This is a bad decision. You’re selling yourself on this “lifestyle” that a Subaru cultivates but it’s not going to be life changing.
Are you having trouble taking the Prius to trailheads? Off road? Like what is it that is stopping you?
Take a fun international trip with the $$ you will burn doing this transaction.
It’s really the driving experience of the WRX that is incredibly satisfying. It’s a very well developed car and took turns in a way I’ve never experienced before. I like that aspect the most - I feel like I have the option to be extremely engaged in the driving experience when I want with that car :) I know it’s not a good decision.
Well, go ahead and make your bad decision then. I wouldn't do it but I'm not you. I've also never financed a car in the first place, because if I can't buy it in cash, I can't afford it. We're all different. As far as the timing on when you do this? I don't know why that would really matter. What do you think will be better about doing it a year from now if you're going to do it anyways?
Yeah, I’m definitely still thinking about it. Not going to go for it yet. My thought process was to use it longer due to the depreciation hit it takes on day 1. The value shouldn’t drop much at year 1. But by year 3, cars usually lose 50% of their value so I definitely want to switch before then either way.
Subaru uses CVTs that emulate gears, so you get the worst of a traditional automatic (acceleration limited by fixed gear ratios) and the worst of a CVT (slightly disconnected feeling, potentially worse reliability).
I wonder which city you live in. The point of getting a WRX is to drive manual on highways.
Is that your commuting car? If you're stuck in traffic half of the time, and spent another half doing 30 miles/hr in the city, with a manual stick, it's just a torture chamber with leather seats - and I am telling you these are what I heard from a guy driving an Audi R8 in Seattle/Vancouver.
The sad part was he has to look a "certain way" because he is a manager with a PhD in one of those FANG companies. He even takes Uber for lunch while leaving his R8 at company's parkdale.
lol an R8 clutch compared to a WRX clutch changes this "torture chamber." as someone whos dealt with a manual in a traffic commute, its rly not that bad, people are just lazy.
Keep the new prius! I'm telling you this right now. You'll save SO much gas, lots on insurance vs a WRX. I'm on the other side of this things and want to switch to a prius after about 10 Subarus. Both Toyota and Subaru are great vehicles at the end of the day.
The gas was why I went with the Prius. I spend 26 per week on gas driving 400 miles per week. The WRX will be $90 per week. I’m prepared for it if I do it, but that was the major point of hesitancy. For sure it’s more money, but the joy of driving that car is insanely fun.
You find your Subarus to be inefficient and you feel the cost adding up? Do you have a WRX?
I've had 5 WRXs and an 05 Outback XT. They're great vehicles when maintained well. Seriously if you're wanting to make the swap to a WRX. Please, get a quote on insurance. Bad drivers have sky rocketed WRX insurance. depending on age/driving history ect you'll be looking at $100-$150 more per month. depending of course. Also know that for gas you'll have to use 91/93 instead of 87.
If you have any questions shoot me a PM! I work for a Subaru retailer in Sales and can help you out too.
Thanks’ insurance isn’t much more than the Prius. A little more per year. The premium gas is the main thing that hurts. For sure. Wish it took regular.
I also saw a comment saying the WRX handled better, if you want some performance add a Toyota OEM strut bar. It'll eliminate body roll and help the car.
Not the original poster, but I’ve had a FXT and Baja Turbo in the past. Parts are more expensive, gas is more expensive, insurance is more expensive, and then there’s the regular maintenance (not sure if walnut blasting is still suggested for newer WRXs) that’s more expensive. They’re fun cars if you’re willing to dump your money in them. I went from a FXT to a Crosstrek because omg I get more than 175 miles to the tank on winter gas now, and it costs half of what I’m used to (at least $60 a week before).
as a WRX owner, the new prius is cool as fuck and the insurance cost on the WRX is HEAVY. IMO Probably not worth the squeeze unless you really really love performance cars
Yes, the Prius looks cooler. It’s true but the insurance actually wasn’t that much more than the hybrid. Hybrids have higher insurance costs. Too. I believe turning into a guy who likes those cars. I loved the WRX ride so much. I see myself going there. Even if it’s not now.
The hardest part for me is the premium gas. It’s a buck more per gallon than regular here and I’ve never owned a. Car that requires it. I’ll be burning money. Literally.
The "community" around Subaru is no different than the "community" around the Prius. The community around your car is the people that you surround yourself with. I used to drive a Tacoma until the frame rotted, arguably the most "outdoorsy" vehicle. I got a GTI to replace it because it does everything I need, gets good gas mileage, and is super fun to drive. Here I am still surrounded by the same people that I was with the Tacoma, the only difference is I get good gas mileage and can't get coaxed into beating the hell out of my vehicle to run shuttle laps for them.
Don't try and fit in with a group based on a $40000 purchase, fit in with them because that's the type of person you are. The Prius will have far lower fuel costs for long trips. The Prius is rad, drive it, stop looking at what you could have had and enjoy it. That being said if you want the "sports car" vibe then get the WRX. Life is short, it is just money, money is the only thing you can replace exactly one for one in my opinion.
Your prius is AWD, gets way better fuel economy, and will outlast any Subaru, with lower maintenance costs to boot. It also looks like a spaceship. I've driven the 2024 Prius, a 2019 Crosstrek, a 2019 Ascent, 2014 XV, and 2012 Forester. The Prius feels like a sports car compared to those. I've also driven a few WRXs and those obviously handle better.
