Greetings all. Pitched in with my kids for this new 6-Speed 2018 ISM WRX Premium. My fifth Subaru and second WRX. Their second Subaru. 4.7 miles on it ordered “Straight Outta Japan”. Ha ha. Mike Clapper at Morrie’s Minnetonka was great to deal with. He knows his Subarus and is a fellow enthusiast. Best car salesman I have dealt with in a long long time. Please go see him when the time comes. Came with: Kicker Audio STi Front Spoiler STi Rear Quarter Spoiler STi Carbon Fiber Trunk piece. Engine Block Heater Vortex Generators Purchased and Installing soon: Mobile Installation Services window tint. STi side skirts Subaru Impreza AC Fan Cover (fits WRX) Rally Armor Polyurethane Subispeed F1 Brake/ Fog light Weather Tech Trunk and Interior Subaru Factory Roof Rack Perrin Engine Cover Fix Hella Supertones w/ Perrin brace. Teaching new drivers the manual transmission is humorous and challenging. The WRX is a good car to learn on though. They have learned that you just can’t watch a YTube video about manual transmissions and away you go. However, a couple lessons and we are now out in the traffic! Hills still scare the newbies even with “hill assist” ON. Had to hurry and switch seats in the middle of traffic a few times when they got “stuck”. The 2018 is a really good car. Much better overall than my ‘09 WRX even if it’s not as fast to 60 mph. Updates as we will be working on the car soon. Thanks for viewing.
Any vids of the stalls in traffic? Lololol, i kid. They don’t need the extra pressure of a GoPro in their faces
Ha ha. No. They are at the point where they are fine but not necessarily great .......unless traffic gets thicker or something unexpected happens and then they go back to their auto transmission muscle memory. They might brake suddenly, for example, and then forget the clutch....so stall. Still trouble on hills. They get nervous when they are first at a stoplight. It’s two steps forward and one step back. They are very happy when things progress and then a little frustrated or embarrassed when they realize they have a ways to go yet. The stock tune and rev hang on this car doesn’t help and the first to second gear transition is the hardest for them to do and very hard to do smoothly. They are just learning to let the revs drop between first and second to make it easier. After second gear it’s smooth sailing. Downshifts are a mixed bag and the gear indicator doesn’t work while the clutch is in so I have to really watch what they are doing there. Reverse is also tricky for some reason as the clutch needs to be slipped and that is all clutch and throttle feel which they don’t have yet. They are having fun and I am too. Really nice car but not easy to drive smoothly through first and second. I like all the details they changed in the 2018.
I learned on an ‘87 Fird Ranger 5-speed. I’m sure that it was a little more forgiving than a 2018 Subaru. Hahaha. Glad that they’re picking it up! And good on ya dad for teaching them properly by teaching them a manual transmission. My wife still can’t drive a manual at 30+ years old. Wish that she would have been taught how at their age!
Thank you. They are good kids or I would never have even considered it. They all want to learn. There are probably easier cars to learn on but once they get it then they are driving a WRX! And they are already Subaru fans. The Forester is off at college. Best car ever. Also, stalling at a stop light or the occasional less than smooth shift isn’t harmful to the car........especially when I see the abuse they take on YouTube. I started by looking at used WRX’s for us but they are very close to new car prices and a lot have been modified or otherwise abused. No warranty. I even looked for a blown up 02-07 to rebuild but no luck. And those are still expensive for year and mileage. So, went with the new one. My youngest says he wants to go to a “Subaru meet”. Do they organize those on this site?
Do yourself a favor and sign up the family for the LAX Cruise. Tons of Subaru's to see and also a bunch of sweet Subaru prizes to be had. And comes with an awesome lunch and a sweet windy road on top of that.
How young is the youngest? Most of the meets organized on here start and end at the bar. Lol With exception of the LaXCruise. It’s been kid friendly since it’s inception!
