Project: Gravel Express MkII mod 0.

[CaptainHenreh]

...they say you should break it in like youll drive it

Yeah, the issue is that "they" aren't the ones that are going to say "Yes, these busted ringlands are a factory defect, and you've done nothing to cause them seeing as you followed the break-in procedure and maintenance schedule, so the cost for replacement will be Zero Dollars to you."

So for the first thousand miles, it stays under 4k rpm's. :-D Not to say I drive it like a grandma, I just make sure to keep the revs low.



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[Jewels]

...they say you should break it in like youll drive it

Yeah, the issue is that "they" aren't the ones that are going to say "Yes, these busted ringlands are a factory default, and you've done nothing to cause them seeing as you followed the break-in procedure and maintenance schedule, so the cost for replacement will be Zero Dollars to you."

So for the first thousand miles, it stays under 4k rpm's. :-D Not to say I drive it like a grandma, I just make sure to keep the revs low.

The car scoots even under 4k. So much fun to drive.

[D_Eclipse9916]

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I see what you did there.............. :lol: No, I would do the exact same thing, just busting your balls. Will we get to see this pretty little thing at VIR? Ive never really been in the new body style STi.

[JustinG]

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I see what you did there.............. :lol: No, I would do the exact same thing, just busting your balls. Will we get to see this pretty little thing at VIR? Ive never really been in the new body style STi.

PACE CAR!!!!!

[Jewels]

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I see what you did there.............. :lol: No, I would do the exact same thing, just busting your balls. Will we get to see this pretty little thing at VIR? Ive never really been in the new body style STi.

PACE CAR!!!!!

NO, we've done that before, and this one won't see the track just yet. Paint is too pretty to get rock chips. Besides, Rexy probably won't be able to drive that weekend anyway.

[Goodspeed]

NO, we've done that before, and this one won't see the track just yet. Paint is too pretty to get rock chips. Besides, Rexy probably won't be able to drive that weekend anyway.

I was gonna say, that car looks reaaalll purdy in the deep blue. How about a clear bra? There are some awesome ones on the market today (they're a lot better than the used to be). Check out 3M, I'm sure Dan can make some recommendations. Personally, its a no brainer. For how good and relatively cheap they are, the hood/front/mirrors/windshield frame - protect them janks.

[CaptainHenreh]

NO, we've done that before, and this one won't see the track just yet. Paint is too pretty to get rock chips. Besides, Rexy probably won't be able to drive that weekend anyway.

Troof. It's 50/50 if you guys will be able to see this guy at VIR. Sorry. It all depends on how my lazervision surgery goes.

[Kaan]

NO, we've done that before, and this one won't see the track just yet. Paint is too pretty to get rock chips. Besides, Rexy probably won't be able to drive that weekend anyway.

Troof. It's 50/50 if you guys will be able to see this guy at VIR. Sorry. It all depends on how my lazervision surgery goes.

you'll be able to see... from space

[premiershine9]

3M ftw- they add a nice little layer us detailers can polish on

[Jeff]

Looks good. I wish I could get rid of some Subarus...they keep piling up. See you (and your sexy car) tonight Rex.

[RPWIII]

Nice pick up! One of my best friends has a 2010 Special Edition WRX STI and he loves it. I wasn't in love with the hatch style at first but it grew on me and now I really like it. You'll definitely enjoy it

[CaptainHenreh]

So. Full Introduction.

Model Information:

2012 Subaru WRX STI 5 Door "Sport Wagon"
Color: Plasma Blue Pearl

2.5L 16 Valve "Boxer" Four -- Dual variable valve timing, 8.2:1 Compression
Factory rating: 305hp
VF48 Turbocharger
Six Speed Manual Transmission with Driver Controlled Center Differential
Front Differential: Helical
Rear Differential: R180 Torsen
Front Brakes: Brembo 4 piston with 13.0" rotor
Rear Brakes: Brembo 2 piston with 12.6" rotor
Wheels: 18X8.5 Forged BBS 18 Spoke

Misc:
Alcantara / Leather seating
High intensity discharge low beam headlights.
All-metal intercooler & intake manifold
Standard (Subaru branded Clarion) Bluetooth single disc radio.

