Expect Delays On New Subaru WRX And STI - Huge Markups On Used Models

If you buy a 2021 Subaru WRX or STI or used model, they may be the hardest to find sports cars this summer. Check out the details here.

The 2021 Subaru WRX and WRX STI sports cars are in high demand, and they will be hard to find this summer. A new report from Automotive News (by subscription) reveals Subaru of America has the tightest supply of new SUVs, sedans, and sports cars of any automaker at eight days. And this includes new WRX and STI that are in transit from Japan.

Subaru has been in short supply all year, but retail supplies of the two sports cars are even tighter in July, and it will not improve until August or September. Subaru Corporation shut down the WRX and STI production for two weeks in April and again on July 16. iSeeCars says the Subaru WRX and STI are still in the 20 fastest-selling used vehicles list in June.

photo credit: Competition Subaru

Eight sports cars and sporty sedans make the top-20 list, including the Mini Convertible, the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the coupe and convertible versions of the Chevrolet Camaro, the Chevrolet Corvette, the BMW 4 Series, the BMW 2 Series, and the Subaru WRX.

The Subaru WRX is the eighth fastest-selling used sports car taking 26.8 days to sell. The average for all used vehicles is 34.5 days. iSeeCars says the average selling price for a used WRX is $30,615. The report did not differentiate between the sport-tuned WRX and the higher-performance STI.

If you are looking for a one or two-year-old Subaru WRX or STI, the news is not good. Retail prices are higher for a 2020 Subaru WRX than a new 2021 WRX sport-tuned sedan.

An earlier report says that you will pay more for a used WRX and STI than a new model because of inventory shortages. The new car price is $34,487 compared with a used price of $34,568, a 0.2 percent increase.

iSeeCars Executive Analyst Karl Brauer says, “Car buyers who are making a new or used car purchase might have difficulty finding the most in-demand vehicles and may end up paying a premium for them in the used car marketplace.”

Subaru Report checked a local Subaru retailer near Denver, Colorado, and found one 2020 Subaru WRX Limited trim for $35,999 with 5,898 miles on the odometer. A new 2021 WRX Limited has a starting MSRP of $33,020, including destination and delivery fees. That’s a $2,979 price bump for this used 2020 model over what a new WRX would cost.

photo credit: Livermore Subaru

A recent Twitter post from a Subaru retailer in Livermore, California, shows a 2020 Subaru WRX base trim with 8,085 miles on the odometer advertised for $32,991. A 2021 Base WRX has an MSRP of $28,420, including destination and delivery fees. That’s a $4,571 premium markup over a new 2021 model.

“Vehicle inventory is expected to remain tight for the remainder of the year, so consumers who are in the market for one of these fast sellers will need to act quickly when they see their target car for sale,” said Brauer.

Brauer also said, “Sports cars were a popular vehicle segment throughout the pandemic, and their popularity has continued as consumers have a heightened appreciation for living life to the fullest.”

This summer, expect a used Subaru WRX and WRX STI performance sedans to carry a premium price. Unless you can wait, buying a used model may be the only option as the 2021 Subaru WRX and STI are in short supply.

The next-generation 2022 Subaru WRX likely won’t arrive until early next year. Performance enthusiasts will have to wait for the next-generation 2022 WRX STI to roll out a year later. Stay tuned.

You Might Also Like: 6 Things To Know About The Next-Generation 2022 Subaru WRX And STI

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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Photo credit: main image Competition Subaru