Youngest is almost 16. Learning on the Forester for almost a year now. We have been out a few times in low low traffic situations in the WRX learning the manual transmission. We will sign up and be there for the LaCrosse adventure if I am in town. I am sure we would both enjoy it. Everyone just stay a few car lengths back at stoplights and hill starts. Ha ha
Installed the F1 brake light and some Carbon Fiber license plate frames today. It’s dark and not much room under the rear bumper but once the light goes in it moves quickly. Not sure the police are going to enjoy the F1 type flashing going on back there during braking so that feature is off now. A small service item needs looked at by the dealer and then it’s Rally Armor and a roof rack and STi side skirts. Having some fun with the kids.
I doubt that you’ll catch any grief running it in the F1 style mode. I ran flashing LED brake lights for a couple years without any problems. I’d run it and if I received a warning, then i’d “consider” turning it off...but probably wouldn’t. Hahaha. Because i’m a rebel.
Ha ha. Well, it’s off for now. It is bright and very noticeable. At night or in traffic I bet the flashing gets irritating to the person behind me. We’ll see. It’s cool but it still does a great job increasing braking awareness when it’s not flashing. Very bright. After seeing it flashing in the driveway tonight after it got dark, I am thinking the police will not let it pass on a WRX. Maybe i’ll ask a cop I know. See what he says.
Congrats! Your kids are very lucky! I have enjoyed following this thread as I feel a lot of personal connection to your experience! My dad bought his '02 WRX when I was about 16, and I still remember going out for drives with him in it, thinking, "this is it, this is my dream car!" Subarus/cars have always been a strong connecting point between my dad and I. Fast forward a few more years, I buy my first WRX. Loved it. Had a lot of fun with it. Moved on to a Forester XT, and now I go back and forth about if I want to get back to the WRX again. In the mean time, my dad also had a great experience with Mike, and recently got a 2018 STi (DGM Limited) through him, and he is always up for a ride! We both have been very impressed with the 2018, and the improvements over the generations. It's great to have a car hobby/interest/connection with family! Keep the stories coming!
Amen brother! I put our 11 month old in the BRZ for the first time yesterday. She looked around with a smile on her face in wonder(used to the back of the minivan). She was giddy and cooing when i’d rev the motor and when we’d go around corners! Lol. Took this pic before we even backed out of the driveway! Hahaha!
Thanks for reading all. Happy to see Mike Clapper got another vote for Subaru salesman of the year. Ha ha Next group addition is Rally Armor. That should be Wednesday or Thursday. The kids initially ordered black with red letters which arrived as black with maroon letters. I just hate that Subispeed will not pick up a telephone. It takes 5 minutes to resolve something on the phone vs 2 days of emails. Also, their first response was that “all the ones in back look the same”. So, Rally Armor got involved and said that those are most definitely NOT the Red letters we typically print. We then exchanged for black with silver letters. Subispeed Grade: C- We have to make a plan for this though......and please chip in out there if anyone has experience. Our car came with the STi rear quarter fairings on it. These attach to the car in the same place that the rally Armor does. The STi bits are held with 2 screws and some sort of adhesive. I think we will stare at in the garage a day or two and hope a plan formulates. I just may have the dealer do it......for the back tires anyway. After that: Subaru OEM roof rack crossbars.
I voted for the Subaru Forester XT actually. Kids outvoted me in short order. I also thought a lifted outback or a modded Crosstrek would be fun too........but happy we have another WRX. We are doing all the “mods” together which are all cosmetic. We are in for the LaCrosse trip if I am in town!
Looks like the rear flaps will mount over the rear spats to me. The screw holding the spat on will need to come out. Pull the screw/plug out of the spat, lay rally armor on there, put the screw back in through both. I tried finding a YouTube install video for you, but i came up empty handed.
Ok. I will look at that, thank you. I was thinking that the metal bracket for the Rally Armor has to go underneath the spat. I will try it both ways.
