I miss my Subi.

 

I love STIs without spoilers

 

 

Well that is how my Legacy currently sits, on 18x8.5 +48 Rota SVN's

They were silver, sanded them down and painted them Medium Red Garnet Metallic.

Tires are 225/40/18 Bridgestone Potenzas

getting 15mm spacers in back and 10mm in front so it sits flush.

BC coilovers are spun all the way down in the front and 90% in the back.

 

Clean. The silver and red combo looks better than it sounds.

 

haha yeah I was a little nervous how it would turn out, the whole idea behind it was to color match the red in the interior and it came out DAMN close.

 

Nice! I bet it's a breath of fresh air amongst the audi's and bimmers.

 

^ that eurospec legacy is sweet!

finally got to take some half decent pics. ive really lost my touch. need to get out and snap pics more often.

 

Taken this morning with Mt. Bachelor in the background.

 

 

um, it's Japanese spec. Look at my sig.

Nice STI. How's it on gas? I'm about 9.5 km/l (22.5 mpg) with Autobahn driving.

 

It is. Even though when I get off the Autobahn, a really large Audi dealer is staring me in the face and a BMW dealership is next to the Army base I work at. Yep, it's tough over here.

Seriously, it's handled being up to 180 km/h with a lot of room on the tach. And the car stays down pretty well. I think if I run that high often (I don't, but in the 130 Km/h plus zones I give it a go), I'll need to upgrade to a big brake setup.

 

A few months ago, I got a new job as an account manager for 41 Subaru dealerships working with their Service marketing campaigns and helping them with their marketing plans. Part of my job is to get out to these stores and sit with them to help them develop these plans.

Anyways, I've been out and about for the last 3.5 weeks traveling to Subaru dealerships in IL, MI, IA and MO and saw a few cool cars I wanted to share. A little Subaru history for you this morning:

1970 Subaru pickup truck with a 2 cycle engine in the rear:



1970 Subaru 360



1974 Subaru wagon



(I apologize for the bad cell phone pictures but that's all I had on me)

 

Cool. Looks like some of those dealerships haven't been renovated since the 70s

 

Wow those are awesome!

 

Some of them haven't. But you have to remember Subaru was a very low production brand up until recently. Now that they are becoming more and more popular and are selling, you will see a lot of dealers invest in the Subaru franchise.

 

Not here in the Mass. Subaru is popular. The local dealership in Belmont is nice. I hope Fuji Heavy Industries stops being cheap with Subaru and gives them more money for development.

 

Northeast/Colorado/Northwest are the strongest markets.

Fuji is doing everything they can to increase production of vehicles to US. Demand has grown rapidly.

Developing/improving imdividual dealers is up to the dealers, it's their franchise.

 

Seriously considering getting a 2013 Outback with the special appearance package. White with a saddle interior, might go drive one tonight. I really like the facelift on the '13.

Looking to get someone a little more highway friendly, drove my Scion for 4k miles in the last month and it's just not comfortable enough to be a road warrior.

 

Interesting. I didn't know they were offering a special appearance package on the 2013 model. Post your driving impressions if you take one out for a test.

I was leasing a 2010 Forester before my TSX wagon. Some family members bought out the lease and they're very happy so far. I only had 15,000 miles on the Subaru. It was a good vehicle. I would definitely consider owning one again.

 

Question for you, is the TSX a nice upgrade from the forester? Reason I ask is because I'm also going to look at a 2009 TSX this week.

I just need something quiet and smooth in the hwy.

 

The TSX is definitely smoother on the highway. Don't get me wrong the Forester was a good cruiser, but it felt like there was a little "body shake" at higher speeds. Passing at higher speeds took more planning since the engine was a little weaker compared to the TSX.

I drove a newer Outback with the 6 cylinder engine a couple of years ago. I think it was a 2011 model. Power and highway ride quality were much better compared to my Forester.

Subaru's all wheel drive is great. I'm going to miss that and the extra ground clearance in a few months. I'm planning to get snow tires on the TSX. I heard the stock tires aren't very good in winter.

