Subie/NASIOC Newbie

[White_ShadoWRX]

Alright, let me kick of my first post and introduction! (Hopefully this is where I do it...)

A bit about me: I’m Isaac, I’m 28, married, originally from New Mexico but moved to Virginia about 4 years ago. I’m now located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Just bought a place a few months ago, and now getting another ride...

About my ride: I’ve placed a deposit on a 2013 Subaru WRX Satin White Pearl 4-Door Sedan which will be arriving 19 or 24 September. The car will be coming with a short throw shifter, boost gage, vortex generator, and all weather floor mats. I’m requesting for them to install fog lights, footwell illumination kit - red, and probably the auto dimming mirror and compass. As long as it doesn't fall through like the last one (another story for another thread) all should be good. Anything else I should add at port that doesn't come in the car? I was told I can get them at cost without installation costs.

I’m finally going to be a Subie owner!…You people say Subie or scoobie right…that’s hip? *Fail* I'm definitely a Scooby-Newbie. I hear the Subaru crowd is an awesome crowd to hang with. I hope it’s better than the Lancer crowd (no disrespect to the Lancer crowd, but they don't seem as active). I may also be booted from all car forums but I have always seen STI and EVO or even Lancer and Imprenza owners as ego driven or “my car is better than your car” types...which they are :P. I sometimes feel you have to have the Ego to go with the car, BUT I know there are some cool relaxed people who are awesome, nice, and just glad to be apart of the scene. Or as I stated in my Lancer forum back in the day: Everyone just wants to build their car to be better be better. I see people on here with Imprenzas that want WRX parts, I see WRX owners wanting STI parts. So I see it, we are all different colors (I'm talking about the cars) different blood (Talking about gas and oil) but we are all part of the same Family (Subaru).

After a few years of debating between a STI or EVO, STI or WRX, 4-door or 5-door, 2006/2007 or 2011-2013, years of getting my wife on bored, having to trade in my Lancer Ralliart, buying my wife a Bimmer, buying a house, I’m finally to point of having a WRX. I did decide to buy a WRX rather than an STI weighing the pros and cons. After research and input, I was convinced getting just a WRX would be the better way to go. I am nervous about the color or worried I'll regret it later. My wife and I have had black cars from the start and I’m ready to change it up. I think white looks sharp, graphite gray was my second choice and I’m sure I’ll regret not getting graphite gray…hopefully I have some Satin White owners who can tell me some pros of white and graphite grays that tell me some cons of their color to help me out.

I’m going to be dealing with Annapolis Subaru in Maryland, anyone deal with them? I was able to get the price from $27,470 to $26,370 which I guess is better than most dealership in the area not willing to budge on the price at all. Any negotiating tips will be greatly appreciated!


Oh, if someone can show me a picture of the OEM vortex generator?!?! I can’t find a picture at all of the one that comes from Subaru.

I’m not a car guy…I want to be, but I never grew up with the awesome dad that taught me how to change the oil, or how to burn out. I never had the awesome friends to change my car into a hot rod. I’m looking for the friends to learn me. I still can’t find where to fill the blinker fluid and how to turn off the bumper warning light…

Looking to meet people in the Woodbridge area to hang out with, talk cars, convince me what to upgrade on my car next.

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[philly15]

Quite a story there congrats on the Subaru youll love it as for the satin white pearl I was never a fan of white until I saw the Subaru white pearl I dunno somethin about that color just seems so clean and classy IMO I think you'll like it good luck with the car and definitely do alot of reading on here lots of great info

[2.5L Monster]

Welcome aboard! Congrats

I'm a fellow Woodbrige native...elementary, middle, and high school time spent there!

[wrxguy0053]

Welcome! I bought a 2012 SWP 4door WRX 2 months ago. I had not seen the SWP on a 2011/12 WRX until the day I bought mine, and man I love that color. I originally only wanted WRB but after seeing the white I loved it. I think you will really like the white and I certainly do not regret getting white at all.