Installed the fan motor cover awhile back. This is a MUST for any 2015+ WRX owner. Maybe 45$. Takes 2 minutes. Had the STi side “fairings” installed at the dealer since I have no lift and not enough jacks at home for a quality job. So, STi front lip, sides and rear quarter spats now. I like them. Kids really like them. Front Rally Armor is on which keeps the sides clean. Because of the rear quarter STi spats, I will have to fabricate something to make the rear Rally Armor and the STi bits work together. The metal bracket and the plastic spacer are not made to be used with the STi part installed. Kicker Audio in the doors and now Kicker audio tweeters installed also. Nicer than stock and an easy install. Much better than stock audio but NOT great. If you have to have good or great audio, skip the Kicker stuff and have a good sound system installed......probably a new head unit too. I personally did not buy the WRX for sound and the Kicker units are fine. About 650 miles on it. First oil change at 1000 miles and I will install the Fumoto Oil Drain Valve. Then, the kids can change it going forward. Using Pennzoil Ulta Platinum Synthetic and Subaru filters. Carbon Fiber Trunk lip on back order. 8 weeks. Some car pics.
Thank you for viewing! It may be SLIGHTLY darker than MN legal. It looks way darker from the outside and in pics than in person. The dark interior makes it look darker as well. With the sunroof open, it looks much much lighter. It does, however, really make it nice inside as far as cutting out sun glare and making the A/C more than sufficient even for the hottest days. Plus, I think it looks good as well.
So. For any still following this. I called the Minnesota State Patrol regarding the flashing function of the F1 brake light. The answer is: It depends on the patrolman. If it comes from the factory installed that way........like new VW SUV’s.....it is legal. This is also how factory window tint on trucks, SUV’s and minivans works. Since we are installing a part as an accessory........even though the car was manufactured with a space for the part AND it is installed from the factory in Japan ( as a fog light)....it is going to depend on your explanation and your attitude IF you get stopped. Anything increasing safety is good. Anything screaming boy racer or “F you other people on the road” is not going to be good.
Installed the Subaru Factory Cargo Crossbars made for Subaru by Thule of Sweden. Nice fit and quality hardware. The 2018 WRX’s went back to integrating the hard points for these carriers into the roof straight out of the factory. Looks pretty good too on the silver. I have bike carriers and a cargo basket on order. Also, a side benefit is that it camouflages the WRX as your everyday Camry type grocery and bike hauler. Great if kids are driving it.
Got the WINTER TIRES setup ready to roll. My 2018 WRX came with 18” wheels. I ordered 17” Sparco Drifts and some 245/45R17 Michelin X-Ice XI3 winter rubber. Same width but more sidewall and same diameter as my factory 18” wheel-tire combo. These Michelin’s are one of very few winter tires with an actual mileage rating. It is 40,000 miles.....which is quite a few winters. I also purchased the TPMS sensors since this car chimes it’s TPMS warnings and you get a yellow light you have to stare at.. Also got the tools to recalibrate the new sensors with the car. Now, it’s easy in-your-own-garage tire changes for winter/ summer driving and no lights, chimes or dealer visits. The Sparcos are made by OZ Racing and look OK in my opinion. Not a shiny black.....but not true flat black either. Supposedly a little lighter than stock wheels too. Came with centering rings and all the hardware.
In other news......spotted this in Des Moines a few days ago. “V8 BAIT”. Great license plate. STi I think. It definitely was NOT all show and no go. When the light turned it was loud and fast and that is the last I saw of it.
View attachment 28310 Having fun so far in the 2018 WRX. One dealer item caused from suspension component(s) not torqued to spec from Japan. It caused a very annoying popping from the rear suspension at low speeds over even the smallest bumps. Morries did a great job diagnosing and repairing the offending sway bar linkage. Checked the rest too. Otherwise great car at almost 3000 miles as you would hope. Son is driving it to school occasionally. Doing a great job. Winter tires at the end of October. Installed WeatherTech mats front and rear and trunk. Great product. Had some snow north of Minneapolis this morning! Just installed the Seibon Carbon Fiber OEM style wing. A little over priced but a flawless product with a nice deep clear coat. Looks so sharp on the car. Stock tune is still a little irritating........all the timing and boost pulls etc just as the fun starts. I will stay for the entirety of the warranty and then “fix” the car. So that is a little disappointing. Still like the car very much.