Factory Installed Options:
Auto-dimming mirror
Wheel Locks
Winter floormats
STI Short Shifter

Rex Installed Options:
Subaru "license plate kit"

Current Mileage: ~500

Driving impressions: While I am merely halfway through the factory mandated "keep below 4k rpms" break-in period, the thing that strikes me the most is actually the handling of the car. Driving (or riding in) a WRX and an STI back to back, I was struck by how much firmer the ride in the STI was. I expected it to be different as the suspensions share almost no parts, but I was not prepared for how different it was. Dave's 2011 WRX rides more like Julie's 2010 Outback Sport than it does my STI. This should not come as a surprise, as the 2011/2012 STI suspension is even more stiff and aggressive than even the "Special Edition" 2010 STI. Also worth noting is the excellent six speed transmission. Maybe it is just the STI short shifter, but this is easily the best Subaru transmission I've driven, and I've driven a few. That being said, I would have preferred a wider ratio. The overall ratio is identical to the ratio in the WRX gearbox, meaning that both a WRX and an STI are turning the same RPM at the same speed in their respective top gears. This makes a little bit of sense in the JDM STI, as it is equipped with a higher revving (by more than 1k rpm's) lower-torque 2.0L EJ207B. The EJ257B in the USDM STI, however, is overflowing with torque, and could really benefit from wider gear spacing.

The power, even when keeping it below 4k RPM's, is pretty dramatic, and if I were honest, more than sufficient for my purposes. The SI-Drive may prove to be nothing more than an annoying gimmick over time, but it does provide a noticeable difference in power and throttle response. There is noticeable lag, although how much of it is my forced-low-RPM driving and how much is actually just turbo spool remains to be seen.

All in all, I'm pleased with my purchase. I know I had said that I didn't want the STI, and truly had the WRX Limited I ordered and this STI been sitting next to each other on a lot, I doubt I'd have chosen the STI. However, I am sure over time I am not likely to look back and go "Damn, this car has just too much cool shit on it."

I am also very glad I got a wagon. Those of you who know me know I have a huge throbbing hardon for sport wagons, but in this case when I was first ordering this car I briefly considered a STI base sedan. They were pretty affordable, being almost 2k less than a wagon, but in the end, you give up the BBS wheels, almost 10 cubic feet of cargo space, some headroom in the rear, a whole buttload of utility, and you gain 20 pounds. For me, I just could not go through with it.

Since VA is a "front plate state", and I was sure to be hassled by The Man for ignoring the front plate requirement, I picked up a subaru front plate mount kit. Weirdly, there are threaded holes in the front bumper, but they are for the Japanese plate only. For US Customers, there are two small dimples in the bumper that indicate where you just zip self-tapping screws into. :evileye: Really, FHI? To add insult to injury, the subaru-supplied "kit" does not actually use these pre-existing JDM holes, but instead affixes a metal plate...in the US market license plate dimples. So either way, you're putting sheet metal screws into your bumper. :finger: Ah well. What's done is done.

Roadmap:
If you're looking in this thread for some kind of Monster Track Car Build, where out of my garage rolls some kind of overpowered Rexenstein, you're going to be sorely disappointed. As this is my daily driver, you'll mostly see in this thread some of the following:
Mild cosmetic upgrades
Entertainment upgrades
A few SPT performance parts.

Date: 09FEB2012
Mileage: 575

[HAULN-SS]

Just out of pure curiosity - how many ricer fly bys have you had, and how long will it take before you get tired of that?

Dig that color - almost reminds me of the darker blue I had on my legacy, though a bit more purple, and pearly

[Jake]

Mmm. Love that color so much.

[caa337]

Looks amazing. I bet it's tons of fun to drive. I would want it a tad bit lower to remove some of the wheel gap though it's just me nitpicking. Can't wait to hear of updates especially when you can whomp on it :twisted:

[ScottyB]

I would want it a tad bit lower to remove some of the wheel gap though it's just me nitpicking.

subaru's are as much at home on this:


as this:


thus the gap :lol: although if Rexy lowers it I wouldn't complain because it would look awesome.

put some more miles on it and dig in!

[Tyler.M]

jeez, that's so awesome

[WRXtranceformed]

Protune son!

So right about the gear ratios. Imagine it with 512 torques! No wonder so many high hp Subies went with the dogboxes.

[kcook]

*subscribed* 8)

[jongp3]

Great looking car Rex, hope i can take a ride in it after you have it broken in.