[SparkSilver10NM]

Welcome to the club Isaac! I'm also a native New Mexican. I chose the spark silver myself, but do love the SWP. In terms of upgrades, a couple things.
1. Decide how much your checkbook and wife can tolerate.
2. Decide what you want the car to be. (street fighter) (auto xr) (Daily driver) etc
3. Decide how much your warranty means to you.
I'm sure you'll be impressed with a WRX over a rallyart, so perhaps staying tock for a while might suit you.
Last thing, spend time reading posts and getting familiar with the search engine on this site. There is a ton of useful information, and if it even appears like you've searched and couldn't find an answer this community will help you out. O and be sure to befriend Uncle Scotty if you can!!! lol

[White_ShadoWRX]

Originally Posted by SparkSilver10NM

Welcome to the club Isaac! I'm also a native New Mexican. I chose the spark silver myself, but do love the SWP. In terms of upgrades, a couple things.
1. Decide how much your checkbook and wife can tolerate.
2. Decide what you want the car to be. (street fighter) (auto xr) (Daily driver) etc
3. Decide how much your warranty means to you.
I'm sure you'll be impressed with a WRX over a rallyart, so perhaps staying tock for a while might suit you.
Last thing, spend time reading posts and getting familiar with the search engine on this site. There is a ton of useful information, and if it even appears like you've searched and couldn't find an answer this community will help you out. O and be sure to befriend Uncle Scotty if you can!!! lol

Thanks for the welcome!

Honestly, I can't say anything about my wife. The only reason I haven't bought a WRX or STI is because of "responsibility"...damn being a semi-adult. My wife has been telling me to buy what I want for sometime, same goes for a bike and whatever else. I'm always the one to stop and say...maybe I shouldn't buy a GTR and just go with a WRX. Or yeah I can buy a bike when I don't have a car, but come winter I'll be screwed... So in regards to check book, it's more what I feel is alright.

1. I have set an allowance of $500. when I get the car for parts and supplies. First priority is of course a detail kit...which I'm researching on the forum currently. After that we'll see. Christmas is coming up

2. I'm not sure the differences or what the lingo means. This is my first Subaru, my first new car with a stick, I'm not car smart, don't know anyone who can help out with my car. At the moment it's just seeing what might fit me. I doubt I will be doing track, but like to get on it on the road from time to time and have some fun on country roads. I guess you can say I would like a daily driver with combat boots on.

3. Warranty means a lot. Probably not something I should say on a car enthusiast forum, I'm sure the excitement level for my car has gone down and I should just hand the keys to a 80 year old woman for the next 36,000 miles or 3 years. I'm hoping to make small adjustments while in my warranty period. I hear things like exhausts, air intake, cosmetic or exterior mods do not do much to the warranty (again researching that). Plus that will give me time to meet people who are willing to help once my warranty expires to help out with the wrench work.

Forums are tough for me. Meeting people, getting into the crowd, learning the lingo, not saying anything stupid is tough to do sometimes. Having the people to help show me around and what to look for would be helpful and appreciated.

Again thanks for the welcomes, I've got a lot of reading to do...

Oh, and what part of New Mexico?

[White_ShadoWRX]

Based on reading and advice:

I was debating getting a SPT Exhaust from Subaru due to I liked the sound it put out when I listened to one on a STI at a dealership. Although I assume it would sound a little different on a WRX? For the price though, I guess there are better exhausts out there.

Exhausts I'm currently looking at:
Borla Hush
Maddad Whisper
They seem to be the most popular. Although I want a nice growl that says "Fool better recognize" without saying "Hey Cop! Look at me! Look at me!"

Air Intakes:
Don't have a clue but are they really all that different? (I know research)

I'm also looking at Rallyarmor flaps...although I hate how they stick out the sides. It makes it look sloppy and like noobs said "I can't find flaps that fit my car so let me just use these truck flaps instead"

I'm already looking for a winged trunk (if that's how you say it) in exchange for my wingless. I know some STIs want to be low profile, but I think the sedan looks too...sedanish without the wing. It's kind of like all party up front with the scoop and business in the back.

Looking to probably drop the WRX. I think it looks cleaner. I would probably go with coilovers. (This is further down the road).

Other than that I'm still seeing what WRX owners SHOULD do as opposed to what I want to do and the typical stuff.

[SparkSilver10NM]

Originally Posted by White_ShadoWRX

Thanks for the welcome!

