On September 27th, 2017, I found myself driving my second Subaru, a Pure Red 2017 WRX, clean and stock. I had only owned it for about a year and three months, but I felt it was time for a change. With thoughts of a 2018 Mustang GT Manual Transmission in my mind, I called my dad, who worked at Subaru of Glendale, and told him I was considering trading in or selling my WRX. Little did I know, that day would mark the beginning of an incredible journey with a car I would come to love.
When I arrived at the dealership, the GM of Subaru happened to be there. After some discussion, he suggested, "How about an STI?" I laughed and replied, "I'm not sure if I want another Subaru, but what do you got?" He then showed me a 2018 Subaru STI in Dark Grey Metallic. The car was stunning, with its 6-piston neon yellow Brembos, newly designed front end with steering adaptive headlights, and a sleek black interior with red accents, including the seat belts. With only 13 miles on it, I couldn't believe my eyes. We sat down to talk numbers, and 30 minutes later, I had bought myself a 2018 Subaru STI at just 20 years old.
I drove the car all over Los Angeles that day, running it until the gas tank was empty. I was truly in love with a car, something I never thought possible. However, two months later, the car began having issues. It wouldn't start quickly, cranking too long before firing up. After a month of waiting at the dealer, they replaced the fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator. Everything seemed back to normal until I hit 4,000 miles and heard a slight tick in the engine. Back to Subaru it went, and I was told a piston had cracked, requiring a new engine. Thankfully, it was under warranty, and the car came back perfect.
Excited to start modding, I first got a set of Rays Gram lights 57Transcend in 18x10, wrapped in Toyo Tires. I then focused on suspension with a custom set of ISC suspension, Whiteline sway bars, Cusco control arms, a brake master cylinder brace, and a bump steer kit. Next, I added an Invidia N1 race catback and a Cobb Accessport. For the exterior, I went big with an APR 71" CF wing with custom mounts, fabricated with a buddy from Palmdale named Brian. We adjusted the wing for the most rear-end downforce possible, though in hindsight, it was a bit excessive for a 300hp car.
With additional AeroflowDynamics splitters and accessories, the car felt complete for the time being. I enjoyed the new setup, hitting local canyons and improving my driving skills. As time passed, I opted for a smaller APR GTC250 wing and swapped out some AeroflowDynamics parts for a cleaner look, including CF Front Canards from Verus Engineering, a CF front lip, and CF APR GT3 mirrors.
My STI became a regular at car meets, shows, and early morning drives to Newcombs Ranch, a place I deeply miss. Those drives were exhilarating, and I met many like-minded enthusiasts who shared my passion for the crest and Newcombs Ranch. However, by August 2019, things took a turn. While driving on the highway, the car started losing power and eventually died while coasting downhill at 65mph. Without working brakes or hazard lights, I managed to maneuver across five lanes to an exit, where I had to push the car to the side of the road.
After an hour of waiting, a police officer arrived and directed traffic until the tow truck came. The car was taken to Subaru of Sherman Oaks, where they discovered the engine was beyond repair, sounding like metal bits in a blender. Another engine replacement under warranty followed, but this time, I decided it was time to part ways with the STI.
I sold the car to CarMax and, a couple of months later, stumbled upon it on Facebook Marketplace, severely damaged with a caved-in roof, likely from a rollover. Recognizing it by the custom wheel decals I had made, I confirmed the VIN with the seller, an auto dismantler. Seeing my beloved STI in such a state was heartbreaking, and I couldn't help but reminisce about all the times and memories I had with it.
Owning my 2018 STI was more than just driving a fantastic car; it was about the experiences, the thrill of the drive, and the community I became a part of. Despite the ups and downs, it was an unforgettable journey that I will always cherish.