2008 WRX Buyers Remorse

[Brindor2.5]

Hello all,

I am a recent purchaser of a 2008 WRX 5-door and I'm very pissed off. A few days ago someone suggested to me that the 2009 WRX was going to be way better than the 2008, so I checked it out. They were right (SOA announcement (http://www.subaru.com/common/news/article_details.jsp?cat=current&fileName=news2008.xml&date=20080731-02))!
I feel almost coned because I purchased the WRX on the day of the announcement. I would be very surprised if the dealership I purchased it from didn't know about this announcement.
I'm fully prepared to ream some people out on both the dealership and SOA front. Has anyone had any experience with something like this? What do you think my chances are of getting anything out of them?

EDIT: haha, turns out that the information that I was given was incorrect. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/diaf.gif I was upset because someone told me the price for the improved 2009 WRX would be the same as the 2008 WRX. Silly me should of known that was incorrect.http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

[method]

Don't worry about it, enjoy your friggen car! Is it any less enjoyable because there is another one out there with more power?

If it's that big of a deal trade it in for an 09 and take the hit. Every WRX up to the 2009 year has had about the same power and torque, I don't see them complaining?

Might sound harsh, but people are complaining on the 3gwrx forums as well and it kinda annoys me.

Personally? I'm gonna enjoy my 08, pay it off, at the rate i'm going it won't take long for me to be out of warranty and start with the heavy mods.

[Bu11dogg2]

unfortunatley the 08's will live on in history as a rejected remodel.

I won't be suprised to see them take a hit on resale too compared to older/newer models.

If stock performance is all you care about then consider a trade in.

If you want to mod.... you have a perfect set up already

[Brindor2.5]

The issues I'm having right now it not with enjoying my car. I think it is great. The issues I'm having is that the dealer had full knowledge that this car was to become as Bu11dogg2 said "a rejected model". I also expect it to "take a hit on resale". I'm sure they knew that once the 2009s came out no one would want to buy the 2008s.
I could also see this impacting the aftermarket options for this edition because of the short production period.
I've also been in contact with Subaru and they seem to have no future plan to offer any of the included add ons that come with the 2009 as extras for the 2008s.
I just get the feeling that I'm being left out in the cold by SOA. It is true that I probably wouldn't feel so bad but I just got my car a month ago!

[banned4life]

next year there is always something better. im sure the same thing was said when the wrx went from a 2.0 to a 2.5... but no one has a problem with 2.0s..

that being said, i can assure u that the more powerful 09s will be more money..

[etaks99rs]

I could also see this impacting the aftermarket options for this edition because of the short production period.

Fourtunately, for you, there are a ton of aftermarket options that are already out for your car. I don't see you getting left out in the cold on that. You did, however, get rooked by the salesperson that didn't tell you about the 09s.

[method]

The issues I'm having right now it not with enjoying my car. I think it is great. The issues I'm having is that the dealer had full knowledge that this car was to become as Bu11dogg2 said "a rejected model". I also expect it to "take a hit on resale". I'm sure they knew that once the 2009s came out no one would want to buy the 2008s.
I could also see this impacting the aftermarket options for this edition because of the short production period.
I've also been in contact with Subaru and they seem to have no future plan to offer any of the included add ons that come with the 2009 as extras for the 2008s.
I just get the feeling that I'm being left out in the cold by SOA. It is true that I probably wouldn't feel so bad but I just got my car a month ago!

I see your point--but as for SOA knowing when you purchased your car. I'm sure they knew back in late 2007 what the 09 would entail ;). There are plenty of parts still in the works for the 08's. Half of the manufacturers and vendors over at IWSTI have parts and accessories coming out within the next 6 months. The majority of the car is the same. The chassis is the same. I don't see getting aftermarket parts being a problem, in fact I can see Subaru using the new legacy chassis beyond 09--hell they used the Impreza chassis for how long?

[Brindor2.5]

Its a bummer about the parts,
Subaru of America will not be offering the standard components of the 2009 WRX models that are different than the 2008 WRX models...
John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer/Dealer Services Department
All in all, I made a mistake:banghead: and got screwed.

