What did you do to your subaru today?

Well... got started on the 08 WRX pass side valve cover gasket. I'm running into stupid things like... where do you lift and put jack stands? Turns out, you can lift on the engine cradle and put jack stands on the pinch welds. Well, turns out I need a new jack for that. I got a 3 ton low profile long reach jack from Hobo Freight on the 1/1/24 coupon. I also ordered rubber jack stand tops for pinch welds from Amazon.com. Oh, hoses turned to plastic. Need to order those. Pretty happy that the COPs are already done and easy to remove. I wouldn't have gone to this level of effort, but I also ordered new fog lights for the car. Pretty sure all the plastics on the front need to be removed from the bottom to replace those things.

BIG THANKS to Erik @ MTKA Subaru for the help on all these project. Seriously... what other dealer would help you out on a holiday weekend AND give you a discount when you show up?

 

Finally got my winters on lol

 

I love that we have options for black plates now. Took a little bit to arrive though.

 

I need someone to explain the "blackout" plates to me. Is it simply because it is something different? Essentially another form of voluntary money-grab by the state issuing this style of plate. It seems to me that the plate is much easier to read from a distance if someone were up to some sort or nefarious activity.

 

Because black plates matter. And they look cooler on black cars...

The 100 Club ones like we have on the Outblack and MNFTW above has on his Forester put the money in a fund to help first responder families in times of need. There's a yearly fee like the Critical Habitat ones and all of the other special ones.

The new just plain blackout plates are an extra $30 a year and I'm pretty sure that's just a bonus money grab for the state, knowing that tons of people will want them. I actually spotted my first ones in the wild today.

 

I didn't realize there were two types of blackout plates in Minnesota. The one supporting first responders I can understand, and just might be the first special issue plates I would consider getting.

https://mn100club.org/mn100-license-plate/

 

I've since swapped out the license plate frames for some wraparound black silicone ones that look much better.

 

Yes, 6 digit and can be personalized. I did not see the additional charge for personalized ones on MN 100 Club web site, but I'm sure the state will charge extra for personalized on top of the $40 special plate fee.

 

The black silicone frames are nice.

 

Thanks! It's exactly why I bought them. Not sure if I'll go for the blackout plates though. I'm gonna order another set of 100 Club plates for the Corvette now.

I can't remember if they charged for personalization. I paid $204 but I also paid reg too.

 

The black Road America plates I have on my BRZ and my Tacoma here in WI are $15/year and don't benefit anything but the state, but our registration fees are only about $90/year to begin with regardless of the age or value of the car. Also 6 digits like the MN plates, no additional fee for personalized ones. Anyone know if the new black plates are transferable to other cars? If I'm not mistaken I think it's just the standard blue and white plates that have to stay with the car, but it would be helpful to know if I have to total someone's car that has them.

 

BRN AGN

 

Translation is in the eye of the beholder...

 

Or:

 

Maybe:

 

Recently did the first oil change in the Outblack since we got it. Also did both front axles a couple days ago. 3 out of 4 boots were torn...

 

Some shenanigans were had with the mini one today as well. This whole snow covered skate park thing is kinda my new joy. Haha.

 

It's so much fun it's stupid. Haha. Ended up hitting two different skate parks while we were out picking up some Craigslist purchases.

 

My daughter got me one of these center console lids/armrests for Christmas. Always felt uncomfortable having a big open space under my right elbow. Just a knockoff of the ones the BRZ/GT86 could apparently be optioned with in the Euro and JDM markets, but still not terrible quality...



...aside from the cheap and thin vinyl cover with red stitching. Ordered an actual leather one with blue stitching from Redline Goods (same place that did a fantastic wrap job on the WRX steering wheel) and just got done putting that on with some foam under it. Other than a few wrinkles on the side where the leather couldn't conform to the sharp curves, it went on very nicely. Have yet to drill into the console and mount it permanently, but wow is it a huge improvement.

 

I did see those, thought they might stick up a little higher than I wanted though. Plus with this OEM-style one I was able to get a cover that matches. And yeah cupholders were apparently not a priority in the design of this interior.

 

Oil leak caused some drips to burn on the exhaust. Time to dig into this...

Crap... valve cover gasket broke.


Finally got the valve cover cleaned up. Was a bugger getting it removed. All the rubber turned to plastic.


Decided to replace the broken fog lights at the same time.


Probably won't have this done for a few days. Ordered a bucket of clips. All the stock ones broke.

 

Bucket-O-Clips...OEM or Dorman? OEM would require a second mortgage I assume?

 

I ordered these... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY2K4MST?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

mostly because I need the clips with the zip ties on the bottom right for the COP wires.

 

You will never again break or lose a clip...guaranteed.

 

Had to get new tires because Tire's Plus couldn't align the toe in the rear properly and they went bald quicker than I expected. Decided to go a size down this time to 235/40 because 235/45 was rubbing HARD. I lost the good "flush" look but it's so much more practical now.

Feels so good with the STi lateral links now!

 

Man i could stand to pickup a set of those! Seeing the bumper off to do that made me glad I had JM do mine when my WRX's valve covers were leaking

 

I did it! I really did it! The Saabaru went to a new home today. Was a little bittersweet but not gonna lie, felt kinda good getting rid of one. Got another one hopefully leaving in the near future!

Spring cleaning has started early!

 

Here I am being envious of you having some land to keep a fleet around! Any idea where the Saabaru's new owner is taking it to?

 

He's a friend of mine that currently lives up by Henriette. Drives to Blaine everyday in a full size 90's truck/Tahoe/Suburban (he's got multiple sh!tters like myself...) and wants something a little easier on gas.

He messaged me the other day saying he was possibly interested in a Subaru for better mileage and for when the weather is bad, asking what kinda things he should look(out) for. I said "any interest in a Saabaru...?" Haha. Sold it cheap enough he couldn't pass it up and made both of us happy.

 

New black plates!!

 

Hell yeah, brotha!

 

Got mine today...

 

Update. New black frames around the black plates. That eliminates the white border. And it's all clean now.