Going to a WRX Hatchback from a Tacoma?

Thinking about switching to a used wrx hatchback from my toyota tacoma dclb 4x4, same model year (2012) but 60k less miles on the wrx plus from a dealer so it would come with a 100k warranty where the tacoma is out of warranty(I know it doesn't matter too much). Just looking for input if anyone has done the same and what your pro's/cons are. I don't do a helluva lot of towing just move stuff from time to time. My commute is 50 miles RT now so looking for a bit more economical transport plus its easier to get around in downtown areas with a compact car.

The subie would fit all my needs for probably 95% of the time but that 5% is hauling the little stuff ie. to recycling, couches etc. I do fear the backseat maybe a little small for most of my passengers. But hey its not like they are in it everyday. Lately it seems more of my friends have needed the truck than me. haha

 

I have an 07 WRX

I love it. The back seat is kinda small but I dont have people in the back anyways.


150K Miles on it
replaced the clutch once. I drive the shit out of it . It's never given me any problems.

 

Whatever suits your needs. I've read plenty of people who went the other way around here from subie to Tacoma and haven't looked back, or that own both.

 

Went from taco to subie and back the subie isn't going to get better gas mileage than the taco and you are gonna need the warranty on the subie they blow up easily

 

@ForeRunner

 

tw is filled with a whole bunch of wtf titles today. @la0d0g

 

@MaverickTRD

 

Keeps it entertaining

 

I have a hatchback and tacoma. They're great fun cars, but I don't think you're going to save much/if any in the way of gas. I also don't think there's too much difference in back seat space, they both suck equally. You can easily tow a lightweight trailer if you want also.

If you like to drive down fire roads & get better gas mileage, I'd consider the crosstrek. Otherwise, the wrx FTW!

 

Thanks for the constructive feedback guys. I plan to keep it stock and am only looking at a wrx hatchback as I want the extra power and the hatchback will fit more than a sedan for me and is more suitable for my hobbies. Although the occasional fireroad might come into play, I've driven my truck down about 15 in 4 years so its not that big a deal. I would hope to get 21mpg or more as my truck gets around 16mpg after my lift and wheels plus commute traffic. I've heard mixed reviews on reliability with the more current models having better reliability(maybe too early to tell?). I am only looking at certified pre owned to get the 100k warranty. There is a 2012 with 30k miles which brought this up. I don't find too many hatchbacks at a subaru dealer since they stopped making them.

 

I had a 2009 wrx hatch that I traded in to get my 2014 truck. I hadn't done much to the wrx except upgraded clutch (when stock one finally died) and tuned. I was getting around 22mpg. They're two different types of cars so really depends on what you want it for. Like others have said, gas mileage isn't going to be leaps and bounds better but its still better. As long as you do the normal maintenance on the wrx, its a fun car to drive around every day ... except in traffic. That was one of the main reasons I got rid of mine (stick shift in general for my dd which is mostly stop and go traffic).

 

I know this thread is a few weeks old but have you checked out the '12 WRX yet? Did an inspection on it? Personally I'm not a fan of buying used Subaru's since you don't know what the previous owner did (or did not) do to it. Like a few others mention Subaru's a finicky without a proper tune when adding parts (intake, exhaust, ect).

Personally I would have a local mechanic (or friend that is good in the automotive industry) do a one over on the WRX.

Do you have a link to the posting of the WRX from the dealership/car lot?

Personally I don't own a Taco (yet) but gas mileage on the WRX's aren't as decent as some might say. With my '07 WRX (sold) around town (city) I was getting low 20's mpg (20-24 typically). But remember you have to run premium in the WRX.

I use to have a Hawkeye ('06-'07 WRX & STi's for those who don't know). I bought it brand new in May 2007 and then traded it in on my '15 WRX (current vehicle) in July 2014.

My '07 WRX was stock for a while then I did some minor upgrades (Cobb Accessport (engine management), intake, catback) then I went a little bigger with upgrades and did a VF43 ('07 STi Turbo) + supporting mods. lol It was a nice car but it had 125k+ miles on it and I had it for 7 years.

I'm considering going from my '15 WRX to a Taco.

But whatever suits your needs is the right thing to say since ultimately the OP needs to make the decision in the end. He might think it's going to be a good upgrade/switch but then might regret the decision and come back to a Taco. Never know.

Yeah MPG isn't a selling point on the Subies. If you enjoy the car the MPG's are going to drop from just regular cruising/highways.

As for "Subies they blow up easily"... The ones that blow up are because people (IMO) do not do proper research before modding the WRX (or STi). They just buy an exhaust (turboback), intake or blow-off valve (BOV) without getting engine management (Cobb Accessport or Open Source) or a proper tune from a reputable place. Thus causing the car to blow up.

That's why I want the OP to post a link to the '12 WRX that's for sale and also have a mechanic/friend that in knowledgeable in the mechanic industry to look it over.

I wish they made a Crosstrek model with a turbo (wrx engine!)

I'm surprised you are getting 23.5-25 mpg around town. Most people with '15+ STi's are getting 18-22 mpg around town. But also depending on how much fun they have with that right pedal (gas) lol

You did a cross country trip in the STi?! 6300 miles in how many days/months? That's awesome! I'd love to do something like that.

+12345 to the last sentence in your post. Proper tune is the key point. Subaru's are very finicky without a proper tune. Just can't throw on parts expecting it to drive normal.

 

That's an impressive run. I took a trip a month ago, saw sights in the country between Seattle and Denver, taking 4 days and then I "blitzed it back" from Denver to Seattle in 2 days going 85-90 through a few states. To go from Seattle to VA in 3 would be something else - long days and a fast pace.

 

@96accord some of my stipulations for the wrx before I considered buying any was to be from a dealer so it would be certified pre owned and come with a 100k mile warranty. That being said it would mostly be stock then. Plus less than 50k miles. I know some of the issues that have come up but I hear mostly from friends it's because people don't know how to drive a clutch so the clitch goes out early or they add mods to it and don't get it tuned. My friend has a 2012 pretty heavily modded but has always had it properly tuned and is up at 90k miles with no problems.

Unfortunately the wrx I was looking at sold within 5 days before I could actually go in and look at it. It was at a great starting price plus had only 30k miles on it. So I'll wait till I find another one. It's hard to let go of my truck but it's not currently suiting my needs.

 

I also drive like a grandpa, since my days on a liter bike going well over three digits and the amount of tickets I received I look at driving in a different light.