New WRX *Pics added*

[exar333]

Hey, thought I would post on my new wheels for the winter up here in the frozen north.

*Before people hassle me - I WILL post pics tonight, I just don't have the opportunity to do so RIGHT THIS MINUTE*

The car: 2011 WRX 5-door DGM (dark gray metallic) Limited

Likes: AWD (never had it; it's fun!), roomy compared to the Z, looks (the front especially), color, drives with a lot a confidence and predictability

Dislikes: stock shifter/bushings are VERY mushy, brakes are a little mushy, no factory tint

I already have the STi short-throw shifter + bushings on order, tint is being installed on 07.24 (thanks vivithemage for a good guy to do this) and accessport has been ordered to do a stage1-93 octane tune.

The only real complaint I have left is the mushy brakes. They stop the car well, but I really don't like the pedal feel. I am thinking of the following:

-SS brake lines (F/R)
-MC Brace

Anyone else here have experience with installing either of these? What were your results? From what I have read, they should increase pedal feel substantially by decreasing flex in the lines and MC movement in the engine bay. I will probably ride out the OEM brake-pads for maybe 10-15k and then replace with something better. Thoughts?

Will need winter tires as well, but I am targeting Sept/Oct to pick some wheels/tires up to throw on later in the year.

Edit: Images added for WRX and one pic of the Z parked at work.

 

[MotF Bane]

Are you sure the brakes aren't defective in some way? The time I drove one I was quite impressed with the brakes; although your standards from a Z will clearly be higher.

 

[FrankR]

Some simple upgrades such as springs and shocks would make that car dance. Tint is a must with those big windows.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Sweeet ride, I want to see it tinted

The guy you're getting your tint from has done some really nice cars too, you should ask him about what cars he's tinted.

 

[finbarqs]

i have a 2010 wrx. AWESOME CAR. Especially for the price! mine is pretty much factory, and boy is it quick! I think with the gearing, and the lighter weight than the sti, it's quicker (to 60) than the Sti!

 

[fbrdphreak]

i have a 2010 wrx. AWESOME CAR. Especially for the price! mine is pretty much factory, and boy is it quick! I think with the gearing, and the lighter weight than the sti, it's quicker (to 60) than the Sti!

It's only "quicker" because you can hit 60mph in 2nd gear. In the STi, you have to shift to 3rd and that adds to the 0-60 time. STi has more power and shorter gears, so overall it would be faster.

 

[exar333]

Are you sure the brakes aren't defective in some way? The time I drove one I was quite impressed with the brakes; although your standards from a Z will clearly be higher.

Yeah, its not that it doesn't stop well, it does, but I am much more used to a very solid pedal feel. I like that better compared to a lot of travel. I will have the dealership take a look anyway at 1k miles (first oil change is free) just to be sure.

Probably switching to Motul 5w-40 at 1k miles based on some advice from fellow WRX'ers on a couple other forums.

 

[exar333]

Sweeet ride, I want to see it tinted

The guy you're getting your tint from has done some really nice cars too, you should ask him about what cars he's tinted.

Definitely - I am really looking forward to getting the 'fish bowl' look gone.

 

[exar333]

Some simple upgrades such as springs and shocks would make that car dance. Tint is a must with those big windows.

Yeah, that will be my project for next summer along with maybe re-doing some of the bushings and adding some larger roll-bars to F/R as well. Infinite stuff to do....

 

[Demo24]

I have an 05

I didn't bother with the STI shifter, got a kartboy instead and it was a massive improvement.

I have also done SS lines, and yes it did make a nice difference. It's not going to make the pedal really stiff, but firmer.

 

[exar333]

I have an 05

I didn't bother with the STI shifter, got a kartboy instead and it was a massive improvement.

I have also done SS lines, and yes it did make a nice difference. It's not going to make the pedal really stiff, but firmer.

The Kartboy looked great too, but I am looking to keep the drivetrain as much 'stock' as I can for warranty purposes. The dealership also offered to install the shifter for me (at no cost) assuming I bought it from them. Pretty good deal...

 

[finbarqs]

I'm thinking the WRX is the bargain deal right now... 2011 WRX's has the 2010 STi body and wheels!

 

[Dman8777]

Stainless steel lines were on my list of upgrades to get before I sold me 09 WRX a year ago. I was only going by second-hand experience though. They should make the brakes feel more business-like.

