New. Just bought a JDM STI v4

**bluedog** · 12-19-2006 04:32 PM

Hi. I am a new member from Japan where I just bought an old sti... the MY98, v4 STi wagon. Since I have a family, this was the only true sports car I could go for. I don't know why they stopped making the STI wagon, because the old one I got is phenomenal. It's light and powerful, and has storage in the back. I quickly learned that everything in the car must be bolted down, as the first time I hit the juice I got hit in the face by my parking permit when it came flying off the dashboard! This did not happen in my old skyline.

My initial impressions:

Pros: OMG acceleration, I have driven an s2000 and it was not comparable at all. Handling, braking etc etc..., the STI exhaust sounds awesome. You guys know the pros already. Japan has 100octane at the pump

Right now, the temperature is a constant, dry 5C (close to freezing).

Cons: Japan may have 100octane but it is very expensive. I'm looking at about US$65 to fill the tank and then waste it in stop/start traffic. I drive 44kms of traffic jams every day. the STI clutch is very heavy, mine also tends to stick halfway on the return. The STI exhaust wakes the neighbours. When I left work and started the car I got a phone email from my friend in the building saying "is that some kind of truck you've got down there?". And I get boost up to 20psi, which is worrying.

It's entirely the wrong sort of car for the type of driving I do, but when a gap does open up... ah yes.

Quite a nice site you have here. I've been combing the net for as much info as I could get. I hope to ask some questions on these boards.

**Redline927** · 12-19-2006 05:31 PM

welcome...pics!

***Weasel 555*** · 12-19-2006 05:37 PM

welcome , and awesome STi v4

a classic GC8 impreza

**Jje121** · 12-19-2006 06:17 PM

pics!!!!

**neener** · 12-20-2006 12:23 AM

props on the STi WAGON!

+1 for pics though

**rr1911** · 12-20-2006 12:28 AM

Welcome to the club

**bluedog** · 12-20-2006 07:14 AM

Thanks a lot.

I'll get some pictures up when I get them off the camera. It's a wierd looking beast. I do like the older style headlights that it has. My wife couldn't stand it and couldn't understand why you would buy such a thing. She said it was the ugliest thing she'd ever seen and she wouldn't ride in it. Fortunately, the brutal acceleration convinced her that while it may not be her choice in looks, it does have some other uses.

I got my first mileage for a full tank today. 49.5L went 321km which works out at 15.25 US miles per gallon at $US4.40 per gallon. Ouch.

I found a few pictures that are not very clear. Here's one, and I'll take some others when I get a chance.