Bought a New Winter Car

My 2014 Ford Escape was an OK car. It was roomy, quiet, drove nice, and had all kinds of cool tech-stuff. But it was really nothing more than basic commuter transportation. After 9 months of owning it, I realized how I just can’t have basic transportation.

Driving is my passion. I really don’t do much else that isn’t car related, so having something that I don’t feel strongly about is really bothersome to me. I closed on my house in June and my wanting for getting back into something that I can truly enjoy driving became my number one priority. I needed something that I could drive year-round and have awd. I considered an Evo, Sti, and Taurus SHO’s. I wanted to buy used, but I had a difficult finding what I wanted and in many cases, I couldn’t even get people to e-mail me or call me back about some cars. So, I also started considering new STi’s as the base models were in my price-range. I went to West-Herr Subaru and took a 2016 STi out on a test-drive. Having owned an '11 WRX, I wanted to really see the differences in the chassis. After a short test-drive, I was in love.

So I went in earlier in the week and after a short-bit of negotiating, I found myself in a 2016 STI-base in Lapis Blue. The only options were all-weather mats and an auto-dimming mirror. It is right at that point of performance that I want in a DD. It’s stiff, and quick, and harsh. But it is not annoyingly any of those things. The seats hold me in nice and snug and my kids fit with plenty of room. I love the drive and center-diff controls and the way this thing can get out of corners is quite impressive. I can’t wait to hoon around in the winter.

It’s not going to get much in the mod-department. Probably Swaybars and RPF-1’s. Now that I have a car that I actually enjoy driving, I will probably dump more things into my RX-8 to make it quicker on the track.

Here’s the pics:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m221/akursedx/IMG_20150718_145120_zpszxo0mb1q.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m221/akursedx/IMG_20150718_133308054_zpszypbpriz.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m221/akursedx/IMG_20150718_145209_zpson2jqusa.jpg

I like it! Good for you

I like that silver freedom machine in the background

Very cool

Nice!

Pretty sharp color. What’s the lug pattern? I have two RPF1’s I can part with.

5x114.3. If you have those in an 18x8.5 with a 40mm offset, I’d be interested. I still have a set of 5x100 RPF1’s I need to sell too. I think I have had 5 sets of them now. I put them on everything, haha.

They just might be. Let me check.

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They just might be. Let me check. Yup. Check my for sale thread on here.

Do you plan to keep the car past the warranty period? Reason I ask, I bought a 2015 WRX last year and have been scanning the forums looking for potential issues with the new platform and motor. And oddly enough, not the new FA motor but the old EJ motor in the STI has seen some rod bearing failures on 100% stock motors. So if you plan to keep it out of warranty, I would suggest a protune first.

Sway bars are probably overkill unless you plan to race it. The factory ones are plenty good for the street. A set of wheels and maybe a slight drop with RCE Yellow springs then call it a day.

Killer ride man…I second guess myself constantly for not getting the STI. I was just worried it was too “race inspired” to make a tolerable daily driver. What are your opinions so far?

I purchased an extended warranty with this car as I have full intentions of keep it for some time. I will probably even get it dealer serviced just to have a full set of records for the life of the car.

I’m well aware of the EJ25 ringland and bearing issues (I owned a 2011 WRX before too) and it’s a shame that these things are still happening this long into the EJ25’s service. As of this time, I am following the full break-in procedure staying south of 4000rpms and keeping out of hard boost. I will take it in at 1500-miles for it’s first service. After it’s broken in, I am going to spend a good amount of time monitoring the tune to see if there is any crazy amount of knock retard (I have quite a bit of experience with tuning across a number of platforms and software). From there I will decide if I’m going to tune it some.

As for swaybars, I put them in everything. Stock swaybars are always too soft for my liking and this car will probably see a HPDE and Auto-X here or there. As much as I would like springs, I want to keep the car stock ride height for maximum ground clearance through the winter. Coilovers might be an option in the future.

I went with the STi because I knew if I bought a WRX, I would be regretting that I did not buy an STI. I felt that way with my previous WRX and it was part of the reason I got rid of it. I have to say that I am quite pleased with my choice. It is certainly more on the ‘harsh’ end for a DD, but that is where I like my cars to be. But I have enjoyed the ~50 miles I have put on it so far much more than the last 6000 that I put in my Ford Escape.

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Uggghh, well if I whore myself out on overtime this month I will probably pick them up. I’m kinda broke right now with just buying a new car and buying a house back in June.

My 2011 STI broke a ringland in cyl #2 at 36k miles. SOA replaced the entire shortblock under warranty. (5 yrs 60k powertrain)

No hurry. Just let me know when you want em.

not just the STI’s my buddies wrx with only 14,000 miles on it had the motor replaced by Subaru bc of a rod.

Sweet whip!

I considered an Evo, Sti, and Taurus SHO’s

https://stuffwelovetohate.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/inception_meme__1_.png

looks really nice though!

I saw one of these this weekend with a rear wing delete…looked so much better.

cool pickup though coming from an escape lol

Ive often thought abot selling the S2K and daily for one of these

Nice car!

You have to upgrade to the Limited Package to be able to order the wing-delete option.

Minglor and I were having a talk about this at work as I was talking about wanting to find a wing-delete trunk. He made a good point that the STi has pretty much had a wing throughout it’s history (I found evidence of a couple wingless special editions in Japan) and because of it’s heritage, the wing really isn’t out of place. I couldn’t really disagree with him. The old-man in me doesn’t like the wing, but the purist in me does. Meh…

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Drive a 2013 and up SHO with the Performance Pack. I know it’s ugly and heavy, but it can perform.

It just suits the STi…

Just leave it alone. You’re older now, father, homeowner, its a daily commuter - you don’t need to change things mod things blah blah insert nerdy car talk.
Its a great pick up - one of the best DD options for driving enthusiasts with our type of weather- enjoy it! If you want to tinker, get a second car.