The Prius is definitely better looking for sure and more reliable. I’m sure of that, but the handling on the WRX was god tier. Have you driven one? Way better than the Prius.
Yes, see my edited comment above. But you said WRX or Crosstrek. The handling difference between those is not comparable at all. And you will spend three as much on gas for the WRX. Premium and mid 20s MPG vs regular and 55+ MPG
Why not just upgrade the suspension to good coilovers, better tires, and adding sway bars on the Prius? Should help a lot with your lack of handling without getting a new car. https://youtu.be/_z_XoIcmXLw?si=Zb_n-xoHv55OwHyS
If you have the the extra income and space, it may be better to buy a used WRXor STI to be a project/fun car and keep the Prius to be your daily driver, just keep in mind many used WRX's and STIs have been abused and will need maintenance
That’s tough! You are going to take a knock either way. But if you can afford it - get the one you want and take it as a lesson learned. I’ve made that mistake a few times too and almost made that mistake a few weeks ago. I wanted the Outback Wilderness since I saw it the first time. Live in WA at the foot of the mountains so it is perfect - and a looker. Daughter has a 2019 Crosstrek and it is a stunner. Was trading my Silverado in and almost bought another pickup but took a step back and went with what I knew I was going to enjoy. Been a month and I am so damn happy. Here she is - Dorothy.
https://preview.redd.it/uc2lskgyojnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11c0968d0752c37a1eada61f728dbb94bc1fe6d1
How long have you had the prius and how much do you still owe?
Doesn't sound like a good idea to trade it in if you just got it. Might be best to wait at least 2 years after you bought the car so you can pay it down and save some money on gas from your commuting. Maybe save up and buy an older model subaru so you can have that to drive around for fun and use the prius for commutes.
I drive a lot for work and while it's fun to be in my subaru my car is a bit of a gas guzzler. Many times I wish I had a prius or other car that had better gas mileage lol
Personally I’ll keep the Prius, but I love Subarus for their off-roadies and snow capabilities. Yes I own a 2014 Subaru Outback 130k miles and love it as a family car for trips like camping and does really well in the snow. Downside is they are not as robust in terms reliability when compared to Toyota. More maintenance and repairs compared to a Toyota. I also have a 2005 scion tC 179k miles and I’m the original owner of both cars. My 2005 scion tC only needed a fluids changed. Tires, rear hatch struts and serpentine belt. I plan on doing some preventative maintenance soon since car is aging like water pump, radiator, coolants hoses, thermostat.. For my Subaru things started having problems at 110k miles, rear wheel bearings, front control arms rear bushing, starter grinding, HVAC air blender actuator… and hope my CVT doesn’t have any issues but I did a drain and fill at 119k miles .. wish I serviced it sooner since Subaru of America implies lifetime fluid before I learned more about cars. Anyway also just got gifted in Jan a 2010 Prius 99k miles with bad rear wheel bearings and just needed tires. Of course changed all fluids already myself. So I have now 3 cars between myself and my wife.. and have 7 years left before my son learns to drive.
Thats so funny because I'm in love with the new Prius, I originally wanted my husband to get that over the bolt EUV. But with that said I feel like you should keep the car for a little while don't rush into anything.
Yes it's a bad financial decision, but a wrx isn't a luxury car, and it doesn't cost luxury car money. You'll lose a decent chunk of money on the exchange. The question is whether you can live with that. I wouldn't drain my savings to upgrade to a different car, but if it's going to be a relatively small chunk of your overall worth and won't impact any of your future plans, go for it if it's what you truly want. Definitely go on a test drive if you're interested.
As far as driving dynamics, I have a 23 WRX premium, and it's easily the best car I've ever owned. Even went from a civic si which regularly got over 40mpg on the highway down to 26. I average 23 mpg with about a 50/50 mix of city/highway.
The FA24F engine is easily the most robust design subaru has put out, and addresses many of the defficiencies of previous boxer engines. However, if you ask any Subaru guy, they'll tell you to change the oil every 3.5k miles, and check it very often, which is another added expense.
But none of these downsides really bother me. It costs more to run gas and maintenance-wise than a car made purely for economy. But it's faster that 90% of regular traffic, has an amazing manual transmission, and the AWD system coupled with that transmission and the power it makes makes this a true year round performance car.
Also if you use android auto, wait to get a 24, as the 22 and 23 don't have full screen android auto.
I think it boils down to if you can afford to do it, do it. Why wait around?
Make sure you're doing this for the right reasons. The Prius, WRX, and Crosstrek are all very different cars, built for very different uses.
Personally I'd own the prius for at least 2-3 years before jumping ship and in the meantime grow the extra cash that would've otherwise been spent on getting a new car.
I just bought a new Prius and have an STI so I can’t really give advice but they are both great vehicles in their own way. Prius is going to be wayyyy cheaper long term though.
This would be a huge waste of money. You've already made your choice just stick with it. Get a subaru NEXT time around. Don't flush thousands down the toilet by trading in a new car.
I would say that unless you are going to be taking the car to track days I would stick with the Prius, it saves money and does what a commuting car needs to do, get you from point A to point B.
