Just came back from a drive in a clients car "Whoa" is all I can say.

He has a 2004 WRX STI which he has done the Air Power Systems (the Australian Unichip importer/distributor) Stealth kit upgrade.

I never new an STI could be that quick yet still to the average person appear pretty much stock. I would say this would be the quickest car I have ever driven. From just over 2000rpm this car was hauling. He told me that the dyno shows it pulling 105kw just over 2000rpm and rises to about 160kw atw at just 4000rpm and holds it to the rev limit... And it certainly feels it!

The biggest/best thing about it though was the driveability. Even in 4th doing 60 if I jumped on the gas it would just go, no lag at all and it really felt to be pulling harder than my rx8 in 2nd. Just increadible! Plus fuel economy figures for normal driving I could kill for

Worst thing was he said it cost him all up for the STI & this package including installation $60,473.00. Makes me start thinking of jumping ship

Hopped back into mine to drive back to the office and damn did it feel slow. Can't believe on the way back my mind started contemplating swapping. I feel like I'm cheating on my mistress!

That sort of power though was just so much fun!

 

yeah..but ur car doesn't look like a ballistic refrigerator with a spoiler on it..lol

besides..they're comin out with lotsa stuff for our 8 to make it haul..just be patient!

 

I had the same reaction when I first drove an Evo. But after awhile, I started wondering how long the novelty of that thrill would last. It was fun, but mostly due to the contrast against what I was used to driving. I figured I'd eventually get used to the acceleration, and be left with a punishing ride, poor safety rating, and questionable reliability. I'm guessing the Subie is better that the Evo on the counts, but it's still not as well-rounded as an 8. Don't get me wrong, the STi (and Evo) is a fantastic car, but it's edgy, raw... and ya gotta ask yourself if it's something you want to LIVE with versus simply take for a thrill ride now and then.

 

Well it is just a different car IMHO...

It will never have the look and the interior to go with an STi or an EVO. So I think I will be thinking of getting another $60K and buy another one.

I love to own a subaru and I will convince my wife to drive a stick and I will buy her a Liberty (Legacy) GT and mod it with the APS.

 

I am just starting to have a few doubts about the build quality of the 8. Mine has done 18,000km and had the Drivers seat replaced (all electrics just stopped working), throw-out (if that's how to spell it) bearing in the clutch, drivers side strut & 6 stacker cd player (as it would no longer play cd's) all replaced.

Last thursday my 8 had to be trucked to a dealer as the rear passenger brake caliper stuck clamped onto the rotor. Got the car back Saturday morning.

My interior also rattles & vibrates like crazy. The dealer tried to fix it at the 10,000 service but after 500km it all came back much worse and is getting worse by the km. I hate having passengers in the car because they are now starting to comment how noisy it is. The dealer is going to take another shot at it on the next service which is only a couple weeks away.

But hey don't get me wrong I love the car. I am truly seduced by it looks but at present the build quality does seem to be substandard.

If the dealer cannot get the interior to at least a reasonable standard though I probably will start to look around because if my car is going to rattle and vibrate a lot I might as well as get an Evo/STI and at least enjoy some real punch to go along with the noise.

Hey I'm probably just blowing off a little steam as the last week has been a little bit frustrating with her. Just like a real wife... Some days are great and you fall in love all over again others you just want to throttle them!

I am hoping though the dealer will rectify the interior issue's and I can continue the illicit affair with my car! Deep down I want to keep her.

 

Dealer in most part of Melbourne know jack s^&t about the vibration on the 8. You better tell us what was the problem and WE can find solution for you. I guess if continue trouble MA in Mt. Waverley would like to hear about that and they will send people to the dealer to look at the problem.

Mind you every car has it rattle problem. I have a squeaking seat that no one would fixed until I point to them of the nut that is responsable and they still cannot fix them. I take the matter to my own hand --- it is not completely gone but at least it is barely noticable now.

I have seen Porsches gear stick break on a track day and Ferrari's wheel come off (aparantly the nuts were too tight).... :o

So I guess quality thing is individial and I am sorry about your bad luck. :o

 

The noises come from all over the dash, but in particular the black centre console with all the controls. If you push anywhere on the Front dash console you can hear plastic flexing/rubbing throughout the entire console.

It is the same for the centre console runing down the middle of the car. Any movement causes this to flex/vibrate and all you can hear is creaking rubbing plastic. Again push on this centre console and the whole thing moves.