Honestly, I can't say anything about my wife. The only reason I haven't bought a WRX or STI is because of "responsibility"...damn being a semi-adult. My wife has been telling me to buy what I want for sometime, same goes for a bike and whatever else. I'm always the one to stop and say...maybe I shouldn't buy a GTR and just go with a WRX. Or yeah I can buy a bike when I don't have a car, but come winter I'll be screwed... So in regards to check book, it's more what I feel is alright.

1. I have set an allowance of $500. when I get the car for parts and supplies. First priority is of course a detail kit...which I'm researching on the forum currently. After that we'll see. Christmas is coming up

2. I'm not sure the differences or what the lingo means. This is my first Subaru, my first new car with a stick, I'm not car smart, don't know anyone who can help out with my car. At the moment it's just seeing what might fit me. I doubt I will be doing track, but like to get on it on the road from time to time and have some fun on country roads. I guess you can say I would like a daily driver with combat boots on.

3. Warranty means a lot. Probably not something I should say on a car enthusiast forum, I'm sure the excitement level for my car has gone down and I should just hand the keys to a 80 year old woman for the next 36,000 miles or 3 years. I'm hoping to make small adjustments while in my warranty period. I hear things like exhausts, air intake, cosmetic or exterior mods do not do much to the warranty (again researching that). Plus that will give me time to meet people who are willing to help once my warranty expires to help out with the wrench work.

Forums are tough for me. Meeting people, getting into the crowd, learning the lingo, not saying anything stupid is tough to do sometimes. Having the people to help show me around and what to look for would be helpful and appreciated.

Again thanks for the welcomes, I've got a lot of reading to do...

Oh, and what part of New Mexico?

I see, well I'd say you're wanting to do basically what I have done so far. I have a 2010 wrx with an SPT cat-back exhaust that i'm very pleased with. My warranty is gold to me so I haven't done any engine mods or anything like that. Once it's gone i'm goin straight to stage 2 (intake, turbo back exhaust, tune, etc.

Some things you can do.
Suspension parts, bushings, interior stuff, brakes, this sorta thing. Keep in mind these won't "void" your car warranty. However, if you put a BBK (big brake kit) on your car subaru won't warrranty it. if you put a bunch of kartboy endlinks and bushings on your car subaru won't warranty it. They do have upgrades from the dealership but some are worth it, some are not. This is where reading comes in....

My advice (this is just my opinion) would be enjoy it bone stock for a while. This will give you plenty of time to research, meet people, and get into the swing of things. I'd also recommend looking at your regional NASIOC forum for meet days, wrench days, repputable shops in your area etc.

Once you've gotten a good feel for the car and what it'll do, start making changes to suit YOU! plenty of people will tell you to go stage 3, ignore the warranty and put launch control on it. But that is far from a DD (daily driver) with combat boots on.

O, born and raised in Albuquerque. How about you?

[Lindyn11]

Congrats on the car! If you can read as much as you type, you'll be golden. Start here http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787 and read all of the stickies.

[White_ShadoWRX]

Originally Posted by SparkSilver10NM

I see, well I'd say you're wanting to do basically what I have done so far. I have a 2010 wrx with an SPT cat-back exhaust that i'm very pleased with. My warranty is gold to me so I haven't done any engine mods or anything like that. Once it's gone i'm goin straight to stage 2 (intake, turbo back exhaust, tune, etc.

Some things you can do.
Suspension parts, bushings, interior stuff, brakes, this sorta thing. Keep in mind these won't "void" your car warranty. However, if you put a BBK (big brake kit) on your car subaru won't warrranty it. if you put a bunch of kartboy endlinks and bushings on your car subaru won't warranty it. They do have upgrades from the dealership but some are worth it, some are not. This is where reading comes in....

My advice (this is just my opinion) would be enjoy it bone stock for a while. This will give you plenty of time to research, meet people, and get into the swing of things. I'd also recommend looking at your regional NASIOC forum for meet days, wrench days, repputable shops in your area etc.

Once you've gotten a good feel for the car and what it'll do, start making changes to suit YOU! plenty of people will tell you to go stage 3, ignore the warranty and put launch control on it. But that is far from a DD (daily driver) with combat boots on.

O, born and raised in Albuquerque. How about you?

Thanks for the advice. I'm making notes and will add those to the list. Every time I research something I end up with 20 more questions and 50 more terms I don't know. This may be a time consuming hobby...and I mean reading forums, not just working on my car. How you all have time to do both amazes me. I guess that goes back to writing shorter posts.