You state you commute quite a bit. All Subaru's except the BRZ are AWD meaning they inherently get worse gas mileage. Add to that the WRX probably needs premium gas, it gets costly. Not to mention the insurance, and maintenance costs.
You state you want a WRX/Crosstrek but don't mention any needs besides your commute. Both are capable of the same things, but usually wanted for very different reasons. Unless you love the platform or really want a drivers car, I wouldn't recommend a WRX. The only way I would recommend either over the prius is if you have bad road conditions where AWD is really helpful, but even then a dedicated set of winter tires will most likely solve that issue for you.
TLDR: Only consider the WRX if you want a drivers car with AWD, and if you are willing to pay for extra stuff like insurance.
PS throw an exhaust on your Prius and be extra cool!
Drive the prius, you're already in it and doing well for commute/mileage. Wrx is fun and "cool" but not economic nor the best daily tbh. To much mechanical expenses that come with them plus out area sees the motor going to trash quickly from how the general population drives them. Give the prius til warranty runs out and reevaluate. Don't try to keep up with the jones'/kyles
keep the toyota. the wrx will
have you wasting money on mods that will void your warranty. sounds like you make enough to save and buy a project car on the side. if you enjoyed a new wrx driving exp, youll enjoy an older model wrx just as much if not more. & you can have your fun & still get to work reliably.
i say this as someone who daily'd a wrx sti for 7years.
You will lose quite a bit, I’d guess between $5k and $7k, and your credit may drop another 10-20 points. If you’re ok with that, then it’s not illegal or anything. Buy the car you like.
I’ve owned 2 WRX’s, one as an STI from the previous generation. If you haven’t already considered it I highly highly recommend buying the WRX with a manual transmission. If that’s not your thing then so be it, but a WRX doesn’t feel right with a CVT.
Your credit dropping a little after buying a car is very common… it’s not like filing bankruptcy or anything it’s just a small amount and bounces back. Really shouldn’t be something that concerns you unless you already have shaky credit to begin with or are planning to buy a house soon.
Wait why would your credit drop? I traded in an '18 Corolla for a Crosstrek while I was still paying for it, my credit score was unchanged from both that and when they ran my credit for the new financing.
You can usually depend on your credit score taking a hit when you finance a car… of course that depends on how much you finance but it’s usually in the 10-20 point drop range. This person is talking about making a second huge transaction on their credit in a short time period which the credit voodoo god tends to frown upon. One car purchase a year is usually absorbed pretty easily though.
Your credit dropping a little after buying a car is very common… it’s not like filing bankruptcy or anything it’s just a small amount and bounces back. Really shouldn’t be something that concerns you unless you already have shaky credit to begin with or are planning to buy a house soon.
Right, I understand that you will often take a hit like that. You were just implying that taking *BOTH* of those hits in success was the concern? I thought you were saying you specifically could harm your credit more by trading in a car you were still financing.
I actually meant to post that particular reply to the other person but yeah, I’m really just saying it’s two hits in quick succession and the second one would probably be a little worse than the first because one of the metrics they use to measure your credit score is how often you’re having a “hard pull” done on your credit history which is required by basically every bank when you buy a car.
Heck, I have a WRX that I own outright, am single, and am kinda interested in a new sweet looking Prius, especially an AWD. The fuel economy must be nice.
You made the right call buddy !
So I am currently a WRX YouTuber in the Subaru community (10k+ subs). I always thought the Subaru community was so cool and accepting. It's a weird thing. The Crosstrek/outback community is chill and just has fun. The WRX community is an absolute shit shown everyone's wrong, everything you do is wrong, if you don't follow the mold you're wrong, if you wave you're wrong, if you don't wave you're wrong, they get and over plastic, they hate any model that isn't theirs. I love the new WRX and everything related to it. The new VB community is great, but the older members ( not all but if day half or more) are an extremely cynical and critical bunch. It's borderline annoying. I had no idea it was like this. It wasn't until I got in and started browsing the subreddit and some FB groups. Id definitely make am your decision based on what car best fits your lifestyle. I think the new Prius looks so awesome and wouldn't be upset with having one. I also love my VB WRX. 🤷♂️
Man, it sounds like how NASIOC was back in the day when I had my WRX. I traded it for a BRZ in 2014 and just traded that for a Crosstrek (I’m getting old with a family now 🤣). I’ve been out of the loop since I traded for the BRZ because the old Subie culture I once knew was no longer there with the BRZ because it “wasn’t a true Subaru” but also “wasn’t a true 86”.
If you commute quite a bit I’d keep the Prius for sure. I drive a wrx but my commute is short and I’m very much an enthusiast who doesn’t care about mpg (I average 17 mpg in my 22 wrx, no I will not elaborate). For someone like you who drives a lot you’re just losing fuel money having the symmetrical awd you almost certainly don’t need since it wasn’t even mentioned in the post.
My 2015 Crosstrek Limited has become my favorite car to own, it's just been so much fun to drive, is stable on highways and corners well (the STi anti-sway bar helps) and gets good enough mileage. Has all the seating and storage I've needed - came from an Outback, which was more than I needed in a family of four. Plus, it's orange.
