Believe it or not, this forum may have a significant impact on people's life.
This is the story of a guy who knew absolutely nothing about cars and ended up importing 3 Foresters in his quest for the perfect XT...
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About 3 years ago, I knew absolutely nothing about cars, much less about Subarus, most of my friends were the intellectual/activist types riding recycled bikes, and you would have had to pay me to even consider fiddling with a car in a garage, or even doing an oil change.
In summary, I've never been a "car guy"... but that was before I started reading stuff on SF.org...
2006
I began shopping for a new car. Key criteria were decent driving during the Canadian winter, good fuel economy and sufficient cargo for our new baby's stuff.
Came across sf.org for the first time during my research.
I saw the posts on the XTs, and how much fun the XT owners seemed to have, but with a new baby and a new house there was no way I could shed an extra 5k on a car...
So I imported my first Forester X Premium from NY State saving more than 10k on the Canadian prices:
I loved this car, but the more I read stuff on sf.org the more I wanted to get an XT. Plus, I felt that it lacked power when trying to pass on the highway.
2007
Then came 2007, a second child on the way, and could not convince the girlfriend to spend 5k to get an XT.
But at this point, I had a plan: I saved a lot of money by importing my 06; If I could sell it at a profit, I could get and 07, resell the 07 in 08, and one day I would have I would have my XT.
Meet my 07 X premium, again, imported from NY State:
2008
The Canadian dollar goes down, along with my hopes of getting an XT.
:tissue:
The more I spent time on sf.org, the more obsessed I was with the XT.
I even went to a few local Subaru club meets.
At this point, my girlfriend is getting very sick of hearing me talk about the XT and Subarus.
Spring 2009
3rd child on the way, I've spent 2 days trying to fit 3 car seats in the Forester, searching on the web for smaller seats, and its just too tight.
I was beginning to feel that I would have to face every man's worst nightmare: I would have to buy a mini-van (we did not want a big SUV).
Summer 2009
Canadian dollar picks-up and flies up to .94 US $.
I'm shopping for a mini-van. :crazy:
I get a call from the guy who bought my 06: "You would not be selling your 07 by any chance?"
My gf can't hear me complain about the mini-van any longer and finally says the magic words:
"Alright, get your XT so that you can finally talk about something else and stop complaining about the mini-van."
:biggrin:
September 2009
I ask the impossible in a new thread in the Vehicles Wanted topic on sf.org:
A 08 XT sports with low mileage, silver, AND 5MT.
There must be 15 of those on earth...
2 weeks later, thanks to sf.org, I've got a deal on a fellow forum member's XT!!!
...and after 3 years, and a lot of headhaches (importing through a private sale revealed to be much more complex than through a dealership, but the seller was very understanding and helpful), I had a truck in front of my house three days ago with this on it:
Awesome progression man! glad to see you've joined us in the imported Turbo Sports community.
Out of curiosity though, why is it missing the STi lip? Or was that just part of the deal?
Just wait until the turbo isn't fast enough for you and you need a bigger turbo... :icon_wink:
Looking for an XT white, NON tan interior and a manual trans.
Then I found a NEW 08 XT Sports in alpine white.
I told Kathy who I figured would say - no way - you are slated to get laid off - what are you doing buying a new car?
Instead she said - would you just shut up already and BUY the durned thing.
Glad I married her
Sti lip was already sold by the previous owner. I got a RavSpec lip that I just installed tonight.
As far as your coment on the bigger turbo and mods...
No need to wait any longer: as I mentioned before, I`ve been waiting for 4 years...
:biggrin:
If you've read my first post, you'll know that I knew nothing about cars a couple of months ago.
But you know how this forum is...
I learned a thing or two, and I had a good idea of the mods I wanted, but for importation purposes, and given that I was buying it used through a private sale, I had asked the vehicle to be as stock as possible when I posted my requrest in the "vehicles wanted" section of the forum.
The seller replied:
"Hi,
I saw your WTB post and looks like I might have what you're looking for if you are still looking.
I have a few upgrades on the car but nothing crazy."
He lied.
Here is what I got my hands on:
Exterior:
2.5XT badge delete
Tint-35% Front, 15% Rear and Sunroof
STi hood scoop color matched
RainX front wipers
Enterior:
Auto-dim mirror w/compass
Fuji 5MT leather shift knob
Subaru all-season rubber floor mat set
Matching aluminum foot rest
Subaru Cargo mat, net
Belt chime off
Engine/Exhaust/Tune:
Cobb Accessport with a protune map by Dave @MSPT, as well as Cobb ots stage 1, 2, 3 maps
STi intercooler
Subtle hood splitter
STi turbo-VF43
STi catback
Helix catted downpipe
AP crank pulley
SPT turbo heatshield
Garage XTI hood struts.
Tranny/Diff:
Kartboy/Tic Supershifter kit
Kartboy chassis bushings
Amsoil syn oil
Suspension/Steering:
Swift Sport springs
Cobb front and rear 25mm sway bar kit
Kartboy front and rear aluminum endlinks
Whiteline rear link tab support
Whiteline steering bushings
Wheels/Tires/Brakes:
OEM 08 STI wheels
Falken Ziex ZE-912 tires
Centric front/rear rotors
Carbotech Bobcat front/rear pads
H6 rear rotor/caliper bracket/pad upgrade
Goodridge ss lines
Speedbleeders
Ate Blue brake fluid
Thanks Tussen - :icon_biggrin:
Yes, last thing I want to do is wreck it, it`s been so tough to get here...
Let me tell you, with 3 kids, you are even more committed than if you are married. ;-)
I also have the folllowing already installed, laying in my garage or on its way:
Yeah, sounds to me like you've got plenty of power mods there already.
Take it to the drag strip and see what she'll do. Those power figures could knock me off the "quickest Forester in Ontario" podium
Yes, plenty of power as is; not planning anything else in that department!
Bac5.2 - The architect of this perfect XT is fellow forum member Saabura. He did a superb job selecting and installing the mods, and the car was in absolute mint condition when I received it except for a rear bumper dent that I knew about.
I felt that the paint on my 07 was not in great shape after only 2 years, so I got the 3M clearbra as I intend to hopefully keep this one for at least 10 years.
The film is apparent if you are 2-3 feet near the car, otherwise you can't tell it's on.
Installed the Rally Armor mud flaps and the weathertech mats.
Front lip will be off in a few weeks.
Got the Brigdestone Blizzaks WS60 on the Rotas and I`ve got a new car:
I think the car looks more aggressive with the Rotas on.
I can`t wait to try the Blizzaks in the snow! They look like absolutely amazing winter tires.
I haven't made up my mind with respect to my preferrence on the rotas vs. the STI rims yet. I find the STIs look more "refined" while the Rotas look more aggressive. I think I like both! I get to run the Rotas 5 months a year anyhow, so I will get a bit of both.
The Blizzaks are great indeed; I'm sure you've enjoyed them elsewhere than in Hawaii though!
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