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2015 WRX w/ CVT

trungma

trungma

Senior member
So I've been driving a 2007 Civic SI for 7 years now and my wife and I are now looking at the 2016 WRX. Problem is that I prefer manual but my wife doesn't know how or want to learn to drive a manual car. So I am stuck with getting the WRX with a CVT.

I have concern about the reliability of the CVT, especially since it is relative new for the WRX. Does anybody have any experience with them?
 
Have you considered getting a new wife?

Or maybe pick a different car.

Both of those would be preferable to the CVT WRX.

In all seriousness I'm confused as to why you want to stick with a WRX if you can't have the manual. There have to be cars better suited to what you really need since the driving fun factor is completely gone if you choose that transmission.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-subaru-wrx-automatic-test-review

Maybe a Forester XT? Looks like it's actually cheaper than an auto WRX.

Viper GTS
 
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Is she driving your Si today? Is the new car for both of you?

Not saying the WRX CVT is a 'bad' car, but as a WRX owner, its not a real WRX to me. There are 'better' automatics than the WRX. Part of it's charm is that it is a MT IMHO.
 
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$5 says he bought the Si before she was his wife.

Anyway, kinda have to agree. The CVT is fine for an A-B car but I would not want it in a fun car. We have an NA Fozzy and its great in that application. It's probably fine in a Fozzy XT too (never drove it so I can't say for sure) given it's not designed to be a "fun" car.
 
exar333 said:
Is she driving your Si today? Is the new car for both of you?

Not saying the WRX CVT is a 'bad' car, but as a WRX owner, its not a real WRX to me. There are 'better' automatics than the WRX. Part of it's charm is that it is a MT IMHO.
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Yeah, new car for both of us. Going to get rid of the Civic which is a manual car.

I agree that manual is the way to go but the wifey gets to pick the car this time since I got to pick the last two new cars. She likes the WRX but shoot me some suggestions so I can run it by her. We're mainly looking at 4-door cars.

I heard the manual mode for the CVT isn't too bad though.
 
NutBucket said:
$5 says he bought the Si before she was his wife.

Anyway, kinda have to agree. The CVT is fine for an A-B car but I would not want it in a fun car. We have an NA Fozzy and its great in that application. It's probably fine in a Fozzy XT too (never drove it so I can't say for sure) given it's not designed to be a "fun" car.
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Not quite. 🙂 Bought the Civic SI when we were together but she never bothered to learn how to drive manual. We live in the Vancouver area so she just takes transit. But seeing how it can get pretty sketchy sometimes, I wanted to get a car that she can drive but isn't too boring.
 
What's all fuss about ... WXR with CVT is essentially Impreza with turbo. And since they don't make these anymore ... WXR with CVT is second best option.
 
If AT is a must, a GTi 2/4-door would be well within your price-range, even optioned-out pretty heavily. If I went AT, for a similar type of vehicle, its a great choice.
 
I just picked up my 2016 WRX from the dealer yesterday. I like it, but coming from my last car (1999 Ford Escort in full stripper trim), I don't think I could not like it.

I got the manual model, so I can't comment on anything regarding the CVT. However, the CVT debuted in the Forester for the 2014 model year, so if you have concerns that would be a good place to start as they have the most history (~2 years).
 
C101 said:
I just picked up my 2016 WRX from the dealer yesterday. I like it, but coming from my last car (1999 Ford Escort in full stripper trim), I don't think I could not like it.

I got the manual model, so I can't comment on anything regarding the CVT. However, the CVT debuted in the Forester for the 2014 model year, so if you have concerns that would be a good place to start as they have the most history (~2 years).
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Hah, I had a '99 Escort as well, I miss it! It was actually a really great car, especially in stick. Fun little go-kart :thumbsup:
 
my wife has a legacy with a cvt and it is quite possibly the worst transmission I have ever, EVER encountered in a car. PLEASE do yourself a favor and find something else.

I have a 2007 Civic Si as well. Just teach your wife to drive it! once she learns she will love it.
 
I have a 2015 WRX with a manual. It's certainly the way to go. I did have a chance to test drive one with the CVT. It was good for what it is. I seem to remember that it had a sport mode for the CVT.
 
trungma said:
So I've been driving a 2007 Civic SI for 7 years now and my wife and I are now looking at the 2016 WRX. Problem is that I prefer manual but my wife doesn't know how or want to learn to drive a manual car. So I am stuck with getting the WRX with a CVT.

I have concern about the reliability of the CVT, especially since it is relative new for the WRX. Does anybody have any experience with them?
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I did something similar, Civic to Forester. My wife let me drive it around for a week (her car). I have driven a couple other cars with CVT (Honda HR-V & a couple Nissan Versas) and the Subaru CVT is by FAR the best. I thought Nissan had the market after their last-gen CVT design upgrade, but Subaru is even better. Lots of great torque, climbs hills awesome, and that's just in the base non-turbo '15 Forester. I am (surprisingly) very pleased with it :thumbsup:
 
vshah said:
my wife has a legacy with a cvt and it is quite possibly the worst transmission I have ever, EVER encountered in a car. PLEASE do yourself a favor and find something else.

I have a 2007 Civic Si as well. Just teach your wife to drive it! once she learns she will love it.
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What year & what engine? I took a 2015 Legacy out for a test-drive (4-cylinder) and was disappointed - most notably, sluggish off the line. Even the sales guy told me I wouldn't be happy with it & that people didn't like how the transmission was setup on that config. However, the 4-clinder Forester is night & day, much better, and the Impreza was nicer to drive than my '13 Civic. They seem to tune it per-car. I would like to take a 6-cylinder out at some point to see how it compares, it's supposed to be a lot better off the line.
 
New legacy with 36mpg and AWD surely is not racing machine. Getting such mpg means they tuned engine + transmission always for economy.
 
Considering the WRX is lacking in ride comfort, the CVT would just make it an unpleasant car to be in all the time. For that money, get a Chrysler 200 and at least be comfortable or something.
 
Don't do CVT, like ever. There is no manual mode, every CVT tries to simulate it...There is really one fun car in this price bracket that is worth considering: VW GTI 4 door (or 2 door). DSG is nice, and the hatchback is very practical. I know you said 4 doors, but I'll also toss in the Mustang Ecoboost or V6. Very fun car!

You will also open a whole set of cars if you go the used route. Slightly used C class, or 3 series or A4, or G37, or IS250/350 might be worth looking into.
 
If all you want is something with 4 doors and <$35k, there's a ton of options out there. What about a loaded Ford Fusion? Loaded Mazda6? What about lightly used BMW, Audi etc? Your requirements are pretty open.

I would definitely not get a WRX with a CVT.
 
If it's new, the CVT should be OK. I wouldn't buy a used one out of warranty though. The track record of that technology just isn't too solid.
 
Fritzo said:
If it's new, the CVT should be OK. I wouldn't buy a used one out of warranty though. The track record of that technology just isn't too solid.
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Yeah that's what I am worried about. The CVT is fairly new and I suspect it's more complicated than a standard automatic which means it may have more issues.

The Golf GTI sounds like an idea. I didn't know you can get it in automatic.
 
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