 

I agree that the TSX is more stable on the highway at speeds above 75, but the Forester is the one I prefer. It actually has more torque (or feels like it) than the TSX so passing on the highway is no problem. Although it's a 4-speed auto, somehow I'm still able to get 28 mpg on the highway. The ride is very soft and you don't feel bumps like you do in the TSX. But you still feel like you're in control. There is also less wind noise, rattles, and squeaks.

Plus the Forester is amazing in the snow and I love taking it off road whenever I can. If you don't mind a decrease in gas mileage, go for the Forester XT. Or the Outback with the CVT. Forester and Outback are extremely similar.

(comparing old 08 TSX 5AT to current 10 Forester X Premium 4AT)

 

Those photos are great. Thanks. Subarus are becoming far more common in NE Ohio, too, but they've been around for some time given the winters. The biggest issue here is probably the dealers. I know of one that is very small, but the rest are all run by a local chain with a pretty poor reputation. (I dealt with the Nissan dealer when I was just out of school--the first time--and won't buy from them again).

 

Thanks for the input. I think I am going to go drive both but I'm leaning towards a used TSX at this time, just because I rack miles up very fast and feel guilty doing it to a new car.

 

I can easily achieve 30-35mpg on the highway in the TSX.

 

winter phase 1 acquired (17" wedssports w/ 225/45/17 altimax arctics)

winter phase 2 mudflaps and weathertech mats

 

I had a Subaru for 11 years (up until 2010) and the dealerships in the Philly area are awful...

my main dealership closed (Dunphy Subaru) and the others that I used (John Kennedy, Glanzmann) remained unchanged in those 11 years...you'd think the Philly area would be one of their top priorities...the HQ is across the river in south Jersey...

 

That's going to be a hell of a lot of fun driving in Upstate NY with the STi on snow tires. I'm actually kind of jealous lol!

 

im excited but keep getting yelled at for wanting it to be winter already.

 

I used those General's on my GS430 last winter in 235/45/17, not a bad tire.

 

Test drove a 2013 Legacy 2.5i limited and a 2013 Outback 2.5i limited with the special appearance package yesterday. Both drove nice, but pretty blah, nothing too exciting.

Definitely leaning towards the outback vs. legacy but also leaning towards maybe a used lux car with a few miles on it instead.

 

If you can, drive the 3.6L Legacy. You will like the torque, especially down low. Yeah, its still a 5EAT but you can paddle shift with it. Much better driving experience.

 

Anyone hear anything on the 2013 STi? Pretty much no changes from 2012, right?

I know orders opened up on the 15th of this month.

I am back on the market and may be considering one again. Thoughts?

 

I'm sad that Subaru took the turbo-4 out of the Outback. There's no way I'd buy that NA four-banger ... Oh jesus, and a CVT?

What happened to Subaru?

edit: And only a 5-speed auto? Still?

 

picked up a porter cable orbital buffer and meguiars backing plate.

wash
clay
swirl remover + meguiars yellow pad
show glaze + meguiars finish pad
nxt + hand wax

results so far. about halfway done, cant wait to see it in the sun. looks like you could jump in and swim in it...

 

consumer reports shows better reviews than blizzaks so im confident they should do pretty decent.

'13 is the same, they are already popping up on the forums.

thoughts? what intrigues you are why are you interested in the STI? what are you looking for personally?

 

Awesome job. Looks great. Did you get a clear bra? How's the front end holding up?

I'm looking for AWD or RWD, manual, and performance-oriented. Ready to get out of the TSX for something sportier. I got a pretty competitive quote on a '13 STi from one of the dealers in the area, now I just need to check out some colors in person and test drive at least a WRX to be absolutely sure before I commit to anything.

 

no clear bra and the front end is showing its 15k miles. no worries though, its my DD, not a show car.

just understand that the STI is an $18k car with a $20k drivetrain and suspension. its not a sport luxury car. lots of road noise on the stock dunlops, clicks and clunks from the drivetrain, crappy stereo, stiff suspension, everything is an afterthought except for the drivetrain.

with all that said. its a blast to drive and thats where it shines. everytime you turn the key its time for fun. the seats are comfy and the interior has just enough stuff to keep you happy. the STI is built to be a drivers car and it doesnt fail in any aspect of being that.