C_WRX

It isn't just the classics that are being spoken of as a neg/chav chariot....I drive a newage for example !

Normally just read but don't reply to these topics, but when it happens to you too then you tend to speak up. Have very little in the way of "challenges" must admit but the one recent strange attempt at someone trying to show off (I think) was from another Subaru driver! There's me minding my own business toddling along the dual carriage way behind traffic when I see in my mirror a slightly beaten up Subaru with a youngster hanging over the wheel. Suddenly right on my bumper, swings in to the left hand lane, undertakes me (so I slow down a little wondering what ejit move is coming next), sits on the bumper of the car everyones overtaking, then dives back in to the right hand lane in front of me (no signals or nothin!!). Not sure if he thought being a fellow Subaru owner I'd be impressed but eh, NAW, I wasn't and I doubt anyone else on the road was either. After overtaking the slower car he pulls back in to the left lane, gets stuck behind another slower driver only to come off the dual carriage way 1/2 mile down the road. I've had people asking why I have a ned/chavs car, gets me quite annoyed, and they're generally the ones that haven't seen it. Get more compliments though from people who've seen it (think cause it's always shiny) or appreciate cars. Not much you can say really to the negative comments as it's the kind of car that could be driven by an 18 year old as likely an 80 year old. It's an affordable performance car and unfortunately some people will do stupid things with that kinda power under the right foot. Time and a place for using that power and couldn't agree more that a 30 zone is most definitely not the place ! Quite right COLZO, get it out your system, I feel better after my above little rant !!

Think every wheel size except the 2004 18" ??

Just like many other things for the car just now (mod bug caught!!) been considering a set of wheels. 2004 WRX. Has to be 18's. Looking at the info the bit I know I need to get is that tyres are 225/40/18, Stud diameter is 100 (on 2005> changes to 114) and Studs 5. What then isn't clear is the Rim Width (which is either 7.5J or 8J) and Offset (which is either 53 or 48) ?? Does it matter ? Cheers.

Basically went through same dilemma last year...and it was a Type-R I went from. Totally different car to drive - I've always wanted a Subaru and that's why i changed...the Type-R in the winter/wet was always a "cautious" drive, much more fun in the summer. Besides, when my wife drove the Type-R seemed to go through front tyres a lot, the 1st gear wheel spin always got her ! For me, I had a little bit more cash, and went for a WRX with a years warranty and low mileage rather than an older STi and/or higher mileage - the Blobeye look appealed to me more too. Over the last year I've spent money on bits and bobs which in some ways suppose make it look STi'ey. False economy in the long run but didn't want to borrow anything extra at the time to get an STi. For your budget guess your looking at a 2004 WRX or 2002 STi - average miles. You might find a little better if you look long enough, plus it's not a great time for people/garages selling cars so deals to be done. Decide what's important to you - power / look / age / mileage / etc and that'll give you an idea what you start looking for. Good look with the sale/search - the smile will appear long before you get out the car - WRX or STi if you've never been in one !

I recently needed to replace the OEM discs and OEM pads on my blob WRX too. Called Alyn at ASPerformance and talked over a few options - ended up with standard OEM discs and Pagid4-2-1's. He said that the Pagid and Ferrodo would give very similar results and just came down to choice - just felt like giving Pagid's a go. Notice a difference in stopping ability after bedding in, slightly sqeal when braking on reverse but no big deal.

Do a search on cal's piece on upgrades, having read up on it myself (also have blobeye wrx) he follows a good line of power upgrades. Read a few threads of people that notice a difference from adding just even an exhaust removing the cats (or have a sports cat downpipe) but getting the remap will be the most obvious big improvement - I will be doing so myself once the funds appear. I have a replacement panel filter, was advised this was a good option.

I've seen people refer to Prodrive and Eibach as much the same, even that Eibach make them for Prodrive. Much difference from peoples experience ? 18's are on the "To Do" list, but a little further down unless sniff out a bargain. So sounds like I need to price uprated droplinks and ARB's - see whether cash allows for all to get done at same time. Great advice so far, keep it coming if there's more out there....

Thinking of improving the ride quality and look of my Newage WRX, quickly looking in to it affordable way looks like to go with lowering springs...what begins to confuse me (doesn't take much!) is when other items are mentioned such as droplinks, coilovers.. and so on, which just seem to keep the £pound signs mounting up. Are springs just enough for my day-to-day sensible road use only ? Looking for the knowledgeable/experienced among you to give a little advice so I know what to go and look for and get it done right first time. Makes / fitters / etc. Any before/after pics would also be good. Realise it does lower it (lowering springs name gives it away) but hoping not so much that the multi-storeys / speed bumps catch the front?? or that it becomes an uncomfortable ride on our nice smooth roads ??

Cheers folks, knew someone would know. Safe/slightly more affordable way is the Ninja I think...now, where do I get the cash from.. Think we have a friend in common Cal, moved up to Aberdeen a few months ago, Hoggy ? Sure he's mentioned your car before...although it was to say he'd not get in it !

