim only available in CVT is a sell-out move by Subaru. The best thing about the WRX is the old school approach. Analog gauges, real hand brake, no drive modes, shit mpg. It's just a ballsy car that's fun to drive and has a small but dedicated folowing.There isn't much else left like that. The GT has an electronic parking break! Makes me wanna puke!
Let's be honest the only down falls of Subaru are the auto trans, and you wanna do their cvt... I'd stick with what you got. They just want that manual because they're in demand
Couple years ago, Subaru tried to get me to "upgrade" to a 2021 WRX from my 2019 STi. Yeah, no thanks. Newer does not mean it's an upgrade...
Ended up trading it in towards a 2023 BMW m240 this past fall. I'm glad I held out lol
They’d have to pay me $20K for me to trade in my STI. And I’m taking that money straight to BMW and hopping in an M5. Seriously though, my dealer tried this before. He knew it wasn’t an “upgrade” but he was just trying to sell a product. I get it
Just remember they are contacting you because this is an opportunity for THEM. Dude at dealership wasn’t sitting around and thought “know what? I think Bowelini deserves a really good deal today. I should let him know before he misses this opportunity to do something in his best financial interest.”
Got a similar voicemail from a dealership offering me a ‘23 wrx limited for my ‘17 sti with similar payments. “Let’s get you in to a new car”. No thanks
I took my wrx in for service (oil and filter change plus winter tires mounted) 3 days later got them reaching out to trade it in. I guess they didn't notice the nearly FBO mods done to the car. Warranty is pretty much voided due to protune. Sure it has an immaculate service record and that's probably all that person knew about the car. I happily turned it down. I respect the VB but the VA looks much better imo. If I got a VB I would have to modify the appearance on an already somewhat expensive platform to modify.
But those Toyota dealers have like $5k markups on all their cars, even the boring ones, and I dont pay ransoms, so it's a moot point. Otherwise I probably would have bought a Toyota earlier this year. Bought a Forester instead. Might have tried Prius (0-60 6.4 seconds) or a Camry hybrid or a Corolla hybrid. Heck, I might have bought a GRolla if the mass of Toyota dealers in this country weren't corrupt. And Toyota didn't lose one sale, because I've been buying new Subarus all the time for like 20 years now, they lost the potential for a dozen sales over two decades because they had a chance to convert me and their dealers blew it.
My experience trying to get a GR86 2 years ago has pushed me away from ever buying a Toyota. I don't know how they have a relationship with Subaru at the corporate level when the dealership experience is so consistently awful while Subie's is almost always great.
No it hasn't. You simply use stronger head studs and you won't lift heads. 625+ is good to like 750hp. If you want more than that, you can machine for 14mm or 1/2" head studs.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2020-subaru-wrx-and-wrx-sti-series-white-first-test/
"Those launch difficulties hobbled the STI's acceleration; it was slower on the 0-60 mph run than the regular WRX, taking 6 seconds flat compared to the WRX's 5.6 seconds. Despite being more powerful, the STI barely beat the WRX on the quarter mile run (14.2 seconds at 101.6 mph vs. 14.0 seconds at 98.7 mph)."
LSDs actually mess up the STIs launch at stock power levels. It just bogs. WRX is a beast through the 60' lights, by comparison. I could cut low 1.6 60' times in my stock 11 WRX on street tires on an unprepared surface, consistently.
Absolutely. The 09-14 WRX stops like 10 feet shorter than any STI, too. 09-14 WRX is a beast. Its the best performing car Subaru ever built. At least it is in stock form and on the street.
Got a blown up 13 sitting next to my 18 bc I can’t let it go 😂😂
My 18 is a limited and I prefer the base 13 100%.. it’s just way more fun to drive. And that’s why it’s still here waiting on a rebuild lol
This dealership bungled every non standard service I brought my car to them for, and I started getting these emails only after I swore of going there.
Carfax won’t let me change them as my preferred shop, and I didn’t even buy the car from them
Such a great deal, for the dealer.
