Nope. Most would say to drive it hard in the first 500 - 1000 miles and then when you get home do an oil change.

 

Im not sure "most"would say that. Some will say that and some will support following the manual. Others will offer their own unique plans they've used.

I crossed a few states bringing mine home, it made break in period less painful. Just know, manual or not, you should vary the engine speed and loads. So it's a bit of a tedious drive home compared to be able to set it and forget it w cruise control. If you allow yourself extra time to be able to drive accordingly then it's a fun start to your ownership.

 

I'd also bring along an extra qt of oil, that's a lot of miles I'd check oil level every gas fill up.

Worst thing about driving it that distance? potential rock chips...

 

Worst thing about driving it that distance? potential rock chips...

Agreed.

 

Every year many people pick up their new Corvette in Bowling Green and drive it home. Long road trips in new cars are nothing more than self-imposed mental torture; the car itself loves it. A friend picked up his new truck, had a 5th wheel installed, hooked up the travel trailer, and drove from east Texas to the NM mountains with almost no miles. Can you imagine a new owner of a Peterbilt having this discussion? :lol:

Get yourself a Garmin GPS, download Basecamp, and plan out a route home on curvy 2-lane country roads. You'll constantly be running through the gears and stopping in little towns. May be your best road trip ever.

 

I am looking into planning the trip out now. The only thing that will sway me towards shipping is if the car would be shipped in a covered trailer. I know it is not alot but I read about 2 people so far having their vehicles arrive with dings and having issues getting the repairs covered.

 

Enclosed shipping costs significantly more. It would likely negate whatever savings you got by ordering in Colorado and then some.

 

I'd rather drive it home. You get to enjoy the ride the first time in your new car (there really is something about it - at least for me. The drive home from the dealership has probably been my favorite drive in my STI to date - and it was a pretty boring 2 hour drive) and you don't have to worry about the dings. The rock chips are evidently going to come whether you do a long drive home or just drive around town - and you can avoid a lot of it by not following close to people.

 

Drive it home! You'll break in the car AND enjoy the scenery!

 

People WORRY way to much about breaking it in.

Just drive it like you plan to drive the car during your entire ownerships.

You guys really don't think the lot guys and other people moving these cars around aren't going WOT? Trust me your car has likely been WOT a few times prior to you ever even seeing it.

 

I am planning to pick it up and drive it home. I will probably stop in KC and Indianapolis for the nights on the way home. I figure I will have it a few day trip. I figured it would not be a covered trailed but thought I would check. I am saving a decent amount getting it from Colorado since local dealers would not budge on the price at all.

 

I flew out to Colorado and then drove home to Florida after staying in Castle Rock for a week. Had nearly 3K miles, some rock chips, and a cracked windshield when I got home, but was definitely better than shipping the car.

 

Wow, that is alot of damage on the ride home. I am hoping to aviod that with any luck. I wish I would have more time to hang out, but I am pretty much going to drive all day and stop at night to sleep.

 

Eh, insurance covered a new OEM windshield (just took 5-6 weeks for them to get the glass since it was so new, shouldn't have that issue at this point) and you could get a clear bra to help reduce rock chips, but I read too many mixed reviews on them and decided against one.

 

You'll love the drive.. Do it! If drove four hours and it was great.. Rock chips will most likely happen, but they do anyways. You could always do the old painters tape to help with some.. But I wish I did this instead. Bring a go pro, and video tape it.. You'll love it.

As far as the lot people driving the cars.. When I went to get my car, they couldn't find it. In reality they traded it to the sister lot about 20 miles up the road. However, they took 15 minutes to go from point a to b., and the two guys seemed to leave my car having a blast. So I know they opened it on these highways. But, oh well. Now I do.

 

Well i got confirmation that the car is in, i am now reviewing my route. Just need to figure out when the best time to fly out would be.

 

So my trip will be 1700 miles back to Maryland over 3 days. Should i stop somewhere and have the oil changed at 1000 miles or will i be good till i get home? Also, i know not to use cruise control and not to stay at the same rpm levels for extended periods during highway travel, so should i vary my speed lets say 5mph every 15 minutes or so but for how long this contiune?

 

I just drove mine home 150 miles last night. The top of my right ankle hurt from not using cruise control. My back was sore and my ears hurt as well... so, 1. I'm getting old lol 2. You will need to take lots of breaks!! I tried to vary my speeds for no more than 10 minutes at a time. With a long trip like yours I would download an app on your phone to help you keep track of those times. Maybe set if for 10 minutes at a time and vary the speed by 10 up and 10 down each time. So, start with 65 as your baseline and go up 10 MPH then back down 10 MPH before returning to 65 again. Then, plan breaks every 100 miles or so. I also noticed that my MPG was better than the advertised highway MPG. I got up to about 27 before it finally settled around 24. Hopefully this helps! Keep us posted.

 

Never thought about the app idea. I know i will not be able to stop every 100 miles, that would take a long time to get home. How long do i need to vary speed for, i am guessing the 1000 mile break in period.

 

I am really looking forward to the experience, i have always wanted to do a cross country type trip picking up a car. I wish it was a little shorter of a drive but it will be an awesome experience.

 

Be very careful with your oem tires and snow. As you know, the oems are summer tires and they will not fare well in any amount of snow.

 

Thanks for the heads up, right now the weather is looking good. Knock on wood hopefully it stays that way.

 

Oh, and earplugs! You might lose your hearing otherwise!! I watched a video review that said they put a decibel meter in the car and it was a constant 110.... FML that's a lot. Probably not always that loud, but if anywhere close for long periods... 'deaf-ly'

 

OSHA monitoring requirements begin at 90 dB, regular exposure of 90-95 dB will cause hearing damage, and a power saw is equal to 110 dB.

Do you really want to be known as the guy that tells STi owners the sound inside their car is equal to a power saw running full speed in the passenger seat?

 

My STI is scheduled to be a Heuberger the first week of November. I live in Maryland and have been thinking about flying to Colorado and driving it home instead of shipping it. If I drive it home it will be 1700 miles. Is there anything to worry about? I know about not going above 4k and not staying at the same speed or rpms for long intervals and I will change the oil at 1k. Is there anything else I should worry about? This is my first Subaru but not my first turbo car.

I'd recommend marking all engine compartment translucent reservoir fluid levels with a sharpie while the car is new. Assuming an overnight cold engine, mark the reservoir opposite the fluid level (assuming level surface). Quick way to monitor all fluids while going home as well as over the first few thousand miles.

Within 1000 miles of mostly city roads break-in, my coolant level dropped about 1.5 inches. At 4900, no further drcrease.

Congrats on the new STI.

 

I did not think about how loud the car will be, mine also has the STi performance exhaust too so I am sure that will add to the volume.

I did not think of marking the fluid levels. The Sharpie idea is a good one.

 

sounds like a nice road trip! the sound doest bug me at all, you're gonna love it! did you come from an ep as well? i sold mine to pay off some bills and get the sti

 

Yeah I came from an EP3, glad to know I am not alone. I loved that car, it was turbo'd with 300whp. That was my first turbo'd car and is the main reason I am getting another one.

 

Nice I had a turbo ep3 too. It was blue with the RevHard kit, you may remember it from a lonnnng time ago. Loved the EP so much I bought a stock white one and cruised around in that for a couple years and now have a 15 cwp sti! Amazing car!!!