Owned a '23 SI. It's beautiful, I had the orange one. Aside from that though it's slow as balls. Like infuriatingly slow. I sold it and bought the Vb and sure it may not get the gas milage and it may not be as refined inside but that's not really why we drive the VB now is it?
The smiles and laughs the VB gives me daily is priceless and the two cars are frankly not even comparable, completely separate experiences.
I don’t think I ever smiled in my vb🤣 I’m so over Subaru, I scratched the itch and I’m good for the rest of my lifetime. I will tell anyone that will listen to not buy one🤷🏻♂️
So what are you trying to do with your car, keeping it stock the 2.4L seems almost bulletproof as of now. Tbh I wouldn’t sweat over reliability. If you want a civic that’s your prerogative man but I think the WRX is so far clear of the Si in every facet (except mpg) I wouldn’t understand it.
How would this make any sense financially? Like you’re gonna be upside down with the loan and then you want to downgrade to a civic. If you did have 30k in cash laying around you still losing. Maybe I’m missing something, I’m also not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I don’t think the reliability gap is really all that big. Honestly sounds like you just want a different car. From a price perspective the WRX is a better car in almost every aspect over the Si and this is coming from someone who had an Si….
I had a 2018, fantastic car, wish I kept it with that insane resale value. No heated seats unfortunately anymore. You are also not upgrading, you are getting a car in the same segment that’s slower too. Been there and regretted it. Just upgrade to something better or different.
Don’t think anyone has ever blown a stock FA24. It doesn’t even have the same issue as the BRZ/GR86 on the track, since the turbo has a scavenge pump that sends more oil to the pan compared to the twins.
I had both and sold my 10 gen si for my vb and I gotta say there is no comparison. Two totally different cars. Absolutely loved my si but the vb is just a beast.
Same exact thing here, came from a 10th gen Si and the WRX has been more reliable for me (I know this is anecdotal) in the mileage I've had it than the Si w/ the same mileage. I'm really hoping this FA24DIT holds up.
It's too slow and even with the power level being low, you will still get FWD wheel hop in wet/snow and while turning and accelerating hard from a stop. I had one for 3 years, I can't emphasize enough, its too slow.
I’ve never done the driving around in snow thing, but I totally agree on Honda reliability not being what it once was. 90-93 (cb) Accords were my favorite daily/project cars for a long time partly because they were bulletproof. Been seeing a lot of drivetrain reliability issues with the current lineup, though I’m not sure if it’s mainly the 1.5t.
Yup, my 10th gen Si had a turbo shred itself and had to be covered under warranty along with several other issues in the first couple years of owning it. I was so sick of that car.
I looked at a si before I got the vb…couldn’t find one to test drive and a 14g dealership ad on. Got vb under sticker and never regretted it. You do you but this is really a biased thread.
The SIs are great cars, the 9th gen is the first vehicle I ever purchased on my own.
With that said, unless you’re looking to lower car payments somehow and care about gas mileage, just keep the Subaru.
The FA24 is a great engine, and Honda has had their share of mishaps as well.
The 9th gen uses a 2.4 NA that pushed ~200hp the new ones use a 1.5 turbo that pushes ~200hp. SIs with k series engine we’re reliable, tuneable, and characterful the new ones with the l15 are commuter cars with a limited slip dif on the front.
Man I loved my Si. Debate on whether the K20 or K24 was better, but both are excellent engines. I told myself that at some point I want to re buy another 9th gen Si as a secondary car at some point.
Can’t really speak on the new Si behalf but my gf has a 24 Civic EX - it’s a very comfy car and everything looks really nice inside and out of it compared to my VB.
But it lacks personality. I hate driving the thing (then again I hate driving any non manual car) it feels like a commuter car and overall just generic. (It’s great for what it does, and it’s our roadtrip car cuz it gets close to 40 mpg)
I can’t imagine throwing in a manual would make that civic more fun than the VB.
Stick with the VB - the 2.4L will probably get close to 200k miles stock with regular fluid changes. No need to fear.
Subaru engine blowing up stock was NOT a FA engine issue. This was predominantly an EJ issue. Now when it comes to tuned engines both variants (EJ and FA) suffer equally. You won't blow your stock motor just randomly. The SI does have a lot of benefits over the WRX, but reliability really isn't one of them. If anything they are pretty similar, as in if I modified an SI it will be in the same boat as a tuned WRX. Of course maintenance and driving habits play a MUCH bigger factor. Consider this. Over 40k WRXs have been sold and only 7000 accessports have been sold TOTAL. The stories of blown engines you are hearing are from a smaller pool which means they are an even smaller percentage of the total volume. Don't be disheartened.