I'm from F-Town (Farmington, New Mexico). Virginia is a strange land to me.

[chet24]

Originally Posted by White_ShadoWRX

Thanks for the advice. I'm making notes and will add those to the list. Every time I research something I end up with 20 more questions and 50 more terms I don't know. This may be a time consuming hobby...and I mean reading forums, not just working on my car. How you all have time to do both amazes me. I guess that goes back to writing shorter posts.

I'm from F-Town (Farmington, New Mexico). Virginia is a strange land to me.

I have family in Durango, so I've spent some time in that neck of the woods.

But I think you made a good choice on the car. I have a DGM (dark gray metallic) 09 WRX, and I love it. I have no complaints on the paint color FYI. And the other guys have it about right. I think you drive it stock until you figure out what you want. You want it to be louder? Add an exhaust. Less body roll? Bigger sway bars. You mentioned coil overs, but I wouldn't even worry about those unless you are going to a track. I enjoy very spirited mountain road drives in Utah and the stock suspension is just fine. Not that I don't see room for improvement, but I'm content for now. Switch out springs for a little extra dampening and lowering. Drive it until you get bored/warranty coverage is gone, then find a Cobb accessport and go stage 1 for more power. Then later add a down pipe/turbo back and go stage 2.

Really, my point is that stock is still a blast. Right now, just do lots of reading. The whole manifesto is a good place to start, even of you've never heard of it, it will help you navigate and understand the forum.

[snowboarder2587]

Go with the SPT exhaust. I did on my 12 wrx and it sounds amazing. Also spring for the HIDs

[White_ShadoWRX]

Originally Posted by snowboarder2587

Go with the SPT exhaust. I did on my 12 wrx and it sounds amazing. Also spring for the HIDs

By spring, I assume you mean from the dealer? I haven't got to the point of researching HIDs aftermarket but I would assume there would be cheaper if not better out there?

I would worry about cutting wires and installation, cutting holes, patching...etc. I definitely want HIDs, again I think it adds more Umph to the car especially white.

I'll look into the SPT. If I do research and see I want to get SPT, I have some good connections with some good sales peeps who can get it to me at cost.

Thanks for the advice.

[SparkSilver10NM]

Alright isaac, I think you're off and runnin.... BTW if you have some specific questions about terminology or anything else either post or PM me, glad to help a fellow newb as much as I can!

[White_ShadoWRX]

Originally Posted by SparkSilver10NM

Alright isaac, I think you're off and runnin.... BTW if you have some specific questions about terminology or anything else either post or PM me, glad to help a fellow newb as much as I can!

Thanks! I greatly appreciate the assistance, you'll probably get plenty of random questions. I'll try to research before annoying the poo out of someone.

[SparkSilver10NM]

lol

[Navendra94]

Congrats! Hope you enjoy the car! Yea my dad died when I was 15... Kinda had a last moment with him. I look at my car as my last gift from him ( he never gave me anything as a kid so... meh ). I learned basic maintenance from him, so I'm set. He taught me how to manuever large cars in tiny spaces, but I always had a talent for driving since I was 10. I taught myself everything else I know about cars and driving. The guys here are nice, despite a few trolls / ethugs. You seem like a nice person and I hope your car lasts a lifetime with no major issues!

Edit : Read Unibomber's Manifesto. It's a sticky thread, it should help clear some things up.

[Ernest]

My only advice is to take it slow and do one mod at a time so you can feel and assess the difference the mod made. I have done this for the last 10 years and it really helps. Many guys just want to jump to Stage 3 and have problems or complain about lack of performance/issues because they do not really understand what they are doing to the car. They care more about a number and forget handling mods. I have enjoyed my car to the fullest and have never even been concerned about numbers - I have no idea when people ask, I just tell them its really fast and handles great.

[White_ShadoWRX]

Originally Posted by Ernest

My only advice is to take it slow and do one mod at a time so you can feel and assess the difference the mod made. I have done this for the last 10 years and it really helps. Many guys just want to jump to Stage 3 and have problems or complain about lack of performance/issues because they do not really understand what they are doing to the car. They care more about a number and forget handling mods. I have enjoyed my car to the fullest and have never even been concerned about numbers - I have no idea when people ask, I just tell them its really fast and handles great.

