('08-'10) 08 2.5i

[rick92008]

Originally Posted by Bucky92

I like your rims..looks good..needs the windows tinted..It added so much to mine...Now I just need to find rims that I like that dont cost an arm and a leg

Thanks, and I agree with the window tinting, the factory 90%+ visible tint doesn't cut it. I'm trying to decide on the level of tint & if I want to add tint to the front drivers & passenger windows. I like to be able to see out my windows, so I might just go 50% visible grey on all the windows. I had limo tint on the rear & back door windows on my last car & I just couldn't see much out of them at night, but it looked hot.
-Rick

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[Rokuo]

yea im havin the same issue want to tint but dont know how dark...a guy i work with has about 35% all around on his vw...but it almost looks like it could go a tad darker...but I dont wanna get harassed by the cops...they tend to do so in my area, whip out the light meter and all for the front 2, usually could care less about the rest..20% seems to be borderline

but def changing to the subie sport mesh grill (one of the options from the factory)the stock one turns me off and tend to look at the back of the car more than the front as seen in most photos on this link

[Bucky92]

If you look at mine..I am running 20% Luminex Tint..on our light colored cars with the light interior we can go alittle darker ..visability is no issue at all..I was worried cause 90% of my driving is done at night..never a problem.. Plus the "lightness" of our cars doesnt attract the police ( I live in a area where 35% is legal on front windows ). My tint guy and me discussed options for at least a half an hour before deciding on this.



I want the sports grill too but its not in the budget yet. And I am so up in the air on rims..I like the Gold on the STis..but I love rick92008s ..I purposely got mine with the stock steelies and caps so I have my winter wheels Just have to find something for the rest of the year. Also thinking on smoking the tail lights ..just a little..I dont like them when they are red..so maybe a mild smoke will do ( I love them the way they are too)
I hated these cars when they were first released..Now..OMG I find the 5 doors so sexy!

[Andy920]

I've been waiting to hear from someone that the OEM guards really work! This whole paint issue is scaring the life outta me!

[dees421]

Don't buy the OEM mud flaps they are chit. If you've seen my pictures on the Rock chip thread those all happened with the OEM Flaps. This next winter I might make me some RA knock offs just to use in the winter.

But if you want some OEM ones I might sell mine for cheap.

[Retribution]

Originally Posted by Andy920

I've been waiting to hear from someone that the OEM guards really work! This whole paint issue is scaring the life outta me!

I have the OEM mud flaps, but I haven't checked my car for chips recently so I can't confirm. But having them since I got them installed, I haven't had any MAJOR issues like some people are having on the forum. I actually like them (I got them free with the car) because it matches with the color and it's not screaming for attention like the Rally Armor ones, even though those are kinda cool. (I dont like how it's thin and sticks out)

[rick92008]

Originally Posted by Bucky92

I want the sports grill too but its not in the budget yet.
Also thinking on smoking the tail lights ..just a little..I dont like them when they are red..so maybe a mild smoke will do ( I love them the way they are too)
I hated these cars when they were first released..Now..OMG I find the 5 doors so sexy!

The 5-door model does grow on you!
I was thinking about installing a black sport grill instead of white, because of the amount of black items on the US 2.5i models.
The tail lights/backup lights do need some attention. The headlights have nice black-out treatment done from the factory, but the tail lights & backup lights don't match the headlight treatment at all. And don't even get me started on that stupid looking chrome bar running between the backup lights.
-Rick

[Rokuo]

yes the chrome bar annoys the hell outta me, Subaru genuine parts makes a painted version...which is on my list of things to get....

[tastybrew]

Originally Posted by Rokuo

yes the chrome bar annoys the hell outta me, Subaru genuine parts makes a painted version...which is on my list of things to get....

Is there a way to remove the bar all together?

