I love my girlfriend but she hates my car... for every reason that I love it! 2004 wrx wagon that is loud, stiff, low and fast. It has a 3" exhaust, eibach pro kit springs (1.5" drop), stock struts (worn out), 17"wheels and thicker sway bar for the rear.

She wants me to get a new car... not happening unless I can afford a new STI and I don't want to live with the payments right now. I want to make it more comfortable for her and am considering bringing it back close to stock. I normally wouldn't even consider any of this but I just got a 1975 Ferrari Dino for my sport experience (slower then the subie! but so much fun and I know I am lucky).

What do I do? start off with 16" rims? go back to stock springs? New struts are a given. silencer for the pipes?

Any suggestions? Anybody else experience this?

 

What sound does a whip make...

I have a suggestion, tell her to walk if she doesn't like the ride...

My wife would never complain about my car, but then again she's thee one who encouraged the purchase

 

odd situation really...i'd go with not changing anything and just ride it out.

 

^^+1

Never had an issue with my gf. She's pretty cool about it. In the past she even helps me turn off the A/C (less drag on the motor) if we became engaged in a freeway contest... lol

 

thats the way every girl needs to be...

 

in my opinion, stiffening up the chassis (due to chassis flex) also might make a positive difference.

however, how still can you be? from the mods you listed, it doesn't appear you should be that stiff....i haven't heard Eibachs to be THAT stiff.

definitely change out your springs tho if they're blown...

what other mods have you done that would make your ride "stiff"?

 

+1, pro kits are something like 190 up front and 130 rear? Either way, it's probably the shocks that are causing the discomfort. Worn shocks= not doing their job= your girlfriend unhappy.

Wheels and swaybar can stay as those don't really contribute to any NVH. What brand of tire are you running?

 

Koni's! They go great with Eibach Pro kit. I've installed and test drove several on the streets of NYC and the ride was great. I run Koni's in my car to please my wife and while the ride is much more pleasant, the handling is actually improved.
Install is pretty easy and I highly recommend getting d-rex spacers for the front and don't forget to trim your bump stops if you have not already done so when you installed the lowering springs or the ride will be harsh.

Alex...

 

Also stock muffler while keeping the rest of the exhaust 3" quiets things greatly while only loosing a few HP compared to aftermarket.

Alex...

 

Different Strut/spring setup (many good ones mentioned above), and Raamat your car (sound insulation that's better than dynamat)

Also, if you somehow let her read this thread without her knowing out were the one to show it to her, she might realize she should let this one go.. It's like you telling her you love her, but you hate her wardrobe.. that wouldn't fly, would it?

 

"loud, stiff, low and fast"

Seems like she should like at least one of those

 

It is probably ride harshness due to your shocks being underdamp/worned out.

 

time for a new gf? or at least some play on the side that don't mind the ride ;-)

 

I have Gr2s with 04 stock sti springs on my bugeye. With a thicker rsb and f&r strut tower braces it's the perfect combination of comfort with plenty of cornering ability. I love it!

 

I think its time to strengthen the pimp hand... Jk