**Official thread for questions to the owners of Sti**
05-18-2003, 06:53 PM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: **Official thread for questions to the owners of Sti**
Originally posted by essogas
In an attempt to have owners or others who have driven ian STi come to this thread and answer questions others may have...
In an attempt to have owners or others who have driven ian STi come to this thread and answer questions others may have...
Good show old chap for getting this topic 'Reloaded' and kudos to Mach5WRX for responding to the various questions presented thus far. Things went sour as noted before but thats all in the past.
Myself as well as others (as per the PM's I've been getting lately) have unanswered questions that have not been asked or answered prior so I'm going to repost some of my original queries from that earlier thread I mentioned which went unanswered. I'm not expecting a big response of "20,000" characters nor for responders to spend a lot of time on this. But the following are questions myself and others have on our minds;
* How solid 'feeling' is the car itself and the ride overall?
What I mean by this is does the car feel like a normal or regular Subie/Impreza and that it'll last for the long haul (200K miles or more) or does it feel less so.
* Does it work well IYHO as a commuter car for day to day A to B to C to home use? You know, the Monday through Friday mundane travels where top speed & max handling ability are not emphasized but braking, top gear acceleration and lane change ability are most used.
* What has been your observed fuel usage/mileage city & highway and/or mixed?
* How does it do chugging along in 30 mph or less traffic? And what gear do you prefer in such case?
* How bright are the HID's at night? Do you find yourself having to adjust them down for upcoming traffic often or can you leave them at a setting (1,2,3, or 4) and forget it?
* Have you tried drving over non-paved aka 'soft-road' areas yet?
If so how did you find the suspension setup work for you? How harsh or complient is the ride? Now I'm not talking about a RallyCross event here. Just driving over non tarmac road such as dirt and/or gravel road such as what one might find at a state park or the local dump.
* If not and/or you're worried about premature tire wear, have you driven over a less than well maintained stretch of road like in a city/town where there are potholes, sinkholes, surface blisters, speedbumps, etc? How is both the ride and cabin noise for this type of non-highway driving?
* How beneficial/annoying do you find the red illumination of the gauges during the day and night? Audi does the same with their gauges and it seems to be a love/hate thing with owners I have talked to.
* Were you able to negotiate in any additional deals/items from your dealer considering you are paying MSRP against the car?
Folks are reporting a mandatory 22B package added on to their vehicles which includes various PIO accessories. I'm thinking we buyers should be able to negotiate price against these unexpected and often unwanted items.
Thanks to those responders/owners for your time and support!
- Janq
"Enquiring minds want to know." - The National Enquirer
05-18-2003, 08:05 PM
#32
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 128
Car Info: 2004 WRX STi
Originally posted by acarguy
Mauijammer.....
Did you have to enlarge the openings in the rear doors? I haven't checked them out yet but I know the stock rear speaker size is 4". I'm planning to put Boston 5.25s in the rear doors but I'm trying to get an idea on how much work will be involved.
Mauijammer.....
Did you have to enlarge the openings in the rear doors? I haven't checked them out yet but I know the stock rear speaker size is 4". I'm planning to put Boston 5.25s in the rear doors but I'm trying to get an idea on how much work will be involved.
So like I said... I used thick double-sided foam tape, made it snug, and only screwed in 3 of the screws.
Worked like a champ.
05-18-2003, 09:48 PM
#33
Angry Dan
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: www.turboculture.com
Posts: 7,183
Car Info: 05 Evo VIII
Originally posted by shingles
Also, what about that rear glass? real thin?
Also, what about that rear glass? real thin?
I looked at the glass today and yeah, it looks really thin.
05-18-2003, 11:30 PM
#34
Re: Re: **Official thread for questions to the owners of Sti**
My answers immediately follow your questions as **. Let me know if you need/want more details on anything. Lack of words generally means lack of first hand experience to answer on the question.
Originally posted by Janq
Essogas,
Good show old chap for getting this topic 'Reloaded' and kudos to Mach5WRX for responding to the various questions presented thus far. Things went sour as noted before but thats all in the past.