Lesson learned

[method]

I bought an 08 as well. I don't feel like I made a mistake or got screwed. I bought the car because I wanted to...wanted one for a while. Lol don't beat yourself up over it...you still have a fun little car.

[starhm]

i suggest never buying a car...the next year should always be better.

i dont get it...do you do this with your shoes as well? id stop walking as well!

[RCKSTR]

I love my 2.0, mod it up. thats what I did, just don't have a massive torque curve as the 2.5s. theres allways going to be a better model coming out so just enjoy it and build it how you want it:D
the 09s probubly going to take a price jump anyway so you'll be saving money by staying with the 08:spin:
just wait a few years, everyones going to be complaining about the coupes coming out... it'll never end

[Seraphinwolf]

If you got a good deal on your 08 then great. That's the price difference in getting what you want and putting it on the car. If you just walked up said "I'll take that one and how much will that be?" You screwed your self. I understand the frustration but it's only a few things that are better on the 09. I mean yeah it has more power but way higher on the RPM range. Get better turbo set up and have 300BHP at like 4k or 4.5kRPMs. As for the suspention and extririor parts. You'd likely pay less to add on the exterior in the over all cost now and the suspention you'd upgrade eventually anyways. I could get a new car if I wanted but I love my first gen OBS and I'm sticking with it and dumping the money into it and in the end will have a "new" car considering the chasis will be about all that's old. But I"ll have exactly what I want and kill the hell out of any thing coming my way. EZ30R FTMFW!
-Gaddis

[rogerdugans]

I feel your pain, man, and I really do understand your aggravation, but....

You need to remember that a car salesman is a car SALESMAN. They have cars that they need to sell, and this includes having 08s when the new, improved 09s are about to come out.

It may not be... well, the nicest thing in the world, but does anybody out there really think a car salesman's first priority is getting the best deal for a consumer?

As for the car:
I have an 08, and I joked about it immediately after seeing the specs on the 09s. - Subaru fixed my biggest complaint (suspension) and added more power too.

The fact is, I have already fixed my own suspension (front and rear adjustable sway bars, cost about $400 total) and the power is sufficient already. (Yes, more is better, lol, but really: how often do I NEED the extra 40hp?)

As for the rest of the complaints about resale, etc-

I didn't buy my car for resale value.
I didn't buy my car for bragging rights.

And so on.

All the reasons I bought the 08 are still valid and good, and I am still happy with it.
And in about 27 months when the warranty expires, I may well screw with the engine tuning and see about getting a wee bit more power, just for fun. :D

[I8UR911]

Hello all,

I am a recent purchaser of a 2008 WRX 5-door and I'm very pissed off. A few days ago someone suggested to me that the 2009 WRX was going to be way better than the 2008, so I checked it out. They were right (SOA announcement (http://www.subaru.com/common/news/article_details.jsp?cat=current&fileName=news2008.xml&date=20080731-02))!
I feel almost coned because I purchased the WRX on the day of the announcement. I would be very surprised if the dealership I purchased it from didn't know about this announcement.
I'm fully prepared to ream some people out on both the dealership and SOA front. Has anyone had any experience with something like this? What do you think my chances are of getting anything out of them?

EDIT: haha, turns out that the information that I was given was incorrect. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/diaf.gif I was upset because someone told me the price for the improved 2009 WRX would be the same as the 2008 WRX. Silly me should of known that was incorrect.http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif


Always lookin' to blame the dealership.......:(

[I8UR911]

Fourtunately, for you, there are a ton of aftermarket options that are already out for your car. I don't see you getting left out in the cold on that. You did, however, get rooked by the salesperson that didn't tell you about the 09s.


Why's everyone wanna blame the dealer (or salesperson)?! I get more info from the NASIOC forums than I do from SOA or SNE. Don't be quick to blame the dealer because there is definetly some lag time before we get info......with that being said, I blame you for not doing enough research on the forums (I'm sure I could find a thread that was started before the vehicle was purchased).

Sorry to sound like the bad guy.

[novacivic]

I feel your pain, man, and I really do understand your aggravation, but....