Glad i noticed this as was aiming for going along on Thursday. Just filled up, today only, 9-5 right enough, while stocks last. Ah, if only 93.9 normally !!

Been looking at getting a fast flow decat downpipe for my newage WRX and came across above post. Found an STI PPP sports cat pipe for sale, at less than the TSL £395, but looks a little short (maybe just the pic). Description is just PPP prodrive sports CAT, so thinking it is perhaps not the downpipe?? I've already removed the cat pipe so just the downpipe to go, but for MOT purposes needs to be fast flow cat. Also will the newage STI PPP sports cat pipe fit/work okay on a WRX newage - same year band ? (yes I am a novice to all this but it's the right place to ask!!)

If it's my wife driving it don't wave, prefer her to keep both hands on the steering wheel ! I'll keep an eye out for you, should be obvious with you having the best colour too - black !

Ah, not much use then ! I'm sure the last time they did v-power it was till 6pm ?? I'm outside Larkhall, nearest place for the good stuff though! Black Blobeye WRX with STi spoiler and mesh grill - wave and I'll wave back!

Thanks for the info. Both mine and the wifes cars should've just about ran out by then so will make the short journey to fill up ! Think the Larkhall garage is part of a group (not Shell before anyone points out the obvious! ) that runs the Hamilton ones also so they might have a v-power day coming along too - maybe closer to your work ? There was a Shell email address posted not so long ago that tells you when the planned days are...I'll hunt through and see if I can find it.

That last quote is interesting.....do you happen to park your car between a Ferrari and a Bentley during the night ? If you're hunting around for insurance renewal, not long since I did same, also consider Keith Michaels (ask for Gary) and A-Plan - they seem a popular choice.

As far as I know that is all for now in Scotland, I got sent the list for Scotland despite asking about for places in the West. I ask the question of my local shell station whenever I'm in just in case though.

Got it booked with Falkirk now after all the positive chat. 3year service (not quite reached the 30k mark yet!). Supposedly a 3 hour long service and been told it is £400 - normally I'd pass out at that point but it was cheaper than other Subaru garages I called - joys of owning a Subaru I guess. Normally I wouldn't go to Subaru garage but with it being the last one before the warranty runs out they may notice something during their 3 hour tour round my car that will justify it (method in my madness somewhere) !

About to put the car in for it's 3year service and want to use a Subaru garage this time round (last chance for any possible warranty work). I'm based fairly equal distance to Falkirk / Glasgow / Ayr. Quickly reading through previous forums looks like perhaps Falkirk is better to go too ? Thoughts / suggestions ?

Funnily enough Alyn said the red stuff pads were not too great, especially not in the company of Pagid or Ferodo. Mintex is a name I've also heard good comments on (just that Alyn didn't sell them is why they weren't mentioned!). Even price alone is a vote for upgrading, slight downside is supposedly they wear just a bit quicker ,only like 5% over life though.

Just been going through the brake pad change experience myself this week. Advice I got, which was good advice, was to call Alyn at www.asperformance.com/ . He's very knowledgeable on braking needs for each individual car....all depends on what you want from it -vs- £cost. His prices seem okay, I think, too. Quite possible you'll end up looking to upgrade the brake pads from standard dealer, and something along the lines of EBC Red, Pagid 4-2-1 or Ferodo DS2500 as next step up, it seemed a good one for me this time round. Alyn explained the reasons, pros and cons as to why very well.

Hopefully not too late to add myself to the list The List is: RS Grant Fivetide 360ste (end of Oct early Nov ) IainC Toby69 drb5 Rossco_ (Sent andy an email tonight, waiting to hear back) Power Junkie (Andy also fitting MD321H and injectors) Scooby222 Spooks Playsatan STi_Bandit (date & price dependant) Richie Cross (again date/price) Fai17 Chris_C201 (just a map tweak!) KINGHORN Fonzy ( Should be ready for October) craigwrx daves2rs (Map with ESL chip, Middle September) ImprezaPete Z1000 possibly emailed andy regarding proposed mods C_WRX

Spoke to Alyn, gives good advice right enough. Between him and the info received on here think I know what to do - thanks folks. OE discs and either Pagid or Ferodo pads should cover my braking needs and shouldn't break the bank.

That's two for the OE discs, sounds like possibility of staying with....do you just get them from Subaru garage or is there a better alternative. Been trying to get Alyn but no luck all day. Will keep trying. Does the braided hoses and Dot 5.1 fluid really make a noticeable difference ? Considering adding my name to the AF remap list so want to get the brakes done right while they are cause me an issue.

Been surfin about this afternoon checking prices etc : Goodridge hoses - £61.10 to £68. 5.1 fluid about £5 Pagid pads around £125. EBC red pads £78 to £89. Ferodo DS2500 £125 -to £165 (not sure if the £125 was right??) EBC discs were around £200. Subaru discs were around £200 to £235. Who are you using for mintex1144 pads blue dragon ? Think Mintex do discs too??