Myself as well as others (as per the PM's I've been getting lately) have unanswered questions that have not been asked or answered prior so I'm going to repost some of my original queries from that earlier thread I mentioned which went unanswered. I'm not expecting a big response of "20,000" characters nor for responders to spend a lot of time on this. But the following are questions myself and others have on our minds;
* How solid 'feeling' is the car itself and the ride overall?
What I mean by this is does the car feel like a normal or regular Subie/Impreza and that it'll last for the long haul (200K miles or more) or does it feel less so.
** It's feels as solid as my WRX. I'm pretty confident that I'll get a lot of miles out of it.
* Does it work well IYHO as a commuter car for day to day A to B to C to home use? You know, the Monday through Friday mundane travels where top speed & max handling ability are not emphasized but braking, top gear acceleration and lane change ability are most used.
** It's my daily drive to work and to pick up the kids from school and works as well as any other vehicle I've driven. The ride is a little bit rougher then your average car, but my wagon sports an STi suspension so I was used to it already.
* What has been your observed fuel usage/mileage city & highway and/or mixed?
**Most of my driving is short trips up and down hills (mountains) with lots of stop and go. I've been getting around 18-19 MPG. I know others are getting in the 20s but they most likely do a bit more highway driving.
* How does it do chugging along in 30 mph or less traffic? And what gear do you prefer in such case?
* How bright are the HID's at night? Do you find yourself having to adjust them down for upcoming traffic often or can you leave them at a setting (1,2,3, or 4) and forget it?
** I've been leaving them around setting 2. Since the car sits a little lower I haven't noticed any issues with oncoming drivers. I haven't really driving the back roads at night much and the front roads in Hawaii have a lot of street lights.
* Have you tried drving over non-paved aka 'soft-road' areas yet?
If so how did you find the suspension setup work for you? How harsh or complient is the ride? Now I'm not talking about a RallyCross event here. Just driving over non tarmac road such as dirt and/or gravel road such as what one might find at a state park or the local dump.
** Haven't been off road, but speed bumps require some care as expected.
* If not and/or you're worried about premature tire wear, have you driven over a less than well maintained stretch of road like in a city/town where there are potholes, sinkholes, surface blisters, speedbumps, etc? How is both the ride and cabin noise for this type of non-highway driving?
** I see these tires wearing quickly at which point I'll replace them with S03s or something else. They make a lot of noise. I thought my Falken Azenis were loud, but these win the noise contest hands down. No experience with potholes and as I said speedbumps require a little bit of caution.
* How beneficial/annoying do you find the red illumination of the gauges during the day and night? Audi does the same with their gauges and it seems to be a love/hate thing with owners I have talked to.
** I like the red illumination of the gauges other then trying to find matching gauges (boost, EGT, etc..). I ended up going with the Omori's which have red backlight. I figure nothing matches for a daytime driving, but at least they will match at night.
* Were you able to negotiate in any additional deals/items from your dealer considering you are paying MSRP against the car?
Folks are reporting a mandatory 22B package added on to their vehicles which includes various PIO accessories. I'm thinking we buyers should be able to negotiate price against these unexpected and often unwanted items.
** Our cars came with no dealer options installed. I think most of the folks here in Hawaii payed MSRP on the first shipment. There is talk about markup on later shipments.
Thanks to those responders/owners for your time and support!
- Janq
"Enquiring minds want to know." - The National Enquirer
Essogas,
Good show old chap for getting this topic 'Reloaded' and kudos to Mach5WRX for responding to the various questions presented thus far. Things went sour as noted before but thats all in the past.
Myself as well as others (as per the PM's I've been getting lately) have unanswered questions that have not been asked or answered prior so I'm going to repost some of my original queries from that earlier thread I mentioned which went unanswered. I'm not expecting a big response of "20,000" characters nor for responders to spend a lot of time on this. But the following are questions myself and others have on our minds;
* How solid 'feeling' is the car itself and the ride overall?
What I mean by this is does the car feel like a normal or regular Subie/Impreza and that it'll last for the long haul (200K miles or more) or does it feel less so.
** It's feels as solid as my WRX. I'm pretty confident that I'll get a lot of miles out of it.
* Does it work well IYHO as a commuter car for day to day A to B to C to home use? You know, the Monday through Friday mundane travels where top speed & max handling ability are not emphasized but braking, top gear acceleration and lane change ability are most used.
