Subaru WRX surfaces in Epstein case: manual gearbox derailed the deal

5 February 2026, 08:41

Photo credit: A. Krivonosov

Epstein’s emails have revealed an episode involving the choice of a Subaru for his driver.

Subaru WRX and the Epstein archives: what the correspondence revealed

Newly surfaced archival material linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case has brought up an unexpected motoring detail involving the Japanese brand Subaru. In late 2017, Epstein’s accountant, Richard Kahn, was tasked with sourcing a 2018 Subaru WRX. The email trail indicates the car was not intended for Epstein himself, but for his driver and assistant, Jojo Fontanilla.

Journalists at SPEEDME.RU report that Kahn located a suitable option at Carbone Subaru in New York State. The vehicle in question was a Subaru WRX Premium priced at US$28,990 before tax and US$31,710 “drive-away”. With the purchase close to completion, the accountant even tried to negotiate the final figure down to US$31,000, and also discussed whether the driver would contribute via deductions from his salary.

Why the Subaru WRX purchase was cancelled

At the same time, the parties considered how the vehicle should be registered - either in Fontanilla’s name or under one of Epstein’s companies. However, the deal was called off at the last moment for an unexpected reason.

Kahn realised the selected Subaru WRX was fitted with a manual transmission. In an email to Epstein, he wrote: “Please ignore. I’ve just realised it’s a manual, we need an automatic.” Following that message, the WRX was dropped from consideration.

Subaru Legacy instead: the automatic-only alternative

Afterwards, the accountant shifted his search to the Subaru Legacy, which in 2018 was offered exclusively with an automatic transmission - fully matching the buyer’s requirements. An additional layer of irony appears elsewhere in the archived documents: in his will, Jeffrey Epstein left Richard Kahn US$25 million.

In other words, the person who once tried to save Epstein US$710 on the purchase of a Subaru WRX ultimately became one of the largest beneficiaries. The episode reads almost like a punchline: even around billionaires, with any means at their disposal, an everyday factor such as the gearbox can determine the final choice. In this case, the Subaru WRX lost out not on price or image, but on the “manual” setup - long considered a niche preference in the United States.

Earlier, 32CARS.RU reported that a presentation of the new Subaru WRX STI Sport had taken place.