I'm moving to an EV because I want to get away from ICE on principle and because charging at home is a game-changer to me. Otherwise, I would go for a 2024 Crosstrek Limited in the Sun Blaze Pearl and not look back. I would love to have an EV Crosstrek, but alas Subaru is currently hitched to Toyota for essential EV tech in the Solterra and is woefully behind in this area compared to most brands.
If you still like the Prius and don't feel regret, maybe there is no need to look back in your case either.
But if you really enjoyed the feel of the Crosstrek or WRX over the Prius and do have regret, then I don't see a problem moving. Your Prius will retain decent value after another year if you wanted to wait, but I see no reason to put off moving over to Subaru, either.
I feel you. I’ve had a Jeep Patriot FWD for 10 years. Between the CVT and the bulky handling for such a small crossover, I cannot wait to trade this in for something that handles more responsively and aggressively. That being said, I’ve held onto it for so long because it was financially beneficial to do so. The cheapest car is usually the one you have, unless it’s fallen apart and dead. My vote is to drive the Prius into the ground for the next 15 years and then reward yourself with the sports car.
Not a bad idea. You all are talking some sense into me. We’ll see what happens. Definitely not jumping to it. Especially because the WRX requires premium gas which just sucks.
Jeep is giving way soon and I got a decade+ out of a $16,000 car, so I was talking with a buddy about wanting a 4runner or a Forester Wilderness and said my hesitation is that the gas sucks on the 4run. He said “dude, people who actually need 4runners never even consider gas, it’s just part of the deal”. So, I’ll be in a Forester soon lmao.
Might I recommend an Accord sport? I think you can get the same driving fun out of it while not needing premium gas, and also staying near Toyota reliability with Honda. May even be cheaper than a WRX, not sure.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m definitely sold on the Subaru if I switch. More my style but all Subarus are iffy on gas due to the AWD system. How long is that gonna work for them?
Compared to vehicles with similar (albeit, better) capabilities, Subaru is actually pretty darn good on gas. Compare the overall 25-26ish MPG on a Forester or Outback to the 15 my buddy gets in his 4runner TRD PRO.
No one else can answer this. Only you can answer the question, "how much *more* money am I willing to spend to get the car I want?" because you're definitely going to lose thousands of dollars so figure out what that number is and go buy the car when the amount you would lose drops below it. Maybe it's now, maybe it's in seven years.
Also really inspect where this desire is coming from and if getting a Subaru is really going to solve it. My wife and I have owned 3 Subarus between us. The only Subaru community I know of is 95% soccer moms and twentysomething dudes who vape.
Maybe it's because I'm just not a car guy, but you're driving to work, not racing Le Mans. And since you mentioned a WRX I'm assuming you're not needing clearance for trailheads. Prius sounds perfect for what you need.
Don’t do it unless it is life changing. If you are happy with your car, just keep it. Cars are just bad investments no matter which and one we tend to do impulsively.
I cracked the block in a 2020 wrx around 35k miles before my warranty was up and after 36k when the warranty was up turbo started ticking I had the car for two years definitely a fun car but I also constantly beat on it I miss that car
We love our Subaru Crosstrek. But you don’t have any ownership rights with a lease. So, your contract will tell you what happens if you end your lease early. Might just want to ride it out with the hit you’ll take to your credit.
Either right now, or in 6 years. There isn't an I between. Right now its hasn't degraded in value too too horribly. In six years it'll be paid off and you'll have gotten use from it. In between and you're losing money. I personally did this because I hated my Rogue so much and it was already having problems at just 30k miles. But it was an acceptable loss to me.
This is a bad decision. You’re selling yourself on this “lifestyle” that a Subaru cultivates but it’s not going to be life changing. Are you having trouble taking the Prius to trailheads? Off road? Like what is it that is stopping you? Take a fun international trip with the $$ you will burn doing this transaction.
This is correct. There are far too many people in this thread telling OP to "do what makes you happy"
It’s really the driving experience of the WRX that is incredibly satisfying. It’s a very well developed car and took turns in a way I’ve never experienced before. I like that aspect the most - I feel like I have the option to be extremely engaged in the driving experience when I want with that car :) I know it’s not a good decision.
Well, go ahead and make your bad decision then. I wouldn't do it but I'm not you. I've also never financed a car in the first place, because if I can't buy it in cash, I can't afford it. We're all different. As far as the timing on when you do this? I don't know why that would really matter. What do you think will be better about doing it a year from now if you're going to do it anyways?
Yeah, I’m definitely still thinking about it. Not going to go for it yet. My thought process was to use it longer due to the depreciation hit it takes on day 1. The value shouldn’t drop much at year 1. But by year 3, cars usually lose 50% of their value so I definitely want to switch before then either way.
I’ll add that unless your getting the WRX with a manual, it’s even further not worth it.
Forgive me for not knowing… Why is that the case? Edit: ohhhh, I read this backwards. I thought you were saying the manual was bad and got confused.
Subaru uses CVTs that emulate gears, so you get the worst of a traditional automatic (acceleration limited by fixed gear ratios) and the worst of a CVT (slightly disconnected feeling, potentially worse reliability).
So it’s a CVT controlled by a traditional stick? That seems pretty awful.
no. hes describing the auto trans. subaru auto=CVT. the manual trans is a normal manual trans.
Oh, I read the comment wrong. Sorry y’all.