** It's my daily drive to work and to pick up the kids from school and works as well as any other vehicle I've driven. The ride is a little bit rougher then your average car, but my wagon sports an STi suspension so I was used to it already.
* What has been your observed fuel usage/mileage city & highway and/or mixed?
**Most of my driving is short trips up and down hills (mountains) with lots of stop and go. I've been getting around 18-19 MPG. I know others are getting in the 20s but they most likely do a bit more highway driving.
* How does it do chugging along in 30 mph or less traffic? And what gear do you prefer in such case?
* How bright are the HID's at night? Do you find yourself having to adjust them down for upcoming traffic often or can you leave them at a setting (1,2,3, or 4) and forget it?
** I've been leaving them around setting 2. Since the car sits a little lower I haven't noticed any issues with oncoming drivers. I haven't really driving the back roads at night much and the front roads in Hawaii have a lot of street lights.
* Have you tried drving over non-paved aka 'soft-road' areas yet?
If so how did you find the suspension setup work for you? How harsh or complient is the ride? Now I'm not talking about a RallyCross event here. Just driving over non tarmac road such as dirt and/or gravel road such as what one might find at a state park or the local dump.
** Haven't been off road, but speed bumps require some care as expected.
* If not and/or you're worried about premature tire wear, have you driven over a less than well maintained stretch of road like in a city/town where there are potholes, sinkholes, surface blisters, speedbumps, etc? How is both the ride and cabin noise for this type of non-highway driving?
** I see these tires wearing quickly at which point I'll replace them with S03s or something else. They make a lot of noise. I thought my Falken Azenis were loud, but these win the noise contest hands down. No experience with potholes and as I said speedbumps require a little bit of caution.
* How beneficial/annoying do you find the red illumination of the gauges during the day and night? Audi does the same with their gauges and it seems to be a love/hate thing with owners I have talked to.
** I like the red illumination of the gauges other then trying to find matching gauges (boost, EGT, etc..). I ended up going with the Omori's which have red backlight. I figure nothing matches for a daytime driving, but at least they will match at night.
* Were you able to negotiate in any additional deals/items from your dealer considering you are paying MSRP against the car?
Folks are reporting a mandatory 22B package added on to their vehicles which includes various PIO accessories. I'm thinking we buyers should be able to negotiate price against these unexpected and often unwanted items.
** Our cars came with no dealer options installed. I think most of the folks here in Hawaii payed MSRP on the first shipment. There is talk about markup on later shipments.
Thanks to those responders/owners for your time and support!
- Janq
"Enquiring minds want to know." - The National Enquirer
05-18-2003, 11:50 PM
#36
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Re: Re: **Official thread for questions to the owners of Sti**
Originally posted by mehlt
My answers immediately follow your questions as **. Let me know if you need/want more details on anything. Lack of words generally means lack of first hand experience to answer on the question.
My answers immediately follow your questions as **. Let me know if you need/want more details on anything. Lack of words generally means lack of first hand experience to answer on the question.
I'm thinking to go with the Defi gauges (http://www.defi-shop.com).
One last question though.
Earlier this weekend I spotted a pictures of the white/silver STi in NM which features a 3/4 shot of the rear including the spoiler. In this shot it _appears_ that the rear spoiler is a two piece unit.
Specifically there seemed to be a pair of allenhead screws bolted up through the base of the spolier (on decklid) and going up (north) into the secondary section of the spoiler. Can you verify those two silver looking things are in fact screws (allen or otherwise)?
If this is the case then we who do not care for the 'look' of the rear spoiler for day to day use might have a solution in just removing the top 2/3 of the unit.
- Janq
05-19-2003, 08:06 AM
#37
Janq,
If someone else doesn't answer first I'll check out the spoiler and/or take closeup pictures.
I was split between the Defi and Omori gauges. Went with the Omori's due to cost and imperial units (black face, white letters, red needle). With red backlight at night they should match pretty well. We've had folks email both Def and Omori to see if they plan to do anything special for the STi and the answer at this point is no.
I also noticed I forgot to answer the question about cruising in 30 MPH traffic. I've only been in traffic a few times. I find it much more enjoyable then in the WRX. The lack of low end power/torque in the WRX makes it a chore to drive in traffic. I really hate traffic with a stick shift, but the STi makes it livable. I'd say 2nd is a good gear for 30 MPH though I tend to throw it into 3rd at which point 30 is hard to maintain.
