Hi from NH

[natep]

Hey everyone,

I've been lurking here for quite a while now, ever since I bought my Legacy in May 2005. It's a 1998 2.2L 5MT sedan in spruce pearl, and it's been a great car for me so far - I've already put 17,000 miles on it.

I've been trying to do all of the work on it myself. I was comfortable with oil changes, tire rotation, adding fluids, etc...before, but the subie's taught me how to breaks and CV axles!

I've also done a few modifications to it; nothing crazy in performance, but a few things to make it "mine":

-- 2003 WRX steering wheel swap
-- momo air/leather shift knob
-- de-badged trunk
-- clear corners in front
-- custom mounting brackets & wiring for Hella 530 fog lights
-- OEM tweeter kit install
-- custom amplifier mount in the trunk
-- urethane mudflaps

Here are some pictures:

http://pubpages.unh.edu/~npurmort/subie/back.jpg
http://pubpages.unh.edu/~npurmort/subie/interior.jpg
http://pubpages.unh.edu/~npurmort/subie/trunk2.jpg
http://pubpages.unh.edu/~npurmort/subie/flaps_and_fogs.jpg


I'm a college student, so money isn't exactly rolling in; as a result, I've tried to keep the modifications tasteful and low-cost. The next items on the list, in no particular order, are a short shifter, seats, rear sway bar, wheels, and perhaps an intake.

Thanks for having me, it's good to finally be official here!

- Nate

[pdawg]

Nice ride. Welcome to the site.

[EXP1787]

Hello :twisted: Your car looks very nice... and I was relieved to read that it was manual.

[shazapple]

I love the steering wheel. Did you have to remove the airbag though?

[Huffer]

What's up with the funky wood trim?

Nice car, welcome!

[natep]

I love the steering wheel. Did you have to remove the airbag though?

The WRX wheel is a huge improvement over the stock one. The OEM wheel felt like it had a layer of foam between the vinyl cover and the metal frame of the wheel - the WRX wheel feels like the leather is stretched over the metal frame with nothing in between and provides much better steering feel.

As for the installation, I was able to use the WRX wheel and airbag as the Legacy and WRX airbag connectors are identical. I did have to recycle my cruise control stalk, but that was very straightforward.

I used this (http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127) guide from ScoobyMods

[natep]

What's up with the funky wood trim?

It came with the car - this is one of several things I wish the first owner did differently. The wood trim looks alright but the pieces don't fit very well - I have a feeling it was a cheap e-bay deal.

[Wiscon_Mark]

First off, welcome :)

I would guess by looking at the trim that it is an ebay knockoff. You could remove it, paint it, and reinstall it if you don't like how "bright" the wood is.

[gator gt]

Yes, welcome!! Yeah, I'd say ditch the woody look. I don't even like the OEM wood finish.

If I wanted wood finish, I'd have purchased a MB or BMW.

What are you looking to get out of your car? Sound, style, performance, longevity?

Rate them.

You only have all seasons? Or do you have the means for 2 sets of tires?

My first upgrade for performance would be the rear sway. Then summer tires....thus the tire question.

Both of which will make you love your Suby even more! Its a great chassis for the money and these mods will compliment it in a very sweet manner.

Are you a NH resident, or a visiting student?

Welcome, have fun and DRIVE!

GGT

[Wiscon_Mark]

gator GT forgot to mention he's from the NH too ;)

[natep]

What are you looking to get out of your car? Sound, style, performance, longevity?

Rate them.


I like my cars to be all-purpose machines - capable of anything from a 16-hour drive to a weekend at the rally races (spectating) to a good romp in the snow. Thus I put reliability very high on the list and next comes drivability (sound system, interior comfort - i.e. the steering wheel), and then performance.


You only have all seasons? Or do you have the means for 2 sets of tires?

My first upgrade for performance would be the rear sway. Then summer tires....thus the tire question.


The car came with 1 set of 14" steel rims and 2 sets of tires - some Yokahama all seasons and Hakkapaleta snows. Currently, the Hakas are on there. I intend to use up the Yokahamas and then purchase a set of wheels and tires, but I can probably make it another year before I'm ready for that.

On another note, I got a well-used set of 14" steelies + tires from a friend with the intent of using them for ice racing. More on that later...



Are you a NH resident, or a visiting student?

Welcome, have fun and DRIVE!
GGT

Yeah, I'm from NH - originally from Newport, currently living in Dover attending UNH.