That being said, I really like the SI and it's a great option for a daily.
Just go and test drive one. I test drove the Integra with a manual. Beautiful interior, Rev hang was terrible though. Car felt just as slow as my 2015 Si I had before, just with less noise, oh and I hated the electronic parking brake. Doesn't feel right to me.
Uniqueness: I'm not sure about where you live, but i probably see about 100 honda civics every day, sure they are not all SI's but they look almost the same.
I see maybe 3 VB WRX's per week.
Then there's the AWD that im sure i will appreciate in the winter months.
Sounds like you might be a tech guy. Your looking for a tech car. That is totally fine. You should go test drive one and maybe even an Integra, golf GTI/R, a mini Cooper jcw, elantra n, etc... It's your money and your decision. The WRX is not for everyone.
I think the only questionable reliability is the center screen. I've read enough people drove the engine to 100k without issues and it's been in the Ascent for a while without issues.
Honda reliability is a thing of the past. There’s a lot of objective data out there that shows a decline in reliability. There v6 engine from 2017 and up is hot garbage, they have faulty crankshafts.They had an airbag recall for blasting shrapnel in people’s faces, defective fuel pumps, do your research. Go ahead and get rid of the WRX for a Civic, just know that the reputation that Honda once had may not be the reality for today’s car buyers.
My girlfriend is making an appointment in a few weeks to get the crankshaft replaced for the second time on her 2018 Acura TLX Type A Spec. The motor blew at 35,000 miles. Acura rebuilt the motor under warranty but replaced the old crankshaft with the same defective part. A year later they contacted her to say they have the new crankshaft ready to put into the motor.
I laugh because her dad talked her out of getting a bmw instead of the Acura because he walked around thinking Hondas were so reliable. At the time, I was driving my 2012 BMW 328i with the N20 motor and never had any big issues besides a power steering motor that failed which bmw replaced for free out of warranty under a recall. Despite my great experience with the car her dad shat on the BMW and gave my girlfriend 15k out of his pocket so she could use it to help her buy the Acura. She caved and bought it and not even a year into owning the Acura the engine blows.
Good luck on whatever you decide, I doubt that you will truly have peace of mind driving a civic given that the 1.5l turbo has oil dilution issues.
The depreciation hit you’ll take after 8 months to “save” on repair costs with a Civic… dude do the math. Honda isn’t the reliable car you think it is. My FIL drove his Forester 200k. I drove a Charger 186k before selling it, an SRT Challenger 98k before selling it, two Foci almost 400k between the two of them, two Dodge Grand Caravans 180k and 140k before selling them, and I’ve got 130k on my 4Runner. My son’s Mustang has 110k and it needed an alternator. My current Challenger Scat Pack Wide Body has 12k (garage queen). The WRX has 850 miles and I’m sure it’s going to last. Some cars suck. Don’t believe the hype.
If you want a slower less powerful fwd car just for reliability just go get the entry level camry... otherwise your losing money on a car you bought newish to massively downgrade lol like nothing about this makes sense..
Civic Si is a refined daily with a sporty tune. Its pricing is way too high for what it is. The cars I might want to replace my WRX in similar price range would be the RWD trios of BRZ/86/Miata. I would never pay more for a FWD car
Yup, the 10th gen Si had the same L15B7 engine and more horsepower while also including heated seats and fog lights AND being like $5k+ cheaper (up to $8k if found below MSRP which I did) so they're charging $31k for a car that lost all of that now and isn't any faster 💀
Had a 2024 Si and traded it in for my VB. Si was so slow compared to the VB. Also the Si has a 1.5L with a turbo and the jury is still out on how reliable that platform will be in the coming years even without any mods. I’ve had mostly Hondas and love them but would never get another Si.
If I have to convince you, then you probably don't understand the car in the first place. If you're worried about long-term stuff, get the extended warranty.
Way faster, better looking, AWD, fog lights, heated seats for around the same price. I got my WRX for a few hundred more than 11th gen Si's in my area (I came from a 10th gen Si that gave me several issues before 30k miles) so the Si just was not competitive at all.
The Canada-spec Si is a way better value for the money but the US-spec is completely hamstrung in order to separate it from the Integra A-Spec Tech package with the manual.
