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Old 01-25-2021, 02:03 AM   #1
Fishie31
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern CA
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2020 WRX STI
WR Blue

Default Moving to MA - need a few tips

So I am probably going to move to the Boston, MA area in the next few years from SoCal and want to know what I need to change up regarding my car.

Here are a few things I thought about so please feel free to chime in. I have a 2020 STI as a daily driver.

1. Snow tires for the winter. Not a problem where I am from, but I need them in MA for the winter. Get a set of 18 wheels for cheaper tires?
2. Car cover - most likely I will not have covered parking
3. Use 5W-30 oil for the winter?
4. Some sort of undercarriage treatment for the winter because of the salt?
5. I already have ppf for the front end of the car. Should I do the whole car considering #4? The salt stains I've seen on cars from the times I spent there look quite nasty.
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Old 01-25-2021, 09:23 AM   #2
Scottish881
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Tip #1 - don't... Mass IMHO isn't too much better than Cali, though our inspections aren't as strick..

Tip #2 - buy steelies for snows. Potholes, bridge abutments, the occasional curb, just more durable. Get legit snows, don't get cheap tires. Even cheap snows are better..

Tip #3 - undercoating is a good thing. But the car is a 20' you have plenty of time, especially if it's gonna be sitting more.
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Old 01-25-2021, 11:59 AM   #3
Fishie31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottish881 View Post
Tip #1 - don't... Mass IMHO isn't too much better than Cali, though our inspections aren't as strick..

Tip #2 - buy steelies for snows. Potholes, bridge abutments, the occasional curb, just more durable. Get legit snows, don't get cheap tires. Even cheap snows are better..

Tip #3 - undercoating is a good thing. But the car is a 20' you have plenty of time, especially if it's gonna be sitting more.
Thanks!

#1. No choice in that matter LOL
#2. You're right. The road conditions are nastier than where I currently am. Yes, I am spoiled with nicer roads
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Old 01-25-2021, 12:42 PM   #4
Aphex28
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1999 10AE Miata

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Meh on steelies. I haven't ever run steelies and haven't bent any of my winter wheels running various 40, 45 ratio tires. I just hate the look of steelies and prefer to just run either stock wheels or budget wheels in winter (Rota, XXR, lower end Enkei or something like that)

Don't worry about oil choice, although I most usually run 5w40 or 0w40 depending on what particular oil it is. But this is something that can be debated unto no end.

Car covers are annoying to use unless you're parking the car for a long time. It kind of just invites people to mess with your car if you're parking on the street.

Just run your car through a touchless car wash with an undercarriage spray every few weeks and it will be fine for the North East. There really isn't anything you can do to avoid it aside from not driving your car in the winter but I daily drove my 2000 RS up here for 13 years and sold it with a really minimal amount of rust.
The worst thing to do is parking it outside and letting it sit without washing it IMO.
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Old 01-25-2021, 05:14 PM   #5
Fishie31
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aphex28 View Post
Meh on steelies. I haven't ever run steelies and haven't bent any of my winter wheels running various 40, 45 ratio tires. I just hate the look of steelies and prefer to just run either stock wheels or budget wheels in winter (Rota, XXR, lower end Enkei or something like that)

Don't worry about oil choice, although I most usually run 5w40 or 0w40 depending on what particular oil it is. But this is something that can be debated unto no end.

Car covers are annoying to use unless you're parking the car for a long time. It kind of just invites people to mess with your car if you're parking on the street.

Just run your car through a touchless car wash with an undercarriage spray every few weeks and it will be fine for the North East. There really isn't anything you can do to avoid it aside from not driving your car in the winter but I daily drove my 2000 RS up here for 13 years and sold it with a really minimal amount of rust.
The worst thing to do is parking it outside and letting it sit without washing it IMO.
LOL -- I was thinking about getting a set of Rota 18 and bump up the tires to 40 or 45 to absorb some of the potholes.

