Joined
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44 Posts
Hello.
I'm a long time lurker but have only posted a few times. I spend significantly more time reading and learning than I do interacting, but I figured it's time to make my own journal post.
I have always had a love for machines and small engines. When I was a kid I channeled that interest into dirt bikes and snowmobiles. I enjoy learning how things work, understanding the fundamentals, and performing maintenance and repairs. This curiosity to have a deeper understanding of "how things work" led me to a career path that has very little to do with mechanics per se - I am a subspecialty physician - a radiologist.
While I enjoy my job, the journey to get where I am now has taken a significant toll on my life. When my friends were traveling or having fun, I was in school. When my friends were earning money in a job, I was working 80 hour weeks getting paid below minimum wage in residency. I had neither the time nor the money to explore my interests.
Yet I knew the day would come when I could finally rekindle my passion for machines. Later on in my education/training I finally began to reach a financial position where I could begin to reexplore these areas. I've always had an appreciation for Subaru and STIs and dreamt of owning one when I was a kid. Over the years I browsed forums, read a lot, and lived vicariously through the images of STIs. Somewhere along the way I stumbled across the first generation Impreza chassis and discovered the 2.5RS.
I fell in love with the styling of the 2.5RS, its small form factor, and nimble AWD drivetrain. New cars do not particularly interest me. I like the simplicity and character of the first gen Imprezas more than any other vehicle. After a year of searching I saw a 2.5RS coupe pop up in my local area - midwest. I drove 120 miles to pick up the car and instantly fell in love.
![Wheel Tire Automotive parking light Car Vehicle]()
The car had sat for a year in tall grass. I did a poor inspection of the vehicle and paid $3000 cash. It was clear the car was rusty, but the engine seemed to run strong and cosmetically it looked pretty good. I drove the car over the next two years and only fell in love more. Despite it being a total POS and honestly was pretty slow, I thought it was just so awesome. That car was like a fine wine - it only got better with time as continued driving seemed to shake off the cob webs after sitting so long.
Despite the pain I ended up selling that car at the end of my training. I still miss it to this day. I have feelings of guilt that I could not save and restore it. It was clear that the rust would not be stopped. By the end huge chunks of paint and rust were just falling off the car.
![Tire Wheel Vehicle Car Automotive tire]()
So I began searching for a clean rust free replacement. My goal was to fine a car that could be considered an "investment." Rest assured - a vehicle is always a terrible investment. The cost of ownership will always outpace the appreciation. Never buy a car hoping to make money only try to limit your loss. My goal was to find my forever coupe - a car that I found desirable, but so would everyone else.
So I began searching for the newest model (2001) 2.5RS coupe in the best condition I could. Turns out most of these cars are concentrated in the PNW, intermountain west, and northeast. Obviously, I wanted to steer clear of anywhere roads are salted. I discovered a thread on this site and learned about The Subie Doctor in Denver - a dry climate where historically they did not salt much. I contacted them and had an amazing experience chatting with one of their staff, Alex. They perform very thorough refreshes of older Subaru's on the daily and had a couple coupes, one of which had an 06 STI swap and were installing a new shortblock. I bought that car in the next few days for cash and shipped it to Alaska where I now live.
![Car Wheel Tire Vehicle Hood]()
I spent my first summer with this car just enjoying it...driving it on the weekends, washing, detailing, and staring at it. I felt like I regained a piece of myself that had been missing all along. It is stored in the winter and will never see a wet road again. It is clear to me the prior owner cherished this car. It is incredibly clean with many tasteful components including the 06 STI (EJ257) swap, V6 STI 5 speed, STI door sills, gravel coilovers, OEM V6 wing, STI control arms, STI Pink trailing arms, 4/2 pot...list goes on.
I often think about the prior owner. I was told he had to sell the car under financial duress and did not want to let it go. Prior owner - if you read this and happen to recognize your car - I want you to know that this car has made me whole again and has given me peace. Thank you.
From here I will continue to care for the car and only perform modifications which would add to the value, uniqueness, and reliability of the car. Where OEM is not available I will only add the best of the aftermarket. I'm not interested in racing or pushing huge numbers. So far I've added JDM clear corners and taillights. I've sourced and installed the faux carbon RS dash interior. Next, I'll find an STI 6 speed, OEM BBS Golds, and respray the entire vehicle.
