Category WRX

Boxer Engined Impreza WRX STi has come to an end

By in Blog, BRZ, Garage, Impreza, Subaru, WRX

Looks like the time has finally come to say goodbye to the ground shaking, petrol infused theatre that is the Impreza WRX STI.

It was inevitable that Subaru would have to make the switch to electric. They are launching their first full EV this year with the Solterra, along with Toyota and its bz4x

The new 2022 BRZ was never going to make it to UK shores and I understand the production has stopped for the new model so no more are going to be made. Fairly limited run globally then.

But I did think a new gen of brz could well be electric. So long as they can keep it lightweight and still have useful range. That’ll be a challenge for the engineers.

For now, due to this press release from Subaru, it looks like there may not be another WRX STI with their trademark boxer layout. Certainly not on the current platform. I’m sure it will return but it’s likely to be high-performance electric.

Can they still make it exciting to drive? A large part of what makes the Impreza good is its performance, road holding ability and what most people recognise is the sound. We’re gonna lose that 3rd one but the first two should remain. At least.

Subaru are still committed to Motorsport although we don’t hear about it much in the UK, and their latest STI concept is an electric track focussed car, so they have a plan.

#onwards

https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/1881/1/statement-subaru-sti

Shakedown to Cullen

By in Adventure, Blog, Garage, Impreza, Morayshire, Photography, Subaru, WRX

Took the Impreza out today for a short run along the Moray Coast to Cullen. Nice part of the world this!

Always wanted to go for a wander over the famous dis-used railway viaduct, So spur of the moment thing.

Also, first time in a while the scoob has been back on the road and gone further than just a couple miles… Been chasing few different fuel leaks in recent weeks (rhyming not intended). happy to report all is well!

Happy 20th Birthday Scooby!

By in Adventure, Blog, Garage, Impreza, Subaru, WRX

Happy 20th Birthday Scooby

Adopted you when you were just 5 years old, Been up and down the UK multiple times together. Round the north of Scotland even more times. And that was before it was known as the NC500!. Met some good friends along the way, and lost some… ?

Still one of the best drivers cars on the road. Absolutely bonkers with a great sense of theatre! It’s not just a drive, it’s an experience!

Yet it will quite happily cruise on the open road. Getting you form A to B without silly electronics getting in the way of the connection between the driver and the road.

Seems like you’ve been with me for two lifetimes already! Both had multiple operations to keep us going in the last 15 years and still, we fight on! Here’s to future adventures!

#forGillz …wish you were here x x
…. she loved that car, almost more than me! ?

Added New Content!

By in Blog, Garage, Impreza, Subaru, WRX

Just added a few new pages to the garage section of the website.

Still need to go through the text and perhaps make them a bit more reader friendly. They were extracted from some forum posts I made years ago about the wee Scooby projects I was working at that time.

Anyhoo some of the more fun / interesting ones:

Colour Coded Grille Badge
Interior Lighting Kit
Upgraded WRX to STi Dash with shift Light
Soundproofing
Parking sensors hidden in Rear Diffuser

The Weekend Office

By in Blog, Garage, WRX

Too much to do and so little time.. 

Brake lines on the focus now all replaced! Now just need to sort out the arches and part of the sills. 

Sound familiar? Yep, the same sort of repair that’s required on the Impreza. Although the Impreza a little worse under the skin 🙁

Petrol Fumes

By in Blog, Garage, Impreza, Subaru, WRX

You know, I’d love to get back to a point when owning a car is about keeping up to date with regular maintenance, maybe the odd improvement and be able to enjoy driving them rather than rebuilding. 🙁

The focus has got it’s MOT coming up and needs a fair bit of rust repair work on it (Similar to the WRX). Got the week off work so able to spend a wee bit of time on it, but doesn’t look like it’s going to be anywhere near enough time to get it sorted (probably didn’t help having to go into work to cover for myself being off [huh!] 🙁 )

The odd bush replacement here and there or brakes no problem but when it comes to rebuilding rotten panels (arches and rear sills) It may seem like fun for a while but takes a lot of time to clean up, find good metal, re-fabricate, weld, fill and paint.

Could source replacement arches/sills but the overall cost of the bits would be more than the value of the car, and would still have to weld them in place and paint so wouldn’t save that much hassle really.

For a classic/project car, sure it’s fun to chip away at it but not for the daily runabouts. Wheel bearing already replaced and rear brakes have been given a strip down and clean up. The front brake lines have seen better days and will need replacing, although I’ve yet to discover their windy path through the engine bay.

On the plus side if this the left to a garage to do the work it’d cost several times what the car is worth! And at least if it gets through the next MOT it may have some trade-in / re sale value rather than none.

Would be nice to be able to replace it with something newer with less corrosion but sadly not a feasible option at the moment. It’s still a great car to drive but years of moisture and salt having the inevitable affect on certain areas.

The WRX project is defiantly on the shelf. Couple other cars in the family also have MOT’s approaching and have priority. ;(

… Maybe next year… again.