Thanks for the tips on the carwashes. I was just thinking car cover so I don't have to brush the snow off my car and scratch it with those ice scrapers.
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Old 01-25-2021, 05:54 PM   #6
md00150028
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1. Get 18's for cheaper tires and for having the benefits of a larger sidewall in snow. My preference is always to find someone who is selling a set of OEM wheels that they are selling because they have replaced the OEM wheels with some tasteless, overweight aftermarket wheels. (I maybe got a little off topic on this one).
2. I've never used a car cover, but I would highly suggest investing in something like a Sno-Rake (Shuttsco) or a Snow-Brum. The former is super high quality, and it will change your life when clearing a car.
3. Use what the manual recommends. Just make sure you aren't using Joe Schmoe's Sand-Infused Discount Motor Oil
4. If you want to go HAM, sure. I'd suggest a buying a power washer and an undercarriage attachment to spray it off from time to time. If you want to be really anal, pick up a salt neutralizer (like Salt Away) and use it to rinse off the body of the car. Or take it to the touchless car wash.
5. If you properly apply a ceramic coating on it (even a "cheap" one like Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions...huge fan), the salt will generally hose off, and you wont' have a huge problem. Salt Away if you are fearful of the salt scratching the car while coming off.
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Old 01-26-2021, 02:55 PM   #7
Jack
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Here's my story on snow tires. My son ordered a 2020 STi. We went to pick it up. In the back of the Crosstrek was a set of 19" snows. We had Planet Subaru swap them before even leaving the dealership. You really don't want to be caught out there and have a surprise snow storm put you and your summer tires on the sidelines, unable to move.

With 18's, yes, if you can find them that fit, with higher sidewalls, you're far better off for potholes and such in the winter. With the 6 piston front calipers, I don't know how easy it's going to be to know something used is going to fit. I guess if you find something, bring your car and a jack and pull a front wheel and see if it fits without hitting.

I would not put a car cover on a car outside. We do get big temperature changes that can make the cold car body "sweat". If a cover is on and the sweat is then frozen with a drop to sub zero temperatures, you're going to be pulling pieces of the cover off with a razor blade just to see out the windshield. Just let it get snowed on and scrape the windshield.
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Old 01-27-2021, 02:41 AM   #8
Fishie31
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Oh cool. I didn't think about the cold sweat so no need for a car cover unless I don't drive it for a while.

Very nice on the recommendation on the snow brushes and/or rake. I cringed when I was cleaning my fiance's car while I was there thinking "This might mess up my clear coat..." LOL

Wheel wise I was planning to get 18's to save money on tires prior to knowing I am moving to MA so I will definitely get something that fits correctly.

Thanks again for the really useful tips.
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Old 01-27-2021, 07:24 AM   #9
SmokinBones
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I've been using one of these for years. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RKR7QFS..._MSveGbRYYT1PF
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Old 01-27-2021, 02:14 PM   #10
Aphex28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pickleSlapOG View Post
I've been using one of these for years. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RKR7QFS..._MSveGbRYYT1PF
Yeah those are fantastic when you don't have a garage. Also getting some Husky/Weathertech floor liners is something I do for all my cars here for the winter. Much better coverage than OEM style all weather mats.

Other things to think about are keep some shoes you're comfortable driving with in the car(Unless you want to drive with your winter boots on). Make sure to use windshield washer fluid that won't freeze also
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Old 03-09-2021, 12:19 PM   #11
Fishie31
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2020 WRX STI
WR Blue

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aphex28 View Post
Yeah those are fantastic when you don't have a garage. Also getting some Husky/Weathertech floor liners is something I do for all my cars here for the winter. Much better coverage than OEM style all weather mats.

Other things to think about are keep some shoes you're comfortable driving with in the car(Unless you want to drive with your winter boots on). Make sure to use windshield washer fluid that won't freeze also
I have Weathertech liners already. One of the first things I get for all my cars because I used to go camping a lot. I drove around in my waterproof hiking boots while I was there (I don't own winter boots yet hahaha) and thought that was fine. Washer fluid wise I know which to get so I am good with that too. Thank you, though, because it was probably one of those things people in similar situations to me would not think about.

Oh, forgot to ask....what kind of taxes and fees am I looking at in MA? I pay about $300 per year for my 2013 and $650 for the STI when I first bought it (I'd imagine that it would be about the same this year). Apparently, there's an excise tax you pay to the city? I am so confused hahaha
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Old 03-09-2021, 05:48 PM   #12
Jack
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Exise tax drops very quickly by year. It's 2.5% of the value determined by the state.

https://www.mass.gov/guides/motor-vehicle-excise

It doesn't matter what kind of car. They go by initial value, then a percentage drop every year. Registration is renewed every 2 years for $60. Inspection is annually for $35. You will get a bill in the mail. Title costs $75 and is one time.

