This is a nice touch

"DasWauto" (DasWauto) 12/12/2018 at 23:50 • Filed to: Thubaru

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It’s been exactly 2 years and almost 46000 km since I picked the car up with 12km on the clock. I guess my dealer put this anniversary in my car’s system. I don’t think I noticed it last year but it’s entirly possible I just didn’t drive it on 12/12/2017.

I got rid of my last car after 2 years/50K km and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about what the WRX’s successor might be. It’ll likely be 2 cars to replace this one; a truck (prefer midsize but full size is possible) for practical purposes/winter and something rwd with a stick for autocross/backroad fun and maybe fair weather daily.

Right now I’m leaning to a new Ranger and a 128i or 350Z. I’ll have to drive the Ford to see if I like it and I’m being quite picky on the summer car, having been on a lookout for the right car since the summer.

MUSASHI66 > DasWauto 12/13/2018 at 00:26

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I really thought I would love my WRX more than I do. I did the muffler delete for some extra noise - hoping not to miss the sound of my Abarth, but it didn’t really work. It does pop a bit more than my wife’s - she has a 2017 as well, but with stock exhaust.

Hard to complain about performance that I got out of $25500, but it is just not exciting at all. I think I’ll be looking at used Abarths as I miss mine badly(and I have a 2000 Tundra with a topper for dog duty) , but this WRX was $220 per month with $2000 down for a lease - hard to say no to. It really is performance bargain of the century - awd, manual, 268hp, tunable if you’re into that kind of stuff, robust aftermarket... I would have probably liked a 2015 better with the old engine and unequal headers, for that classic Subaru sound. 

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > DasWauto 12/13/2018 at 07:07

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A 350Z you say? Subaru has got you covered.

DasWauto > MUSASHI66 12/13/2018 at 10:00

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The lack of classic Subaru rumble is definitely a bit disappointing - I got a muffler delete as well and while it helps, it’s got its own issues (drone from ~ 2800 - 3300rpm).

I understand what you mean about not loving it as much as you’d expected. It is a great performance value, and absolutely hilarious on loose surfaces, which is great for winter here in Canada but it’s a bit soulless just putz ing around. You need to be on it to have fun. That said, I do think I’ll miss the WRX  when I get rid of it more than I did when I traded my Golf for the Subaru. 

DasWauto > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 12/13/2018 at 10:01

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Hah, I actually  wanted to buy a Forester XT instead of my WRX but they can’t be had with a stick anymore. :<

MUSASHI66 > DasWauto 12/13/2018 at 11:43

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Well said, can’t help but agree with everything - other than the drone. Mine is really not droning - I have nameless muffler delete and it is just louder, but no droning. Otherwise I would have swapped back. It’s a shame it doesn’t have just a bit more personality. It would have been a perfect car. 

DasWauto > MUSASHI66 12/13/2018 at 13:19

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My muffler delete is from Blox Racing, which usually does more stuff for Honda/Acura and are just trying to get into Subaru. I figured they’d all sound pretty similar so I bought the cheapest one. :P

I was wrong, I guess.

The tubing and tips on mine are a good bit bigger (3” and 3.5” respectively) than those of the nameless product, IIRC, which I’m guessing is causing it to act like a set of megaphones on my exhaust. It’s enjoyably aggressive at idle, ok at most rpm/throttle openings but anything over 30% throttle in the aforementioned RPM range is downright obnoxious.

I ’m thinking I’ll cut out a straight section of tube on each side and weld in a small pair of mufflers/resonators to tone it down. Could be a fun little project to learn TIG welding on. T hey were cheap enough (<$200 USD) that’s I’m ok with cutting them up.

MUSASHI66 > DasWauto 12/13/2018 at 13:34

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I bought mine used, but pretty much like new, for $150. I’m sure I’ll get $100 or more for them when I remove them for lease return. Fo r $100, I can get STi mid-pipe, and maybe go even louder :D. I think this car would be a whole different animal with a mid-pipe and a tune, but I’m reluctant to do that while under warranty.

Good luck with the welding project!

DasWauto > MUSASHI66 12/13/2018 at 15:32

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I had no luck finding a used set after keeping a casual eye on Kijiji and local forums for a year, unfortunately. I do think I’ll easily  get $200CAD back out of them, if I don’t butcher them too badly. :P

bob and john > DasWauto 12/18/2018 at 20:43

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you know, I had one for a few days at one point...and I get it.

it was fun in the: my daily is a AWD lux box with a auto and a small V6, this thing HAULS.

but...it never really stuck with me

DasWauto > bob and john 12/19/2018 at 10:04

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It’s a great car if you need one car to do the practical and the fun stuff, I enjoy it a lot.

That said,  I mentioned at the end of this post that I was looking to pick up something rwd to replace the WRX as a fun car. I found it on Sunday :D https://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-have-acquired-a-thing-1831134268

bob and john > DasWauto 12/19/2018 at 10:15

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yea, I’m hoping to make it out to an AutX this year, if for nothing more then to watch (nice days = bike days...so)

DasWauto > bob and john 12/19/2018 at 13:34

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You can always stop by for a bit during a ride, watch for a bit and carry on. If you’re on a ride around Barrie on an autoX day you’re welcome to take a ride along with me if I’m there.

bob and john > DasWauto 12/19/2018 at 13:36

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yea. the problem is most of my riding is done at night (DVP @ 1am is AWESOMELY empty)  so i’m usually up really late and by the time I have breakfast, do chain maintenance and get the bike out on the road its like 2pm

DasWauto > bob and john 12/19/2018 at 14:00

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Fair enough. Riding during the day in the summer can be brutally hot anyway. I enjoy empty highways in the dead of night too but my habits run the other way. Im up just after 5 every morning. # FarmLyfe .