You need to remember that a car salesman is a car SALESMAN. They have cars that they need to sell, and this includes having 08s when the new, improved 09s are about to come out.

It may not be... well, the nicest thing in the world, but does anybody out there really think a car salesman's first priority is getting the best deal for a consumer?

As for the car:
I have an 08, and I joked about it immediately after seeing the specs on the 09s. - Subaru fixed my biggest complaint (suspension) and added more power too.

The fact is, I have already fixed my own suspension (front and rear adjustable sway bars, cost about $400 total) and the power is sufficient already. (Yes, more is better, lol, but really: how often do I NEED the extra 40hp?)

As for the rest of the complaints about resale, etc-

I didn't buy my car for resale value.
I didn't buy my car for bragging rights.

And so on.

All the reasons I bought the 08 are still valid and good, and I am still happy with it.
And in about 27 months when the warranty expires, I may well screw with the engine tuning and see about getting a wee bit more power, just for fun. :D

your bumper to bumper warranty may be up then but the powertrain warranty is 5yr/60,000miles

[JNA Performance]

08's in our mind are sick. Actually, we are working on trading in one of our 05 WRX's (which is forsale) and get the 08 STI.

Enjoy the car!

[Nate8409]

Well it sucks for a lot of people who want to cry.

These are the risks you take buying a New car ladies. I personally like the 2008 WRX.

I drove one with a Cobb cat back, springs and sways. It drove really nice. Handled great and had plenty of pep. I can imagine a stage 2 with some suspension would be quite an awesome vehicle.

[method]

You can always trade the 08 in for an 09 and take the hit.

[FREAK]

welcome and enjoy the car man

[Demetry]

The whole 08 vs. 09 thing really made me think hard and crunch a lot of numbers. I got to the point where I didn't want to think about it any longer so went with an '07...either way the '08 should be a great car. The '09 may perform better with basic bolt-on mods and be slightly nicer on the inside but if you plan on modding it I wouldn't worry much about it. Enjoy it, nothing you can do about it now unless you want to take a big hit in the wallet.

[RCKSTR]

The whole 08 vs. 09 thing really made me think hard and crunch a lot of numbers. I got to the point where I didn't want to think about it any longer so went with an '07...either way the '08 should be a great car. The '09 may perform better with basic bolt-on mods and be slightly nicer on the inside but if you plan on modding it I wouldn't worry much about it. Enjoy it, nothing you can do about it now unless you want to take a big hit in the wallet.
well put, I agree with you 100%

[Bu11dogg2]

No one should complain about the 08's

If performance is your thing you will never achieve happiness stock wether you have an 08 or a 09.

Put 2k into your 08 and eat STi's for breakfast.

[ValuePack]

Who knows what 2010 will bring...

Enough whining because your WRX is only "90% WRX-y". You weren't sold something that was improperly assembled or mistreated before it got to you, it's worth whatever you paid and then some, it's fast, fun, good to look at and has a reasonable warranty through a marque that doesn't typically bend it's customers over the cracker **** barrel at every turn.

Come cry when you owe twice what it's worth and the dealer hoses you on the warranty.

[Nate8409]

Good call. Basically the same thing I did. Screw new.

The whole 08 vs. 09 thing really made me think hard and crunch a lot of numbers. I got to the point where I didn't want to think about it any longer so went with an '07...either way the '08 should be a great car. The '09 may perform better with basic bolt-on mods and be slightly nicer on the inside but if you plan on modding it I wouldn't worry much about it. Enjoy it, nothing you can do about it now unless you want to take a big hit in the wallet.

[Joe]

Yea I was so pissed when I bought my 2008 WRX and saw that Lamborghini has the New Murcielago coming out! Its faster, better suspension and more power then my 08!:rofl::rofl:

No matter when you buy a car, the Dealers will always have a new model coming out and it will always be better! If not, noone would buy the new cars. I am over on ClubWRX.net and I can't tell you how many of these threads I see. IMO the 08 is a handful of a car and already kicks a ton of butt. whether you have 08 or 09, you got a sick car for a fantastic price!

Enjoy your car and be glad yours was cheaper!!!!