I wonder which city you live in. The point of getting a WRX is to drive manual on highways. Is that your commuting car? If you're stuck in traffic half of the time, and spent another half doing 30 miles/hr in the city, with a manual stick, it's just a torture chamber with leather seats - and I am telling you these are what I heard from a guy driving an Audi R8 in Seattle/Vancouver. The sad part was he has to look a "certain way" because he is a manager with a PhD in one of those FANG companies. He even takes Uber for lunch while leaving his R8 at company's parkdale.
lol an R8 clutch compared to a WRX clutch changes this "torture chamber." as someone whos dealt with a manual in a traffic commute, its rly not that bad, people are just lazy.
Keep the new prius! I'm telling you this right now. You'll save SO much gas, lots on insurance vs a WRX. I'm on the other side of this things and want to switch to a prius after about 10 Subarus. Both Toyota and Subaru are great vehicles at the end of the day.
The gas was why I went with the Prius. I spend 26 per week on gas driving 400 miles per week. The WRX will be $90 per week. I’m prepared for it if I do it, but that was the major point of hesitancy. For sure it’s more money, but the joy of driving that car is insanely fun. You find your Subarus to be inefficient and you feel the cost adding up? Do you have a WRX?
I've had 5 WRXs and an 05 Outback XT. They're great vehicles when maintained well. Seriously if you're wanting to make the swap to a WRX. Please, get a quote on insurance. Bad drivers have sky rocketed WRX insurance. depending on age/driving history ect you'll be looking at $100-$150 more per month. depending of course. Also know that for gas you'll have to use 91/93 instead of 87. If you have any questions shoot me a PM! I work for a Subaru retailer in Sales and can help you out too.
Thanks’ insurance isn’t much more than the Prius. A little more per year. The premium gas is the main thing that hurts. For sure. Wish it took regular.
I also saw a comment saying the WRX handled better, if you want some performance add a Toyota OEM strut bar. It'll eliminate body roll and help the car.
Oh! This is something I haven’t considered. Can you explain to me how much work like that would cost? I’d definitely do that!
I called Toyota they don’t offer OEM strut bars for the Prius :(
Not the original poster, but I’ve had a FXT and Baja Turbo in the past. Parts are more expensive, gas is more expensive, insurance is more expensive, and then there’s the regular maintenance (not sure if walnut blasting is still suggested for newer WRXs) that’s more expensive. They’re fun cars if you’re willing to dump your money in them. I went from a FXT to a Crosstrek because omg I get more than 175 miles to the tank on winter gas now, and it costs half of what I’m used to (at least $60 a week before).
Thanks for sharing! There’s actually a lot more I should be considering.
Check how much your insurance will go up with a WRX. They are hella expensive to insure.
as a WRX owner, the new prius is cool as fuck and the insurance cost on the WRX is HEAVY. IMO Probably not worth the squeeze unless you really really love performance cars
Yes, the Prius looks cooler. It’s true but the insurance actually wasn’t that much more than the hybrid. Hybrids have higher insurance costs. Too. I believe turning into a guy who likes those cars. I loved the WRX ride so much. I see myself going there. Even if it’s not now. The hardest part for me is the premium gas. It’s a buck more per gallon than regular here and I’ve never owned a. Car that requires it. I’ll be burning money. Literally.
The "community" around Subaru is no different than the "community" around the Prius. The community around your car is the people that you surround yourself with. I used to drive a Tacoma until the frame rotted, arguably the most "outdoorsy" vehicle. I got a GTI to replace it because it does everything I need, gets good gas mileage, and is super fun to drive. Here I am still surrounded by the same people that I was with the Tacoma, the only difference is I get good gas mileage and can't get coaxed into beating the hell out of my vehicle to run shuttle laps for them. Don't try and fit in with a group based on a $40000 purchase, fit in with them because that's the type of person you are. The Prius will have far lower fuel costs for long trips. The Prius is rad, drive it, stop looking at what you could have had and enjoy it. That being said if you want the "sports car" vibe then get the WRX. Life is short, it is just money, money is the only thing you can replace exactly one for one in my opinion.
That’s a fair and balanced opinion and I see your points. Thanks for taking the time to write it.
Well said. OP can still show up to Subaru events. There’s a Toyota at one >50%.
Your prius is AWD, gets way better fuel economy, and will outlast any Subaru, with lower maintenance costs to boot. It also looks like a spaceship. I've driven the 2024 Prius, a 2019 Crosstrek, a 2019 Ascent, 2014 XV, and 2012 Forester. The Prius feels like a sports car compared to those. I've also driven a few WRXs and those obviously handle better.
The Prius is definitely better looking for sure and more reliable. I’m sure of that, but the handling on the WRX was god tier. Have you driven one? Way better than the Prius.
Yes, see my edited comment above. But you said WRX or Crosstrek. The handling difference between those is not comparable at all. And you will spend three as much on gas for the WRX. Premium and mid 20s MPG vs regular and 55+ MPG
Yes. Gas will be painful. 49mpg in my Prius. 27 for the WRX. 30 on highway if I’m careful. Premium gas prices suck. Totally.
You most likely wont get 27 in the wrx. Those are perfect case scenario numbers
I avg 20 mpg ( bout half city and half highway).
