What did you do to your subaru today?

It looks like you are out of MPGs.

 

As promised here's a couple pics and a sound clip

 

Enjoyed some back roads before heading to the grocery store.

 

This weekend finally got my bugeye out of the garage for the first time in almost 2 years (seen here next to my latest time and money waster). Pumped out all the old fuel, put in a few fresh gallons, changed the oil, and let it run for a bit to clear it out. Only went down my driveway and back with it but still seems to be running well. Few odds and ends to take care of and it'll be up for sale, sadly. Planning a move to SoCal next spring/summer and there's just too much on it that wouldn't pass inspection there.

 

If I remember correctly, this generation didn't receive much love when it first appeared. Today, I think it is one of Subaru's better designs of the last 20 years.

 

The narrow body ones were disgusting but this one is probably my favorite, at least in the wagon version (the sedan does nothing for me). Just something about those bold/sharp lines makes it aggressive looking. Kinda what I wish the bugeye wagons had.

 

I have to agree with this

 

I kinda enjoy looking like every other Corolla in my 08 WRX sedan. No cop is looking twice.

 

Finished up the brakes today. I drove it most of the winter but at one point in the driveway I felt the brakes catch and then they got really squishy so it's been parked since then. Finally got a good look at the carnage



The pad (which isn't much of a pad anymore) was stuck in between the rotor and dust shield and the piston was doing the braking, only in the driveway at this point.


The "white" rotors. In person it's silver, I think the camera just makes it look white. It all wore off the braking surface no problem, I'm sure like it was designed to do.
What I like about Subaru, and I'm not sure if other car manufacturers are like this. But, the calipers are off of a 2004 WRX, and the pads are some that I've had laying around that never got put on our old '11 Outback.

 

That carnage is awesome. Haha.

When I bought my blue WRX I basically did an oil change, drove it a few times, then took it to Powercruise. Wanted to do brakes before I went but didn't get to it in time. They were definitely grinding while on the track and I was laughing the whole time (knowing that I'd be replacing them anyway). When I finally got to swapping everything out the rears were definitely metal on metal. Haha.

Also, the calipers and rotors on the front of my wife's 04 Forester (basic trim level) are the same as the 02-03 WRX. Not as wild as your year gap, but still kinda cool.

 

Definitely cool! Mine were grinding all winter like that too so I knew I was on borrowed time, I figured nothing too cartographic could happen on the 5 mile drive to and from work though so just went with it. Only downside now is I have some scrubbing to do on the rim and panel trim. Trim isn't too bad but my rim turned bronze

 

Ok, two weeks later, and I just looked outside in the torrential rains and water is running off the car faster than it's falling and the car looks like I just washed it (I live right by 35w so there is a fresh layer of dust ever day). I'm impressed.

 

First trip in the XT. Put on the adventure box for reduced MPGs and added noise.

 

Drove it to work today for the first time in almost 2 years...

Figured I'd get real fancy like and give it a hand wash last night. Probably the first time in a similar amount of time.



I feel like this is the equivalent of trying to do something nice for your significant other and it being not good enough or them not happy with it or something. Haha.

 

I like the salt life sticker but pics like these make me so thankful I don't live in the rust belt anymore...
The sight of rust like that makes my butt pucker.

My 23 year old S2000 doesn't have one spec of rust even after 185k miles and it makes working on things so much easier and less stressful.

 

Update on the Cerakote, after 2-1/2 months it's still holding up decently. Having trouble shrugging off the waterspotting from the damn sprinklers at work though. The only spot not beading up well anymore was the trinklid for whatever reason. Spot treated that as I was polishing out some scratches on the roof.

The Cerakote did nothing to stop the bird **** that literally ate through the paint on the leading edge of the front end though.

 

yeah bird **** is the bane of my existence. I used to park near a tree and those ****ers would purposely play target practice with my car.

 

That's one benefit to driving sh!t vehicles... Haha.

 

Bird poop should be removed as soon as you see it. I don't trust any kind of paint sealant to withstand that.

Bugs should also be removed as soon as possible from paint protection film as they will disfigure that too.

 

I feces what you did there.

 

Spent damn near all day getting my bugeye prepped for the Cars & Bids listing. Did a thorough deep cleaning bumper to bumper, touched up a few chips/scratches on the wheels, under the hood, and on one of the doors, replaced a too-long power steering belt, went over the whole car with detailing spray and then ceramic wax, replaced the bulb for the illuminated ignition ring, painted the faded wiper arms, and polished up the intercooler piping and exhaust. Should be getting the photos and videos done Mon-Tue so with any luck the auction will be live by the end of the week.

 

Curious about your illuminated ignition ring. I feel like at some point I've read that it wasn't in 02 cars but was implemented for 03's. This must not be the case because yours is even earlier than 02...?

 

No, I added mine from a newer model. Don't think there was any modification needed for it to fit but I don't recall how I wired it. I think it's just tied into the dome light maybe?

Edit: I did end up just wiring it into the dome light circuit. If you can find one at U-Pull or somewhere it's a pretty easy mod. Just need a Philips to remove the lower column cover, ring slips off straight over the lock cylinder, and I just cut the wire leaving myself several inches of lead. Installing was easy, it's a direct fit replacement for the plain black one that was there so the only work that takes any measurable time is wiring it but that's pretty quick too.

 

Took the wagon camping. Definitely considering a new(er) Forester for the additional cargo space and capability. Not sure I’m ready to part with this thing yet.

 

I know you all have been on the edge of your seats waiting for this after video so here you go. Such an improvement.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10FMGdbvrU8eZeQ24zYBMKnVoGvkrZFhL/view?usp=drivesdk

 

Oops, I did it again.

 

They are cheaper by the dozen aren't they?

 

Putting the head in headgaskets amirite?!

 

Last Friday me and Minnesotanice put in some new fogs, gonna button up the wiring tomorrow. Also gotta install my new fuel pump and ethanol gauge. And sometime next week I should have my fmic fromand and turboxs, was only 758 after shipping. Gotta love a scratch and dent sale.

 

Well sob that pump sucked. And came to find out I'm only sitting at e22 even though I was returned for e30, but guess my mix was off so not quite the power I should have lol.

 

Here's the gauge placement, I think it looks good

 

WRX radiator ended up blowing up, so it now has a Koyorad. Y'all ever seen a thermostat housing with only one bolt?! I've got no idea how it was properly sealing with one bolt tbh. @Krazylegz1485 was kind enough to let me steal some radiator isolators from a Bugeye that was trying to blend in with autumn foilage.