WRX Midwest Drought

It happens to every new car.  One model year is wrapping up and the next one is coming.  With most manufacturers, this "out with the old, in with the new" cycle means that the previous year models are discounted when the next year models show up.  This isn't really the case with Subaru, at least in the Heartland of America.  Nearly every time a new model year is on the way, the previous models are sold out before they get a chance to touch down.  If there is any overlap between a 2015 and 2016 model (or whatever year it is), it doesn't last for long!

That's why, for the next month or so, WRX and WRX STI models may be tougher to come by than usual.  Aside from the fact that they're already a sought after car, the new MY2016 WRX and WRX STI won't be arriving at local dealerships until July, which is much later than the MY2015 release.  By this time last year, there were already new 4th Generation WRXs on the ground at local dealerships in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri.

It's no secret.  I work at a Subaru dealership.  With the tools at my fingertips, I was curious about when the new MY2016 models would be arriving.  As of this post, I learned that the new rocketships would be arriving around Independence Day.  This got me to wondering just how many MY2015 models would be in the area between now and then and the numbers are low.  Below I have details on what my search found for available WRX and WRX STI units in a 5-State area between now (May 22nd 2015) and the end of June 2015.

Search performed on available units in NE, IA, KS, MO, SD

WRX Base Model:

5 In Stock, 0 In Transit

WRX Premium:

10 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX Premium CVT:
1 In Stock, 0 In Transit

WRX Limited:
6 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX STI:

2 In Stock, 1 In Transit

WRX STI Limited:

2 In Stock, 1 In Transit

25 In Stock, 4 In Transit
29 TOTAL



In those states I searched, there are 30 Subaru Dealerships.  So, between now and when the fireworks fly, the chances of a dealership in this area having the right rocketship for you in-stock... or even having ANY in stock, is quite low. 


Many of those who are looking to own a WRX or WRX STI are already aware of the shortage in this area (and others across the country) so they either search carefully to find the right one or they simply order the car from their local dealer exactly the way they want it.  However, there's still the majority of those hopeful owners who prance gleefully into their dealership expecting to find their car sitting on the showroom waiting for them to take it home.  They quickly realize this is generally not the case.  This issue will only become more commonplace in the weeks to come, at least in my neck-of-the-woods.


To those who are reading this well after the WRX Drought of 2015 has passed, note that this is likely how things will always be with the WRX and WRX STI in the Midwest.  So, whenever it's possible, plan ahead and order your car exactly the way you want it and the wait will be worth it.

Launch Control Season 3!

I didn't need a reason to follow Subaru Rally Team USA on Instagram... but they just gave me another one.  After some gratuitous gravel footage of David Higgins and Craig Drew making mince meat of the roads in Oregon, a little blurb came up with a familiar logo.  One that makes me look forward to Wednesdays.  Well... I mean, besides looking forward to our weekly local meets.  That's right!  Launch Control is back for Season 3!!

"What's Launch Control?"

This is a series that follows the rally teams in the US for Subaru.  Both the Global Rallycross Team and Rally Team USA get coverage in this in-depth behind-the-scenes look at rallying.  It's not just the cars and the races, it's the people behind the wheel, under the cars, and in the grandstands.  Launch Control has done an excellent job capturing the essence of the sport and making it more accessible and help publicize it on a global scale.

Still don't know what's up?  Lucky for you I've got links to all of Season 1 and Season 2 on this page.

2015 NSOC Spring Fling Details

On May 3rd the Nebraska Subaru Owners Club will meet up to take our third trip around the "Iowaska" route.  This 70 mile drive starts off in Historic Florence, winds along the western bank of the Missouri and into Fort Calhoun.  Then it follows flowing hills and sharp turns into Blair to cross over the river to Missouri Valley, IA.  From there we follow a challenging road that zips through the Loess Hills Scenic Byway into Crescent, IA.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zU5vdoIujAdU.kVZ2JzLJoqx0

After we've completed route, we'll meet up at NP Dodge Park in Nebraska to grill up some food together.  There's also some giveaways and prizes to win like Rally Team T Shirts, Lanyards, and other neat gear.  We're expecting big turnout so this event should be a LOT of fun!