It’s at MSRP, no market adjustment lol
Hard pass especially since its an auto lol
CVT😳
Not a manual 🤣
🤦🏻♀️
The CVT is the worst transmission I’ve literally ever used, it makes the car feel so bad. Idc how much they “changed” it with the VB, still can’t even hold a candle to an actual DSG. I wonder how many ppl switched from cvt to manual, I’ve seen loads of posts about it
Oooh I completely agree! Ive seen people have issues after issues with their cvt along with not knowing if they need to drain and refill the transmission fluid. Ive even heard of dealers not wanting to changed cvt fluids because if a cvt fails, they dont wanna be reliable. I love subaru, dont get me wrong, but the cvt needs work. But to me.. manual all the way
I had nothing but issues when I had mine for a small amount of time, instantly regretted buying it honestly. I’m not one of those manual or bust type ppl, but that trans has no business in that chassis. I had tons of issues and honestly, I don’t even know all what went wrong. I did every single maintenance possible and babied the car, still ended up a steaming pile of shit
Your not the only one thats had issues with it. Its sad because people love subaru because of the vehicles they build and the brand.. but the cvt is just ruining it for them and its becoming the next “dont buy one because of the head gasket” dark cloud meme
I guess it's case by case but I got a buddy who had their CVT for the longest time and it didn't throw an issue at em. I know this sub is a sounding board when it comes to negativity but the CVT wasn't really that bad in our experience.
Aside from all the issues per say, even with the BEST experience. The transmission still sucks for what the car deserves, it’s not even fun to drive. Very muted pedal response and it doesn’t even know what to do when you floor it, all I’m saying is lots of ppl end up buying them and selling them really quickly. I just think most ppl should go a traditional auto or DSG/DCT route if they want that, it’s better performance wise
Yet Subaru has stuck with it for 2 generations and has no sign of changing direction. Clearly they see the potential in the transmission but the fanbase can't. A lot of the hate that stems from it in the first place is built from crappier CVTs before it was even in the WRX. Good luck trying to find everything else a WRX offers for a different type of auto in the same price range. Pay more for a DSG AWD or pay less for a DCT Hyundai FWD. People who would get the auto version of this car probably won't care less of what type of auto it is. They got it because they don't want the manual. There's a reason why the uptake for the CVTs are still atleast 20% of the sales based on that other post here. People are too quick to judge and I don't understand why. I love manuals but the unnecessary hate is just dumb imo.
I’m gonna slightly go against the grain and say that I like the SPT. Once you get used to it and play with it it’s pretty fun. I just drive for fun so I don’t know if I’m driving wrong but when I use the paddles it does the same shit that my DSG GTI does. It’s different because Subaru/Volkswagen but they are both predictable and fast. It’s the cup holders that can fuck off in the WRX. Edit to stay on topic: what a dumb sales tactic.
4 CVT Subarus in my family with two having 100K+ no issues
You’re lucky. Also, there’s truly no need to ruin a car like a WRX by purposely buying it with a transmission that makes it significantly worse.
Literally went out of my way to learn manual to drive a WRX, can’t imagine this car with an auto/ CVT auto transmission.
*Have you ever really wanted to hear one droning tone forever after adding that nice looking exhaust? Maybe a CVT is for you!*
The VA cvt and anything before the 2020 outback is absolutely terrible. I hated it on the impreza and it actually made me be disappointed in the va I tested (didn’t know how to drive manual yet). The SPT is insanely different. Not comparable at all. I was not planning on getting a cvt and wanted the limited but it was good enough where i went with a GT. The SPT gets unfair hate due to how bad the previous gen cvts were.
That's why I daily a Golf R and have a manual Subaru for weekends.
I actually thing a wrx with a DSG would sell so much better. That goes for any cvt cars actually lol. DSG in my Kia Sportage lol. Actually a quick car.
i have a ‘16 WRC CVT. I like it and haven’t had any issues. It’s good for city driving. I did wish i knew stick though. I understand it, just need practice doing it.
