CovertRussian's 23 WRX Build Thread

[covertrussian]

After a couple year long hiatus, it's finally time for me to get back into the car world!  I've been looking for a VA WRX/STI for some time now, but their prices are simply insane (guess it shows how little people like the VB's)? I love the 2018+ WRX front ends, that's peak JDM design for me (reminds me of Skylines and Evo's), but I really didn't want the half-baked FA20, which requires a retune and rods just to be drivable, or another EJ and world's supply of engine oil to keep running.  Thus that left me with the VB's, which I've heard so many positive things about performance wise.

I was waiting for the VB refresh, hoping it would get less ugly, but seeing that 24+ now have Eyesight standard left me with only one choice, the 23.   I still wanted to wait a bit and get one used since VB's are depreciating much faster then any other WRX, but with massive discounts off MSRP and introduction of 1.9% APR, figured now is the best time to get one new for the price of a used one.  I also wanted a Limited, which are impossible to find, for creature comforts and power seats (driver only, though). Funny how my 2012 Outback Premium had a power seat and 05 LGT had dual power seats...

 

Driving Impressions

I was out of state for the Eclipse and finally found a dealer with a Limited on the lot, wasn't planning on getting one 400 miles away from home but I got close to $4k off MSRP, while ones at home were $2k off tops.  This also meant I had 8 hours of getting to know the car, on semi-freeways.  I wont lie the ride is way harsher then the 05 LGT or the Ascent, it got a bit old on the concrete highways plus constant  Pulse and Gliding, to avoid stationary RPMs, made me a bit remorseful, though the highway entry and exit ramps were a lot of fun though.

Towards the end of the night we finally hit the last leg of the trip, the super windy mountain rounds... Let me tell you this is by far the best Subaru/vehicle I've ever driven!!!  After years of modding and tuning cars, none of them come even close to this car's power delivery and handling, simply blows my mind. Subaru made a very special car that's simply unbeatable at this price range, and that's before all of the deals!  I got home with a giant smile on my face, something that I haven't experienced from a car in a LONG time!

 

Even with the STI being gone, this car feels like a top level sports car that I feel would compete with the Godzilla (I won't lie I will always want an R33/R34, and I was shopping for one, but since they are legal to import the prices are now insane). It's a shame the styling is so polarizing, which is leading to poor sales (almost 50% down from last year) and will ultimately lead to the demise of this wonderful car.  I hope the refresh will be amazing, like the 2018 refresh was for VA's, because I plan on pillaging those parts onto mine .

 

Of course right as I was leaving the dealer I saw to VA WRX's that look amazing:

 

As you can imagine this car won't stay stock forever, cosmetic only until warranty is out .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[covertrussian]

I think my biggest issues with looks is just this generation of Subaru's styling, it's just too Mazda for me.  I prefer the boxier styling and previous generation WRX and even 22 and older Ascent

 

In my opinion the VB WRX (and BRZ) has the best looking tailights

 

The side profile of this car is also very nice, the muscle rear quarter panels make this car stand out from regular sedans.  This was my biggest annoyance  with VA WRX's, they just look like regular sedans/Sentra from the side and back.

 

The front end, specifically the grill is my least favorite part of the car, fortunately an aftermarket Sport Grille or V1 grill is not expensive

 

If I do half/quarter car pictures it doesn't look so bad! These should be vertical but forum rotated them.

 

[covertrussian]

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[covertrussian]

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[BoozeRS05]

Nice pickup! I think the VB is a solid option, maybe not my favorite look, but I’d buy one of these before a VA.

Whenever I see one on the road it looks like a LGT at a glance to me. 

[Kojak]

Onboard to see where a purist can take this new platform. Congrats on getting back in the game. Already enjoying the feedback on drive experience. Subbed for awesomeness. 

[covertrussian]

7 hours ago, BoozeRS05 said:

Nice pickup! I think the VB is a solid option, maybe not my favorite look, but I’d buy one of these before a VA.

Whenever I see one on the road it looks like a LGT at a glance to me. 

A buddy of mine has a 2015 WRX, I'll need to drive it and compare to the VB... but I don't remember it being this good.  Best way I can describe the VB is, it's nimble like a go-cart but has room for the whole family.  And boy do I love that clutch, my LGT's clutch (at similar ~250whp power levels) was STIFF (I blame Exedy Stg1).

[Dre617]

I will also follow this thread and see where Covert takes it.

[SoobyDoobyDoo]

Good to see you back in the game, I’m curious as to what you’ll do with this as well. I’m not a fan of the front end…the black plastic with all that grill material is too much for me. Good to know it doesn’t look like much, but got it where it counts!