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2008/09 Subaru Impreza STI

417 messages,  Last post on Jun 24, 2009 at 10:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 38 of 42

#368 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [sbcooke] by sbcooke

Dec 07, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: sbcooke (Dec 04, 2008 6:37 pm)
Wow...I only have about 30 miles on the new michelins, but what a difference. I am seriously wondering if I will ever want to put the dunlops back on...maybe to only burn them up at a track.
 
My initial impressions. The car seems lighter, there is less tire drag. I am not an expert and even sure I understand it completely, but the understeer seems to be completely gone. No more having to cut it too hard and then let off, back and forth around corners (ie constantly adjusting it through hard corners), it just goes where I am pointing it now.
 
Of course I only have an brief afternoon on them and the Firestone place put 29 PSI in all the tires which set off the tire pressure warning light when the temp dropped another 10 degrees after dark. After pumping them up to 34 psi, the do seem stiffer and slightly harder, but the lightness feeling and cornering improvement is still there.
 
Time will tell...but I am super psyched.
 
I also had my first oil change at 3300 miles with synthetic.

#369 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [sbcooke] by sbcooke

Dec 09, 2008 (8:00 am)

Replying to: sbcooke (Dec 07, 2008 5:35 pm)
So the understeer is still there from what I can tell...but significantly improved. When I would correct with the Dunlop's the car would pull too far in and I would have to adjust back and forth under hard cornering. The Michelins I have had to correct for understeer a couple of times...but not it feels like it is just a turn a little bit more event vs. turn a little bit more, pull in to hard, go back out, etc.
 
Still way psyched about the new rubber. This is all preliminary since I am still at under 100 miles. I figure if I post enough here, I might spur some action and I won't have to join IWSTI.

#370 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [sbcooke] by sbcooke

Dec 13, 2008 (5:21 am)

Replying to: sbcooke (Dec 09, 2008 8:00 am)
Tried them out on a really windy uphill road yesterday, 39 degrees and wet. At the "slippery when when sign" around the tightest turn I really got on it. No slip. I am sure I could have broken it loose if I really tried hard, but the performance and grip was exactly why I bought these.
 
Still trying to not to have to join iwsti.

#371 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [sbcooke] by tsy

Dec 13, 2008 (10:25 am)

Replying to: sbcooke (Dec 04, 2008 6:37 pm)
I just got an '08 STi and have the same issues with needing AS tires- am looking at Bridgestones RE960s- have heard some good things about them. I too may buy a set of wheels to mount the summer tires on and put the AS tires on the stock wheels since I wasn't able to get the BBS wheels.
 
Any issues you've had so far with your car? I love mine! I don't think there's anything out there that's as practical and with the same performance. I'm guessing some mild suspension tuning can fix the understeer issues but to be honest I don't think it makes a difference in my daily commute.
 
I would like to put it on a track for fun so maybe then I'll consider some suspension mods.
 
tom

#372 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [tsy] by sbcooke

Dec 15, 2008 (11:52 am)

Replying to: tsy (Dec 13, 2008 10:25 am)
The cargo cover was rattling and popping which was really annoying. I heard on other boards it can't be fixed. I asked my dealer for a replacement, got it for free and have not heard any noises yet.
 
I have noticed in the cold weather that the auto temperature isn't so great...it either blows too hot or too cold, it never seems to equalize. I need to put the fan on manual setting it to low to keep the cabin at the right temperature.
 
No real issues. It runs great. I only have 3400 miles on it...got the oil changed with synthetic when I had the tires put on.
 
With 200 miles on my new setup...The understeer is a lot better with the new tires. If I were you I would consider getting new tires on new rims and just selling the stock setup. I am somewhat apathetic on selling things and think I will be taking it to the track, so I think I will get affordable track rims for the stock tires and burn them up...but I don't think I need summer/winter tires with my new all seasons, other than track work.
 
The stock rims are heavy and I wonder if I would see even better performance if my new tires were on lighter (and better) rims.
 
Yes...I really enjoy it. Perhaps if I had an M3 to compare it to, I might be as critical as the things I read on the web...but I can drive it all day. It handles great, oodles of power and very practical from an everyday usage perspective.
 
I got the stock radio...the radio really stinks...but I just listen to either my ipod or mp3 disks and I find the sound to actually be pretty good in that configuration. The radio sound though is miserable at best.

#373 of 417 Re: Tires, Tires, Tires [sbcooke] by tsy

Dec 15, 2008 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: sbcooke (Dec 15, 2008 11:52 am)
Cool thanks for the input. I guess we'll see how the rattles do after some more miles!
 
I'm going to put AS tires on the stock heavy rims and probably get a set of lighter rims for the summer tires. Maybe consider changing out the rear sway bar too.
 
I agree with you, most of the time I'm sure AS tires will be fine for daily use, but the sticky summer rubber is nice too!
 
tom

#374 of 417 Re: Just bought an '08 [jossw] by dfwhonda

Dec 16, 2008 (9:45 am)

Replying to: jossw (Nov 17, 2008 3:23 pm)
Does anyone know if Southern California Subaru dealers are still offering $8k off '08 STIs? From a quick search, I'm having trouble confirming that this offer is still valid. I don't live there, but for $8k off the price of an '08 STI, it may be worth trying to determine how to get a car from California to where I live if the dealers here aren't offering anything special other than 0% financing. Thanks.

#375 of 417 Re: Just bought an '08 [dfwhonda] by tsy

Dec 16, 2008 (12:22 pm)

Replying to: dfwhonda (Dec 16, 2008 9:45 am)
My dealer told me the deal was good through the end of December, the problem being that they were out of cars. Mine may have been one of the last ones sold in WA, and they had to get my car from OR.
 
Don't know where you live but some of the bigger dealers like mine went and bought out STis from smaller dealers- I'd call around and see.
 
Good luck!
 
tom

#376 of 417 Re: Just bought an '08 [tsy] by paisan

Dec 17, 2008 (6:01 am)

Replying to: tsy (Dec 16, 2008 12:22 pm)
May be joining you guys. Pontiac dealers are not being humble about the fact that they are on the chopping block on the G8GT, so looks like it's STi for me....
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#377 of 417 Re: Just bought an '08 [paisan] by tsy

Dec 17, 2008 (10:59 am)

Replying to: paisan (Dec 17, 2008 6:01 am)
Great Mike! Hopefully you can get a great deal on one!
 
It's freezing with snow to come here in Seattle so I just had some all weather tires installed yesterday. A little quieter and smoother than the summer tires, and for everyday driving I'm sure they'll be just fine.
 
Mike, any ideas on reasonably priced lightweight wheels for the STi? I'm planning to get a new set for the summer tires.
 
tom

Messages Page 38 of 42

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