[Design1stCode2nd]

Post #12 - Rota G-Force 18x9 +30 Hyper Black
Post #23 - DAMD Steering Wheel, Flat bottom, Red stitch

Decided to start a journal, I’ve had the car since mid December and it was really kind of an impulse buy.

But I guess first a little history about me; as you might guess from my username I’m a designer. Started out in print, went to multimedia and then to web. More of just a manager now but I still do some design when I can.

When I had kids a number of years ago I tried to be the family man and got a SUV/CUV. Well after 3 years I couldn’t take it anymore and bought a RX8. After a couple of years of putting kids in the back of that and dealing with the various peculiarities of the car I came across the $8k off 63 month 0% deal on the STIs.

What is odd about me owning an STI is I like pretty cars; it’s the designer in me so I was never attracted to the STI. I’m still not but I began thinking that this was a really good deal and dynamically it did what I wanted and yet would do what my family needed. So I stopped by a dealer and took look at one, low and behold it looks a lot better in person, still not pretty but better. The seats are good, I don’t bump my head anymore and my son can buckle himself in (no large center console). And damn it’s quick (remember used to drive a RX8). So I began really thinking about it and running numbers because I was going to take a bath on a two year old RX8, and I did.

The wife didn’t care for it (she’s rather fond of Jeremy Clarkson’s “ugly than a war wound” remark) but she knows I like cars and I wouldn’t have to use hers for every little thing so she said go ahead. So mid-December comes and I find a good deal on a Spark Silver base model, not my first choice but there wasn’t much to choose from. Hides dirt well though.

Most here will think it’s a huge upgrade from the RX8 but I’d have to disagree. It’s better in a lot of ways and worse in others, IMO they are just different and go about doing things in different ways. The RX8 just wasn’t the right car for this time in my life

Now unlike a lot of people, most probably, I didn’t buy the car to make a lot of power, track it or do tons of mods. I bought it to be a family car, but a family car that is fun to drive and not some kind of penalty box. Something I can enjoy but is easy to maintain and not so pretty or luxurious that I mind getting it dirty. I made that mistake when I bought my Murano (snooze to drive) or the RX8 (always cleaning it and doing the extra maintenance).

Now after saying all of that I’ve put more money into the STI in four months of ownership than I did in 2 years with the RX8.

What I bought:
2008 Sparkling Silver WRX/STI
Side moldings
Subaru Short shifter
Ipod connector
Titanium shift knob

Mods done so far:
Accessport (Cobb Stage 1, 93 octane map)
Magnaflow CBE with Vibrant Resonator
40% Window tint
Rockblocker Tailight tint
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
Performance Alignment
Latheworks SS Shiftknob Gunmetal Burnt with grooves
Perrin 3” shorty antenna
General Exclaim UHP tires (yes all-seasons, again, family car)
18x9 Rota G-Force in Hyperblack +30
McGard Spline Drive Lugs - Black
Rear Fender Roll and pull
5w30 Motul Synthetic and Filter
DAMD flat bottom steering wheel


Mods coming eventually:
Painted mustache
Angel eyes from Lightworkz
Replica chargespeed lip or kit, haven’t decided
Whiteline Sways, endlinks and ALK
RCE Springs
Invidia catted DP
AMR CAI
Protune stage 2 by IAG


My goal is to keep the car and buy a “just for me” car once it is paid off. I don’t know if I’ll make it that far but I plan on trying. I tend to get itchy after about 3 years so staying focused will be hard.

Already thinking of a M3 sedan or Panamera Turbo after it's paid off, we'll see

Below are what I have currently, haven’t take many pictures.




After Tint:





Latheworks knob:

[Design1stCode2nd]

*reserved for later

[traction]

nice! i like. remove that dealer badge though!

[threader]

Couldn't help but notice and comment on that only the left most exhaust tip is blackened on the inside. Doesn't make sense that at least one tip on the right would at least have some soot as well. Maybe it's a lighting effect from the picture?

[Design1stCode2nd]

Originally Posted by traction

nice! i like. remove that dealer badge though!

Been meaning to do that, since ohhh day one. Need to grab some floss and a hairdryer soon.

Originally Posted by threader

Couldn't help but notice and comment on that only the left most exhaust tip is blackened on the inside. Doesn't make sense that at least one tip on the right would at least have some soot as well. Maybe it's a lighting effect from the picture?

It may be the light to a degree but not much, the left most tip gets black and the others get very little. Can't say I'm satisfied with the fit-n-finish and flow of the Magnaflow CBE. It sounds good though and the tips look good for the price, you get what you pay for I guess.

I should have my rims/lugs by Tueday so I'll take a few pics, will be installed on Thursday afternoon, can't wait.

[Design1stCode2nd]

And lookie what the UPS man left for me, should have them installed Thursday afternoon so pics probably this weekend of them on:






And my McGard Lugs in black:


In sunshine:



It doesn't really show well in pics, think of Gunmetal and chrome put together. Darker than silver but more shine than gunmetal or steel gray.

Rota G-Force 18x9 Hyperblack +30

[threader]

Nice wheels! Will look even better installed

[Design1stCode2nd]

And here are some crappy cellphone pics, I'll have better ones this weekend.

[booster 11]

Nice car the rims look ok.

[stimofo]

Nice car - same color as mines. I'm a family guy too but need a sporty car to drive. I had a 2005 STI before, so the 2008 was a no brainer. The GR model is so much better in different areas than the GD. I'm happy with my choice.

Any rubbing issues with the wheels? I think they look great on your car.