Neil_M
RMS Regular
- Messages
- 4,766
Starting off a thread on the new toy...
Introduction
It's a 2004 JDM Impreza WRX STI.
The JDM model brings ~280 PS, shorter gearing, faster steering, wide track / DCCD, HIDs and the twin scroll version of the higher revving 2.0 lump.
It's the infamous WR Blue Mica with the gold wheels. Yes its "distinctive" but the colour scheme works very well and looks very sharp when cleaned up.
It's a standard car (which was really what I wanted) and in excellent condition, aside from an HKS HiPower cat back and a new K&N panel filter.
A few photos from the day of arrival...
First Jobs
While waiting on the UK registration to come through I had the time to start into a few jobs on the car.
The exterior was thoroughly detailed, machine polished, sealed and waxed.
Wheels were removed for a thorough clean and wax and the disc hubs were painted.
The lower u-frame was cleaned and painted with POR-15, as were the inner arch lips. That should keep any rust at bay.
The rear number plate bracket was removed and painted. Fastenings were replaced with stainless steel versions.
The interior was given a thorough once over too. Carpets and all upholstery was shampooed and hoovered. Interior plastics were cleaned and disinfected. Extra thick velour floor and boot mats were fitted along with a new pollen filter.
I'm not one for ICE or after-market radios, so a genuine Subaru radio was sourced, replacing the JDM radio (different frequency range).
The arch liners were removed, along with the side skirts and relevant underside trim. The underside of the car was thoroughly washed and scrubbed three times (bare in mind it was exceptionally clean before hand). The car was left to dry for a week, then out came the axle stands, ready to raise the car, wheels off, for under-sealing. The entire underside, box sections, under bonnet etc were treated. The car was left in the garage to dry for around a week.
The rear muffler was in need of a polish up, so that was done...
Time for a drive
The registration finally came through. Neil @ Rockvale Graphics (@Neil@rockvale ) got me organised with registration plates, more of an issue to the rear JDM number plate size.
The tank was filled with a fresh batch of super then a few favourite back roads were hit.
Initial impressions highlighted the awesome, supportive seats, the very short gearing, and very fast steering. The brakes are solid and sharp as is the throttle response.
The car was up to temperature, the brutal power delivery had me laughing... it really does hit hard and squirt down the road. Shift light lit, next gear, shift light lit, next gear... It just keeps pulling...
Pointing it down the twisties highlighted a very stable car, a nice pointy front end, highlighted by the fast steering. Punching down the road, standing on the brakes and squirting down the road really made realise it's what the car is made for.
The HKS exhaust adds a nice note to the car without being overly loud or droning.
The car interestingly is still quite refined to drive. It's not quite the Tesco value explosion on wheels some people may have you believe.
Getting used to the car, it's brimming with character. Cold start up in the mornings moving down the motorway has the car thrumming and whistling as the turbo starts up spool, lifting off has chatters and hisses filling the cabin.
Time for a service
The car was supposedly already serviced... But being me, I wanted to ensure it was all done and done right.
So a basic service consisted of, oil, oil filter, spark plugs, K&N panel filter, fuel filter, coolant, diif and gearbox oils, a new water pump, a new RCM 10mm oil pump, HKS timing belt, Gates aux belts, new pulleys, modine hoses, belt bracket, hose clips and timing cover bolts. I took the car down to Johnny at AI Autosport to do the work, along with a thorough inspection and compression test. I was glad to say the car received an extremely positive review and compression tests were all perfect.
Longer term review
I've been driving the car for a few weeks now and found it a very capable daily driver. The refinement mentioned above helps loads.
The car's quick response, minimal lag and torque is very useful in all driving aspects.
The chassis has a firmness to it, more noticeable on low speed bumps. However it's perfectly comfortable when cruising.
The brakes are brilliant, but quite dusty. Though that could well be down to me taking the car out for blasts every now and then...
The short shift gearbox is great. If quite notchy.
Additional jobs
Mud flaps have also been fitted. These are the shorter mini flaps, I'm not a big fan of the large mats that scrape the ground.
The power steering pipe had a little whine when cold. This was solved with a simple o-ring replacement.
A Subaru manual, wallet, keyfob etc was sourced.
The carpet mat hook was replaced (a common issue).
All three wiper arms were removed and repainted.
Both front grills were replaced with ZunSport items. Good quality items, but the lower grille wasn't a great fit, so I had to fit extra securing brackets to have it sitting right. Peace of mind, especially when the a/c condenser has no protection from debris... I did of course have to get another upper grille to do a good job (without destroying the original), along with a new STI badge.
Thanks
An initial big thanks to Martin @ Eastwood Subaru. He couldn't be more helpful with advise and sourcing parts, even with the car being imported.
Johnny @ AI Autosport. Very knowledgeable, honest, reliable mechanics are hard to find. He couldn't be of any more help prior to buying the car and completing the service / inspection.
Next jobs
The car doesn't really need anything...
However I will keep minting the car, painting a few more brackets, there is a scratch on one of the centre dash panels (look at replacing). Braided brake hoses.
I'm undecided about tuning the car, as it's a great fun thing to drive out of the box.
Fit a new front under-tray.