[Zordos]

I was lookin at the exhaust yesterday and I noticed it goes from a 2.5-3" midpipe to a 2.25-2.5" pipe after the resonator. this to help with back pressure or something? or am i just seein crap?
08 2.5i 5dr

[bhamwrxman]

Just bought a 2008 2.5i 5-door 5 speed spark silver.

Premium Package
Subwoofer
Siruis
Cargo Tray
Hood Protector(bug catcher)
Sport Grill
Splash Guards
Armrest Ext.
Ipod Interface
Security Upgrade
Wheel Locks

Will try to post pics sometime in the future. Nice addition to my 2003 bugeye wrb wrx.
Now I can drive to work in the grocery getter and spank tails at the autocrosses and rallycross with the wrx.

[Slightlychilled]

I would have sold you my splash guards

[p2adan]

When I was on the lot I couldn't help the feeling that the 4-doors looked like Hyundai's or Kia's, lol

5-door is the shiz!

I was thinking that because the 5-speed needs such attention to shifting to get the best gas mileage, that the auto version might be a better way to save gas since they have the same MPG rating. I notice such a variable change from day to day on my MPG display, granted I'm still under 1000 miles and breaking the engine in. But I had 3 passengers in the car and it was down to like 16MPG, with 1 passenger I get about 21MPG in city and 25 on highway. Does this seem low to anyone else?

[rick92008]

Originally Posted by p2adan

When I was on the lot I couldn't help the feeling that the 4-doors looked like Hyundai's or Kia's, lol

5-door is the shiz!

I was thinking that because the 5-speed needs such attention to shifting to get the best gas mileage, that the auto version might be a better way to save gas since they have the same MPG rating. I notice such a variable change from day to day on my MPG display, granted I'm still under 1000 miles and breaking the engine in. But I had 3 passengers in the car and it was down to like 16MPG, with 1 passenger I get about 21MPG in city and 25 on highway. Does this seem low to anyone else?

I have an 08 2.5i 5-door 5-speed & I'm averaging just under 23 mpg, which for the most part is around town. I have to make a real effort to keep the shift point under 3,000 rpm to get over 23 mpg. If I drive the way I like & shift at 4,000 RPM, it can drop to under 20 mpg really quickly.
I swear when I bought this car it just did not feel sporty enough for a manual shift, the car seemed like it would be more natural with an auto trans.

-Rick

[Bucky92]

I dont know what you guys are doing wrong..I get an average of 27 mpg outta my 5 spd with mixed driving..and 30-32 highway..but I am pretty well broken in with 12K miles

[2008OBS]

I get an average of 27 mpg outta my 5 spd with mixed driving..and 30-32 highway..but I am pretty well broken in with 12K miles

I get the same with 2.5k. Yesterday I was driving rather agressively on rural roads for ~15 miles and got it down to 22mpg. There's pretty much nothing i can do other than sit in traffic to make it get less.

[p2adan]

Originally Posted by rick92008

I have an 08 2.5i 5-door 5-speed & I'm averaging just under 23 mpg, which for the most part is around town. I have to make a real effort to keep the shift point under 3,000 rpm to get over 23 mpg. If I drive the way I like & shift at 4,000 RPM, it can drop to under 20 mpg really quickly.
I swear when I bought this car it just did not feel sporty enough for a manual shift, the car seemed like it would be more natural with an auto trans.

I feel it is sportier then most cars in its class, but you are right when you say, it may be better suited as an automatic.

How many miles on yours? Still under 1000 here, but 16-18 mpg with a full car of passengers, are you kidding me?.. I don't want to know what happens when I go on a road trip with 3 people and a car full of stuff. Getting below 20mpg is the turning point for me, makes things less affordable in the long run as prices of gas/rent/everything increase while wages are pretty much frozen.

I have been driving like a grandma the past few days shifting at 1500-3000rpm, light on the gad pedal, no A/C, etc.. Still no noticeable improvement. I want to shift at the 3500-4500rpm range too but the car needs to be in 5th going 30-65mph with giving almost no gas to get up past 25mpg for me. I am really going to be dissapointed if this doesn't get much better as I had hoped I could drive a little more aggresively coming from a luggish avalon automatic. I see some of you like Bucky (not all) seein 25-32mpg averages. I need that!

