2010-2014 WRXs and autocross

DD#1 is thinking about replacing her bugeye 2.5TS automatic wagon with a newer WRX 5-door with a manual. I've tried recommending a used Focus RS, and she's going to drive one, but so far she's pretty committed to AWD. I've also recommended she wait a year and look at used 2015 WRXs with the FA engine, but she's also pretty committed to the 5-door layout.

So, my questions to the hive are:

1. How do we make the WRX's boost buggy engine survive autocross stresses and oiling issues? This is my biggest question.

2. Is it worth doing an ST build on a limited budget, or should she just get a huge adjustable rear bar and call it a day in Street?

3. What else to look out for?

4. Anybody have one for sale in the next 6 months?

Don't do an ST build on a 2010-2014. The 2.5L put them in STU rather than STX like the rest of the non-STI's. They're much more competitive in DS.

Autocross shouldn't cause any issues with engine oiling. Remember you'll be on street tires so you won't be generating that many G's and it's not like people were blowing these up all the time on R-comps either. Just keep it full. Street rules don't allow aftermarket baffled oil pans anyway.

Watching a 2014 WRX pop the engine doing the safety stewards safety run at half speed answered the question sufficiently for me. Car had 9k miles.

Most of the problems have been with STi engines.

Personally - go 2015 with the FA, or go back to a GD (02-07) and stay out of a STi. The 2.0 lumps and the lower boost 2.5L WRX's have less issues.

Bobzilla wrote: Watching a 2014 WRX pop the engine doing the safety stewards safety run at half speed answered the question sufficiently for me. Car had 9k miles.

And probably something else seriously wrong with it too to cause that. Like someone forgot to fill the engine with oil after the last change. Seriously, do you think all WRXs are going to blow their motor at half speed on an AutoX course which probably puts it at about 20-25 mph? Maybe they had it pegged at full throttle in first gear, I don't know.

NGTD wrote: Most of the problems have been with STi engines. Personally - go 2015 with the FA, or go back to a GD (02-07) and stay out of a STi. The 2.0 lumps and the lower boost 2.5L WRX's have less issues.

This. Ringland failures are too common on the 2.5's for my taste.

Feedyurhed wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: Watching a 2014 WRX pop the engine doing the safety stewards safety run at half speed answered the question sufficiently for me. Car had 9k miles.

And probably something else seriously wrong with it too to cause that. Like someone forgot to fill the engine with oil after the last change. Seriously, do you think all WRXs are going to blow their motor at half speed on an AutoX course which probably puts it at about 20-25 mph? Maybe they had it pegged at full throttle in first gear, I don't know.

If that was the only one, you would have a point. When that was the 4th that year with the same problems, not so much. Of the 4, ONE was run hard and it had the most miles.

How are FAs holding up so far? I'm trying to convince her just how much better a car the 2015 is, even with the lack of 5-door option.

Subaru seems to randomly improve one aspect and drop the ball on another with each iteration. Where's my hatch, FA engined WRX/STI???