When I lived in Virginia, I paid a personal property tax which was nearly identical to Mass exise.
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Old 03-25-2021, 02:26 AM   #13
Fishie31
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WR Blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack View Post
Exise tax drops very quickly by year. It's 2.5% of the value determined by the state.

https://www.mass.gov/guides/motor-vehicle-excise

It doesn't matter what kind of car. They go by initial value, then a percentage drop every year. Registration is renewed every 2 years for $60. Inspection is annually for $35. You will get a bill in the mail. Title costs $75 and is one time.

When I lived in Virginia, I paid a personal property tax which was nearly identical to Mass exise.
Calculated my fees and it looks like my first year there will not be too much different, but from then on it would be lower than what I would pay in CA LOL
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Old 03-25-2021, 08:42 AM   #14
Dench
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I've had a lot of subies over the years. A WRX and a STi included.

the all seasons on the WRX do suck in snow, afterall, they are catch all tires. Worn all seasons are flat out bad to dangerous in a lot of snow conditions.

the stock tires on STi's, last time I checked, are basically suicide devices for your car. My 2007 STi got caught in one minor, very early snow storm in ~OCT/NOV and it was comically hard to control at any speed. Flat out dangerous.

With that said and done, I've used both studded and non studded snow tires in New England over the past 15 or so years. The studded tires are the winners for pure traction, especially on ice, however, the are loud as **** and the SUV versions are frankly annoying (they are embarrassingly loud, it sounds like all 4 tires on your car are flat when the temperature is above 40º).

I am moving so I am selling my current set of snow tires, which are studden Nordman 7's for my soccer mom Impreza. Amazing tires for the winter.

As for rims, always where possible buy a dedicated set of rims. If you are out and about like I was during the winter you will ding up the rims on potholes, hard objects, etc. And keeping nice rims nice is already hard enough, driving around like an animal in the winter isnt going to keep them nice and ding free.

As for the salt, yes it's a problem and theres a reason why there arent many old subarus in new england anymore - they are all rotted out. I purchased a right hand drive Subaru Sambar (a kei truck) and had it imported here a few years ago. Since it was already old, I wanted to make sure I kept salt off it since I knew it would start to destroy it. I bought a undercarriage pressure washer attachment to get under it after I put it away. This kept most of the evil off the truck.
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Old 05-20-2021, 05:48 PM   #15
tt6
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Did you move here yet? I've lived in New England for 20+ years, just sold my 2017 WRX, so here are my thoughts:

1-YES, snow tires make a big difference. Look for oem's for sale or just get a cheap set of enkei's from tirerack. I have a set with Michelin X-ice (for sale too!), car was a tank in the snow.

2-Car covers is a tough one, do you have a storage garage? I don't think it's worth the hassle. If you car is not clean, like freshly cleaned, you risk surface scratches with the cover. I have a california car cover for my garage queen and it's great, but I only put it on after a fresh washing.

3-YES, 5w-30 is fine, don't overthink this and try to outsmart the subaru engineers.

4-I've never had any of my cars undercarriage coated. Rinse the undercarriage off with a garden sprinkler after winter.

5-I've never noticed salt stains on cars that were permanent and didn't wash off since living up here.

Good luck!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishie31 View Post
So I am probably going to move to the Boston, MA area in the next few years from SoCal and want to know what I need to change up regarding my car.

Here are a few things I thought about so please feel free to chime in. I have a 2020 STI as a daily driver.

1. Snow tires for the winter. Not a problem where I am from, but I need them in MA for the winter. Get a set of 18 wheels for cheaper tires?
2. Car cover - most likely I will not have covered parking
3. Use 5W-30 oil for the winter?
4. Some sort of undercarriage treatment for the winter because of the salt?
5. I already have ppf for the front end of the car. Should I do the whole car considering #4? The salt stains I've seen on cars from the times I spent there look quite nasty.
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