What are the best used sports cars? Under $15,000, Consumer Reports says the Subaru BRZ is a top pick. See why they don't like the WRX.
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Is a used Subaru BRZ reliable? The most reliable used sports cars for under $25,000 now includes the Subaru BRZ. A recent ranking from Consumer Reports says the 2013 Subaru BRZ is a good pick for buyers looking for an affordable sports car under $15,000. They also picked its cousin, the Scion FR-S, the same vehicle developed with Toyota. According to Consumer Reports, the Mazda MX-5 Miata is also a good choice.
The 2013 Subaru BRZ
Consumer Reports says, "Subaru's first rear-wheel-drive sports car features a 200 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Handling is super-responsive, with impressive agility. The BRZ turns promptly in corners, with almost no body lean. The steering is quick and well-weighted, with decent feedback."
What is the BRZ downside?
Consumer Reports says, "Inside, the cabin is relatively plain, with well-bolstered front sport seats. But the stiff ride and elevated noise can be taxing. The vestigial rear seats are best suited for cargo."
The best sports cars under $25,000
Consumer Reports says the best sports cars from $20,000-$25,000 include the 2016 BMW 2 Series, 2016 BMW 4 Series, 2017 Chevrolet Camaro, and 2019 Honda Civic. But they do not have the 2015 Subaru WRX, which would fall in the $25,000 price range.
To make the best sports cars list, they must meet CR's reliability standards. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports doesn't even rate the Subaru WRX for reliability. They do rate its owner satisfaction.
2015 Subaru WRX
The 2015 Subaru WRX received a complete remodel, and CR gives the sports sedan an owner satisfaction rating of 2/5 points. The WRX gets a 90/100 for driving experience, 40/100 for comfort, 70/100 for value, 40/100 for styling, and fifty-six percent of owners say they would purchase that same vehicle again.
The fourth-generation 2015 Subaru WRX was criticized for its exterior styling changes compared with the outgoing 2014 model year. Subaru also dropped the hatchback body style in 2015.
Should you avoid the 2015 Subaru WRX?
In Kelly Blue Book's consumer reviews (based on 72 reviews), the 2015 Subaru WRX gets a 4.6 out of 5.0 consumer rating, and ninety percent of owners recommend this vehicle. The WRX scores 4.5 for quality and 4.7 for reliability.
Overall, the 2015 Subaru WRX had few reliability problems with the FA20 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The NHTSA shows zero recalls and three complaints. The most significant issues were with the EJ25 2.5-liter Boxer engine in the 2015 WRX STI.
Consumer Reports likes the 2013 Subaru BRZ as a reliable sports car under $15,000. They don't like the Subaru WRX, but it shouldn't stop you from buying one, although used WRX prices are up due to shortages of the next-generation 2022 models.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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