03-06-2011, 11:37 PM
So, I'm putting this in the projects section, but it is by no means a "project".
On Friday I got the call that the 2011 WRX that I pre-ordered had finally arrived.
![[Image: 11WRX1.JPG]](http://93anthracite.com/CarPages/Pics/11WRX1.JPG)
![[Image: 11WRX2.JPG]](http://93anthracite.com/CarPages/Pics/11WRX2.JPG)
![[Image: 11WRX3.JPG]](http://93anthracite.com/CarPages/Pics/11WRX3.JPG)
![[Image: 11WRX4.JPG]](http://93anthracite.com/CarPages/Pics/11WRX4.JPG)
![[Image: 11WRX5.JPG]](http://93anthracite.com/CarPages/Pics/11WRX5.JPG)
First and foremost, this is meant to be a fun, reliable daily driver for a long period of time that may someday have potential for mods and more fun. I will consider a fuel program/chip/cobb thingamajig, but even that is not in the immediate future b/c I simply don't "drive it like I stole it"; 90% of the miles on this are going to cruising at 70 mph, not WOT jackassery. I highly doubt that I'm in any realm of concern of blowing my engine up right now...
It's only been 100 miles so far, but I freakin love it. Considering the performance, appearance, utility, price point, and overall package, I don't think I've seen anything else on the market that can match it. Personally, I can't see much benefit to the STi over the WRX either, but that's just my opinion. Anyways, here's my impressions so far:
-The exhaust is nice and burbly like a boxer-4 should be, but not loud by any means; exactly what I wanted.
-Visibility is great - it's like driving a greenhouse
-I opted for the STi shifter bushing, which has offered nice crisp shifting compared to the sloppiness that IÔÇÖve heard about for stock WRXs. The Subaru mechanic said there was a noticeable different in the pliability of the material; sounds like I made the right call.
-The seats are comfortable, yet supportive, and seems like seating 5 is no biggie, although anybody sitting behind me will have a slightly harder time getting in/out (though I can comfortably sit there once I'm in)
-Engine bay is not cluttered with stupid plastic pieces and looks easy to work on (although the intercooler looks a little small...)
-Power appears to come on nice and strong, although I havenÔÇÖt really pushed it at all yet. I dare say I haven't even made it to 100% throttle yet.
-Seems to have a lot of grip, but I am admittedly not used to AWD. My old Talon was not very refined and the AWD was kinda invasive in terms of transmitting feedback, but with this car I can barely tell it has AWD - it just GOES.
-Aggressive styling notes all around the car, yet they are still subtle. It is a little bulgy and to be honest if you look at it from a few angles it is a little funny looking. I like it though...
-In terms of external dimensions, it is a good bit smaller than the TL (as noticed when parking in garage), yet feels almost as spacious inside, if not bigger.
The only con: f'n TPMS...
On Friday I got the call that the 2011 WRX that I pre-ordered had finally arrived.
First and foremost, this is meant to be a fun, reliable daily driver for a long period of time that may someday have potential for mods and more fun. I will consider a fuel program/chip/cobb thingamajig, but even that is not in the immediate future b/c I simply don't "drive it like I stole it"; 90% of the miles on this are going to cruising at 70 mph, not WOT jackassery. I highly doubt that I'm in any realm of concern of blowing my engine up right now...
It's only been 100 miles so far, but I freakin love it. Considering the performance, appearance, utility, price point, and overall package, I don't think I've seen anything else on the market that can match it. Personally, I can't see much benefit to the STi over the WRX either, but that's just my opinion. Anyways, here's my impressions so far:
-The exhaust is nice and burbly like a boxer-4 should be, but not loud by any means; exactly what I wanted.
-Visibility is great - it's like driving a greenhouse
-I opted for the STi shifter bushing, which has offered nice crisp shifting compared to the sloppiness that IÔÇÖve heard about for stock WRXs. The Subaru mechanic said there was a noticeable different in the pliability of the material; sounds like I made the right call.
-The seats are comfortable, yet supportive, and seems like seating 5 is no biggie, although anybody sitting behind me will have a slightly harder time getting in/out (though I can comfortably sit there once I'm in)
-Engine bay is not cluttered with stupid plastic pieces and looks easy to work on (although the intercooler looks a little small...)
-Power appears to come on nice and strong, although I havenÔÇÖt really pushed it at all yet. I dare say I haven't even made it to 100% throttle yet.
-Seems to have a lot of grip, but I am admittedly not used to AWD. My old Talon was not very refined and the AWD was kinda invasive in terms of transmitting feedback, but with this car I can barely tell it has AWD - it just GOES.
-Aggressive styling notes all around the car, yet they are still subtle. It is a little bulgy and to be honest if you look at it from a few angles it is a little funny looking. I like it though...
-In terms of external dimensions, it is a good bit smaller than the TL (as noticed when parking in garage), yet feels almost as spacious inside, if not bigger.
The only con: f'n TPMS...