Matt P. covered Subaru’s WRX price cut today, along with the car’s sales issues.
Will dropping the price give this generation of the WRX a shot in the arm? Or do we need to wait until the next generation arrives?
I used to love the WRX, circa 2013. That generation of the car was a blast to drive, and so what if it was a little rough around the edges, especially in terms of NVH? So what if the styling was kinda ugly — the automotive equivalent of a bulldog? Affordable fun with all-wheel drive utility could be had.
Maybe I’ve softened with age, or maybe the competition is stronger, or both, but the current WRX doesn’t appeal to me as much. I am still cool with the styling — fun trumps attractiveness — but there’s no more STI (though the tS comes close) and the price has jumped. As far as the lack of refinement goes, I could live with that a lower price point, but it’s also worth noting that most of the competition offers more refinement for similar money — and that’s even after today’s price cut.
The good news is that a lot the WRX’s flaws can be fixed with a redesign. Looks are subjective, sure, but the NVH can be tightened up without losing the car’s pugnacious fun. If Subaru does that right and sets the MSRP at the right amount, well, people like me might fall back in love.
It’s your turn. What do you think? Sound off below.
[Image: Subaru]
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