Time for more photos and less chatter
...
The big clean under way...
Introduction
It's a 2004 JDM Impreza WRX STI.
The JDM model brings ~280 PS, shorter gearing, faster steering, wide track / DCCD, HIDs and the twin scroll version of the higher revving 2.0 lump.
It's the infamous WR Blue Mica with the gold wheels. Yes its "distinctive" but the colour scheme works very well and looks very sharp when cleaned up.
It's a standard car (which was really what I wanted) and in excellent condition, aside from an HKS HiPower cat back and a new K&N panel filter.
A few photos from the day of arrival...
First Jobs
While waiting on the UK registration to come through I had the time to start into a few jobs on the car.
The exterior was thoroughly detailed, machine polished, sealed and waxed.
Wheels were removed for a thorough clean and wax and the disc hubs were painted.
The lower u-frame was cleaned and painted with POR-15, as were the inner arch lips. That should keep any rust at bay.
The rear number plate bracket was removed and painted. Fastenings were replaced with stainless steel versions.
The interior was given a thorough once over too. Carpets and all upholstery was shampooed and hoovered. Interior plastics were cleaned and disinfected. Extra thick velour floor and boot mats were fitted along with a new pollen filter.
I'm not one for ICE or after-market radios, so a genuine Subaru radio was sourced, replacing the JDM radio (different frequency range).
The arch liners were removed, along with the side skirts and relevant underside trim. The underside of the car was thoroughly washed and scrubbed three times (bare in mind it was exceptionally clean before hand). The car was left to dry for a week, then out came the axle stands, ready to raise the car, wheels off, for under-sealing. The entire underside, box sections, under bonnet etc were treated. The car was left in the garage to dry for around a week.
The rear muffler was in need of a polish up, so that was done...
Time for a drive
The registration finally came through. Neil @ Rockvale Graphics (@Neil@rockvale ) got me organised with registration plates, more of an issue to the rear JDM number plate size.
The tank was filled with a fresh batch of super then a few favourite back roads were hit.
Initial impressions highlighted the awesome, supportive seats, the very short gearing, and very fast steering. The brakes are solid and sharp as is the throttle response.
The car was up to temperature, the brutal power delivery had me laughing... it really does hit hard and squirt down the road. Shift light lit, next gear, shift light lit, next gear... It just keeps pulling...
Pointing it down the twisties highlighted a very stable car, a nice pointy front end, highlighted by the fast steering. Punching down the road, standing on the brakes and squirting down the road really made realise it's what the car is made for.
The HKS exhaust adds a nice note to the car without being overly loud or droning.
The car interestingly is still quite refined to drive. It's not quite the Tesco value explosion on wheels some people may have you believe.
Getting used to the car, it's brimming with character. Cold start up in the mornings moving down the motorway has the car thrumming and whistling as the turbo starts up spool, lifting off has chatters and hisses filling the cabin.
Time for a service
The car was supposedly already serviced... But being me, I wanted to ensure it was all done and done right.
So a basic service consisted of, oil, oil filter, spark plugs, K&N panel filter, fuel filter, coolant, diif and gearbox oils, a new water pump, a new RCM 10mm oil pump, HKS timing belt, Gates aux belts, new pulleys, modine hoses, belt bracket, hose clips and timing cover bolts. I took the car down to Johnny at AI Autosport to do the work, along with a thorough inspection and compression test. I was glad to say the car received an extremely positive review and compression tests were all perfect.
Longer term review
I've been driving the car for a few weeks now and found it a very capable daily driver. The refinement mentioned above helps loads.
The car's quick response, minimal lag and torque is very useful in all driving aspects.
The chassis has a firmness to it, more noticeable on low speed bumps. However it's perfectly comfortable when cruising.
The brakes are brilliant, but quite dusty. Though that could well be down to me taking the car out for blasts every now and then...
The short shift gearbox is great. If quite notchy.
Additional jobs
Mud flaps have also been fitted. These are the shorter mini flaps, I'm not a big fan of the large mats that scrape the ground.
The power steering pipe had a little whine when cold. This was solved with a simple o-ring replacement.
A Subaru manual, wallet, keyfob etc was sourced.
The carpet mat hook was replaced (a common issue).
All three wiper arms were removed and repainted.
Both front grills were replaced with ZunSport items. Good quality items, but the lower grille wasn't a great fit, so I had to fit extra securing brackets to have it sitting right. Peace of mind, especially when the a/c condenser has no protection from debris... I did of course have to get another upper grille to do a good job (without destroying the original), along with a new STI badge.
Thanks
An initial big thanks to Martin @ Eastwood Subaru. He couldn't be more helpful with advise and sourcing parts, even with the car being imported.
Johnny @ AI Autosport. Very knowledgeable, honest, reliable mechanics are hard to find. He couldn't be of any more help prior to buying the car and completing the service / inspection.
Next jobs
The car doesn't really need anything...
However I will keep minting the car, painting a few more brackets, there is a scratch on one of the centre dash panels (look at replacing). Braided brake hoses.
I'm undecided about tuning the car, as it's a great fun thing to drive out of the box.
Fit a new front under-tray.
Time for more photos and less chatter
...The big clean under way...
