Jack Stilts
Subaru Ambassador
Just picked up this little gem the other night for the wife, but she's been kind enough to let me build it up a bit. My goals are to essentially turn this into a Crosstrek.
This is a daily driver for us, but the ultimate goal is to make it a bit more capable for exploring and camping. The other vehicle we use for that is a 2002 Xterra - supremely uncomfortable, not fuel efficient, and outdated. This is the polar opposite. Comfy, new, simple, and gives us 33MPG. Being a base model trim level, my plans are to "build" it in the sense that I'd just like to turn it into a higher trim level and make it more practical for us. It's going to dance the line between hot hatch, rally car, and exploration vehicle. Oh, and family hauler. Weird combination, right? We'll see how it goes. It got factory roof rails added and badging removed after its first hour in the driveway.
Stats:
Year: 2012
Make: Subaru
Model: Impreza
Trim: Base hatchback
Drivetrain: 5-speed AWD / 2.0L DOHC
Color: Black
Quick Reference
August 2016 / 50,000 miles
Dealership work - Safety inspection, open recalls, wheel alignment, new Continental tires, oil change, front & rear brakes.
Added euro-style Subaru crossbars and auxiliary input for stock radio.
September 2016 / 52,000 miles
Dealership work - replaced HVAC controls, CEL P2005 P2006; replaced intake valves.
September 2016 / 53,000 miles
Fog light installation, ADF 1" strut spacers, seat covers, STi shift knob, STi alloy pedals, muffler delete.
5x Pirelli Scorpion ATR 205/70/R15 tires.
Bosch wipers, SilverStar headlights, K&N drop-in filter / charcoal filter removed.
October 2016 / 54,000 miles
Rally Armor flaps installed.
December 2016 / 57,000 miles
Winter tires installed - General Altimax Arctic 205/70R15
All-wheel alignment, synthetic oil change
January 2017 / 60,000 miles
35% wrap-around tint installed
March 2017 / 63,000 miles
Rear spoiler installed, spark plugs replaced.
April 2017 / 64,000 miles
ADF 2" spacer lift kit installed - 2 3/8" rear with multi-link spacers
General Grabber 205/75R15 installed.
May 2017 / 65,000 miles
Dealership oil change / 2.0L oil consumption test started
Modifications & upgrades:
[X] USB / auxiliary input for stock stereo
[X] Subaru rubber floor mats / cargo mat / cargo cover
[X] Subaru euro crossbars
[X] Charcoal filter removal / K&N filter installed
[X] Fog lights with H11 yellow bulbs
[X] Muffler delete / seat covers
[X] 205/70R15 steel wheels & General Altimax Arctic (winter) / 205/75R15 General Grabbers (summer)
[X] STi alloy pedals & STi shift knob
[X] Rally Armor flaps
[X] 35% window tint / blacked out grille
[X] ADF 2" strut & multi-link spacers
[X] Impreza Sport hatch spoiler
[ ] Primitive Racing front skid plate
[ ] SSD front light bar / 2x Hella driving lights
[ ] Torklift 2" invisible hitch
Expedition gear on board for travel:
[ ] MaxTrax
[x] Oz tent RV3
[x] Kayaks - Pelican Trailblazer 100
[x] Thule skybox - Pulse Alpine
[x] Tread Lightly! Trasharoo
[x] 2x Fire extinguishers
[x] 2x 30' tow straps & D-rings / dampener / synthetic shackles
[x] State maps / trail maps
[x] 2x ENO hammock setups (hammock, underquilt, tarp, bug net)
[x] CB radio
[x] Ruger 10/22 Takedown (for the zombies)
[x] ARB awning with LabRak mount
[x] BioLite stove / kitchen gear / coffee
This is a daily driver for us, but the ultimate goal is to make it a bit more capable for exploring and camping. The other vehicle we use for that is a 2002 Xterra - supremely uncomfortable, not fuel efficient, and outdated. This is the polar opposite. Comfy, new, simple, and gives us 33MPG. Being a base model trim level, my plans are to "build" it in the sense that I'd just like to turn it into a higher trim level and make it more practical for us. It's going to dance the line between hot hatch, rally car, and exploration vehicle. Oh, and family hauler. Weird combination, right? We'll see how it goes. It got factory roof rails added and badging removed after its first hour in the driveway.
Stats:
Year: 2012
Make: Subaru
Model: Impreza
Trim: Base hatchback
Drivetrain: 5-speed AWD / 2.0L DOHC
Color: Black
Quick Reference
August 2016 / 50,000 miles
Dealership work - Safety inspection, open recalls, wheel alignment, new Continental tires, oil change, front & rear brakes.
Added euro-style Subaru crossbars and auxiliary input for stock radio.
September 2016 / 52,000 miles
Dealership work - replaced HVAC controls, CEL P2005 P2006; replaced intake valves.
September 2016 / 53,000 miles
Fog light installation, ADF 1" strut spacers, seat covers, STi shift knob, STi alloy pedals, muffler delete.
5x Pirelli Scorpion ATR 205/70/R15 tires.
Bosch wipers, SilverStar headlights, K&N drop-in filter / charcoal filter removed.
October 2016 / 54,000 miles
Rally Armor flaps installed.
December 2016 / 57,000 miles
Winter tires installed - General Altimax Arctic 205/70R15
All-wheel alignment, synthetic oil change
January 2017 / 60,000 miles
35% wrap-around tint installed
March 2017 / 63,000 miles
Rear spoiler installed, spark plugs replaced.
April 2017 / 64,000 miles
ADF 2" spacer lift kit installed - 2 3/8" rear with multi-link spacers
General Grabber 205/75R15 installed.
May 2017 / 65,000 miles
Dealership oil change / 2.0L oil consumption test started
Modifications & upgrades:
[X] USB / auxiliary input for stock stereo
[X] Subaru rubber floor mats / cargo mat / cargo cover
[X] Subaru euro crossbars
[X] Charcoal filter removal / K&N filter installed
[X] Fog lights with H11 yellow bulbs
[X] Muffler delete / seat covers
[X] 205/70R15 steel wheels & General Altimax Arctic (winter) / 205/75R15 General Grabbers (summer)
[X] STi alloy pedals & STi shift knob
[X] Rally Armor flaps
[X] 35% window tint / blacked out grille
[X] ADF 2" strut & multi-link spacers
[X] Impreza Sport hatch spoiler
[ ] Primitive Racing front skid plate
[ ] SSD front light bar / 2x Hella driving lights
[ ] Torklift 2" invisible hitch
Expedition gear on board for travel:
[ ] MaxTrax
[x] Oz tent RV3
[x] Kayaks - Pelican Trailblazer 100
[x] Thule skybox - Pulse Alpine
[x] Tread Lightly! Trasharoo
[x] 2x Fire extinguishers
[x] 2x 30' tow straps & D-rings / dampener / synthetic shackles
[x] State maps / trail maps
[x] 2x ENO hammock setups (hammock, underquilt, tarp, bug net)
[x] CB radio
[x] Ruger 10/22 Takedown (for the zombies)
[x] ARB awning with LabRak mount
[x] BioLite stove / kitchen gear / coffee
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