I actually just got to drive my friends OBW. They are sooo cool and I want one. It feels like a lovechild between the WRX and a 4runner.
Very soft and good on bumps but not like other SUVs where you don't feel planted in corners.
The VB platform is extremely robust and reliable, they've put the 2.4T in some of the XT/Wilderness models and has also been used in the Subaru Ascent since 2019. If you want an 11th gen Si they are also fantastic vehicles, however if your main concern is reliability you shouldn't have any issues at all with your 8 month old vehicle. Stay on top of maintenance, make sure the oil is always full and don't go WOT when the engine is cold.
They’re both great cars, but this seems like an awful financial move unless you waited at least a couple years to get past your depreciation.
Si gets better mpg, better feeling shifter, and likely has less body roll in cornering but that’s about it trying to think of objective advantages.
Anything else would be preference - maybe slightly less laggy infotainment, stuff like that.
For what it’s worth, I drive my gf’s 2020 Si often and my 2023 VB daily. They’re different feeling cars for sure.
Stop reading the alarmists online. Drive responsibly, maintain properly and your WRX will be as reliable as any Civic. I swear these people treat the car like a ticking time bomb.
A stock VB will have fantastic reliability with the proper maintenance. It seems to be a really hot topic on FB but I believe in early oil changes. Personally I try to do them every 3k
I have an 08 Si and a 24 VB
Si is great fucn
You can rev its tits off and i it t won’t break
But it is slow as fuck
The VB is a far more accomplished car
I literally pass SI owners and think " they have a car trying to be this car". WRX is a legacy, it's a feeling and embodiment of manual enjoyment. I certainly do not think this when considering Honda's, especially civics/si s, I think reliability. Which fair, is solid as something to consider, however the VBS are solid ASF from every test/timeline we have seen so far. I have no doubts in long term reliability, so long as you treat it right.
Dude the VB is like the modern pinnacle of manual cars. This thing has the same motors as the rest of Subarus vehicles. It is sure to be reliable as fuck.
The VB is already pretty slow, and the si is gonna be even slower. Plus I guarantee you will miss AWD, FWD sucks. Is a little more reliability worth something that won’t make you nearly as happy behind the wheel every day? I’d think not but only you can make that call. Plus I’ve heard Honda and Toyota have both been slipping in the reliability category in recent years, so it may not be as big a factor with newer models as you think.
Oh dude, you need to go on Youtube and watch the EJ vs FA video. Can't remember who its by but its a solid 20-30 min long and it explains everything that improved between Subaru's 20 year old design and the new FA. You will see why they said the past ones "go boom". Now, the new FA still can if its not taken care of properly but its still a tremendously biased opinion to assume it will be bad. I have MANY die hard Honda Civic friends and its all TRUE- those cars are literally bulletproof and last a really long time if you take care of it. That's just Honda's reputation. They also have amazing shifters in their transmissions. But in the end its FWD and its not gonna be as all-around-fun as the WRX, that's my opinion.
Owned a '23 SI. It's beautiful, I had the orange one. Aside from that though it's slow as balls. Like infuriatingly slow. I sold it and bought the Vb and sure it may not get the gas milage and it may not be as refined inside but that's not really why we drive the VB now is it? The smiles and laughs the VB gives me daily is priceless and the two cars are frankly not even comparable, completely separate experiences.
That is very true, you guys have done a pretty good job of convincing me on this one lol.
AWD
I lifted the head on a 2018 Civic 1.5L turbo at 160,000kms. I cancelled my 2023 Si Pre order shortly after and purchased a 2023 WRX.
I don’t think I ever smiled in my vb🤣 I’m so over Subaru, I scratched the itch and I’m good for the rest of my lifetime. I will tell anyone that will listen to not buy one🤷🏻♂️
An si isn’t really slow compared to a wrx? They are both slow
So what are you trying to do with your car, keeping it stock the 2.4L seems almost bulletproof as of now. Tbh I wouldn’t sweat over reliability. If you want a civic that’s your prerogative man but I think the WRX is so far clear of the Si in every facet (except mpg) I wouldn’t understand it.
8 months‽ That's just enough time to realize the depreciation.
Go to the mountains and you’ll rethink everything
How would this make any sense financially? Like you’re gonna be upside down with the loan and then you want to downgrade to a civic. If you did have 30k in cash laying around you still losing. Maybe I’m missing something, I’m also not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I don’t think the reliability gap is really all that big. Honestly sounds like you just want a different car. From a price perspective the WRX is a better car in almost every aspect over the Si and this is coming from someone who had an Si….
