It’s unusual to see any car that isn’t a bona fide classic or a rare supercar hold its value, let alone appreciate in value over the years, so the last version of the Subaru WRX STI is a true outlier in the used car market. Even the models with high mileage have lost considerably less of their MSRP value than you would expect, and low-mileage units may sell for more than their initial asking price.
So this begs one big question: what the heck is going on? A WRX should be one of the last models to hold its value, given how eager buyers are to customize and hot-rod these things. Is it the scarcity, the discontinuation, the simple fact that this is your last chance to buy a new WRX STI? Or are there other factors at play?
Let’s find out.
What Will A WRX STI Cost You In 2026?
2019 Subaru WRX STI exteriorSubaru
The coolest version of the modern STI was the S209 built in 2019. The final 2021 model year standard car has dropped to $35,000, but the 209 has an average selling price of $61,167. Considering its original was $63,995, that’s hardly a dent.
The S209 Holds Its Value Best For A Reason
2019 Subaru WRX STI exteriorSubaru
The S209 stands out from the rest of the bunch for two main reasons. One is the performance boost. The S209 is tuned for higher top speeds, shorter 0-60s, and more horsepower. It has 341 hp, 330 lb-ft of torque, and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4. seconds.
More importantly, the “209” in “S209” refers to the number of models Subaru produced. This was the original WRX STI’s last run on the American market, and they only produced 209 of these specially-tuned performance models.
2019 Subaru WRX STI engineSubaru
Limited editions – even limited editions with impressive horsepower boosts – don’t necessarily retain their value over the years, let alone go up in price, and it can be difficult to say which cars will and won’t appreciate in value.
The S209 benefits from the fact that this was the end of the line. That is, you can bet if you bought an S209 back in 2019, Subaru wasn’t going to release another 209 of them in 2020.
But even that might not make much difference in every instance. The “Shakedown” Last Call variant of the 2023 Dodge Challenger launched at a bare minimum MSRP of around $65,000, and we were able to turn up a 13-mile R/T on Bring a Trailer for $63,888. That’s not what you would call “rapid depreciation,” but it’s depreciation nonetheless.
The Only Return You’re Guaranteed Is Fun
2019 Subaru WRX STI exteriorSubaru
Here’s the thing about treating cars as an investment: don’t.
If you buy a super-limited edition car like the WRX STI S209, there’s a chance you might see a return on your initial purchase. But that’s only likely to happen if you keep your miles nice and low, and the profit margin is going to be relatively slim compared to what you’d be making had you invested that money into just about anything else, be it an investment account, real estate, or relatively stable stocks. Still, if the car has hits its bottom, it means you can sell it for the same amount you paid for it, so you get years of exciting motoring for free.
The only return you’re guaranteed when buying a car is the fun you’ll be having behind the wheel. It’s not a bad idea to take a look at how fast a car depreciates before you buy so that you’ll have an idea of what it’s worth when it’s time to trade it in. But the instances where a car actually gains value after you drive it off the lot are incredibly scarce, and it can almost be a curse when it does happen, because it might discourage you from putting any more miles on it.
In short: it’s nice when your car actually earns you money, but don’t bet your retirement savings on it happening.
Sources: Subaru