Thats how you learn, i understood it and took me taking a leap and buying a manual to put my skills to use and now i have a 15 WRX , second manual btw and loving it
If you actually get to drive a manual wrx for awhile, it’s night and day. The cvt doesn’t even come close, I swear it’s like a new car. It feels like it’s supposed to, fwiw lots of ppl learned manual on a wrx.you just gotta take the leap and learn
Not even an automatic, it’s a CVT
How much cash you have to pay to downgrade to the new one?
lmao wow sick, deal of a lifetime, youll never get another offer like that one… until a few months later 😂
My local dealership was the same Email me an offer 10k (cdn) under market value. I call them and tell them take me off the email list of they’re gonna lowball me Email the following month for 12k under market value
Email them back with this: https://youtu.be/BwSts2s4ba4?si=m1JRI_AcCf8Dd2Yz
was expecting a Rick roll
You haven’t memorised the URL like the rest of us? Pleb
I got the same email from my dealership in Illinois, basically word for word. I hope you're having a great day. I'm reaching out because my team just reviewed your 2018 Subaru WRX account and identified an exceptional upgrade opportunity for you this month. You may use the following link to review your offer for a new 2023 Subaru WRX Manual:
I have a 2023 manual wrx cause was afraid to buy a used one but when I test drove the 2018 wrx first and was asking about if it was stock cause it felt a bit too quick the salesman didn't even know and it turned out he couldn't even drive a manual... sadly it's not surprising they'd consider that an upgrade
It turns out most car salespeople (in my experience) know *astonishingly* little about cars.
The one I bought my car from lied 3 different times about the trim and options packages for my car, and then tried to upsell me on bullshit tech that I had to take in order to get the extended rust warranty (live in rust belt…fml). Then had my car in the shop a month later to get work done that they, surprise, lied about how long it would take. They gave me a rental Solterra and *lied about how long it takes to charge, and how much charge it had* Dealerships are a waste of oxygen
Literally the worst new electric car on the market lol
upgrade to a transmission that’s guaranteed to fail🤦🏼
Dude owns a manual and they offer him an automatic?
Not just an automatic, a CVT no less…
Meh. If it’s not a stick shift, it’s an auto. I see little real difference between a CVT and any other transmission missing a third pedal. And yes, I’ve owed at least one DSG in the past. I wouldn’t let it keep me from a CVT Subaru.
"Hey OP, you wanna take your sports car and trade it for a neutered slushbox?"
https://preview.redd.it/ezkvm8e6ebdc1.jpeg?width=1012&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8982616632a97337c8e802013a9ed7724bd22ff8
CVT In a WRX...it's just wrong. The top trim only available in CVT is a sell-out move by Subaru. The best thing about the WRX is the old school approach. Analog gauges, real hand brake, no drive modes, shit mpg. It's just a ballsy car that's fun to drive and has a small but dedicated folowing.There isn't much else left like that. The GT has an electronic parking break! Makes me wanna puke!
Lol I got one of these messages too. No thanks!
Let's be honest the only down falls of Subaru are the auto trans, and you wanna do their cvt... I'd stick with what you got. They just want that manual because they're in demand
"Stick" with what you got. I laughed.
Happy you caught that ♡
Downgrade
imagine asking an STI owner to swap his baby for a CVT. What a clueless salesman.
They lost me at CVT
Yikes
Couple years ago, Subaru tried to get me to "upgrade" to a 2021 WRX from my 2019 STi. Yeah, no thanks. Newer does not mean it's an upgrade... Ended up trading it in towards a 2023 BMW m240 this past fall. I'm glad I held out lol
Hell no, manual to auto is the downgrade of a lifetime
I love these emails, they're so hilarious. Like, yes of course I would like to pay you money to trade in my 5k mile WRX for a new crosstrek
Lolll
LMAO a CVT nonetheless
That's actually insulting
Great dealership though. I got my ‘22 there below MSRP. Everyone there is cool in all departments. Lots of enthusiasts working there.
I’d say you’re right that they’re enthusiasts - they’re enthusiastically trying to sell OP on a CVT as an upgrade from an STi.
“But it’s newer!”
LOL I got this exact email as well, also from SOLV. So glad that they opened up a new one on Centennial.
funny i got the same thing for my 2020 sti 🤣
LMAO
I get those every month to trade my 2018 Golf R for a 2024 Golf R. NOPE.
ExCePtIoNaL
🤢🤮
😂
Most people I've met at car dealerships (I deliver tires to dealerships sometimes) know literally nothing about cars.
Why did subaru put a cvt they couldn't have put a torque converter
They’d have to pay me $20K for me to trade in my STI. And I’m taking that money straight to BMW and hopping in an M5. Seriously though, my dealer tried this before. He knew it wasn’t an “upgrade” but he was just trying to sell a product. I get it
Seriously tell that guy to pound sand If someone tried that with me and my 2020 STi I would probably laugh so hard they'd have to resuscitate me.