I would cancel your order for the STI short shifter. It is definitely a good upgrade but a Cobb short shifter is even better I went with the Cobb SS and bushings a month after I got my car. Huge improvement. Shifting went from being sort of a clunky disjointed chore to being almost as fun as it was in my TSX.

 

[AMCRambler]

Pics or it didn't happen...hehe just kidding.

Congrats on the new wheels.

 

[exar333]

Pics or it didn't happen...hehe just kidding.

Congrats on the new wheels.

haha! I will upload some tonight without the tint, and then next week a couple more with the new shifter + installed tint. Should look a lot nicer!

 

[exar333]

I'm thinking the WRX is the bargain deal right now... 2011 WRX's has the 2010 STi body and wheels!

Yeah, same here. The only real big difference between the 2 is the transmission and I am not planning to mod this to big power. Handling and cosmetic upgrades I can do bit by bit and make the car customized to how I want. I really like the dark wheels on the 2011 as well. Usually I am a classic 5-spoke guy, but these look awesome.

 

[Aharami]

how do you like the interior?

 

[exar333]

how do you like the interior?

It's definitely no where near something like Audi or anything, but it's simple and effective. My one gripe from the interior is the radio/head unit. Audio feeds from my iPhone sound pretty good, but FM/Sat sound like crap. I didn't pull the trigger on NAV because of this, and will replace the head-unit with a solid stereo/NAV system from a third-party sometime next year. For the price of a factory NAV unit, I can get NAV + new speakers + sub myself.

Love the seats, they are very comfortable. Visibility is really good too. The WRX doesn't (yet) seem to suffer from the high door/little slit windows that most cars have these days. I like the big windows, good visibility,and small-ish pillars and it reminds me of driving the old Prelude. It is very highly rated for safety while giving good vicibility, thats a huge plus in my book.

 

[Demo24]

The Kartboy looked great too, but I am looking to keep the drivetrain as much 'stock' as I can for warranty purposes. The dealership also offered to install the shifter for me (at no cost) assuming I bought it from them. Pretty good deal...

, the shifter has no part to play in drivetrain warranty, but do as you want.

 

[exar333]

, the shifter has no part to play in drivetrain warranty, but do as you want.

Logically you are right, but these are dealerships we are talking about.

They will do everything they can do try and deny a claim, expecially if the tranny blows (haha) or turbo explodes. Maybe my 'aftermarket' cup-holder caused it...

 

[CraigRT]

Logically you are right, but these are dealerships we are talking about.

They will do everything they can do try and deny a claim, expecially if the tranny blows (haha) or turbo explodes. Maybe my 'aftermarket' cup-holder caused it...

They have to prove that something causes the problem to deny a claim though.
I've had warranty work done on modified cars before, its no trouble at all if the mod does not effect the part being replaced under warranty.

 

[Zap]

Obligatory photo of my wife's 2011 WRX (with Winter wheels/tires) while we're waiting for ExarKun333's pics.

 

[RKS]

I like the WRX and looked at the STi 4-door but no one wanted to allow a test-drive.

 

[exar333]

I like the WRX and looked at the STi 4-door but no one wanted to allow a test-drive.

It was very hard to get a test drive. I actually drove a 2009 WRX that was used prior to buying, and then test-drove mine before finishing the paperwork. There were 0, yes 0, 2011 WRXs or STis in MN sitting on the lots. The last shipment came through in 03/11 and no more arrived due to the Tsunami, until the last week in June/1st week in July.

I got lucky when someone cancelled their order in mid-June and was instantly interested.

On a side note, the factory break-in period is 500 miles, although most enthusiast sites say 1k (which I am following). That break-in limits your RPMs <4000, so I could see some people being wary of getting a 'new' car that was beat-on during test drives. My car had 2 miles on it, so I felt pretty good.

I had the chance to test-drive a new GT-R when I got my Z in 2009 and it was a blast. Their condition was I had to drive WAAAAAY behind any other cars to avoid possible paint damage from rocks or debris, etc. It was a blast though...

 

[MotF Bane]

I'm thinking the WRX is the bargain deal right now... 2011 WRX's has the 2010 STi body and wheels!

I'd rather it get the STI's transmission.