This weekend I had SPT cat back installed on my '08 STi. It's a third Subaru, where I installed this cat back. Previous were GD chasis.

I have to admit on GR internal drone is a bit too much. So I've started exploring on what to do next to diminish that annoying drone which gives almost a headache. One thing on my mind currently is using Dynamat sound deadening to diminish that internal drone.

Started discussion on nasioc, we'll see where it goes.

Those shopping for a used car certainly heard of CARFAX. It is a great service, but it is expensive. At least to me, it is strange to see such plan that they offer. They give you only two options — 5 CARFAX Reports for $44.99 or 1 CARFAX Report for $34.99.

I suspect there might be a good reason behind such pricing, maybe not. But this is not a point here.

I discovered an innovative service that saves money to both, those who are are looking to save money as well as those who already wasted money on 5 reports! I used it myself and loved it. It is reportswap.com. As advertised I waited only a couple of hours and got my fax as .PDF file. I did have an issue of PDF quality being bad on one page. Replied back asked for resend and got it within an hour. Couldn't be happier! Hope this is useful to someone else as well.

Finally, after many weeks of dealing with various lowballers and non-serious people I sold STi on the 19th, it's gone to good hands. Interestingly, sale lead came from autotrader.com, so money spent on those ads weren't wasted.

Currently, I got a temporary ride, borrowed from my friend. It isn't bad. Don't know yet what awaits me for a new car. But definitely thinking 08+ STi for now.

Excerpt from my car manual, quite cool, short and nice description why some people return STi's back to the dealer after few weeks of driving:

"Because your WRX STi is a performance machine above all else, the driving performance of your WRX STi has been prioritized above driving comfort, which can sometimes result in higher NVH level (noise, vibration and harshness) under certain circumstances" (source: 06 Owner Reference Guide SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi)"

In preparation to my imminent but temporary departure to Florida I swapped my winter tires for an amazing summer set.

New set is Falken Azenis RT-615 225/45R17, incidentally same I had on my wrxtear right before I traded it in. I was basically looking to get rid of winters and put either summers or all-season. Shame to destroy winter putting few thousand miles on good pavement. Now I just have to make sure I safely leave danger zone, that is northern country.

Thanks to my buddy Nate I've now refreshed my brake pads. I now have Raybestos brakes all around. Originally, I was going to get it done at local dealer, but this way I saved about $500.

So far I don't notice any difference, we'll see how it goes, I'll probably stick to these until a new car or if I put another 40,000+ miles on this one.

A day or two ago started the car during a really cold weather, check-engine light came on immediately. Pretty sure it's the same P2097 I had recently.

Will have to reset it again via disconnecting the battery.

On Sunday, got engine error code P2097.

P2097

Post catalyst fuel trim system too rich bank. Probable cause 1. Rich Air/Fuel ratio - Leaking injectors, regulator, high fuel pressure. 2. Incomplete combustion - Ignition or mechanical condition. 3. Failed H02S (Heated oxygen sensor)

At this point I just disconnected my battery for few minutes to do a complete reset to see how quickly error code comes back. I did clean air filter as it was quite filthy; have been meaning to replace it since the beginning of summer.

This is a little remark of how to waste more money while trying to save some. Turned out that one of the tyres I had bought had a bubble. It isn't visible until air pressure. Townfairtire, who was mounting them, refused to mount bubbled tyre, so I had no choice but to buy one brand new to replace the one with bubble. Doing some measurements later, I realised that rear tyres weren't matched well. They were four 32nds from each other which is more than commonly accepted maximum — three 32nds. All in all, today I decided to buy second one to pair them perfectly. After all STI's limited slip differential is more expensive than some tyres.

Today, as I was getting my oil change done, Subaru of Milford notified me that I should not be driving on the highway due to the condition of my front tyres:

I felt a bit of a deja vu as this is exactly what happened to me when I had my wrxtear when I failed state inspection.

Today I purchased General Altimax Arctic (Studdable Winter/Snow) tyres for winter. I had very similar tread tyres before on my sparow and was extremely happy with them.

Initially, I wanted to just get all-seasons, since I now have essentially bald re070 to save money. But having paid $350 for these slightly used ones, I think it's a bargain. Additionally, it'll provide safety and enough grip to enjoy my another winter in New Hampshire.

SPT catback is on, finally growling I missed so much.

As far as other plans, I decided to keep stock tune for now and keep things reliable. Maybe when the car climbs up in milage I'll start screwing with it completing my stage 2 with proper downpipe. And finally, my BBS wheels are now sold. I figured I have so much going on that I probably would be better off keeping my time free. Hopefully I'll buy painted BBS along the way.

This weekend I've decided I had enough of Geoshield DarkMatter film, just didn't work for me. The biggest reason was when sun is directly or nearly against the window everything outside, through that window, becomes foggy. Or perhaps that is a glare. Either way, I tried for a number of days, it just isn't working. I guess I'll be sticking back to SunTek or Llumar film. Worth noting that it's very easy to remove film when it's fresh; no residue at all.

Another automotive project was spray painting Leo's STi spoiler and trunk lid. It did not work out properly, most likely respraying will take place next weekend.

A bit late to update. (21 days ago) I purchased Subaru WRX STi. Since then, I've been slowly removing and selling aftermarket/premium stuff that I got for my subaru/sparow.

The only picture that I have is the one of my friend Leo standing right next to it.

More updates will come, it has been a busy month.

Hubcaps. At least to me these things meant either old cars, cheap cars or ricer cars (spinning caps). However, Formula 1 teams bring them back to the scene. First Ferrari. Then McLaren. And finally some other teams adopted this. Of course in Formula 1 things are done for some kind of purpose. In this case hubcaps help cooling brakes.