It’s Stock
“It’s stock.” It’s what I told people because it was. The windows aren’t even tinted on the 2006 Subaru WRX STi. If I told the story behind the car, I could lose the day at this gas station. When I wanted to flex or chop shop, I’ll say “this one is. The other one had a stage three built motor, meaning; forged pistons, rings, rods, sleeved, race cams… or I was an idiot and blew up the motor, so I had it rebuilt better. Then I took out a street light. When the insurance kicked down $28,000, it felt like I was being paid to walk away from a doomed marriage.
When the first The Fast and The Furious movie came out, I was in that prime age of having enough money to purchasing a new car, bolting on aftermarket parts to make it unrecognizable, and believing it was fast. It was, coming from a 92 horse power 1993 Honda Civic VX. I had friends that were just as naive and power hungry. We didn’t know anything about sizing, handling, fitment, just bigger was better. Most of that day dreaming came from forums and ego.
It’s hard not consume car culture when I watched shows for the car and I can’t remember the plot and narrative. Viper had, well… a Viper. Knight Rider, KITT, a Pontiac Trans Am was the original Tesla. Even the General Lee made the south appear bearable. Key was having a fast car. Hear Tracy Chapman tell it. Automobile symbolized real freedom, a getaway from your parent’s house and making a few wrong turns without judgment. Drive thrus and Drive-ins gave you that intimate relationship with your car by never having to leave her. The type of car you drive says so much about you. Jettas or VW Bugs says, you’re a lady or a very classy gay. Lamborghinis says I’m going to take up two parking spots. Kia Rios say I refuse to take up two parking spots, not gay, but I am not classy.
When Subaru introduced the Impreza WRX STi in 2004, it granted a big wish from enthusiasts. Every mod I put into my 2000 Acura RSX type S, could not keep up with this rally car. Unmodified. I bought a transmission from Japan because it had a Limited Slip Differential. The STi had three. Stock. Adjustable HID headlights, intercooler spray, all-wheel drive, turbo, big gaudy spoiler… all factory. It was like graduating from high school to a division one college. Going from Honda, then Acura, to level 3, feels like being respected. I used to select this car on Gran Turismo, to owning it. I felt like these were my people. It wasn’t kids in community colleges, it was older people that didn’t shop at The Gap.
We all have a dream car. An aspiration even without having the opportunity to sit in it. The STi was that dream and a nightmare. Having something barely on the market made me want to get the first mod and most of the time they were junk. It had no radio and tinting the rear window interfered with AM radio. It idled funny because the base fuel map was for 93 octane, not California 91. The girlfriend kept asking “when are you going to be done with modifying your car?” I kept saying “just this one more thing,” lying thru my teeth. I was obsessed with not going backwards on the build. Not just young (and dripping). I was Evil Superman in Superman 3. I was looking to impress Ferraris and AMGs. I didn’t think Imprezas, Camaros or M3s should be in my lane. 3 turbos. 2 tickets, and one built motor later, a week later, airbags deploy and it was towed away on a flatbed.
As I grew older, I stopped wondering about Dom and his growing family, if they still sell tuna sandos at Torretos, but was curious if the franchise would continue without Brian. 2 Fast 2 Furious, Fast Five, Furious 7, I was more Slow Down. I resented buying another STi. I moved five more times in 14 years and it became a burden bringing along this depreciating asset to my new life. It made me regret not taking offers left on the windshield or friends and strangers asking. It was even embarrassing. I didn’t want to own something dated that didn’t age well like a Thunderbird, H2, or Corvettes.
Being an essential worker, I had to find reason to continue going into work. I did not want to, not knowing if it was safe and if I could spread something I didn’t know I had. I couldn’t even spend money. Disneyland announced it won’t open until 2021. I was miserable. But I had time so I began cleaning my Subaru one panel at a time with a spray bottle. Then hand sanitizer. Then soap. Claybar. Wax. Detailer. I started to fall in love with the subtle lines on the car. Even the gold rims made the Aspen white and hot pink badge pop. It was like she was saying do you remember me? I started to miss the rumble of the boxer engine. I missed flashing a peace sign to other Subaru drivers. It didn’t help knowing I lived next to five speed shops in a 10 mile radius. I did research, starting with the forums. Not much has changed. Even the posts. Sad to seeing my brands don’t exist anymore. Every product was a necessity and better for the car. Air/Oil separator! Cylinder 4 cooling mod! It was like Subaru engineers should be fired for creating such an inferior product.
One bored day, it happened. I clicked Pay Now. The stimulus check went to a Cobb Accessport. An essential. It came a long way from the beta hand held Atari version. More Pay Nows were clicked. I bought parts and tried installing them myself. It ended with bruised and bloody knuckles trying to squeeze a turbo inlet thru the exhaust manifold. I had sleepless nights for two weeks. Do I add the VF34 you just found in the garage or throw on a 20g turbine wheel on the VF39? Are you ready to pay for an E85 conversion? Or realistically, are you ready to throw your money away again?
There is no wrong way to build your car. There are only lessons. Everyone will have an opinion on your choices but that’s only because they don’t own it. Every choice and direction gives your ride identity. Decals, wraps, , scratches… and you become synonymous with your decisions. You have something to stand next to and TLC can’t call you a scrub.
Now, I flash my peace sign at another Subaru enthusiasts with pride. The journey may have taken longer rather than sooner, but I’m in love again and don’t mind sharing while filing my tank at $1.85 a gallon. And if you’re asking, it’s stock.