Product vs Brand: Subaru ㅤ BRZ. Product. ㅤ This car is genuinely fun, lightweight, and affordable. It holds close to 70% of its value after five years, which is insane for any brand. Subaru nailed this one by filling a niche most automakers abandoned. ㅤ Crosstrek. Product. ㅤ 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard AWD, and a reasonable price. It’s not a hardcore off-roader, but it’s a legit weekend adventure vehicle that does exactly what it promises. ㅤ WRX STI. Brand. ㅤ I hate saying this because the rally legacy is legendary. But in today’s market, it’s underpowered for the price, the interior feels dated, and the ride is harsh. ㅤ Compared to a Golf R or Focus RS, you’re paying more for the badge than the performance. ㅤ Anything with the early CVT. Brand. ㅤ Subaru’s reputation for reliability takes a hit here. Early 2010s CVTs were plagued with issues, from jerky acceleration to full transmission failures that cost thousands to fix. ㅤ Yet these cars still hold value on the used mar...