Owner Review: 1990's JDM Cars Inspire Me to Move Forward - My Subaru WRX STI V10 Sedan 2012

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Instagram: @edwinskchang

Basic information about my car

Subaru WRX STI V10 Sedan 2012

Reasons why I bought this car

It has always been my dream to buy a STI since I was a kid. My dad owned and operated a workshop so cars had always been in my blood especially 90's JDM cars. The reason for me to work hard and climb the corporate ladder, the biggest motivation for me to hustle, even when depression hits me hard, this dream is the reason for me to continue  fighting.

Car Selection Process

• I had a budget of 150k

• Model(s) that I have considered include: Version 9 or Version 11

Reasons why I chose this car:

I choose this car in the end because with its stock look, it has that natural wide fender and look buffer compare to both great mileage and still got new car smell.

User Experience

• I have already done 5,000 km

Since the purchase, my thoughts about the car are:

A very fun car, power on tap because it's a manual. Love the iconic rumble. A lot of power potential but need to be poured a lot of money and soul into the build.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great sturdy car, rally bred. fun to drive

• Can be petrol savvy at Intelligent mode (440km/tank) or fuel guzzling at sport sharp mode (240km/tank) 

• Great handling from the AWD system

• Good stopping power 4-pot brake

• Big front Scoop and big wings

• The iconic boxer engine and rumble

Cons

Subaru invest too much in tech and left out the interior part. The car dash and all feel cheap with all the plastic. I feel they can do better. Engine can be sensitive and maintenance is quite on the expensive side.

Ratings

• Total Score: 5

• Performance: 5

• Quality & Features: 5

• Space: 4

• Ride Comfort: 4

• Fuel Economy: 3

• Price & Cost: 5

Summary

1 day before MCO, I picked up this car and it has been a teary event, because how long had I dream to be driving in this car. Due to unforeseen circumstance and workshop all closed, my engine decide to give up on me. So I did a rebuild on it with forged internals and racing bearing, went for an engine break-in and start my stage 1 modification which is cold air intake and exhaust system. Car for non-petrol head is a mode of transport from destination A to destination B, but for me a car is a sense of freedom, the way you dress and modify your car reflect your personality and characteristic. 

• Wiseco forged piston

• Manley forged rod

• ACL race bearing

• Supercircuit Full exhaust system

• HKS blow off valve

• Perrin Cold air intake

Engine bored and balanced.

• Gulf Engine oil 10-60

• Tuned by Snailztuned 

My next focus is cosmetic.

Interesting events that happened to my car

The engine gave up on me so I was thinking of overhauling or rebuilding it. The feeling was devastating. Since I have a target horsepower I am building towards, I decide to go rebuilding it with forged internals. I could say after all the modification done, I still have a long way to go before I reach my goal. Caring and tuning is very important and I want to give a shout out Snailz garage for taking care of the car and Snailztuned for tuning it.

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