About the Subaru WRX
Bill Lang bought this Subaru WRX new with extra options for $61,261 (including all on-road costs). Bill Lang won’t buy this car again because: “The car will happily idle with one wheel spinning and the other stopped. It’s not AWD. Subaru has forgotten what the R in WRX stands for. The dash is a beeping.” There is a glittering scum, who constantly cries wolf over the most trifling things.”
How reliable has your car been? Let us know about any issues.
AWD failure. The first time my (gravel 12 degree) driveway gives way to the front right and the other three do nothing. Dig a hole almost deep enough to ground the body to the point where I retreat before I hurt myself. Replacing the seventeen-year-old X-Trail is better AWD performance at half the price.
Despite the badge it should drive as if it were front wheel drive. I certainly wouldn’t trust it in any low traction situations like snow or dirt.
What about the ownership experience with your car?
Software failure. The dash lights up like a Christmas tree for the most trivial of reasons and the beeping is almost constant. A little fog on the windscreen causes the computer to turn off half the security features and half the stupid lights on. Cannot see lane lines, beep and flash. Someone cuts you off on the highway, beep and flash.
As a software designer, I don’t consider this a beta standard. My 2021 HiLux has most of the same features but is less intrusive.
How has the purchase and aftercare experience been with your car?
Worst brand new car buying experience I have ever had. Trivett Paramatta makes the buying process slower and more difficult than it should be.
I had a deposit for almost a year, but I can’t have the color I ordered. They take the excitement out of a brand new performance car.
Are you happy with the price and features of your car?
If you can ignore the off-tar traction issues and drive with a Christmas tree in your face, this is a great car.
The heated seats are very comfortable, the driver’s memory makes it easy to share with a spouse, and the audio system is great.
What do you think about your car’s performance and economy?
I didn’t give a single thought to the economy. Seriously, this is a sports car! It has enough power which it delivers easily on dry tar road. It has enough grunt to bite you if you’re not paying attention.
What about the technology in your car?
Most settings and features are fairly easy to find and figure out. Alas, the security features are horribly intrusive. If you turn off the beeping associated with a security feature, an idiot light turns on. Sounds like the software project manager was a nervous grandma.
How about your ride comfort and handling of your car?
The steering is precise and it steers cleanly through corners at high speeds. The brakes are excellent without the fuss of some ABS systems, as I discovered when another driver tried to rear-end me in traffic. It still has some of the excitement that Mark is known for.
Do you have any additional comments about your car?
A fun car to drive on dry tar, but I wouldn’t drive through anything else.