Why Subaru WRX Buyers Should Steer Clear of These Older Models

You may want to buy a new 2018 Subaru WRX over a used model. The sports sedan scores tops in resale value 4 years running.

If you are thinking of buying a previously owned 2015-2017 Subaru WRX, you may want to rethink your decision. Subaru of America announced the 2018 WRX scored big again in Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) annual Best Resale Value in the Best Sporty Compact Car category. This is the fourth consecutive year the sports-tuned 2018 WRX wins its segment. Even more impressive, the newly-refreshed 2018 Subaru WRX placed in the Best Resale Value “Top 10” cars for the third year in-a-row.

The WRX holds its value better than any other compact sports car and you likely won’t find a good deal on a used one. KBB says the enthusiast-favorite 2018 WRX has resale value at 36 months (57.8 percent) and at 60 months (46.2 percent). That’s up from last year’s 2017 model that had a resale value at 36 months of 55.2 percent, and at 60 months, 45.4 percent. This year the 2018 WRX performance sedan beats the 2018 Ford Focus RS and 2018 Honda Civic Si to take top honors again.

It’s better to buy new

If you want one, you may want to buy new. In some mountain states like Colorado, Oregon and Washington, Subaru WRX resale values can even be higher because of demand for the all-wheel-drive sports sedan. A one year old previously owned WRX, with 12,000-15,000 miles, is only a few thousand dollars less than a new vehicle. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy one, when you can get a new vehicle, with new tires, brakes, no wear and tear and Subaru’s 3 yr/36,000 mile basic, 5 yr/60,000 mile powertrain warrantee.

The Subaru WRX is popular all around the globe, and in the U.S., KBB says it’s “the all-wheel drive and turbocharged engine combo that lands this otherwise tame-looking four-door on our Sporty Compact Car category.” WRX is a three-time repeat winner on Kelly Blue Book’s Top Ten Best Resale Value Awards, so one-three year old models won’t drop as much in value compared with other cars.

Performance buyers looking for a previously owned 2015-2017 WRX, may want to purchase a newly-updated 2018 Subaru WRX instead of getting one with thousands of miles on the clock. Especially true if you live in the Pacific Northwest or Rocky Mountain states where values can be higher. A quick look at inventory shows most Subaru dealers have a good supply of 2018 Subaru WRX standard, Premium and Limited models.

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Photo credit: Subaru