Project: AWD TURBO Family Hauler (04 Forester 2.5XT)

[JustinG]

Soooooooo as alot of you know I was in search of a new vehicle, something with more creatures comforts. So I started looking into trucks. Mostly a Nissan Frontier, then through some guidance of good friends I figured a utility trailer is cheaper and a better idea than buying a truck. So I added in the stipulation of better MPG and fun to drive.

Sedans are out, because 7 month old + dog = no place for both.

Enter the search for a wagon. I initially thought an e39 540iT would be cool, til some research and opinions steered me away from a 90k+ 10-15yr old BMW. Big surprise.

Narrowed down my search to Legacy GT Wagons, or a Forester 2.5XT. I wanted to get back into a manual DD, so the 05 Legacy GT wagons were my only choice. Where 04-08 Forester XTs came in a manual. After consulting the wife, she preferred the looks of the Fozzie.

So while searching a few popped up and the one I found happened to be a TX/CA car that was brought into NJ back in July. Seller was "allowed by his wife" to pick up a fun DD so he snagged an E39 M5. His loss = my gain. After Dan Kastner offered his time while on spring break to take a look at this thing in NJ for me, he reported back with nothing but good things, THANKS AGAIN DAN. So this past weekend DJ was kind enough to drive me up to NJ to take a look and hopefully come back with my new car, THANKS AGAIN DJ.

Enter my new car. 2004 Subaru Forester 2.5XT 5spd in Java Black Pearl, with 90k on the clock.

Pics from the Seller: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://picasaweb.google.com/114262342721634017939/JavaBlack?authkey=Gv1sRgCNWA0vub5-eSGg">https://picasaweb.google.com/1142623427 ... 0vub5-eSGg</a><!-- m -->

Original Sticker, just had the 90k service done (Tbelt, pulleys, WP, etc etc...)



She made the 300+ mile trip without issue.


So the car is stupid clean for 90k, and she ran like a top on the 315 mile trip home.

1st mod....added car seat base.

2nd mod... MUDFRAPS!!!!
Ordered some "Flapatax" mud flaps.



3rd mod.... GET LOWWWWWWW
Picked up a set of WRX struts and some WRX Cobb springs w/ 3/8 saggy butt spacers.


Should be this low....


If it is too low, I have some STi springs, courtesy of Shea I can throw on and raise the car about an inch all the way around.

4th mod...ordered some yellow Lamin-x for the fogs.

5th mod...gonna plastidip the front grill, like so.


6th Mod....picking up an STi catback for $50, give her a little more rumble.

7th mod... Snagging a V1 Accessport and a Cobb Intake w/ intake box. Trade the V1 in on a V2, they are worth a $200 credit so it makes getting the V2 a good deal.

8th mod... RIMMMMZZZZZ, pretty sure I'm gonna go for some Rota Tarmac 3s in 18x8.
And she looka like dis....


Also ordered some touch up paint and some all weather mats from the subie dealer.

AND DONEZO.

[CaptainHenreh]

Nice!

[JPolen01]

Looking good! I like the projected height, but hey it is me.

[SlimKlim]

Congrats!

After consulting the wife, she preferred the looks of the Fozzie.

This bodes well for you. :wink:

The cars pictured look like they might be tricky to drive on real world streets without rubbing, but it's worth a shot if that's what you're into. I'd just go for the STi springs if I were you. Looks like it'll be a pretty cool ride once you're done fiddling with it. :thumbup:

[premiershine9]

Glad this worked out and my detailed eyes could be of assistance!!! Looked great in person and drove excellent- really surprised how quick it was when I test drove it!

[Apoc]

Whoa, your project thread is way more developed than mine. Care to source me a side mirror??

[JustinG]

Congrats!

After consulting the wife, she preferred the looks of the Fozzie.

This bodes well for you. :wink:

The cars pictured look like they might be tricky to drive on real world streets without rubbing, but it's worth a shot if that's what you're into. I'd just go for the STi springs if I were you. Looks like it'll be a pretty cool ride once you're done fiddling with it. :thumbup:

Yea not sure if I'm gonna keep the cobb springs. But I only paid $300 for almost new struts and those springs. The springs new sell for like $2xx something. But we will see. I'm pretty pumped.

[ispoonwithmugen]

<3 Can't wait to get one.

[Goodspeed]

Nice! She's a beaut and black suits it very well (I'm usually WRB/Aspen all of the Subie things)

8th mod... RIMMMMZZZZZ, pretty sure I'm gonna go for some Rota Tarmac 3s in 18x8.
And she looka like dis....

Hnnnnnggg

[WRXtranceformed]

Nice pick up dude! Love it. Please don't make it look like that silver one though, not the drop just in general. Lol..

[JustinG]

Nice pick up dude! Love it. Please don't make it look like that silver one though, not the drop just in general. Lol..

Dont worry, there are no green wheels in this cars future.

[ScottyB]

nice find Justin! fozzie XT's are so bangin...can't wait to see this thing once you're all done tweaking it. have fun surprising the hell out of anyone that isn't "in the know" with these things too.

it really does look super clean...glad you pounced on this when you did.

[davej]

Nice pick up man! And if you kept in your original budget, it looks like you made a great find. If you need a pet barrier I think I still have one in the garage for little monies.

[JustinG]

Wheel thoughts.....

Sparco Assetto Gara in 18x8 $172 per


Pic on a black car....


Rota Tarmac 3, 18x8 $194 per


Like this but in Bronze.

[JPolen01]

Rota

[JustinG]

Rota

Its what I am leaning toward, just want others opinions. This car is solely funded by NASA checks, so expect wheels/tires on the car by hyperfizzle. Unless I can clear some of these honda parts outta my garage.

[ScottyB]

i prefer the slight lip on the rotas

[SlimKlim]

Definitely the Rotas.

[WRXtranceformed]

+1 on Rot0rs

[ispoonwithmugen]

Rota's for sure.