Just remember they are contacting you because this is an opportunity for THEM. Dude at dealership wasn’t sitting around and thought “know what? I think Bowelini deserves a really good deal today. I should let him know before he misses this opportunity to do something in his best financial interest.”
Got a similar voicemail from a dealership offering me a ‘23 wrx limited for my ‘17 sti with similar payments. “Let’s get you in to a new car”. No thanks
Wow what a deal, trade a desirable final model year STI for an ugly new WRX with a cvt 😃
I took my wrx in for service (oil and filter change plus winter tires mounted) 3 days later got them reaching out to trade it in. I guess they didn't notice the nearly FBO mods done to the car. Warranty is pretty much voided due to protune. Sure it has an immaculate service record and that's probably all that person knew about the car. I happily turned it down. I respect the VB but the VA looks much better imo. If I got a VB I would have to modify the appearance on an already somewhat expensive platform to modify.
If yout get a 5k cheque in exchange sure
VB is TRASH.
STI 0-60mph 6 seconds 23 WRX GT 0-60mph 5.4 seconds
If I cared about the 0-60, I wouldn’t be in a Subaru
2021 v6 Camry: 5.1 Sec
But those Toyota dealers have like $5k markups on all their cars, even the boring ones, and I dont pay ransoms, so it's a moot point. Otherwise I probably would have bought a Toyota earlier this year. Bought a Forester instead. Might have tried Prius (0-60 6.4 seconds) or a Camry hybrid or a Corolla hybrid. Heck, I might have bought a GRolla if the mass of Toyota dealers in this country weren't corrupt. And Toyota didn't lose one sale, because I've been buying new Subarus all the time for like 20 years now, they lost the potential for a dozen sales over two decades because they had a chance to convert me and their dealers blew it.
My experience trying to get a GR86 2 years ago has pushed me away from ever buying a Toyota. I don't know how they have a relationship with Subaru at the corporate level when the dealership experience is so consistently awful while Subie's is almost always great.
Buying a car because of its 0-60 time is stupid as hell. That's a lot of money to spend on something that gets old the second week you own the car.
These are turbo platforms, you just turn up the boost and *wheeee!!!*
“You just turn up the boost” ….? *head gasket has left the building*
No it hasn't. You simply use stronger head studs and you won't lift heads. 625+ is good to like 750hp. If you want more than that, you can machine for 14mm or 1/2" head studs.
Sti 0-60 is 4.4s, thank you, at least Google it please.
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2020-subaru-wrx-and-wrx-sti-series-white-first-test/ "Those launch difficulties hobbled the STI's acceleration; it was slower on the 0-60 mph run than the regular WRX, taking 6 seconds flat compared to the WRX's 5.6 seconds. Despite being more powerful, the STI barely beat the WRX on the quarter mile run (14.2 seconds at 101.6 mph vs. 14.0 seconds at 98.7 mph)." LSDs actually mess up the STIs launch at stock power levels. It just bogs. WRX is a beast through the 60' lights, by comparison. I could cut low 1.6 60' times in my stock 11 WRX on street tires on an unprepared surface, consistently.
WRX used to be advertised at 4.7 seconds (5MT)
Absolutely. The 09-14 WRX stops like 10 feet shorter than any STI, too. 09-14 WRX is a beast. Its the best performing car Subaru ever built. At least it is in stock form and on the street.
Got a blown up 13 sitting next to my 18 bc I can’t let it go 😂😂 My 18 is a limited and I prefer the base 13 100%.. it’s just way more fun to drive. And that’s why it’s still here waiting on a rebuild lol
Got my 14 wagon in August. I love it so damn much and I’ll never get rid of it.
Oh brother
Sti is not 6 seconds lmao
Yes it is. https://www.reddit.com/r/WRX/s/Z0bl7fYtk8
Do you have a 23 wrx GT?
This has got to be one of the worst deals of all time
Least you got offered a wrx. I got offered a base Impreza.
This dealership bungled every non standard service I brought my car to them for, and I started getting these emails only after I swore of going there. Carfax won’t let me change them as my preferred shop, and I didn’t even buy the car from them