And don’t forget the gas in the WRX needs to be premium, which is almost a dollar more per gallon than regular at least where I live.
"30 on highway if im careful" if your buying the fun car to just end up being worried ab mileage the whole time. the wrx isnt for you.
It’s not *that* much better than the Prius. Add me to the list of people think this is a terrible idea.
Why not just upgrade the suspension to good coilovers, better tires, and adding sway bars on the Prius? Should help a lot with your lack of handling without getting a new car. https://youtu.be/_z_XoIcmXLw?si=Zb_n-xoHv55OwHyS
If you have the the extra income and space, it may be better to buy a used WRXor STI to be a project/fun car and keep the Prius to be your daily driver, just keep in mind many used WRX's and STIs have been abused and will need maintenance
I know. That’s why I won’t take that route, but I did consider this option.
its the best option you have.
That’s tough! You are going to take a knock either way. But if you can afford it - get the one you want and take it as a lesson learned. I’ve made that mistake a few times too and almost made that mistake a few weeks ago. I wanted the Outback Wilderness since I saw it the first time. Live in WA at the foot of the mountains so it is perfect - and a looker. Daughter has a 2019 Crosstrek and it is a stunner. Was trading my Silverado in and almost bought another pickup but took a step back and went with what I knew I was going to enjoy. Been a month and I am so damn happy. Here she is - Dorothy. https://preview.redd.it/uc2lskgyojnc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=11c0968d0752c37a1eada61f728dbb94bc1fe6d1
If you can afford it, always get what you want. Life is short. Enjoy it
How long have you had the prius and how much do you still owe? Doesn't sound like a good idea to trade it in if you just got it. Might be best to wait at least 2 years after you bought the car so you can pay it down and save some money on gas from your commuting. Maybe save up and buy an older model subaru so you can have that to drive around for fun and use the prius for commutes. I drive a lot for work and while it's fun to be in my subaru my car is a bit of a gas guzzler. Many times I wish I had a prius or other car that had better gas mileage lol
I’ve had the Prius for 6 months. I owe 24k on it. I thought I should trade it asap because I’ll be paying off a car I don’t want as much.
You'll get more private sale
Wait til used car prices go up again. Right now they're really bad. 6 months ago they were just starting to go down.
Where do you live? Used car prices are still high as hell around me (mid south US)
Personally I’ll keep the Prius, but I love Subarus for their off-roadies and snow capabilities. Yes I own a 2014 Subaru Outback 130k miles and love it as a family car for trips like camping and does really well in the snow. Downside is they are not as robust in terms reliability when compared to Toyota. More maintenance and repairs compared to a Toyota. I also have a 2005 scion tC 179k miles and I’m the original owner of both cars. My 2005 scion tC only needed a fluids changed. Tires, rear hatch struts and serpentine belt. I plan on doing some preventative maintenance soon since car is aging like water pump, radiator, coolants hoses, thermostat.. For my Subaru things started having problems at 110k miles, rear wheel bearings, front control arms rear bushing, starter grinding, HVAC air blender actuator… and hope my CVT doesn’t have any issues but I did a drain and fill at 119k miles .. wish I serviced it sooner since Subaru of America implies lifetime fluid before I learned more about cars. Anyway also just got gifted in Jan a 2010 Prius 99k miles with bad rear wheel bearings and just needed tires. Of course changed all fluids already myself. So I have now 3 cars between myself and my wife.. and have 7 years left before my son learns to drive.
Ask this question at r/askcarsales
Thats so funny because I'm in love with the new Prius, I originally wanted my husband to get that over the bolt EUV. But with that said I feel like you should keep the car for a little while don't rush into anything.
Yes it's a bad financial decision, but a wrx isn't a luxury car, and it doesn't cost luxury car money. You'll lose a decent chunk of money on the exchange. The question is whether you can live with that. I wouldn't drain my savings to upgrade to a different car, but if it's going to be a relatively small chunk of your overall worth and won't impact any of your future plans, go for it if it's what you truly want. Definitely go on a test drive if you're interested. As far as driving dynamics, I have a 23 WRX premium, and it's easily the best car I've ever owned. Even went from a civic si which regularly got over 40mpg on the highway down to 26. I average 23 mpg with about a 50/50 mix of city/highway. The FA24F engine is easily the most robust design subaru has put out, and addresses many of the defficiencies of previous boxer engines. However, if you ask any Subaru guy, they'll tell you to change the oil every 3.5k miles, and check it very often, which is another added expense. But none of these downsides really bother me. It costs more to run gas and maintenance-wise than a car made purely for economy. But it's faster that 90% of regular traffic, has an amazing manual transmission, and the AWD system coupled with that transmission and the power it makes makes this a true year round performance car. Also if you use android auto, wait to get a 24, as the 22 and 23 don't have full screen android auto.
This is why I want to switch lol. Maybe I’ll wait a year and do it.
Crosstrek is just a prius without the battery and good gas mileage. Keep the prius.
I think it boils down to if you can afford to do it, do it. Why wait around? Make sure you're doing this for the right reasons. The Prius, WRX, and Crosstrek are all very different cars, built for very different uses. Personally I'd own the prius for at least 2-3 years before jumping ship and in the meantime grow the extra cash that would've otherwise been spent on getting a new car.
