I'm interested in getting the JDM STi seats since they look better, offer more lateral support, are more cost effective than aftermarket alternatives, and would match the rest of the interior better. My biggest gripe with the stock USDM STi seats is that the lumbar sticks out too far not to be adjustable. I'm going to have to do some parts swapping as I would like to retain height adjustment on the driver's side.

My first question is which seat I should get. I'm under the impression that the V9 seat is newest and goes best with my 06 car. I don't know what the difference is between V8 and V9 (the difference to V7 is obvious). I'd get the sweet black ones from the Spec C, but then I'd have to get the rest of the interior pieces. Someone here has "driver and passenger front seats, rear seat, and front and rear door cards" for sale for 1950 shipped (the black stuff). Too bad I'd still have to do the carpet, floormats, etc. which would end up costing a lot.

Anyway, the other question I had was what was the best way to go about getting them. I'm guessing that the classifieds here are a good place to start since most shops aren't just going to have a pair of these lying around, but I wanted to make sure I knew exactly what to get before I looked at "for sale" threads (anymore than I already have) or posted a WTB thread.

Since I'll have to cannabalize parts from my stock seats, I was thinking I could just order the parts I'd need that I'd be taking of my stock set so that I could sell them and minimize costs. The thing is, I need to get these seats bought and installed ASAP, so putting the stock ones back together would come secondary.

PS: Thanks in advance for any help. I'm new to the Subaru tuning scene, so bear with me if I don't know all the best contacts or ways of doing certain things. I also didn't know whether to post this here or in the "Interior & Exterior Modification & Care" forum.

Here is a link to some pics of my Ver 9 Spec-C RA seats. These are much better than my USDM seats. I got the entire entire interior FR/RR seats & 4 door cards for $1900 picked up-NASIOC classifieds. These were brand new takeoffs, no wear marks, wrinkles or fading. A co-worker ordered the exact interior for $2300 plus shipping from a NASIOC vendor and has yet to recieve them (9+ weeks).

Ver 9 Spec-C RA seats pictures (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=996084)

You may also be interested in these threads, if you are looking to swap seats into your 06 STi, as the passenger detection system and rail position sensors will require modification.

Aftermarket seats in a 2006 WRX/STi (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=894452)

06 passenger detection swap (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=996050)

Wow, thanks. That's some good info. I forgot about all those sensors and things. It sounds like I'm entering a world of pain. Or maybe whoever does the install is. I don't know whether to try and have my local tuner PDXTuning do this (not sure on their experience with it), have a dealership do it, or find someone else.

As for the black seats, you're lucky because you had grey or black carpeting right? I'd have to do front seats, rear seats, doors, and then the carpeting and the floormats.

Any general repair shop should be able to do the seat swap, as it is very straight forward. It may be a little more difficult if using aftermarket seats, but if using Subaru seats, it's alot easier as all of the connections will swap right over.

My car came stock with a dark charcoal carpet, so it matches very well with the black seats. I am sure you can find a new carpet from one of the many NASIOC vendors on the site, or maybe even trade with another member, since USDM STi interior pieces are always in demand here. I bought Genuine STi floormats from Subiegal for $65.

STi floormats from Subiegal-click me (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=859982&page=1&pp=25)