Mostly...I just want to cruise.
![Wheel Tire Sky Vehicle Automotive parking light]()
![Wheel Tire Car Vehicle Land vehicle]()
I'm a long time lurker but have only posted a few times. I spend significantly more time reading and learning than I do interacting, but I figured it's time to make my own journal post.
I have always had a love for machines and small engines. When I was a kid I channeled that interest into dirt bikes and snowmobiles. I enjoy learning how things work, understanding the fundamentals, and performing maintenance and repairs. This curiosity to have a deeper understanding of "how things work" led me to a career path that has very little to do with mechanics per se - I am a subspecialty physician - a radiologist.
While I enjoy my job, the journey to get where I am now has taken a significant toll on my life. When my friends were traveling or having fun, I was in school. When my friends were earning money in a job, I was working 80 hour weeks getting paid below minimum wage in residency. I had neither the time nor the money to explore my interests.
Yet I knew the day would come when I could finally rekindle my passion for machines. Later on in my education/training I finally began to reach a financial position where I could begin to reexplore these areas. I've always had an appreciation for Subaru and STIs and dreamt of owning one when I was a kid. Over the years I browsed forums, read a lot, and lived vicariously through the images of STIs. Somewhere along the way I stumbled across the first generation Impreza chassis and discovered the 2.5RS.
I fell in love with the styling of the 2.5RS, its small form factor, and nimble AWD drivetrain. New cars do not particularly interest me. I like the simplicity and character of the first gen Imprezas more than any other vehicle. After a year of searching I saw a 2.5RS coupe pop up in my local area - midwest. I drove 120 miles to pick up the car and instantly fell in love.
The car had sat for a year in tall grass. I did a poor inspection of the vehicle and paid $3000 cash. It was clear the car was rusty, but the engine seemed to run strong and cosmetically it looked pretty good. I drove the car over the next two years and only fell in love more. Despite it being a total POS and honestly was pretty slow, I thought it was just so awesome. That car was like a fine wine - it only got better with time as continued driving seemed to shake off the cob webs after sitting so long.
Despite the pain I ended up selling that car at the end of my training. I still miss it to this day. I have feelings of guilt that I could not save and restore it. It was clear that the rust would not be stopped. By the end huge chunks of paint and rust were just falling off the car.
So I began searching for a clean rust free replacement. My goal was to fine a car that could be considered an "investment." Rest assured - a vehicle is always a terrible investment. The cost of ownership will always outpace the appreciation. Never buy a car hoping to make money only try to limit your loss. My goal was to find my forever coupe - a car that I found desirable, but so would everyone else.
So I began searching for the newest model (2001) 2.5RS coupe in the best condition I could. Turns out most of these cars are concentrated in the PNW, intermountain west, and northeast. Obviously, I wanted to steer clear of anywhere roads are salted. I discovered a thread on this site and learned about The Subie Doctor in Denver - a dry climate where historically they did not salt much. I contacted them and had an amazing experience chatting with one of their staff, Alex. They perform very thorough refreshes of older Subaru's on the daily and had a couple coupes, one of which had an 06 STI swap and were installing a new shortblock. I bought that car in the next few days for cash and shipped it to Alaska where I now live.
I spent my first summer with this car just enjoying it...driving it on the weekends, washing, detailing, and staring at it. I felt like I regained a piece of myself that had been missing all along. It is stored in the winter and will never see a wet road again. It is clear to me the prior owner cherished this car. It is incredibly clean with many tasteful components including the 06 STI (EJ257) swap, V6 STI 5 speed, STI door sills, gravel coilovers, OEM V6 wing, STI control arms, STI Pink trailing arms, 4/2 pot...list goes on.
I often think about the prior owner. I was told he had to sell the car under financial duress and did not want to let it go. Prior owner - if you read this and happen to recognize your car - I want you to know that this car has made me whole again and has given me peace. Thank you.
From here I will continue to care for the car and only perform modifications which would add to the value, uniqueness, and reliability of the car. Where OEM is not available I will only add the best of the aftermarket. I'm not interested in racing or pushing huge numbers. So far I've added JDM clear corners and taillights. I've sourced and installed the faux carbon RS dash interior. Next, I'll find an STI 6 speed, OEM BBS Golds, and respray the entire vehicle.
Mostly...I just want to cruise.
