New Addition to the Family!

For newlyweds, when someone hears that there's a "New Addition to the Family", they think of a baby.  While my wife and I don't have kids yet... we are more than ready for them now that our "New Addition to the Family" as arrived in our driveway.  It's bigger, it's better, and best of all... it's TURBOCHARGED!  May I introduce our new bundle of joy: a 2015 Subaru Forester XT Premium!!

This car kind of caught us off guard.  Up until now, my wife has been driving a nice 2004 Outback Sedan that she got two years ago.  However, it's not the roomiest car in the world and it is getting a little old.  We've done some work on it and updated the stereo and such, but when this Forester XT showed up on my lot at work, I couldn't help but consider the possibility of replacing our Outback with it.  It's better in a lot of areas.  Fuel Economy, Space, Safety, and flat-out FUN to drive!  It provides the kind of space we need to start a family but it still has that punch with a Direct-Injected Twin-Scroll Turbocharged Boxer Engine delivering a heart-pumping 250hp through the Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. 
After considering some options, my wife and I thought we should at least explore replacing her car with the newer one.  We got a little more help from a 2011 Forester that was in her family as an additional trade-in and a great deal from my dealership. 

After everything had come together, we drove off with an awesome car at a great price that we couldn't be happier about.  Ironically, about the only thing I can think of that would top this would be having a kid!  We've got a great adventuremobile to help us spearhead whatever comes next for us in life.  And, like with the H6 Outback, my wife has a faster car than me... again.  Maybe she'll share it once in awhile?

WRX Midwest Drought

It happens to every new car.  One model year is wrapping up and the next one is coming.  With most manufacturers, this "out with the old, in with the new" cycle means that the previous year models are discounted when the next year models show up.  This isn't really the case with Subaru, at least in the Heartland of America.  Nearly every time a new model year is on the way, the previous models are sold out before they get a chance to touch down.  If there is any overlap between a 2015 and 2016 model (or whatever year it is), it doesn't last for long!

That's why, for the next month or so, WRX and WRX STI models may be tougher to come by than usual.  Aside from the fact that they're already a sought after car, the new MY2016 WRX and WRX STI won't be arriving at local dealerships until July, which is much later than the MY2015 release.  By this time last year, there were already new 4th Generation WRXs on the ground at local dealerships in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri.

It's no secret.  I work at a Subaru dealership.  With the tools at my fingertips, I was curious about when the new MY2016 models would be arriving.  As of this post, I learned that the new rocketships would be arriving around Independence Day.  This got me to wondering just how many MY2015 models would be in the area between now and then and the numbers are low.  Below I have details on what my search found for available WRX and WRX STI units in a 5-State area between now (May 22nd 2015) and the end of June 2015.

Search performed on available units in NE, IA, KS, MO, SD

WRX Base Model:

5 In Stock, 0 In Transit

WRX Premium:

10 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX Premium CVT:
1 In Stock, 0 In Transit

WRX Limited:
6 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX STI:

2 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX STI Limited:

2 In Stock, 1 In Transit

25 In Stock, 4 In Transit
29 TOTAL



In those states I searched, there are 30 Subaru Dealerships.  So, between now and when the fireworks fly, the chances of a dealership in this area having the right rocketship for you in-stock... or even having ANY in stock, is quite low. 


Many of those who are looking to own a WRX or WRX STI are already aware of the shortage in this area (and others across the country) so they either search carefully to find the right one or they simply order the car from their local dealer exactly the way they want it.  However, there's still the majority of those hopeful owners who prance gleefully into their dealership expecting to find their car sitting on the showroom waiting for them to take it home.  They quickly realize this is generally not the case.  This issue will only become more commonplace in the weeks to come, at least in my neck-of-the-woods.


To those who are reading this well after the WRX Drought of 2015 has passed, note that this is likely how things will always be with the WRX and WRX STI in the Midwest.  So, whenever it's possible, plan ahead and order your car exactly the way you want it and the wait will be worth it.