If someone else doesn't answer first I'll check out the spoiler and/or take closeup pictures.
I was split between the Defi and Omori gauges. Went with the Omori's due to cost and imperial units (black face, white letters, red needle). With red backlight at night they should match pretty well. We've had folks email both Def and Omori to see if they plan to do anything special for the STi and the answer at this point is no.
I also noticed I forgot to answer the question about cruising in 30 MPH traffic. I've only been in traffic a few times. I find it much more enjoyable then in the WRX. The lack of low end power/torque in the WRX makes it a chore to drive in traffic. I really hate traffic with a stick shift, but the STi makes it livable. I'd say 2nd is a good gear for 30 MPH though I tend to throw it into 3rd at which point 30 is hard to maintain.
05-19-2003, 08:32 AM
#38
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by mehlt
Janq,
If someone else doesn't answer first I'll check out the spoiler and/or take closeup pictures.
I was split between the Defi and Omori gauges. Went with the Omori's due to cost and imperial units (black face, white letters, red needle). With red backlight at night they should match pretty well. We've had folks email both Def and Omori to see if they plan to do anything special for the STi and the answer at this point is no.
I also noticed I forgot to answer the question about cruising in 30 MPH traffic. I've only been in traffic a few times. I find it much more enjoyable then in the WRX. The lack of low end power/torque in the WRX makes it a chore to drive in traffic. I really hate traffic with a stick shift, but the STi makes it livable. I'd say 2nd is a good gear for 30 MPH though I tend to throw it into 3rd at which point 30 is hard to maintain.
Janq,
If someone else doesn't answer first I'll check out the spoiler and/or take closeup pictures.
I was split between the Defi and Omori gauges. Went with the Omori's due to cost and imperial units (black face, white letters, red needle). With red backlight at night they should match pretty well. We've had folks email both Def and Omori to see if they plan to do anything special for the STi and the answer at this point is no.
I also noticed I forgot to answer the question about cruising in 30 MPH traffic. I've only been in traffic a few times. I find it much more enjoyable then in the WRX. The lack of low end power/torque in the WRX makes it a chore to drive in traffic. I really hate traffic with a stick shift, but the STi makes it livable. I'd say 2nd is a good gear for 30 MPH though I tend to throw it into 3rd at which point 30 is hard to maintain.
Thanks for all your support!
- Janq
05-19-2003, 11:15 AM
#39
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 248
Re: Re: **Official thread for questions to the owners of Sti**
Originally posted by Janq
[B]
* How solid 'feeling' is the car itself and the ride overall?
What I mean by this is does the car feel like a normal or regular Subie/Impreza and that it'll last for the long haul
[B]
* How solid 'feeling' is the car itself and the ride overall?
What I mean by this is does the car feel like a normal or regular Subie/Impreza and that it'll last for the long haul
* Does it work well IYHO as a commuter car for day to day A to B to C to home use? You know, the Monday through Friday mundane travels where top speed & max handling ability are not emphasized but braking, top gear acceleration and lane change ability are most used.
* What has been your observed fuel usage/mileage city & highway and/or mixed?
* How does it do chugging along in 30 mph or less traffic? And what gear do you prefer in such case?
* How bright are the HID's at night? Do you find yourself having to adjust them down for upcoming traffic often or can you leave them at a setting (1,2,3, or 4) and forget it?
* Have you tried drving over non-paved aka 'soft-road' areas yet?
If so how did you find the suspension setup work for you? How harsh or complient is the ride? Now I'm not talking about a RallyCross event here. Just driving over non tarmac road such as dirt and/or gravel road such as what one might find at a state park or the local dump.
If so how did you find the suspension setup work for you? How harsh or complient is the ride? Now I'm not talking about a RallyCross event here. Just driving over non tarmac road such as dirt and/or gravel road such as what one might find at a state park or the local dump.
* If not and/or you're worried about premature tire wear, have you driven over a less than well maintained stretch of road like in a city/town where there are potholes, sinkholes, surface blisters, speedbumps, etc? How is both the ride and cabin noise for this type of non-highway driving?
