The Subaru WRX STI S209: A Rare Car That Actually Pays You Back

Most cars lose value the second you drive them off the lot. But the final edition of the Subaru WRX STI is flipping that script. The 2021 model year base STI now sits around $35,000, while the ultra-rare 2019 S209 version, originally priced at $63,995, still commands an average of $61,167.

That’s barely a scratch in value, and some low-mileage examples are actually selling for more than their original sticker price. It’s a bizarre anomaly in a market where even high-mileage sports cars typically take a beating on resale.

So why is this car holding its value so well? Two big reasons. 4 seconds. But the real magic is in the numbers. S. market. This was the final bow for the WRX STI in America, and Subaru made sure there wouldn’t be a follow-up. Limited editions don’t always appreciate, but the combination of scarcity, a performance boost, and the end of the line creates a perfect storm.

Compare that to the 2023 Dodge Challenger “Shakedown” Last Call, which launched around $65,000 and has already dipped to $63,888 on the used market. The STI S209 is the exception, not the rule.

Here’s the honest truth: don’t buy a car expecting it to be an investment. Even with the S209, the profit margin is slim compared to stocks or real estate. The real payoff is the thrill of driving one of the most iconic rally-bred machines ever made. If you keep the miles low, you might sell it for what you paid, essentially getting years of excitement for free.

But the moment you start worrying about resale value, you lose the joy of the car itself. So enjoy the ride, and let your retirement account handle the heavy lifting.