I'll start out with a long story about how I came to be here on this forum. Skip it if you can't read.
So, I used to have a 2002 Dakota Quad cab 4x4.
Was an excellent truck, only exceptions were the usual pet peeves that everyone has about their vehicles.
I decided though, that I wanted to have a little more fun in my life. I looked at all kinds of cars with some juice under the hood. But since I live in Canada, I would not accept anything where all four wheels didn't spin at the same time.
I initially (2 years ago) decided I wanted an Impreza Wagon. I had looked at many alternatives, lots of which were no where close to similar to each other. (mazda3 hatch (no AWD, but liked the style), mazdaspeed 3 (turbo, but no AWD), dodge caliber (wasnt really hooked on the style, but had a AWD option), Chevy Malibu maxx (more of a wagon than hatch), bmw 335xi (AWD, but sedan, and expensive), Toyota Matrix (hatch style, has an AWD option.... but its toyota))
At the time, I wasn't really convinced that I could afford the WRX (and definitely not the STi). I didn't want to buy something that required me to use 91 octane. (my trucks average fill became over $100 with 87)
Obviously, the more power the better, but I was just looking for something that would get me around in winter that I could have a little fun with.
So in early 2007, I decided on a Impreza 2.5i wagon. I find the sedan is not for me. I want more room than a trunk. And I have never liked the sedan style. Any sedan (up until I joined this forum. Don't take any offense, sedan people. I have since changed my mind) brought instant "Soccer Mom" visions into my head. Still, I was not hooked on the 07 "wagon" style. Then, the pictures of the 08 hatch style came out.
Instantly, I was sold. As mentioned, I *LIKE* the hatch style, and don't really care if it looks like a mazda 3 (don't like what they did to the 09 3's tho).
So once I decided on this, I had to research the crap out of it. (severe ESTJ, for the Meyers Briggs folks, and extreme off the charts Green, for those Colors folks)
I found Nabisco, and quickly learned not to ever post there again. But I did use them for research. Shortly after, I found ASC, and migrated to WSC.
After being here for a few months, my mind was swaying to the WRX (thanks a lot. a lot of you people were responsible this)
STi was still too much, but WRX was stuck in my mind, so thats what I chose.
Also part of my decision, AT or MT. I had never driven a MT before, and had read all the warnings about "learning MT on an AWD". So before I bought the car, I knew I should probably learn the basics ahead of time. Some people here offered to take me for a spin, but I was (and always have been) leary of doing things with other peoples property. So I took some lessons.
Then, went in, and bought the car.
Date of aquisition of 2008 Dark Grey Metallic (DGM) WRX Hatchback: July 15, 2008
And I only stalled it 3 times on the way home!!! woot
Plans at the time:
No engine mods to begin with. This is the first turbo vehicle I have ever owned. My test drive (tho in an AT) proved to me that I should stick with stock until I can handle the power. Also the first AWD and MT vehicle I have ever owned (and driven). AWD != 4x4, so I knew I needed to get used to this.
Priority #1: get rid of all the chrome. Chrome = fail.
Priority #2: conveniences and asthetics. Auto dimming mirror, floor mats, various nets and separators for the rear cargo area, shift knob, tint, seat covers maybe?, rustproofing and undercoating, front grills (protect rad and IC from crappy edmonton winter stones).
Priority #3: Separate summer and winter wheels.
Plans/wishlist:
Rear chrome strip change to body color. (Complete)
Front chrome grill change to Sport Grill. (Complete)
STI spoiler.
Auto dimming mirror. (Complete)
Grillcraft Grills for front upper and lower grill, and scoop. (Complete)
EXHAUST (anything to bring out that boxer rumble) (Complete - Invidia N1 CBE)
Remote start. (Complete)
Minimum stg1 tune. (Complete)
Possibly leading to stg2. (Complete)
Things that I love about this car:
Hill assist (Yup, I do love it, think whatever you want)
Of course, AWD.
One word. Turbo.
It's actually good on gas (somewhere around 25mpg, even in winter)
Hatch. (love the hatch look)
Seat heaters.
Things that I find I don't much like about this car (everyone has these, don't deny):
Speaker housing rattles over volume 25.
Stock rims. Hate them. The 09 pewters make it look much better, but still not perfect.
Dash creaks.
No sunroof. (screw you, 2009, announced 3 days after I picked up mine!!)
Legacy style scoop.
Non HID headlights.
Yes, lots of this can be replaced by aftermarket parts. But that's not the point. Point is, stock, from factory, these are the things I don't like.
