I thought I'd start a thread where people can put upcoming STi reviews. So, if you know of any actual hands on reviews let everyone know. The first one I know of will be published in our paper "toronto Star" on Saturday May 3rd. It will be a full hands on review of the 2004 North American STi and I will put it up that day. I wrote the writer an email to see if I could get a sneak-peek of his review and all he said was that I SHOULD hold my breath because this thing is really awesome.

 

Hi again essogas:

I actually talked to Jim Kenzie the week before the Sti testing. He seemed as excited as I was about this car.

Did you notice his comment on the STi in the Audi article this past Saturday? - something like "Hold your breath for this one!"

Cheers

 

If you aren't Canadian or from Toronto or read the 'Toronto Star' or know who 'Jim Kenzie' is or for that matter know what the Phun & Essogas are talking about, then click here for the full story!

- Janq

 

Nice link Jang. Thanks. And Phun, yes I did notice that, he said, "hold your breath for this one." I contacted him by email and he told me the car was awesome but that was it. I have to wait for the full review. What did he say to you about it?

 

What did you hear about the WRX paint and warranty? I've not read one negative thing from all thrr reviewers.

 

I don't believe that ALL japanese auto makers have paint quality issues. I know many a car that doesn't have these problems. If anything it's the domestics with the problems! Show some proof if you want to claim such a thing.

 

Subie's for years have been known to suffer from 'orange peel' paint conditions.

If you don't know what it is then you most likely won't notice it and it probably won't bother you over the course of ownership.
Mostly its folks that have bodywork and/or paintbooth experience who notice this. Also, this issue may come into play if you plan to show the car as the condition becomes very obvious under flourescent lighting.

Otherwise, if you are a regular run o' the mill Subie driver/commuter/weekend racer-tinkerer then orange peel condition paint is of zero concern.

- Janq

 

Jang, check this link out for paint deffects:

http://www.ppg.com/nexaautocolor/Pai...IntDialCode=44

Orange peel is in there too.

 

Yep thats it, but the example pic sucks.

I'm trying to locate a pic from Subie's marketing info for the STi that shows it _very_ well.

Its the one where they show the trunk lid (blue) with the WRX and STi logo. As I recall the pic is an extreme close-up and if you look at the trunk release keyhole (chrome) the orange effect jumps out at you like Jim Carrey's teeth.

If I find it I'll post a link to the pic.

- Janq

 

???????????

 

I just don't get it...........the paint quality can't be that bad; it's a $30k Subaru not a Rolls Royce and every car is going to pick up stone chips irrespective of the marque (my S4 is covered in them)......so what, they're made to be driven; not cossetted.

As for the warranty, I'm sure it will have a very comprehensive warranty, just like any other Subaru.....if you're concerned about modding and warranty issues, then all manufacturer's warranties are voided if you mod, and SOA is no different in that respect.

 

Ok, I found it.
So many dang STi links to keep track of...

This orange peel pic I'm referring to is located here!


Notice that if you draw an imaginary line across the trunk lid bisecting both the keyhole and the STi logo you'll see a textured effect to the paint. Its worst to the immediate left of the chrome key bezel and to the far right of the 'STi' logo.

Again, its not a deal breaker for me...while others expect 'perfection'. As MTMS4 pointed out earlier, "it's a $30k Subaru not a Rolls Royce".

- Janq