Switched to the Darkside

[rose0529]

As many of you know, we have a 2011 A3 TDI that we are selling back to VW for the dieselgate scandal. We both really like the car, but the offer we are getting is more than we paid for it 3.5 almost 4 years ago!! So we are kicking it too the curb.

So in light of this I picked up a new car a week or so ago to replace the A3, and add a little more fun in to our garage.

I got a really good deal on a 2017 Subaru WRX Premium. It was just received by the dealer so it only had 4 miles on it, so we know it wasn't beaten on during test drives. We decided to switch up the color and try something new this time, white! It has a few options, heated cloth seats, sunroof, 18" wheels, auto dimming mirror.

I am still breaking it in, but so far I am happy with it. It handles well, not too bumpy but still fun. Turbo spools really quick. It reminds me of driving an updated version of an Evo IX. The interior is much improved, with screens and fit and finish. It also has a much better crash test rating! It is about the same weight as an IX and has about 15 less hp.

So we'll see how it goes on the dark side, it should be a fun car to drive around. I don't have any crazy modifications planned for now. Keep it stock and enjoy driving it with a warranty. I have some ideas for improving the stereo, and a few other minor things.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Am5BzfoUvcPg2iHA5SSSI_ahaEY6PE1T6xEECt7AXDRDRzpQia sO8oAaeG617NuSz8ZU0PCngfcueBlU5LiFHeRjkPuYsMmY3Wuo dO5rdaa9PWrhahyRsScO5o9M6PPk-6Nph54Etq-JNG3_RofwFa09xFoySneG7aPGzgMzYDR0nDuDz39C0OxdYwBHb EHLPUfLVUJCjWq13nll9H6O51aNv1Wm0atJk0B38-Ad35Hp4SpklJo2-DMJitu2LwVrmnBEVHpZuioqvvtdpszk2JESXxc5Cw7Zq58Qv61 rQBzNm1zGIQMow8XJljICOr6zVY90mE2rTK6oSm94jLIZphDiE mTPb0a6qSIiooHBGAOR1uJqiMRlgmritXc2MfaeMZ-s_gjR_p1_TZhuOoA7tvOzHOJCRcOk28UmaLWKIEf0S3C2nUAcJ 3RCDOFjAUHquDyvNi_OhFF_4eWHvi_Ry_J9eBf5mIJ9xqjIP4U i_l6f1mNxgiVRPkJhE8Vx_TsEi6KbtudVoDZOSHqr9n_49ihBL XkmrgJ7KurrMr9_f12n8TUYkiE4UlhhMhEzYUrU7gDG6sVPsuq ylWpBKxEg8ZRuqzqE0Hu6qUnImovhyG6ERkkv4-jDZA=w902-h507-no

Before getting cleaned up and with the summer wheels on it still.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zEAnzgQhX5givDP9F_b7GzhqEGZbvYr9ohHp9NK-AypMzMbFqQZ9Pogq-8VMBh53d7vuI_E3rfMeZrOrssMQBKcMlOf5_Gl1YWSY0H-aHkeBcgo-NizsIqq8rFcc0BUrjhX1zbIo0qIYkySHHDfz_U-K6Z1QXiQOgmADV0jbcMwxP3RFGVZMGbzBTOdwurlriVKBy_tnA TplQpwLw-uWk3GoBQHL3C1ROKZyo6SsNICaEPCkplxceySBwK2NBydugMBw 2q-I02AxHxYkG4pEjz7vW1LiOqyHV5SdTkhmZvDBAqhBFjQUj5LiL gNXfUYvs-vgGqFamLVHHrQTzqF2H5TlUBZk8pP-M9EPwzcl-RbN4ifF_E7bLXWDGI926_qayMNYZf0TnY_ArdbAVVcOeVLKexg F2HJNg5cwYBZPuv5LUYfLy3gLSrwtn_yM9qI2LllJHYfxAR0KC IjbjLHM96RU5MG-wVXdqt0kvybqNQINp1Hqd0y0kATT9c--Acp0NapDxWI1wDPC9znig8hdhLyxiIz6QmN8OM85_tT2lHTAKD oYnCEgSLZhVtdhBzxdOErjzpTopoiNys-jwAQElrAlBZEsbOo6XInj0RzGBDfDIMr13ToCgA=w902-h507-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TO4ilvP2ErncFLg0kwJjxxIvdjPtNij8RVcXxpPIhfD6JBP00G ydrdi6LPZRpNvU-dzLwJpyDyZkFrv72t_7fIy-prOi_KVWx5xGW8ditiMsQHxWKm6KxxPtCJtFaEyLc3DAwuXAzi Z-KdDiKeZVUyFE273-e9QcEg-lMg6albmsLQpKFqCvRnG2S7IPIC45EwgrYcdNE7pGldLkF7Krl fd5xKi9XeYwZGLFdW4zmuS3J67bT4IzG1QJPa_A5fG9ZE525vg CyhNmRmdaodhVKDuBO29Xo94H6qpD0MIjMeu1ksBgY8vWaMBtS BzeBaEHEfAqNanGmMwcRikXuhMBWVJ9Tzd_9MqcG5Z82Sj2Ng8 ioLFJoNuix_dH3XebM0KQV0XM-cBjcLFu3t6EHadAkw41oCfsypzuysKtFPKUhGu4ZPTw50BGu5f JbnUWuWYtPB6AlFBjsjvsSwPmyVIZuOsedyGGUZX4BsyMRN-iv2kzsol7imoDIx43REAUwuXpb4fbXI0rM3mAoWrco7k9NY-uNzT2r-kcnPYdggPvuawZae0QwVxaPu-EE1BFbBZWJRAXB4-PcSv-rjwiM89rF7LmD8ev2XcRVxz8DQrLamhY4TIXng=w902-h507-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xBV3j6gb6TfM94livd7WsT5se1iU1y-h_AU6i5YGuUEdYuf9v1_K4FtOPLW54_AN8y2Nu4qoL1kDX9QAW xJ9YN7s5QqE_1Vl-q6ttnlP6R_C7QLp9OqC4BfAyu-6upkUwRYlL-P3eTblOE1rk3f0hNAoM0GlFcP_lMqpeBOFm95irIY5j8ic1OMs b3CmBrUZmx--TJ5mnf_Cr21a_X-9dUQmGiLIfNG16rhz6FfBqpe_1l2C2-i0pyahzDO2rFQ06gCfVMxg_LJ_Bo7mC_q0Xn2eN4lHkaMCHVoh X8ji6nMXNe2eN2lyT8S9Bj7NJ7-eXyG-RXq2Z5S0sRFqOvjWmjPE1y1O4mBgUbONBrgn8uZ6wRNmXfQqWa tEV0LEOT5AkJKuU4Sbsp9YAoAyXLnQm3kX4lslwHOAczyTdbit 2XZJlwTIHDrRYP6TCaRhz3VawnBsFCGeTG-HqXfcDxg66PZW1nRNuLjJg3gKqLgcOhHdwzfSgkYzlt3VnAQmK gvnWj751n2mK9RV8Zb2hOwlnazpltSM0tOK8fFQiKLgo5aGFX8 LQ5Ik3JWEP9D9qSkUxP9CnTp29dhIdjkMdceTquEQuarmP4gmc UwJ3_FJDMyF7nRyZulGDg=w902-h507-no

