I am trying to get a buddy of mine to get the STi (and steering him away from the 325/C240/A4 1.8t). But his response is "I am impressed with the STi performance numbers. But I am also thirty years old -- do way I am driving a car with that wing."

So, whether or not the wing can be deleted will determine whether or not he gets an awesome road car or just another german luxo-box.

 

No- But you could trade the trunk for a 2004 WRX. Heck I am 37 and the wing does not bother me a bit. It's part of the package.

Blue

 

doesn't bother me either -- but I have a feeling this guy will ultimately end up with a 325i or A4 Sedan. Oh well.

 

Always has bothered me, and even more so when I drove thecar. I swapped with an '03 wingless lid. If you just pull it off, you will have 17 holes to cover and you'll knock you teethout or rear window when you pop the trunk.

 

Any pics?

 

The top half (upper plane) can be removed by backing out four exposed allen bolts along either edge and removal of a retaining/safety cable located inside both halfs.

An owner has done just this and recently detailed his expereience at NASIOC. Its easy to find, just run a search against the past 30 days. If you don't find it on your own PM me for more info.

The STi wing minus the upper plane looks very similar to the 'Whale Tale' of circa '70's 911 Turbo's.

- Janq

 

I'm not overly fond of the wing but I don't hate it either. It's functional and part of the package. I kind of just have to laugh about it in a way. I'm 33. Blue/gold.

 

I plan to 'split the difference' and roll with the top plane removed for daily use. During auto-x & track days I'll reinstall it.

- Janq

 

I'm 49 and I don't see the link between age and the wing? I guess my neighbor does, first time she saw my STi the comment was "You definitely refuse to grow up!" I've read negative comments on the wing and it's like missing the big picture... which is the great smile you get when you drive this great vehicle. I think it's a very versatile wing. You can leave it alone, or sell it, or trade it, or modify it by removing the top... very nice wing indeed.

 

The problem with perceptions is that they are most often those of people who don't know any facts.

Imagine that if you arrived home all decked out in new Harley Davidson leathers & gear atop a shiny new 'Road King'. Imagine what your neighbors & friends might think and say to your face (as well as behind your back). Further, show up in that same gear at a 'real' biker bar and you might get your *** laughed at as a yuppie empty-nester poseur. But wear the same garb to a suburban bar or a juke joint like 'Hooters' and you'll be deemed as 'cool' and might even leave with a passenger, or two.


Perceptions...they're everywhere and everyone has them.
Anyone who says they don't is lying and anyone who says they don't care or matter is fooling themselves.

The thing about the STi wing is that every other vehicle on the road that resembles the STi and/or wing is driven by a wanna be 'Fast & Furious' kid or a backyard tuner dork.
Then it doesn't help that the aftermarket wings only seem to make it to beat up ricer versions of what your local librarian drives to work.
For example last week I saw a stock Toyota Camry with factory wheel covers driving down the street with a wing that I swear looked like it came off of a NHRA dragster. It was ridiculously _huge_ and the _girl_ driving it looked to be entirely oblivious to the fact that her car looked like a cheap 'Testers' snap-together model kit.

Remember back in the day it was cool to install 'ladder' bars (aka traction bars), 'wheelie bars', exterior mounted gauges on the hood (did that ever die?), 'whip style' CB radio antennas, roof mounted air horns, rear window mounted gun racks, glasspack mufflers & 'Thrush' brand "Cherry Bombs" and have all manner of stickers in your front 1/4 window (back when cars had 1/4 windows).
Well you know what people thought then and you know the reason why they thought it and who it was that made people think it. Well, fast forward to today and you get what we got.

But hey, to each their own right?
Live and let live, yes?

Plan on getting weird stares, pointing fingers and your friends whispering less than sweet nothings under their breath about how you may have finally lost it.
Don't worry though. Just smile knowingly and every so often you might be kind enough to give your neighbors or friends a ride and laugh as you watch them trun green with envy after they realize you have the best kept secret on the block. Porsche performance, Subaru AWD & reliability at a cost so low you don't have to deliver Domino's pizza to afford the payment.

- Janq

 

Hey guys -- take no offense -- I think the wings fine. (In fact, I would have liked to see the STi get a painted hand-formed CF one like the Evo got).

But, it not me -- its my buddy -- that, sadly, cannot get past the Fast & Furious stigma of the wing. Sad. I badly want to have a close buddy with an STi so we can swap cars occasionally.

 

I remember seeing the write up on how to do this and plan on doing this as well when I get my STi in 2-3 months. However, are there any pics of this floating around? I searched and searched for the old thread but couldn't find it.

 

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I hate to be the guy that paraphrases his dealer (who may or may not know wtf they are talking about,) but last week, while visiting my dealer's first STi, I asked and he said that soon (4-6 mos.) there will be a different spoiler available, either lowering it 6" or to 6", I can't recall which, but apparently it mounts using the screws found on the bottom of the two side supports