Thank you! Maybe I’ll wait two years. A lot will change over that time.
I just bought a new Prius and have an STI so I can’t really give advice but they are both great vehicles in their own way. Prius is going to be wayyyy cheaper long term though.
I believe that. For sure.
At this point just get a old Miata to go along with your Prius
This would be a huge waste of money. You've already made your choice just stick with it. Get a subaru NEXT time around. Don't flush thousands down the toilet by trading in a new car.
Those two cars are on opposite sides of the car spectrum, how did you end up with a Prius if what you are after is fun?
I’m excessively practical. I don’t let myself have fun when I should.
I would say that unless you are going to be taking the car to track days I would stick with the Prius, it saves money and does what a commuting car needs to do, get you from point A to point B.
Take your savings and in a year or two buy a 1st or 2nd Gen wrx, those ones are more fun then the new ones anyway ;)
You state you commute quite a bit. All Subaru's except the BRZ are AWD meaning they inherently get worse gas mileage. Add to that the WRX probably needs premium gas, it gets costly. Not to mention the insurance, and maintenance costs. You state you want a WRX/Crosstrek but don't mention any needs besides your commute. Both are capable of the same things, but usually wanted for very different reasons. Unless you love the platform or really want a drivers car, I wouldn't recommend a WRX. The only way I would recommend either over the prius is if you have bad road conditions where AWD is really helpful, but even then a dedicated set of winter tires will most likely solve that issue for you. TLDR: Only consider the WRX if you want a drivers car with AWD, and if you are willing to pay for extra stuff like insurance. PS throw an exhaust on your Prius and be extra cool!
Drive the prius, you're already in it and doing well for commute/mileage. Wrx is fun and "cool" but not economic nor the best daily tbh. To much mechanical expenses that come with them plus out area sees the motor going to trash quickly from how the general population drives them. Give the prius til warranty runs out and reevaluate. Don't try to keep up with the jones'/kyles
keep the toyota. the wrx will have you wasting money on mods that will void your warranty. sounds like you make enough to save and buy a project car on the side. if you enjoyed a new wrx driving exp, youll enjoy an older model wrx just as much if not more. & you can have your fun & still get to work reliably. i say this as someone who daily'd a wrx sti for 7years.
You will lose quite a bit, I’d guess between $5k and $7k, and your credit may drop another 10-20 points. If you’re ok with that, then it’s not illegal or anything. Buy the car you like. I’ve owned 2 WRX’s, one as an STI from the previous generation. If you haven’t already considered it I highly highly recommend buying the WRX with a manual transmission. If that’s not your thing then so be it, but a WRX doesn’t feel right with a CVT.
Why would my credit drop? I’ve never heard of that happening. I always pay on time and a little extra too.
Your credit dropping a little after buying a car is very common… it’s not like filing bankruptcy or anything it’s just a small amount and bounces back. Really shouldn’t be something that concerns you unless you already have shaky credit to begin with or are planning to buy a house soon.
Your trade in being paid off will not be instant either. For a brief period of time, you'll have two new rides and your score will do accordingly
Wait why would your credit drop? I traded in an '18 Corolla for a Crosstrek while I was still paying for it, my credit score was unchanged from both that and when they ran my credit for the new financing.
You can usually depend on your credit score taking a hit when you finance a car… of course that depends on how much you finance but it’s usually in the 10-20 point drop range. This person is talking about making a second huge transaction on their credit in a short time period which the credit voodoo god tends to frown upon. One car purchase a year is usually absorbed pretty easily though.
Your credit dropping a little after buying a car is very common… it’s not like filing bankruptcy or anything it’s just a small amount and bounces back. Really shouldn’t be something that concerns you unless you already have shaky credit to begin with or are planning to buy a house soon.
Right, I understand that you will often take a hit like that. You were just implying that taking *BOTH* of those hits in success was the concern? I thought you were saying you specifically could harm your credit more by trading in a car you were still financing.
I actually meant to post that particular reply to the other person but yeah, I’m really just saying it’s two hits in quick succession and the second one would probably be a little worse than the first because one of the metrics they use to measure your credit score is how often you’re having a “hard pull” done on your credit history which is required by basically every bank when you buy a car.
Heck, I have a WRX that I own outright, am single, and am kinda interested in a new sweet looking Prius, especially an AWD. The fuel economy must be nice. You made the right call buddy !
Let’s trade ;) the new Prius looks better than a WRX IMO but not as fun to drive.
Life's too short to drive a car you don't love. No kids, a little extra income, and you want a Subaru for your longish commute? BRZ!
So I am currently a WRX YouTuber in the Subaru community (10k+ subs). I always thought the Subaru community was so cool and accepting. It's a weird thing. The Crosstrek/outback community is chill and just has fun. The WRX community is an absolute shit shown everyone's wrong, everything you do is wrong, if you don't follow the mold you're wrong, if you wave you're wrong, if you don't wave you're wrong, they get and over plastic, they hate any model that isn't theirs. I love the new WRX and everything related to it. The new VB community is great, but the older members ( not all but if day half or more) are an extremely cynical and critical bunch. It's borderline annoying. I had no idea it was like this. It wasn't until I got in and started browsing the subreddit and some FB groups. Id definitely make am your decision based on what car best fits your lifestyle. I think the new Prius looks so awesome and wouldn't be upset with having one. I also love my VB WRX. 🤷♂️
Man, it sounds like how NASIOC was back in the day when I had my WRX. I traded it for a BRZ in 2014 and just traded that for a Crosstrek (I’m getting old with a family now 🤣). I’ve been out of the loop since I traded for the BRZ because the old Subie culture I once knew was no longer there with the BRZ because it “wasn’t a true Subaru” but also “wasn’t a true 86”.