It really does have the sound/feel of a cheaply made korean car with 100,000km on the clock

 

Rattles - My main disappointment with the 8 but I keep on trying to identify & fix them

Rattles fixed so far
Air bag
Dash Rattle
Drivers door
rear speaker
rear side panels

 

Sad to hear about these problems guys. I have one of the very early builds, with nearly 45k on it, and it's still tight as a drum. Every now and then I find a rattle, which is inevitably either (a) the pax side front seat belt hitting the seat squab (just pull the belt back on the bottom rail) or (b) coins in the little coin case.

With all cars, there's always a Friday afternoon (or Monday morning) build. Although generally these seem to be fewer with Mazda

 

Japanese ... there is no Monday morning build. We are not talking about Holden here....

I will not be surprised if they do shift work and do 7 days a week.

 

After 33,000 km no rattles or squeaks ,sorry to hear about your problems

I did consider the WRX STI /EVO VIII however i knew i could live with the car as a daily driver .

CHEERS
MICHAEL

 

No rattles here....though Taka's huge **** made my drivers seat squeak when he went for a spin in my car the other week......

 

Of course it is.....you have the Sports Pack model .

 

Your joking...
I test drove 7 rx8s, before buying in nov 03 and they all had rattles. But the drive over ruled all.

 

Proven... as I said.

It is a fat alarm :p

 

The only thing that rattles in mine is the bleedin' tollway e-tag

 

Gomez

Your eyes are ment to be on the road when your driving and not on TAKA"S HUGE **** :p is their something your trying to tell us ?

cheers
michael

 

Actually, as I recall, most of the noise and rattles comes from the, er, non-sports model.....

 

I wasn't driving, my eyes weren't on Taka's poopshute, I'm not trying to tell you something.....I could HEAR the squeak!!!!

 

That's weird. I have almost the exact same KMs on my 8 and have had no problems at all, other than getting the brake pads replaced under warranty for squeeling.

 

As usual last night leaving work she must have known I was upset with her so she gave me the ride of my life. (My car guys)

Left work about 8pm the air was cool & no traffic. Well as soon as I pulled out onto the road she felt more lively. Put the foot down, the back kicks out a little and then fires me down the road. :D :D :D A most enjoyable drive home.

Then on that way home I was sitting at lights on springvale road when I heard over my stereo a voice "Hey mate" so I turned to see a guy in a boxster next to me. I put the stereo down and he yells "How many cyclinders under the bonnet". "None" I yell back "It's a rotary!!"

His eyes absolutely lit up... "Your kidding, I thought Mazda stopped making the rotary after the RX7". He then went on to tell me how when he was younger he had an RX3 and just loved it. He commented on how gorgeous the car looks and sounded on the road and then asked "what's it worth... $70,000, $80,000."

When I told him I bought it for $60,000 his reaction was

Lights change and we both in a civil manner pull away. He dropped back a little and I could see him looking over the car before he flashed his lights, waved and then turned.

I drove the rest of the way home with the biggest grin. When she does things like this (even with the problems) how can you just not adore her. Compliments from a guy in a sportscar twice the price of mine... as mastercard would say "Priceless".

I think I might treat her to a wash and polish this week :D


Arghhhh! What a frustrating car this is. It really gets you emotions going!!!!!!!

 

I think that's called "Character"

The 8 sure can stir up emotions. Good and bad. My first car had a lot of character. I used to have to sweet talk it into starting, and coax and encourage it to go up hills.

I have 500km on the clock and no rattles here... :p

 

ILIV48.....emotion!

Err you have it in a nutshell!

I live in a country where every one has a hot japanese import, HSV or friggen Porshe'erarri'ambo.

I don't get it but Auckland has the highest density of Ferraris in the world per cap and you see them. I never see a normal commodore or ford let alone a BMW with 4 cylinders.

Every second car is a Nismo riced Skyline of Subura WRX/STI/BT4 ahhhhhhhhh!!!

But you know what...... I park mine and people stop and have a perv.

May not be the fastest, or the cheapest, but despite the squeaks it's a damn fine ride and fun.

Just like my old x7 S1 it has style and when you rev it sounds like a hurricane in a bottle!

It'll do..........but a "Murci" Bull would be fine too... you can dream....

 

Timbo,

I never though I would pass you on km. 49,500 this week. Still going fine!

Go the sports pack!

Cheers,
Hymee.