Hey everyone! I've got a '06 STi, and I'm going to be moving to Florida pretty soon. I've considered taking up surfing once I move, and have been looking around at a non-permanent roof-rack. I don't want to mess up the good looks of the car with a permanent one, but some of the strap-in racks look pretty flimsy. Has anyone had any experience with them, and could recommend some good brands? Thanks in advance!

 

you want to stray away from the soft roof racks that have to latch through your doors. The metal buckles can scratch the paint on your roof. I had the thule roof racks but they cant mount wide enough for WRXs. I traded those in for the yakima roofracks which can mount wider (wide enough for a surfboard). The thule rack system I think can mount 18" max between the two bars but the yakimas can mount up to 23" between the two bars.

 

my bro did the "jdm mod" for the yakima roof rack and he said that it doesn't budge at all. its very sturdy

the location of the mounting points are different. he readjusted the towers further in so it sits a little lower. but it doesn't shake, rattle or run the risk of messing up your windows

 

Thanks for the replies! I'll have to look further into this. I'm really worried because I like the lines of the STi, and don't want to mess them up with a big complicated rack system. Maybe it's time to buy that truck I always wanted....