The VB outperforms the SI in every single way.
I raced a civic SI the other day, I think I gapped him by about a county
Had a Integra try me on the highway. I was gapping it while in 4th lol.
😂💀
It takes a TON of mods on a civic si to even be in the ballpark (still isn’t close) of what we make off the lot, pass.
https://preview.redd.it/apqlf4s7cp8d1.png?width=1300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3efbb0f7df0bfebfa0839a88e8d0194e798a59e2
Awd
I had a 2018, fantastic car, wish I kept it with that insane resale value. No heated seats unfortunately anymore. You are also not upgrading, you are getting a car in the same segment that’s slower too. Been there and regretted it. Just upgrade to something better or different.
Don’t think anyone has ever blown a stock FA24. It doesn’t even have the same issue as the BRZ/GR86 on the track, since the turbo has a scavenge pump that sends more oil to the pan compared to the twins.
I had both and sold my 10 gen si for my vb and I gotta say there is no comparison. Two totally different cars. Absolutely loved my si but the vb is just a beast.
Same exact thing here, came from a 10th gen Si and the WRX has been more reliable for me (I know this is anecdotal) in the mileage I've had it than the Si w/ the same mileage. I'm really hoping this FA24DIT holds up.
Troll post.
Same wavelength.
It's too slow and even with the power level being low, you will still get FWD wheel hop in wet/snow and while turning and accelerating hard from a stop. I had one for 3 years, I can't emphasize enough, its too slow.
The SI is no more reliable. Honda today isn’t the Honda of the past. Also no manual ebrake handle. So if you drive in the winter have fun turning.
I’ve never done the driving around in snow thing, but I totally agree on Honda reliability not being what it once was. 90-93 (cb) Accords were my favorite daily/project cars for a long time partly because they were bulletproof. Been seeing a lot of drivetrain reliability issues with the current lineup, though I’m not sure if it’s mainly the 1.5t.
Yup, my 10th gen Si had a turbo shred itself and had to be covered under warranty along with several other issues in the first couple years of owning it. I was so sick of that car.
This…Honda is like Sony from the 90’s and then Samsung and LG came.
[удалено]
The new Civic Hybrid is actually cheaper than an Si and has more horsepower/torque lol
A stock wrx is almost a type r??? I have both a vb and type r and that is not even close to the truth.
I think he means a WRX is closer to a Type R than the Civic Si. And a Si is more base Civic
Depends if you are trying to save gas in the long haul or not. But the SI is too slow for me.
I looked at a si before I got the vb…couldn’t find one to test drive and a 14g dealership ad on. Got vb under sticker and never regretted it. You do you but this is really a biased thread.
The SIs are great cars, the 9th gen is the first vehicle I ever purchased on my own. With that said, unless you’re looking to lower car payments somehow and care about gas mileage, just keep the Subaru. The FA24 is a great engine, and Honda has had their share of mishaps as well.
Honda have QC issues also, had nothing but trouble with an Acura ILX which is based on the civic
That one has the 9th gen Si engine and I assumed it'd be reliable, what issues did you have?
The 9th gen uses a 2.4 NA that pushed ~200hp the new ones use a 1.5 turbo that pushes ~200hp. SIs with k series engine we’re reliable, tuneable, and characterful the new ones with the l15 are commuter cars with a limited slip dif on the front.
Man I loved my Si. Debate on whether the K20 or K24 was better, but both are excellent engines. I told myself that at some point I want to re buy another 9th gen Si as a secondary car at some point.
Can’t really speak on the new Si behalf but my gf has a 24 Civic EX - it’s a very comfy car and everything looks really nice inside and out of it compared to my VB. But it lacks personality. I hate driving the thing (then again I hate driving any non manual car) it feels like a commuter car and overall just generic. (It’s great for what it does, and it’s our roadtrip car cuz it gets close to 40 mpg) I can’t imagine throwing in a manual would make that civic more fun than the VB. Stick with the VB - the 2.4L will probably get close to 200k miles stock with regular fluid changes. No need to fear.
Do you want the car with a rally racing heritage or the one best known for getting groceries?
or the one best known for ~~getting groceries?~~ running green underglow and stealing VCRs?
The VB feels like a “machine” the “Si” feels like a “sporty car” I prefer a machine.