Check out the Nebraska Subaru Owners Club on Facebook for more event details!

WRX Seat Swap

The transformation continues piece by piece!  This 2012 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Hatchback started life as a mere base model with a CVT.  While it's still getting me on-average 32 mpg (over the 43k miles I've driven it so far), it certainly doesn't look or feel like the econobox it started out as.  The suspension is firmer, the wheels are wider, and the interior and exterior have been subjected to many Subaru Legos.  Today another piece was swapped in from a 2015 WRX.
I have never really cared for the stock seats in the 4th Generation Impreza.  The seats are sort of gutless in that they don't have much support.  I've had to bring the car to Subaru 3 times for seat issues, too.  The first was the air bag sensor in the passenger seat getting thrown off by electronics.  The other two were replacing bad lumbar cushions in the driver seat.  So, when I got a chance to nab some sporty looking WRX seats, I jumped at the opportunity.

Thanks to the new 4th Generation WRX still being built on a 4th Generation Impreza unibody, the upgrade was simple.  Take out the bolts in the seats, disconnect the plugs underneath, do some well-needed cleaning, and put the new seats in.  The new seats are very comfortable, provide better support, and have good side bolstering to hold me in place when I'm taking tight turns.  They still provide the same safety features the Impreza seats did with Whiplash protection head rests and side-bolster airbags.  I'd be lying if I didn't also admit they make a major improvement to the interiors' looks!

These seats are hard to find and, in most cases, very expensive when you do find them.  Thanks to exuberant WRX owners reckless driving, a salvage yard might have a pair from a kid who thought it would be a good idea to test out the car on icy gravel with the stock Dunlop tires on.  You also might find a serious track day guy who is putting racing bucket seats in and no longer needs his stock seats.  Either way, if you can find a set and you have a 4th Gen Impreza you'd like to upgrade, it's a great fit.  Literally!

RS Revival: Butt Beautiful

It seems like repairing the rust on this car has been a constant battle, but today I'm confident that the work done will last... and help the car last, too.  This 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe has been quite the cancer patient since I got it in September of 2013.  A year-and-a-half later nearly all of the hungry rust has been stopped in it's tracks or removed altogether.  In short: the RS has shed the junk from it's trunk.

After things were sealed and rustproofed, I touched up some of the bodywork done last fall and then coated it with primer for some paint.  While the paint we used isn't an exact match, it's main purpose is to act as something for the vinyl graphics to hang on to that will be added later.

To spruce things up a bit, I decided to treat the RS to some JDM Tail Lights.  I've always disliked all the orange indicators on this car and have preferred the cleaner look the clear lights give.

Gorilla TMCAI - One Year Later

I love my 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Coupe.  It's fun to drive, it looks great (or at least it does NOW), and it's always a hit at local meets and events.  Not only that, but it's blast to drive at rallycross events which I have become increasingly fond of.  In the time that I've had it, there's always been one centerpiece under the hood that becomes sort of a topic every time it's open.  It's this Gorilla Top-Mount Cold Air Intake.  I've had it on the car for over a year so I figured it was time to revisit the review I wrote when I first installed it.

In case you haven't figured it out, this air intake makes use of the unused hood scoop on older Subaru Imprezas.  In Japan, this scoop was functional, providing airflow to the intercooler.  Since silly Americans weren't good enough for the WRX yet we were blessed with the 2.5 RS.  Thanks to this Top-Mounted Cold Air Intake, that hood scoop is USEFUL again!
The main thing I have come to appreciate about this Gorilla TMCAI intake is it's durability! The intake is built from 6061 aluminum and is finished with a heat insulating black powder coat application.  My intake has seen a few "oops" moments and, while it does have scars to show for it... still no problems.  I did need to file down some of the bolts on the underside of the hood to prevent them from digging into the box, but it wasn't a big deal.  As a result, some of that black powdercoat has been worn through in spots, but it's held up to the abuse I've put it (and the car) through.