* How beneficial/annoying do you find the red illumination of the gauges during the day and night?
* Were you able to negotiate in any additional deals/items from your dealer considering you are paying MSRP against the car?
-Snuff
05-19-2003, 11:59 AM
#40
Guest
Posts: n/a
Snuff,
Thats good info..especially the part about the braking performance.
FWIW, I have owned four Subies of past generations gong back the the early '80's and they all have held up especially well to time & high mileage usage. Subies typically age like cactii, slow & gracefully requiring minimal care.
But I have never owned an Impreza model although I undertsand they are equally hardy as the rest of the line (Legacy & Forrester).
Sorry to hear about the $2K markup though... <ack!>
- Janq
Thats good info..especially the part about the braking performance.
FWIW, I have owned four Subies of past generations gong back the the early '80's and they all have held up especially well to time & high mileage usage. Subies typically age like cactii, slow & gracefully requiring minimal care.
But I have never owned an Impreza model although I undertsand they are equally hardy as the rest of the line (Legacy & Forrester).
Sorry to hear about the $2K markup though... <ack!>
- Janq
05-19-2003, 12:08 PM
#41
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 248
Originally posted by Janq
Sorry to hear about the $2K markup though... <ack!>
- Janq
Sorry to hear about the $2K markup though... <ack!>
- Janq
its not to bad...after breaking it down it comes out about even...and i dont have to get all dirty or go out and buy all those oil change things....and if they mess up, i have someone blame hehehe.
-Snuff
05-19-2003, 04:05 PM
#42
After driving this morning I realized I'm usually cruising 30 MPH in 3rd at around 2500 RPMs or so.
I took a closer look at the spoiler/wing and it looks like there are screws that hold the top half to the bottom half (2 on each side). I guess if you uncrewed them (phillip head) you'd have a wing that went up half way with no top. Is that what you were asking about?
Suffyrsx purchase his STi from another dealer (5 Star) and some of us purchased ours from Schuman Subaru. The Schuman Carriage company actually brings in all the Subaru's (I understand they brought in 15 in the first shipment), and then they distribute to 5 Star and their own dealers. I think the Schuman dealers pretty much sold at MSRP on the first shipment, but may be marking up on the next shipments.
If you want to see some pictures of Snuffyrsx's STi at AutoX I posted them in this forum at the end of the thread of more Hawaii pictures.
I took a closer look at the spoiler/wing and it looks like there are screws that hold the top half to the bottom half (2 on each side). I guess if you uncrewed them (phillip head) you'd have a wing that went up half way with no top. Is that what you were asking about?
Suffyrsx purchase his STi from another dealer (5 Star) and some of us purchased ours from Schuman Subaru. The Schuman Carriage company actually brings in all the Subaru's (I understand they brought in 15 in the first shipment), and then they distribute to 5 Star and their own dealers. I think the Schuman dealers pretty much sold at MSRP on the first shipment, but may be marking up on the next shipments.
If you want to see some pictures of Snuffyrsx's STi at AutoX I posted them in this forum at the end of the thread of more Hawaii pictures.
Last edited by mehlt; 05-19-2003 at 04:10 PM.
05-19-2003, 04:19 PM
#43
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by mehlt
...I took a closer look at the spoiler/wing and it looks like there are screws that hold the top half to the bottom half (2 on each side). I guess if you uncrewed them (phillip head) you'd have a wing that went up half way with no top. Is that what you were asking about?...
...I took a closer look at the spoiler/wing and it looks like there are screws that hold the top half to the bottom half (2 on each side). I guess if you uncrewed them (phillip head) you'd have a wing that went up half way with no top. Is that what you were asking about?...
I'm thinking I could backout the two screws and remove the top spoiler section. Then mockup a plastic or aluminum 'cap' to put in its place held down with the same screws.
The benefit is I don't have to locate and swap out a new lid and trunk lock (PITA), I keep the stock third brake light (required in my state), and to replace the upper wing half via four screws should be a ot easier than removing and storing a full trunk with wing.
Also, the 'half-wing' look would be a trick & cheap style mod.
Now, I just need a cheap solution for the hockey goal front scoop and were in business.
Thanks!
- Janq
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