Dumped my old car for a spectacular loss, and picked up my first Subaru.

**ArmaNotSoLite** · 02-19-2012 04:12 PM

Hello everybody. I just recently dumped my piece of crap Dodge Nitro, affectionately (Just kidding! We hated that clam.) referred to in our household as the "Notro" or "Nacho", for a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX. My buddy owns a dealership up here in NH, so I went to him and got set up for a good price. After driving it for almost 600 miles, it is both awesome and frustrating by turn.

Stuff I like about it: Damn near everything.

Stuff that kinda pisses me off: The fact that my interior lights don't turn on when I open the door.

Ugly stock rims that look like they came off a Toyota Corolla.

Stuff that REALLY pisses me off: That stock stereo is pure crap. Crap. Unmitigated. It needs to go.

That stupid agreement that you have to "OK" before the NAV unit will let you do anything. It's irritating.

I'm really miffed that the NAV equipped WRX doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity. In 2008? C'mon.

Other than those issues, I really like it. And they aren't issues, just personal preferences. I really love this car, and after driving it, my Wife wants to replace her Jeep with a Subaru of some kind. If you guys have any solutions for the Stereo or NAV agreement, or how to make my interior lights come on when I open the door, I'd love some solutions. The Bluetooth thing is a $200 dealer option. Eff that noise.

ETA) Almost forgot a pic! Inexcusable!

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**T0rque** · 02-19-2012 04:19 PM

Welcome. My friend has a nitro.. He wants to set it on fire but doesn't want to go to jail for insurance fraud.

**ArmaNotSoLite** · 02-19-2012 04:33 PM

Honestly, that thing was the worst purchase of my life. The depreciation on it was epic. Did your friend have the, "Completely lose power on the highway" problem, yet? Say what you will about that dog, it was an adventure to own it.

**Alternet** · 02-19-2012 04:40 PM

Ah no side shot? I wanted to see what the rims looked like on that 08. Congratz on the purchase.

Unfortunately I have no idea on how to fix the issues your having.. I just like pictures of WRX's / STI's

**ArmaNotSoLite** · 02-19-2012 04:46 PM

I haven't taken any pics, really. I should go do it, but whenever I remember, it's dark outside.

**T0rque** · 02-19-2012 04:52 PM

08-10wheels are hideous. buy new

The nav.. Well dumb... Stereo.. Replace speakers..

Blue tooth? Not til 2011.

**Calvinball** · 02-19-2012 05:06 PM

Nav: do you have a phone capable of Nav? Use that instead!
Stereo/Bluetooth: you can get aftermarket head units for pretty cheaper that will fix both of these, sort of. Many aftermarket units now have Bluetooth capability, and for a while the extra wattage of an aftermarket unit may make your speakers sound better than they do stock. May (I'm new to these cars too, in fact don't even have mine yet so this is just from past experience, so I don't know the stereo's weak point yet). And even then, you'll want to replace the speakers eventually as they won't last that long with extra power going through them.

**ArmaNotSoLite** · 02-19-2012 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by T0rque

08-10wheels are hideous. buy new

The nav.. Well dumb... Stereo.. Replace speakers..

Blue tooth? Not til 2011.

Who has good deals on speakers?

**G8toWRXDave** · 02-19-2012 06:32 PM

even aftermarket headunits have the nag screen, atleast my alpine does. replacing the headuit will make the system sound better too, you may not need new speakers. get a headunit with bluetooth to take care of that issue.

**scoobaru03** · 02-19-2012 08:47 PM

The dome light in the middle of the cabin i would assume has 3 options on it on/off/door. Well at least my 03 does the 2 in the front don't turn on when the door opens but thats meh. never been inside of an 08 i would think most cars are manufactured like that put it on door for it to turn on when you open the door. congrats on the buy dude welcome to the club!