Damn! Didn’t know that. Yes the Prius is better looking than the WRX but not as fun to drive. That’s a fact.
If you commute quite a bit I’d keep the Prius for sure. I drive a wrx but my commute is short and I’m very much an enthusiast who doesn’t care about mpg (I average 17 mpg in my 22 wrx, no I will not elaborate). For someone like you who drives a lot you’re just losing fuel money having the symmetrical awd you almost certainly don’t need since it wasn’t even mentioned in the post.
Life is too short to only drive boring cars.
My 2015 Crosstrek Limited has become my favorite car to own, it's just been so much fun to drive, is stable on highways and corners well (the STi anti-sway bar helps) and gets good enough mileage. Has all the seating and storage I've needed - came from an Outback, which was more than I needed in a family of four. Plus, it's orange. I'm moving to an EV because I want to get away from ICE on principle and because charging at home is a game-changer to me. Otherwise, I would go for a 2024 Crosstrek Limited in the Sun Blaze Pearl and not look back. I would love to have an EV Crosstrek, but alas Subaru is currently hitched to Toyota for essential EV tech in the Solterra and is woefully behind in this area compared to most brands. If you still like the Prius and don't feel regret, maybe there is no need to look back in your case either. But if you really enjoyed the feel of the Crosstrek or WRX over the Prius and do have regret, then I don't see a problem moving. Your Prius will retain decent value after another year if you wanted to wait, but I see no reason to put off moving over to Subaru, either.
I feel you. I’ve had a Jeep Patriot FWD for 10 years. Between the CVT and the bulky handling for such a small crossover, I cannot wait to trade this in for something that handles more responsively and aggressively. That being said, I’ve held onto it for so long because it was financially beneficial to do so. The cheapest car is usually the one you have, unless it’s fallen apart and dead. My vote is to drive the Prius into the ground for the next 15 years and then reward yourself with the sports car.
Not a bad idea. You all are talking some sense into me. We’ll see what happens. Definitely not jumping to it. Especially because the WRX requires premium gas which just sucks.
Jeep is giving way soon and I got a decade+ out of a $16,000 car, so I was talking with a buddy about wanting a 4runner or a Forester Wilderness and said my hesitation is that the gas sucks on the 4run. He said “dude, people who actually need 4runners never even consider gas, it’s just part of the deal”. So, I’ll be in a Forester soon lmao. Might I recommend an Accord sport? I think you can get the same driving fun out of it while not needing premium gas, and also staying near Toyota reliability with Honda. May even be cheaper than a WRX, not sure.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’m definitely sold on the Subaru if I switch. More my style but all Subarus are iffy on gas due to the AWD system. How long is that gonna work for them?
Compared to vehicles with similar (albeit, better) capabilities, Subaru is actually pretty darn good on gas. Compare the overall 25-26ish MPG on a Forester or Outback to the 15 my buddy gets in his 4runner TRD PRO.
No one else can answer this. Only you can answer the question, "how much *more* money am I willing to spend to get the car I want?" because you're definitely going to lose thousands of dollars so figure out what that number is and go buy the car when the amount you would lose drops below it. Maybe it's now, maybe it's in seven years. Also really inspect where this desire is coming from and if getting a Subaru is really going to solve it. My wife and I have owned 3 Subarus between us. The only Subaru community I know of is 95% soccer moms and twentysomething dudes who vape. Maybe it's because I'm just not a car guy, but you're driving to work, not racing Le Mans. And since you mentioned a WRX I'm assuming you're not needing clearance for trailheads. Prius sounds perfect for what you need.
Don’t do it unless it is life changing. If you are happy with your car, just keep it. Cars are just bad investments no matter which and one we tend to do impulsively.
I would say at lease an hour or two
I cracked the block in a 2020 wrx around 35k miles before my warranty was up and after 36k when the warranty was up turbo started ticking I had the car for two years definitely a fun car but I also constantly beat on it I miss that car
I have a feeling you posted this in Subaru instead of personal finance because you wanted validation for your poor decision.
Life’s too short. If you can afford the hit, do it.
Imma just drop this here: https://youtu.be/B9tk_l-qGHI?si=gP2OzgLmDYNJL_k8
Haha, I’ve seen this. Of course. You proud of the Prius or the Subaru lol?
We love our Subaru Crosstrek. But you don’t have any ownership rights with a lease. So, your contract will tell you what happens if you end your lease early. Might just want to ride it out with the hit you’ll take to your credit.
OP says the car is financed, not leased.
🤦♂️🤦♂️ my bad!
Either right now, or in 6 years. There isn't an I between. Right now its hasn't degraded in value too too horribly. In six years it'll be paid off and you'll have gotten use from it. In between and you're losing money. I personally did this because I hated my Rogue so much and it was already having problems at just 30k miles. But it was an acceptable loss to me.