Used 2017 Subaru WRX Consumer Reviews
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Fast fun practical sedan, good hwy mpg
Great car all around. Only issues I experienced is due to Subarus decline in quality. They have premature clutch wear issues, clutch can go out by 20K miles. Subaru has a technical service bulletin and has created new parts to address it, but will fight you on warranty claims since it is a wear and tear item. Service can be slow.
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The 15+ WRX daily drive with fun injection
If you’re looking for one four season performance car that can be daily driven comfortably and still deal with snow and terrible roads and you’ve got around $30k, this is the car for you. Great fuel economy for the performance class, fees like an Audi at high speed, but has a lower CG and less weight hanging out beyond the front axle so it doesn’t understeer like an Audi. Dead flat in corners, predictable near its limits and quite quick. It’s only downfall is tire noise and it’s terrible factory boost control solenoid. Unbeatable value for the money
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- Premium SedanMSRP: $12,99039 mi away
- STI SedanMSRP: $22,995158 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $18,995158 mi away
Fun car with a few downsides
This is my second Subaru WRX. My first was a 2016 base model with the 6 speed manual. I originally got rid of the 2016 because I was sick of daily driving a manual transmission car in traffic. I traded it for a 2017 Premium trim with the CVT. The Premium trim has a few nice extras like a sunroof and fog lights and the car is built well and has a good firm ride and feels sturdy. The big problem I have with this car is that the CVT. It just doesn't belong in this car. I like that it has 3 driving modes that you can choose from but the shifts are noticeably artificial. My second problem is the fuel economy. I thought the CVT would help the mpgs over the manual but its actually worse. I was averaging 22-23 mpg in the city with the manual and the CVT is averaging 18-19 in intelligent (economy) mode. I absolutely love this car with the manual, especially if you live someplace where you can really use it and have fun with it. At this point I really regret getting the CVT.
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The sports car, in midsize sedan clothing.
The good: - Blazingly fast acceleration off the line with precise handling and precision cornering. There's very few cars that match the sheer thrill this car gives when you hit the acceleration pedal. Smiles per mile certainly checks out. - Resale value is absolutely incredible. I had somebody at a traffic light make an offer to buy the vehicle off me, then and there. I was also in an accident that saw my vehicle as a write off and actually got more than I ever dreamed I would from insurance. The bad: - Stereo system leaves a lot to be desired. When I first heard it I thought something was wrong with it, only to find out that's how it is. Not to mention anything below 17 (of 40) on the dial is complete silence. But turn it up too high and it becomes a garbled mess. - Road/wind noise is loud at high way speeds. If you wanted to be one with nature, and also wanted to drown out how mediocre the radio sounds, freeway driving will remedy all that. No dial needed. - Ride is stiff and seating is uncomfortable on long commutes compared to most other vehicles I've driven. Because of the cars low center of gravity, you're gonna feel every pothole and chip in the road. - Turbo charged vehicles were suppose to make fuel economy better - not in this car. I was getting 480km on a full tank (on average) and over 520+ on really good days. Better than an STI though, am I right? - Shifting in the manual version of this car is not too great. It's mushy, and the gears between 1 and 2 are incredibly short. I was a novice manual driver when I first bought this car, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that is the same. - The exterior is incredibly polarizing in this car, in that you're either gonna love, or hate, how it looks. The saying goes that the styling gets worse with every generation. I tend to agree because I wouldn't be caught dead driving in the 2022 WRX, but that's of course my own humble opinion. - Acceleration pedal is a bit unnerving. You get all the power this car has to offer within the first 30% depression of the pedal. Go any further and... that's it. It doesn't go any faster. It's something it took getting use to, but ultimately became a non-issue, however I feel it is worth mentioning. Overall: You shouldn't confuse it for your average run of the mill sedan. It's a sports car that can haul groceries and haul butt when you need it to. However, if you're looking for creature comforts, I'd advise looking elsewhere. I LOVED this car during the 4 years of ownership, and it remains to this day the best car I've ever driven. I just know it isn't for everyone.
