It was time for a upgrade.

[tipptruck1]

It was finally time to replace my 04 srt4. Not that I wanted to, but many things have broken more then one. The final blow was blowing a bushing. That is normally a pta to change, but then when it breaks in a weird place. It requires removal of the sub-frame. To me the car is only worth 500 bucks. In the end its not worth the 2-3 days worth of labor. Because I don't have the tools to fix it the proper way.

 

This is what I replaces it with. So far I am loving it. I still don't get the Subi life thing, but what ever. I didn't by this car to fit in with other subi owners. I bought this because we have snow. If we didn't have snow a mustang would be sitting in my drive way. So I had to settle for this.

[Gundog]

Everything I hear about Subaru is they are super reliable. Should last a long time. 

[tipptruck1]

Google subaru ej25 ringland. That seems to be the only draw back. To the sti, but their seems to be 3 things causing it. Which will be fixed once the factory warnty gos out. Because its a subi, and equal lenght headers. Will require me to tune it on a dyno. 

 

Being the car is relible. Was the main reason why i went with subi. Honda and toyota were right behind. The only down fall was the price to play. I needed a car with some power. As i drive on the hwy alot. The japness cars all had the power, but starting at 25k . A wrx is 26k. With more power, awd, and a 6speed stick. So i just bought the wrx bigger and badder brother. 

[XpressJeff]

Transmissions are t h e only real weak point!

[tipptruck1]

I have heard that, but it seems like that was a problem with the 02-12 or so models. It still seems like its some what of a problem in the wrx, but the sti seems to have a better transmission.

 

I didnt go in to buying this car blind its been a years worth of reading wrx and sti fourms. Still seems like the ej motors melt pistons, and the fa motor snaps rods. I even asked my machinic about the ej melting pistons. He said it still happens, but not as munch as it use to. All he could do was mirrior what i have read. Proper mantince, install a catch can and a air oil separator, run 91 or higer octane gas, and put equal lenght headers on. 

[Redlinerobert]

Nice! 

When do the wing and wheels arrive? 

 

[tipptruck1]

Never. I want to do things to it. Just not that dumb. 

[Redlinerobert]

I know.  But the wing and wheels adds like 85 horsepower. 

[tipptruck1]

That only applies to Honda's.

[tipptruck1]

For now my main goals with the car are this. Get rid of the mufflers. The car is two quite. Then Take it to the track, and see what it can do. Once i get a few track days with it. It will be time for better shocks, and maybe stiffin up the chassie a bit. I Alsoneed to buy track pads. The breaks are all ready brembos. 6 piston in the front, and 2 in the back. 

 

Then some minor aero mods. Like a spliter, rear defuser, and a adjustable wing. Like you see on race cars. Aero mods will be for the track only.

 

Then the 5 year waiting game happens. I know i want more power. Just not sure how i want it yet, or if bolt on power will keep me happy. Only time will tell which way i go. 

[AC870]

Will it pull a boat?

[tipptruck1]

It can pull some weight. I think its about 500lbs or so. I don't recall 100%. I really didnt read the owners manual.  Becuse its about 300 pages, and 3/4 of its warnings. While the other 1/8 is about options I dont have. Then the other 1/8 is about the stuff i do have.

 

Which of all i needed was like two pages. I had to know how to disable hill assist. It allows the computer to over ride the clutch. So you dont roll back in to some one. After 20 years of driving a stick. I know how to prevent that. The problem with it for me. Came every time I would come to a stop, and try to go. The car would stall out. 

 

The other thing was how go put the car in track mode. I drove the car for about a hour. Before I had to disable traction control and their tq vectoring gimick. The car felt slow, and wasnt fun to drive. 

[frosty]

I had an 03 SRT4, I had a blast in that car! Always kinda wished I hadn't gotten rid of it, but the Mazda I replaced it with has been almost boringly reliable. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Good choice ma'am.

[Redlinerobert]

Glad the test drive went well.

 

[tipptruck1]

2 hours ago, frosty said:

I had an 03 SRT4, I had a blast in that car! Always kinda wished I hadn't gotten rid of it, but the Mazda I replaced it with has been almost boringly reliable. 

I was looking at mazdas. I had a 96 protege before the srt4. I loved that car. Nothing major ever broke. For 1000 dollar car it was nice. 

 

It was a toss up between a honda, toyota, mazda, and subaru. When it came to my next car. My problem with the first three was to many standard options. Like all the safety stuff they put in them. What worried me about that. Is many cars you can disable them, but what happens when they fail. Then when they do fail. They are not cheap to replace. 

 

That is why subaru got my money. It doesn't have them options standard. Other then abs, traction control, a backup camera, and like 6 air bags. Its lacking a lot of modern safety stuff. It has manual seats, ac, power windows, a radio, track mode, and a six speed stick transmission. Thats all i care about in cars. I like to drive my cars. Not let a computer tell me how to drive it. 

[tipptruck1]

1 hour ago, Redlinerobert said:

Glad the test drive went well.

 

Wait intill winter. I will be having fun then. Almost got it to do a dohnut the day i got it. I had to do a u turn in a vacant parking lot. That was dirt and gravel coverd. I had to be going about 25 or so. As i lifted off to turn. The back end kept coming. It didnt catch me off guard or any thing. I just turned in to it, and kept on the gas. That was the day i was induced to lift off over steer, and i am glad it happend at slower speeds. Then at hwy speeds. 

[TOXIC]

Everybody should have a "fun" vehicle.  Added this to my stable when I was in Florida for a couple years.  While dubbed the rich housewife's car, it can be a blast to drive with a few easy mods.  4.3 V8, hardtop convertible and getting to the age that a lot of the "tuners" are starting to play with them for headers/suspension/performance, etc.  LEXUS SC430 and in Japan it is called a Soarer.  No longer in production and I have the first year produced.  The first models were hand assembled in Japan.  I use it as a commuter.  Does OK in what little snow we get here in Virginia and gets 25mpg on Premium fuel.  If it gets nasty out, I have a Jeep Wrangler and of course my 1/2 ton 4wd Silverado if need be.  

 

 

[tipptruck1]

I try to make all my cars fun cars. Well now that i am over the age of 25. I am 32 and this car cost the same to insure. As my srt4 did ten years ago. 

 

My buddy says I need a van or a suv. Incase the old lady and I have a kid. I laughed and said she has a suv, and can drive a stick. Plus if i can fit my 6ft tall body in the back. I am not worried about kids.