[nobletea]

also getting 27 average in all driving. at 12k miles.

went on a 600 mile roundtrip over the winter, with ac/defrost on most of the time, 2 total passengers and the hatch and backseat loaded with luggage and still got 28.4 highway the whole way.

[Perp]

For me, I got better mileage not babying the car. 90% of my driving is city with traffic. I did one tank of slight pressure on gas and shifting no higher than 3k. I calculated my mileage and got the worse mileage since owning the car. I believe I was around 16mpg

On the next tank, I gassed a bit harder, and shifted at 3500-5k and got ~22MPG.

Same city driving (commute to work/errands) with no hwy at all in either tank. Highway mileage, the best I've got was 31mpg (which still had some city driving)

I calculate all my mileage, not going by the dash (which is always optimistic)

[hotweiss]

Originally Posted by bhamwrxman

Just bought a 2008 2.5i 5-door 5 speed spark silver.

Premium Package
Subwoofer
Siruis
Cargo Tray
Hood Protector(bug catcher)
Sport Grill
Splash Guards
Armrest Ext.
Ipod Interface
Security Upgrade
Wheel Locks

Will try to post pics sometime in the future. Nice addition to my 2003 bugeye wrb wrx.
Now I can drive to work in the grocery getter and spank tails at the autocrosses and rallycross with the wrx.

How do you like that subwoofer? I'm also thinking of getting it...

[hotweiss]

Originally Posted by p2adan

I feel it is sportier then most cars in its class, but you are right when you say, it may be better suited as an automatic.

How many miles on yours? Still under 1000 here, but 16-18 mpg with a full car of passengers, are you kidding me?.. I don't want to know what happens when I go on a road trip with 3 people and a car full of stuff. Getting below 20mpg is the turning point for me, makes things less affordable in the long run as prices of gas/rent/everything increase while wages are pretty much frozen.

I have been driving like a grandma the past few days shifting at 1500-3000rpm, light on the gad pedal, no A/C, etc.. Still no noticeable improvement. I want to shift at the 3500-4500rpm range too but the car needs to be in 5th going 30-65mph with giving almost no gas to get up past 25mpg for me. I am really going to be dissapointed if this doesn't get much better as I had hoped I could drive a little more aggresively coming from a luggish avalon automatic. I see some of you like Bucky (not all) seein 25-32mpg averages. I need that!

I average 27 mpg with city driving... I have a 5 speed...

[bhamwrxman]

Originally Posted by hotweiss

How do you like that subwoofer? I'm also thinking of getting it...

It's about what I expected. Much better than my 2003 wrx stereo.
The SRS function is nice and makes it sound better. Turn it on from the factory since for some reason they turn it off. It's not going to thump by any means but it does add a nice bass tone to the sound.

To sum up, if you want to keep the stereo stock for resale value then get it. If you are serious with your music you can get better equipment for the same price for just a little more. Buy subs before you buy the dubs.

[hotweiss]

Originally Posted by bhamwrxman

It's about what I expected. Much better than my 2003 wrx stereo.
The SRS function is nice and makes it sound better. Turn it on from the factory since for some reason they turn it off. It's not going to thump by any means but it does add a nice bass tone to the sound.

To sum up, if you want to keep the stereo stock for resale value then get it. If you are serious with your music you can get better equipment for the same price for just a little more. Buy subs before you buy the dubs.

I'll pick up the sub when I get my tax return, thanks.

[nobletea]

Originally Posted by hotweiss

I'll pick up the sub when I get my tax return, thanks.

And your nation thanks you.

[dees421]

Head up for you guys with XM. Hate the visible nipple on the windshield above the passenger, when I had my windshield replaced, I had them move it to the black part of the windshield, next to the review mirror. There was plenty of cable there to move it.