This has certainly been an All-Weather car, as it is also currently being parked outdoors.  Nothing against my rally car, but my nice '12 Impreza and my wife's '04 Outback claim the garage spots unless I'm working on something.  I have taken care to cover the intake when it's parked during rain and snowstorms as I have noticed evidence of water getting through the intake.  There are two holes on the underside of the intake that let water through, but I didn't want to risk anything with the engine.  I suppose it's better to be cautionary than to drown a engine through the manifold.  Driving in adverse conditions, I haven't noticed any problems with the engine.  I can attest to this since this car has since had an engine swap in it since I started running this intake system.  Engine #1 had a burnt valve in cylinder #4 that caused it to misfire often.  Before we removed it, the Gorilla TMCAI was equipped for 9 months totaling just under 10,000 miles.  After we removed the engine and took of the heads, everything (except that burnt valve) appeared to be in great condition.  Engine #2 has not shown any issues either and it has been running strong!

I suppose my only complaint about having this system has been how hard it is to install an air filter with this system.  The Alligator Clips that hold the cover over the air filter are INCREDIBLY tight.  I suppose this is a testament to how solid the design is.  However, this means that I have to remove the entire Gorilla TMCAI every time I want to change or clean an air filter.  I literally have to kneel on the entire assembly to press the cover down far enough to get the Alligator Clips to connect.  If there were a way to secure the filter without having to remove everything, it would make it much more convenient to work on.  Especially considering that this rugged intake is intended for use Off-Road or at Rally events, making something easier to work on would be a positive change.  Still, it doesn't detract from the value I place on this intake.  I suppose I just have to stop being lazy and reluctant with cleaning the air filter.  It is honestly the only complaint I can think of.

Whether you're idealistic and think that your hood scoop needs to be functional or you're looking for a direct source of cold air to boost your performance, this product will meet and exceed your needs.  It's rugged, sturdy, and you'll feel more confident with a solid setup like this.  I have been very happy with this product and would recommend it to serious owners looking to stay N/A with their Imprezas but want a little more punch.  The Gorilla Top Mount Cold Air Intake does not disappoint in quality, durability, and performance.

The Good, the Bad, and the Dirty

Last weekend the NRSCCA Hosted their 2nd Rallycross event of the 2015 season at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, NE.  25 drivers gave their all in this technically challenging course set up by Jon Simmons, my co-driver.  The mild weather was a welcome change from the Chili Bowl's frigid teens and the track was soft, making for a fun day kicking up dirt!  When the dust had settled and the times were posted, one thing was certain: Rally Tires were the king for these conditions!

The top spot for the day was claimed by Mark Hill in his Mitsubishi Evolution IX.  Besides being an incredibly talented driver, he was also running new rally tires on Braid rally wheels.  Those who caught a glimpse of the white blur that was his Evo witnessed just how easily he cut through the course.  His times were untouchable.  Not only did he claim the Top 3 lap times for the day, but his overall time was a whopping 16 seconds faster than the next fastest driver.  It was a real treat watching him devour the course!

I learned a lot with my RS, too.  Like I said, rally wheels were great for these conditions, so I really think the Speedlines with the Michelin Competition Tires were at home on this track.  I managed to nab 3rd in my class again with it thanks to some great feedback and coaching from Jon.  There was an added bonus that came in the form of a bit of an issue with a fellow Subaru owner.  His Turbo Legacy was having issues after it's first run so I let him drive my RS to complete his runs until he could get his running for the second half of the day.  At the end of the day, the RS had 3 drivers put it through a total of 19 runs... and not a single run more.

That's because, as I rolled off the finish from the final run for the day, I quickly learned that there was a problem with the transmission.  I wasn't able to get it out of gear at first... and then I couldn't get it into first.  Once I got it into first to limp to the pits, I couldn't get it into any other gear.  We parked it on the asphalt and put it up on jack stands to inspect and see if something was jammed in the shifter linkage.  Everything was clear, so we fiddled with it some more until we got it back into neutral.  Then we could only select 3rd, 4th, 5th, and reverse gear.  We pushed it until I could get it into 3rd enough and took some back roads home.  It used those gears flawlessly the rest of the trip, so it seems like there's something loose or broken that is swimming around in the transmission jamming things up.  There are already plans to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs this week, so I hope to have this great car up and running again very soon.

Still, getting 3rd in my class again along with a 6th place overall is a testament to how much fun I had.  The RS will ride again and it's so fun to be constantly improving as a driver... now that I know the car can handle it.