I think I would agree. It's great to have bragging rights and numbers but if you don't understand what helped or are just aiming to produce numbers and not fitting the car how you want it, it can be almost a waste. Especially with me not even knowing what mods do and the reason they produce the power they do. I've always been about looks more than power which is embarrassing to admit but again I knew nothing about mods.

Originally Posted by chet24

I have family in Durango, so I've spent some time in that neck of the woods.

But I think you made a good choice on the car. I have a DGM (dark gray metallic) 09 WRX, and I love it. I have no complaints on the paint color FYI. And the other guys have it about right. I think you drive it stock until you figure out what you want. You want it to be louder? Add an exhaust. Less body roll? Bigger sway bars. You mentioned coil overs, but I wouldn't even worry about those unless you are going to a track. I enjoy very spirited mountain road drives in Utah and the stock suspension is just fine. Not that I don't see room for improvement, but I'm content for now. Switch out springs for a little extra dampening and lowering. Drive it until you get bored/warranty coverage is gone, then find a Cobb accessport and go stage 1 for more power. Then later add a down pipe/turbo back and go stage 2.

Really, my point is that stock is still a blast. Right now, just do lots of reading. The whole manifesto is a good place to start, even of you've never heard of it, it will help you navigate and understand the forum.

I miss Durango! I miss dirt roads and country roads. I'm not a fan of the traffic, I have to push my way through traffic rather than just drive.

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to probably get a better sway bar. I can't have any roll or it annoys the heck out of me. I'm driving a 2012 BMW 135i right now and I love the stiff suspension and very little to no roll.

So far with the reading I've decided to definitely drive it for a year or without any mods and then:
- Sway Bar First
- Air Intake Second
- Catback Exhaust/Down Pipe Third

This will give me some time to do some exterior and cosmetic stuff i.e. STI wing, footwell illumination, grill, lights...etc.

After that it's hold off for awhile and decide which direction I want to go.

[ushio4210]

[/quote]
So far with the reading I've decided to definitely drive it for a year or without any mods and then:
- Sway Bar First
- Air Intake Second
- Catback Exhaust/Down Pipe Third

This will give me some time to do some exterior and cosmetic stuff i.e. STI wing, footwell illumination, grill, lights...etc.

After that it's hold off for awhile and decide which direction I want to go.[/quote]

You might want to move the air intake mods to a lower priority.
Check this one out.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477393

[White_ShadoWRX]

You might want to move the air intake mods to a lower priority.
Check this one out.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477393

You ruin everything!!! Alright so Sway bar, then exhaust...then...fly wheel?

[ushio4210]

Originally Posted by White_ShadoWRX

You ruin everything!!! Alright so Sway bar, then exhaust...then...fly wheel?

Here
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775679

Unabomber is the man!


This link should be pretty helpful. A lot of reading, a lot.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533787

[White_ShadoWRX]

Good morning!

So I'm picking up my 2013 Subaru WRX tomorrow! Just trying to get some last words of advice or wisdom.

2013 Subaru WRX Satin White Pearl 4-Door Sedan w/Short Throw, All Weather Floor Mats, SPT Boost Gage, and Vortex Generator
Below is the pricing I have:
MSRP: $27,470
Sale: $26,370
Processing fee: $199
______________________
Subtotal: $26,769.00

VA sales tax: $797.07
VA tag fees: $125.50
_______________________
Purchase price: $27,491.57

Everything look straight?

Some questions I have regarding the buying process:
Anyone deal with Annapolis Subaru before? Anything I should know?

Any Subaru extras I should get i.e. Tire Warranty, GAP Insurance, Undercoat? I tend to stay away from these and see no point to them other than a waste, although BMWs tire warranty has paid for itself and saved me an additional $485 dollars. I figured you all would know what to get and not to get.

Any parts I should look into while I'm there?

Anything I should ask the dealer to include that people have received in the past?

For the most part I know the buying process and know what is BS. Just making sure there isn't anything about Subaru I should know.


Thanks guys!

[M.HASSAN]

welcome bro !!! sure its a nice place to hang around

[White_ShadoWRX]

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY! 3:00pm at Annapolis Subaru