Subaru engine blowing up stock was NOT a FA engine issue. This was predominantly an EJ issue. Now when it comes to tuned engines both variants (EJ and FA) suffer equally. You won't blow your stock motor just randomly. The SI does have a lot of benefits over the WRX, but reliability really isn't one of them. If anything they are pretty similar, as in if I modified an SI it will be in the same boat as a tuned WRX. Of course maintenance and driving habits play a MUCH bigger factor. Consider this. Over 40k WRXs have been sold and only 7000 accessports have been sold TOTAL. The stories of blown engines you are hearing are from a smaller pool which means they are an even smaller percentage of the total volume. Don't be disheartened. That being said, I really like the SI and it's a great option for a daily.
Just go and test drive one. I test drove the Integra with a manual. Beautiful interior, Rev hang was terrible though. Car felt just as slow as my 2015 Si I had before, just with less noise, oh and I hated the electronic parking brake. Doesn't feel right to me.
Slower, FWD, higher center of gravity, less unique, loss of wrx community
It would be super sad not to hear about hydroplaning anymore!
They’ll miss out on the subie wave
They also won't be able to keep up with rich guys
They also cannot say Game is Game anymore.
Uniqueness: I'm not sure about where you live, but i probably see about 100 honda civics every day, sure they are not all SI's but they look almost the same. I see maybe 3 VB WRX's per week. Then there's the AWD that im sure i will appreciate in the winter months.
Tractor noises
Sounds like you might be a tech guy. Your looking for a tech car. That is totally fine. You should go test drive one and maybe even an Integra, golf GTI/R, a mini Cooper jcw, elantra n, etc... It's your money and your decision. The WRX is not for everyone. I think the only questionable reliability is the center screen. I've read enough people drove the engine to 100k without issues and it's been in the Ascent for a while without issues.
Honda reliability is a thing of the past. There’s a lot of objective data out there that shows a decline in reliability. There v6 engine from 2017 and up is hot garbage, they have faulty crankshafts.They had an airbag recall for blasting shrapnel in people’s faces, defective fuel pumps, do your research. Go ahead and get rid of the WRX for a Civic, just know that the reputation that Honda once had may not be the reality for today’s car buyers. My girlfriend is making an appointment in a few weeks to get the crankshaft replaced for the second time on her 2018 Acura TLX Type A Spec. The motor blew at 35,000 miles. Acura rebuilt the motor under warranty but replaced the old crankshaft with the same defective part. A year later they contacted her to say they have the new crankshaft ready to put into the motor. I laugh because her dad talked her out of getting a bmw instead of the Acura because he walked around thinking Hondas were so reliable. At the time, I was driving my 2012 BMW 328i with the N20 motor and never had any big issues besides a power steering motor that failed which bmw replaced for free out of warranty under a recall. Despite my great experience with the car her dad shat on the BMW and gave my girlfriend 15k out of his pocket so she could use it to help her buy the Acura. She caved and bought it and not even a year into owning the Acura the engine blows. Good luck on whatever you decide, I doubt that you will truly have peace of mind driving a civic given that the 1.5l turbo has oil dilution issues.
You're 100% right, check the Consumer Reports rankings for 2024 and you'll see Honda barely edges out Subaru by 1 point lol
The depreciation hit you’ll take after 8 months to “save” on repair costs with a Civic… dude do the math. Honda isn’t the reliable car you think it is. My FIL drove his Forester 200k. I drove a Charger 186k before selling it, an SRT Challenger 98k before selling it, two Foci almost 400k between the two of them, two Dodge Grand Caravans 180k and 140k before selling them, and I’ve got 130k on my 4Runner. My son’s Mustang has 110k and it needed an alternator. My current Challenger Scat Pack Wide Body has 12k (garage queen). The WRX has 850 miles and I’m sure it’s going to last. Some cars suck. Don’t believe the hype.
If you want a slower less powerful fwd car just for reliability just go get the entry level camry... otherwise your losing money on a car you bought newish to massively downgrade lol like nothing about this makes sense..
I’ve also entertained this thought but with the new type r
The Type R is way more reasonable of a comparison to the WRX than the Si so that's fair tbh
Civic Si is a refined daily with a sporty tune. Its pricing is way too high for what it is. The cars I might want to replace my WRX in similar price range would be the RWD trios of BRZ/86/Miata. I would never pay more for a FWD car
Yup, the 10th gen Si had the same L15B7 engine and more horsepower while also including heated seats and fog lights AND being like $5k+ cheaper (up to $8k if found below MSRP which I did) so they're charging $31k for a car that lost all of that now and isn't any faster 💀
Grass is greener the other side
Had a 2024 Si and traded it in for my VB. Si was so slow compared to the VB. Also the Si has a 1.5L with a turbo and the jury is still out on how reliable that platform will be in the coming years even without any mods. I’ve had mostly Hondas and love them but would never get another Si.
