My new 2010 Subaru WRX

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Ian, how are these things when they're stock? I'm looking for a new DD. Reliability is my main concern.
 
They are pretty reliable if you leave it stock and don't abuse it and keep up with maintenance items.

What year are you looking for?
 
I really like the body style you have to be honest. 2010-2012 ish?
 
Mine would be 2008-2010.

The 2011-2014 is the same chassis but wide body fenders

If I were to do it again I'd get the 2011
 
You should have knocked on the door, announced yourself loudly, then I would have given you some pants. We could have had a beer. Jerk.
 
a co worker just got a 2016 wrx. the twin scroll is super fast. like part throttle normal driving is boosting 5+ psi.
the interior is a LOT nicer than my 05 sti was, that's for sure.
he's still only getting 22 mpg out of it though mixed use, not really beating on it, and that's just a deal breaker for me these days, especially when it requires 93.

28+ on 87 (even if it pulled timing) and i'd consider one...
 
Ian, how are these things when they're stock? I'm looking for a new DD. Reliability is my main concern.

Near stock... needs a tune. I don't trust a stock WRX or STI tune. Do intake/exhaust/tune and call it a day.

I still like my 05 I think its cool that the WRX is getting nicer, but I wish they stripped the STI down. I like the original ones with no bells or whistles.

12417761_1034276199978087_7715197826404449100_n.jpg
 
Near stock... needs a tune. I don't trust a stock WRX or STI tune. Do intake/exhaust/tune and call it a day.

I still like my 05 I think its cool that the WRX is getting nicer, but I wish they stripped the STI down. I like the original ones with no bells or whistles.

12417761_1034276199978087_7715197826404449100_n.jpg

I forgot you have one of these. I'd go for a hawk eye if I can find one that has been treated decently. What's insurance like on these things?
 
Snow tires should be required on anything in a place that gets more than 2-3 inches of snow a season.

You live up here I'm surprised you ask that question.
 
I forgot you have one of these. I'd go for a hawk eye if I can find one that has been treated decently. What's insurance like on these things?
Blob eye ftw!

Insurance? Not really sure. Don't look at the breakdown between the different cars.
 
Snow tires should be required on anything in a place that gets more than 2-3 inches of snow a season.

You live up here I'm surprised you ask that question.

I never ran a true snow tire on anything other than my current 2wd truck. I have always gotten around with a good set of all season tires. The WRXs I have seen have had a more aggressive tire on them.
 
A full set of snows works wonders on anything. They aren't just for bad weather the compound gives you good grip in the cold/ freezing temps too where an all season may get a little hard.
 
Another mass update.

Sept. 2016 - 193k, Got a 60k service @ IAG minus trans and rear diff fluids as I was scheduling a trans swap soon, why waste the fluid.

Oct. 2016 - replaced my KillerB alternator cover because it broke again, for the 3rd time. I'm tired of dealing with it, replaced it with a Grimmspeed unit that wont break.

Oct. 2016 - did a full brake tune up. new rotors and pads all around. went with KNS 4k brake rotors, HPS 5.0 front pads, and StopTech Sport rear pads.

Oct. 2016 - STi 6-speed transmission swap:

I've been collecting parts for the past year or so in preparation for the swap. I had initially planned to do a built 5-speed + DCCD, and i even bought a 5-speed DCCD trans with a busted gear with the intent of harvesting the DCCD unit to use on my trans with a build. After a lot of thought and back and forth, I decided to abandon my 5 speed DCCD vision. The STi swap would cost about the same, even though requiring more parts to be replaced and a little more work. and the STi trans stock is still stronger than a built 5 speed. I also planned to do the swap myself, and I'm certainly capable, but after struggling with awptikes to do the transmissions in his trucks, and the associated issues with jacking my car high enough to get the trans out/in, AND wiring up the DCCD (i hate wiring), I just decided to pay IAG to do it. they have better tools, better techs, and they can crank it out faster and do the wiring and i KNOW it'll be right when finished. I bought the trans/diff/slave together. i looked for deals where i could. Bought the parts needed for about $5k and the install was about $1500 in labor.

Parts used/needed:
2011 STi transmission - used
2011 STi R180 rear diff - used
2011 STi clutch slave cylinder - used
2011 STi shift linkages
08-14 STi rear diff brace - used
08-14 STi driveshaft - used
08-14 rear axles - used
6-speed transmission mount (group N) - new
Kartboy 6-speed short shifter - used
Kartboy 6-speed front shifter bushing - new
Turn-in Concepts shifter pivot bushings - new
Southbend "Stage 2 Daily" clutch kit for STi (495 ftlbs) - new
OEM Sti flywheel - new
DCCDPro DCCD controller - new
WC Lathe Werks shift knob - new

The guys at IAG said my install went about as smooth as could be, and that the swap i gave them was complete with all parts in good condition.

After the install, I had them perform an alignment on the car (some suspension components removed during install, and the 6-speed is like 75lbs heavier than my stock 5speed). The tune on my car also needed to be tweaked to account for the different gear ratios. I was surprised that it needed it, but the tuner said my car had lost 5-6lb boost from the trans swap. after the tune touch up, the dyno plots show almost the exact same HP/tq vales as my car made 1.5 years ago, so it's good to see that the car is still running great with no loss in power from wearing out or anything like that. the engine has about 95,000mi on it since IAG rebuilt it.

car put down 308/372 @ 21lbs boost, ~74F with the stock vf52 (which is now the oldest drivetrain component on my car with 197,000miles on it!)
previous dyno run was 315/381 @ 21lbs boost, but ~48F. the profiles match and the two graphs nearly lay on top of each other.

The new trans shifts great and the clutch feels awesome. no more clutch chatter, and no more heavy clutch pedal. the car is more enjoyable to drive for sure. and i can feel the handling difference from now having front and rear LSDs + DCCD. looking forward to playing with this in the snow :)
 
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Here's the gear ratio comparison.

Blue is the old 5 speed
Orange is the new 6 speed

assumptions:
245/40/17 tires
6500 rpm rev limit/shift point

5avTCXm.png
 
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