S2KI Honda S2000 Forums - Subaru Dealer Got Me Into Another WRX

My dealer has been bugging me to buy back my leased 2019 WRX for the last while. I wasn't in need of a new vehicle and I kind of thought the new model wasn't that much of an upgrade over my current car. I wasn't expecting the dealer to come through with anything of significance but I went down to see what they had to say. I was able to test-drive a 2022 WRX and the money they offered on my 3 year old car seemed too good to pass up. The value of used cars is at a peak right now, but I suspect things could change in 8-12 months as new car production gets back on track (just my guess) ?.

The new WRX is more of an evolutionary re-design, not a huge difference overall. Many people dislike the exterior plastic parts, it doesn't bother me and I can live with it. The new motor should be making more power, but it drives a bit better than the outgoing 2L, with no dips in the powerband or funky timing stuff going on. Fuel economy is worse than my 2L motor though. The clutch and tranny are as good as ever, quite good. Handling is improved, the chassis is upgraded on a new platform and pretty stiff, and the steering feels better to me. The brakes feel a bit better, and they have ventilated rear rotors now which is cool. The interior is pretty similar to the last gen, the new infotainment screen is pretty large, the Harman Kardon sound system is impressive.

We are getting the SPT transmission though so my other family members can drive it. It shifts faster now, with faster shifts up and down, it also holds rpms in corners, and downshifts intuitively approaching turns, and it has rev match downshift for what it's worth. I think it only gives up 0.1 secs in 0-60 over the manual tranny, so not too shabby.

I couldn't resist the deal, I have driven my 19 WRX for over three years, and it is out of warranty on the bumper-to-bumper coverage. The new WRX is the same trim level as my current car, but it now comes with keyless entry, remote start, and full eyesight safety package- which my 2019 did not have- plus some tech upgrades. They will take my leased WRX back with nothing required of me , and they will pay me 6,500 dollars in equity. I get into a new car with full warranty and roadside assistance, and it gets me started with new brakes and tires and fluids all over again, plus that new car smell , lol . I haven't spent much money on the WRX in three years other than oil changes, it has been completely reliable and no visits to the dealer for any warranty work. I get to drive my current car until the new car arrives from Japan. I might have been interested in getting out of my current lease and into a new WRX at zero cost, but the offer of an equity payment was a real bonus, so I took the offer.

I have no complaints about with the new car, it has everything I need as a daily driver. I would have jumped into a BRZ but 2022 orders are closed, and the 23's won't be available until the later fall months. The dealer had this WRX on order already, in Ice Silver colour as a dealer stock vehicle, it isn't produced yet but in queue to be assembled in coming weeks. Then it needs to be shipped to Canada from Japan , however long that takes. So overall not a bad deal, times are a bit weird now with used car prices so I better take advantage of it while I can.