[A//// Guy]

Should be an awesome DD! Pics not working for me.

[tehehodi]

Sounds nice, but yeah. What a tease without pictures.

[Kracka]

Pics look good here!

It should be a fun car for bombing around the streets, and hopefully a cruise or two :D

WRX's beg for at least an OTS tune and an intake...maybe a little exhaust work while you're at it ;) Does SPT still make warranty-compliant parts? I installed their intake and catback back in the day and had no issues with either.

[Speedfreak]

Looks nice!

What does it have for brakes?

Any interior pics?

[rose0529]

Should be an awesome DD! Pics not working for me.

Sounds nice, but yeah. What a tease without pictures.

Thanks! I added pictures as attachment hopefully that works for everyone!

Pics look good here!

It should be a fun car for bombing around the streets, and hopefully a cruise or two :D

WRX's beg for at least an OTS tune and an intake...maybe a little exhaust work while you're at it ;) Does SPT still make warranty-compliant parts? I installed their intake and catback back in the day and had no issues with either.

Haha well see about mods. Gonna enjoy the warranty for a bit. They do have an SPT exhaust and intake I believe along with some other shifter parts I might look into at some point.

Looks nice!

What does it have for brakes?

Any interior pics?

Floating calipers not brembos. But they seem to be plenty adequate. I'll try to grab some interior pics and get them up.

[Kracka]

I recall doing some shifter mods as well... I don't think it was the STI or SPT shifter, possibly a bushing(s) from Perrin?

[dogwhistle]

Not even a plug here, but seriously one of my favorite recent cars in history especially a joy with it's incredible interior. We play with these all the time, and can't say enough about it. Congrats on the new ride and enjoy!

As for shifting, Perrin shift stop and brass bushings are all you need to really sharpen it up for sure.

https://www.maperformance.com/products/perrin-shifter-stop-2015-wrx-psp-inr-018
and
https://www.maperformance.com/products/2015-wrx-brass-shifter-bushing-kit-by-perrin-performance-psp-inr-016

There are short shifter options but I don't advise them since some are extreme and not as friendly for relaxed driving.

For power see below ;)
https://www.maperformance.com/products/map-stage-2-package-2015-subaru-wrx-wrx-4g-s2

[rose0529]

I've heard good things about that Perrin shift stop. I may venture to that at some point here.

As far as power I am going to leave the tune alone for quite awhile, keep that warranty safe and just drive it.

I still need to remember interior photos... but here are some stock ones, looks the same. haha.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti17-interior12.jpg

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti17-steering-wheel5.jpg

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti17-interior11.jpg

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti17-interior8.jpg

[goodhart]

That is a nice interior. How was the buyback process? I read a thing on Jalopnik saying how it took forever and was a pita.