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2 Years later and love her even more
This month has been 2 years since I purchased my WRX new. The car has been flawless. Always reliable and dependable. Best mpg i have gotten was 28 mpg mostly highway while having fun. I'm sure if i put the cruise control at 70 I could get another couple mpgs. Car is decently quick and handles like its on rails. I have never been so excited for turns in my life. Only complaint is the stock tune. It pulls hard to 4k rpm then dies till 5k rpm then picks up again. Next year i will modify the car. Full exhaust, intake and pro tune. Afterwards she will be a complete different animal. Just note when you mod your new WRX you will pass up the warranty on your engine. As long as your tuner is spot on, there's really nothing to worry about. One more thing, this car has held its value so well. I were to sell it now I would only lose 5% of what i paid. That's excellent since most cars lose 10-15% when you drive off the lot. Overall very happy with my WRX.
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Sports sedan for the family man
This is my second WRX and overall I am very satisfied. Acceleration is very strong for a 4 cylinder, 0-60 in the mid 5s, Considering its all wheel drive its lightweight and agile. The turbo kicks in early, but falls on its face at higher RPMS. The aftermarket is very large so making more power is easy if you so desire. I have full bolt ons and can hit 40 mpg on the highway, 35 mixed. Shifting into second gear smoothly can be a bit tricky, but there are aftermarket remedies as well. Subaru did a great job updating the interior over the previous generation, but the factory sound system is still lacking. The car is comfortable enough to daily, and still capable to aggressively drive down back roads. The seats are comfortable and supportive. Interior space is good, I don't ever feel cramped. Plenty of trunk space, at least for my needs. I'm not too big on gadges or electronics, but the blue tooth takes a bit long to connect. After owning the car for over a year, no unscheduled maintenance, just regular oil changes and tire rotations and she's good to go! This is the definition of an affordable sports sedan for the family man.
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If you love to drive
I have had my 2017 WRX (CVT) for almost two years and I can honestly say that I still make excuses to drive it. I have never driven another car that is so much fun. There is just something about the combination of the synchronous awd, the low center of gravity, the power and suspension. I actively look for curving roads just for the thrill of cornering. I have owned many cars over the years, from Hondas to Volvos. My first Subaru was a 2011 Legacy GT. While I loved the drive, I hated the transmission. It was tricky and a complete pain in city traffic. After trading it in for a more mundane sedan I realized how much I missed the drive. When I learned that the WRX was available with a CVT, I was immediately sold. I don't mind the very stiff ride, as that road feel is a part of the appeal. There are times that I wish it were a bit quieter, but not so much that I would consider giving it up.
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Great performance vehicle
This car is super powerful and inspires a lot of confidence when driving. That's pretty much where things end. The seats are mediocre, the shifter has never been great, and the technology is years behind even other Japanese manufacturers. If you spend the $30K to buy this it will put a smile on your face every day if you get a little bit of open road in front of you. When traffic exists, you will find yourself wondering why the heck you bought this. If you can take it to a track now and then, this is the ultimate all around vehicle.
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A Few Observations - 2017 WRX w/CVT
CVT: In normal driving, this CVT out performs a MT for most of us because it always upshifts and downshifts when it should (while the best drivers with MTs will usually but not always shift precisely at the right time). For a good time, a MT always wins. And while I really like this CVT, I feel like I have more control with a MT. Brutal Suspension: I've seen at least one review saying the WRX has a brutal suspension. There must be something wrong with mine. Yes it is firm, but even my 96 year old mother likes the way the car rides. Nanny Controls: Excluding Eyesight, I've found basic nanny controls are introverts, shy and rarely making themselves known. Eyesight is an extrovert, looking over your shoulder, beeping to get your attention, flashing warnings, even sharing steering, brakes and accelerator if you let it. Eyesight is a glimpse of more good things to come and cars that will do things we haven't yet dreamed of.
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2017 WRX Limited
It is my first Japanese car ever and I love it. One comment though. If you are not fammiliar with manual transmission this car is not for you. Clutch is unforgiven buy it if you are confident in your abilities. For sure you will start smiling from the first day you owe your WRX
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