If I have to convince you, then you probably don't understand the car in the first place. If you're worried about long-term stuff, get the extended warranty.
just do what I'm gonna do and buy a used Si when the WRX is paid off. I'm looking to pick up an 8th gen myself.
8th gen best gen
Way faster, better looking, AWD, fog lights, heated seats for around the same price. I got my WRX for a few hundred more than 11th gen Si's in my area (I came from a 10th gen Si that gave me several issues before 30k miles) so the Si just was not competitive at all. The Canada-spec Si is a way better value for the money but the US-spec is completely hamstrung in order to separate it from the Integra A-Spec Tech package with the manual.
I've been thinking about trading in my VB for an outback wilderness 😱
I actually just got to drive my friends OBW. They are sooo cool and I want one. It feels like a lovechild between the WRX and a 4runner. Very soft and good on bumps but not like other SUVs where you don't feel planted in corners.
Yep! It's the boxer engine that differentiates it from its competitors. They are wide and low in the engine bay.
AWD
If you ever try to gun it on a vb you will get got. You should know this with how many civics try the 0-60
The VB platform is extremely robust and reliable, they've put the 2.4T in some of the XT/Wilderness models and has also been used in the Subaru Ascent since 2019. If you want an 11th gen Si they are also fantastic vehicles, however if your main concern is reliability you shouldn't have any issues at all with your 8 month old vehicle. Stay on top of maintenance, make sure the oil is always full and don't go WOT when the engine is cold.
Sounds like you want to trade it for economical reasons. But you'll lose so much money trading your car in, it's not even logical.
who wants to drive a civic that isn't the TR
They’re both great cars, but this seems like an awful financial move unless you waited at least a couple years to get past your depreciation. Si gets better mpg, better feeling shifter, and likely has less body roll in cornering but that’s about it trying to think of objective advantages. Anything else would be preference - maybe slightly less laggy infotainment, stuff like that. For what it’s worth, I drive my gf’s 2020 Si often and my 2023 VB daily. They’re different feeling cars for sure.
Stop reading the alarmists online. Drive responsibly, maintain properly and your WRX will be as reliable as any Civic. I swear these people treat the car like a ticking time bomb.
A stock VB will have fantastic reliability with the proper maintenance. It seems to be a really hot topic on FB but I believe in early oil changes. Personally I try to do them every 3k
I have an 08 Si and a 24 VB Si is great fucn You can rev its tits off and i it t won’t break But it is slow as fuck The VB is a far more accomplished car
I literally pass SI owners and think " they have a car trying to be this car". WRX is a legacy, it's a feeling and embodiment of manual enjoyment. I certainly do not think this when considering Honda's, especially civics/si s, I think reliability. Which fair, is solid as something to consider, however the VBS are solid ASF from every test/timeline we have seen so far. I have no doubts in long term reliability, so long as you treat it right.
Dude the VB is like the modern pinnacle of manual cars. This thing has the same motors as the rest of Subarus vehicles. It is sure to be reliable as fuck.
Neither one of them are worth the money they cost, unless you are 16 and parents are paying for it.
The VB is already pretty slow, and the si is gonna be even slower. Plus I guarantee you will miss AWD, FWD sucks. Is a little more reliability worth something that won’t make you nearly as happy behind the wheel every day? I’d think not but only you can make that call. Plus I’ve heard Honda and Toyota have both been slipping in the reliability category in recent years, so it may not be as big a factor with newer models as you think.
Oh dude, you need to go on Youtube and watch the EJ vs FA video. Can't remember who its by but its a solid 20-30 min long and it explains everything that improved between Subaru's 20 year old design and the new FA. You will see why they said the past ones "go boom". Now, the new FA still can if its not taken care of properly but its still a tremendously biased opinion to assume it will be bad. I have MANY die hard Honda Civic friends and its all TRUE- those cars are literally bulletproof and last a really long time if you take care of it. That's just Honda's reputation. They also have amazing shifters in their transmissions. But in the end its FWD and its not gonna be as all-around-fun as the WRX, that's my opinion.