I decided it was about time to start throwing in some of my updates, modifications, and DIY projects, so here is a little story that I wrote up a couple of months ago.
Obligatory List of Modifications
Exterior
Lamin-X yellow fog light covers
Rexpeed Hood Dampers
FT86Club sticker for extra hp
*Much more planned*
Interior
Custom Aluminum Shift Knob
*A few more plans*
Exhaust
Open Flash Headers
Zeta Performance Carbon Tip Catback
Engine
Open Flash Tune
Apexi Panel Filter
Carbon Fiber inlet tube
*several more plans*
Suspension/Wheels
Enkei RPF1 17x8 +45 Gloss Gunmetal / Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 245/40r17
Stock wheels / Bridegestone Blizzak WS80 205/50r17
*more suspension planned*
I have always been fascinated with racing and cars. My background is mechanical and automotive engineering, plus a few years designing, building, and racing with the formula SAE team at my school.
My last car was a handed down MINI Cooper S.
This one was the twin screw supercharged model, with a charger whine louder than the exhaust note. It was an amazingly fun little car.
For about a year and a half, I had been endlessly researching a new daily driver. Towards the end of this process, I was almost certain that I would be sliding my butt into a 2011 WRX hatchback every morning. This excited me! I had found the dream car in my budget; AWD grip and turbo power! I had finally found the one: low miles, no mods, and a beautiful pearl white that I was in love with. Summer on 2014 I went to the local scion dealer and test drove a RS1.0 FRS in automatic and liked the feel of the car, but the dealer did not have a manual for me to look at. Even though he desperately tried to get me to leave with the auto RS1.0, I was holding out for a manual.
Then, early in 2015 I drove a manual 2013 BRZ Limited with 20k miles, and went back to pick it up the next day, then joined the forum when I got home! No more guest lurking for me.
My friends thought I was nuts for buying a light rwd car in central PA. How are you getting around in the snow? What about hauling more than yourself and a suitcase? Isn’t it as slow as molasses on dry ice in a freezer on Mt Everest in January? No! They all were wrong, because they were missing the point: The Drive. You all know this, right? I’m surely preaching to the choir.
Honestly it was no less practical or any less powerful than my previous cars, all coupes with barely more space than the twins, plus I’m a tiny guy, and this car fit me like a bright blue Japanese glove.
As of this post, I am about a week away from returning from my rotations, and getting to drive my car again. Hotels and rental cars wear on you when its been almost 6 months, and I can't wait to get back to her.