Not That Easy

Following my last post, this is the continuation of my viewing of the Subaru Impreza WRX STI. The salesperson came back with the key and unlocked the car. I was nervous but excited to finally able to sit inside an STI after looking at tons of photos online. I opened the door and admire the frameless doors, usually only available on 2 door coupes. The first thing is to try on was the seats. It was weird to me that a sports car like the STI did not come with Recaro seats and instead have seats that look too fat and sits too high. When I sat on the driver seat, I was surprised the seats provide good side support. I started messing with the gear shifter, testing how hard the clutch feels, sizing the steering wheel and look around at the basic interior design of the STI. The clutch was hard but it was expected from a car that has an output of at least 280 bhp. It is common for enthusiast to change stock clutches to a more sporty twin-plate clutches that could handle more power. Overall, the interior is very clean and only has a Turbo Timer installed. I would have hoped for a 2 din touch screen and some Defi meters. I also had to find evidence that this is a Version 9 and not a converted unit. I learned that the DCCD adjustment switches are different for each different model. So, I took a photo of it for comparison.

I put the key into ignition and start up the engine. Just as it was starting, I heard a hissing sound and I did not like that. I went over and open up the hood to take a look at the engine bay. The first thing I noticed is the add-on oil catch tank, blow off valve and cold air intake which goes into the fender. Since I do not know much about boxer engines, I did not know what to look for. I only saw the shape of the fuse box, which tells me that this is definitely a Version 9 model. I took a look at the chassis code and year manufactured and it all checks out. I am definitely convinced it is a Version 9. I began talking to the salesperson, mainly on the bank loan because it is a fairly old car and is a sports car. I was told I need a large sum for the downpayment and the amount that can be loaned is very low. This is really some bad news for me. While I was talking to the salesperson, I noticed something off about the engine. It was idling all the way but it would stop for half a minute and continue running. I am not sure whether that is normal but it sure seems like a bad sign. I went back into the inside and step on the throttle to hear the exhaust note and I was not disappointed. I love the low bass grumble but could not hear the blow-off valve. I turned off the engine and let the Turbo Timer do its job, gave the key back to the salesperson and left. 

What do I think about this particular unit ? From what I noticed, I could definitely confirm that this is a real, Version 9 and has all the features from the exterior to the interior to the engine bay. However, the salesperson insisted that this is a Version 8 converted into Version 9. Usually, owners only convert the exterior but this is too much. I like to modify cars but it seems this has been overdone and I get the feeling the engine internals have been modified but I cannot be sure. I give thumbs up for the excellent paint and the clean interior but the engine bay modification and engine idling issue turns me off. The financial side is really not to my advantage and that is the main issue. If I have a big sum for downpayment, I would not need to wait for a sports car to be so old and cheap to consider buying one. It is really not easy to purchase a used sports car, especially with my limited savings. 

In the Flesh

Previously, I posted here I am looking to experience a Turbo car and I am really interested in the Subaru Impreza WRX STI? If not, you could read that story here. Having said that, it only made sense that I started researching STIs and search the market for a nice unit for sales. Around 1 month ago, I found this particular unit that and I was deeply interested in. It has an uncommon brownish-grey color that is the same color as my previous Celica. All the other STIs usually are blue or white and I love this color very much. There was some confusion when I first saw the online ad for this unit. It has the exterior, interior and even the engine bay of a 2005, Version 9 but the title of the ad is Version 8 for sale. I had to take a look to clear my confusion and so, I went down to the used car dealer. I was excited while driving to the car dealer because it would be the first time I come close to touching an STI in the flesh and thinking this could be the one for me. 

When I first saw the STI, I thought the color looked way better than in the photos and I really love it. I was soon checking out the condition of the nice rim and was surprised it is only 17 inches. I also took a peek at what suspension it is on and saw it was sporting an Ohlins suspension kit. The car registration number was a cool feature because it is WRC 204. This might not register with the average person but for us Subaru Impreza fans, it means a lot. The WRC stands for World Rally Championship, a rally race that made the Impreza so famous. Furthermore, the number 204 represents Version 9's limited edition model, the S204. The previous owner was definitely a fanboy. Then, the salesperson walk over to me and asked me would I like to unlock and start the car up. My 5-year-old self was jumping up and down excitedly inside while trying to hide it all up and gave a mere "yes" as my reply. Stay tuned for my next entry on the rest of the viewing. 

Photos above are taken by me while the bottom ones are from the online ad.

New Discoveries Part 2

The other car that caught my eye while I was in China was the Honda Spirior. Actually, I did not saw this car in the flesh but instead somewhere else. I remembered I was at the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, going through a scan and I saw TV commercial on the wall of the Spirior which I saw a couple of times. I did not know whether it was the commercial or the car itself that actually caught my attention. I went to look up the Spirior online as soon as I could because I was dying to learn more.

In design, it has the silhouette of a Honda Accord and with a bit of research, I found out that it is built with the same platform and size of an Accord. However, in China there is already an Accord. So, it is best to see this car not as another Accord but a completely different model. Especially when this Spirior does not have the same business or luxury feel that normally an Accord comes with. Instead it has a very sporty outlook coupled with a sporty interior. It has been a while since Honda has a sports sedan for the mature driver. The last one that I could think of is the CL7 Honda Accord Euro R with the powerful K20A engine coupled with a 6 speed manual gearbox. I do not think that China is ready for something that hardcore but it is a good start to bring back mature sporty cars. It also looks futuristic with that headlamp design that uses LED lights fully instead of the usual halogen or  bi-xenon lamps. This makes it something new and cool and really brings something different to the industry.

On the rear it looks great with the uncommon rear bumper design but I am not a fan of the exhaust design. For me, sporty exhaust have to be either quad-pipes or twin round pipes. The ones on the Spirior belong to the luxury category and seem out of place. At least the rim design did not disappoint me because many cars have this flaw. Overall, it definitely would be a great car to have and made me look at my Mazda 6 and have second thoughts. Would love to have it here in Malaysia.

New Discoveries Part 1

I was in China to visit an exhibition and a supplier for work in early December. Usually I am very excited to see what cars I would be able to see while on foreign land but not exactly with China. Besides the stereotyping where every Chinese love Audis, I know for a fact that JDM sports cars are not popular in China. However, while I was there, I found something that caught my attention. Two particular cars made by Honda that could only be sold in certain countries or only in China.

When I was riding in a taxi, I spotted a SUV that I thought was a BMW X6 but upon getting nearer, the brand logo becomes clearer. It was a Honda and I was surprised that Honda had such a model under its brand. Since I know how to read in Japanese, I frequent Japan's Honda website but I did not see this particular model. All I saw was the brand but could not get a hold of the model name but soon I saw another one and realize it is a popular model. Why wouldn't it be popular ? It is large in size, has a great exterior and best of all, it looks like a BMW X6 (in my opinion). In addition to looking like an X6, I can bet all the money in the world that it is cheaper than an X6 too. Personally it looks great to me but at sides, you can see the hood is flat and does not seems to merge with the A-pillar and the roof line. My favorite part that to me resembles the X6 the most is its rear view. It is really too bad that the Honda Crosstour is only sold in certain countries and I would not have known if I did not come to China. As someone who does not like SUVs, the Range Rover Evoque and BMW X6 are the only exceptions. Since I mentioned the Honda Crossroad here, it is safe to say now, there is a new addition to the exceptions.