Subaru XV Crosstrek

[WormGod]

I was in the same boat when I bought my 2010 Kizashi, even though I preferred stick shift , but because of D.C traffic had to go with Auto, I at least have paddle shifter , does VX come with it?

By VX, I assume you mean, XV, heh (I too am having a hard time getting used to VX and XV). Yes, the XV has paddles. I use them religiously in traffic. Sadly, being CVT, and the "gearing" being, well, hardly gearing, down shifting in traffic is hardly down shifting. So, I have become one of those brake light zombies.

But, it's more comfortable in any case and actually quite a nice ride. I am pleasantly surprised. Recently put on the roof rails/cross bars, hood deflector, moon roof deflector, side window deflectors, PIAA hi/lo bulbs, and painted body side molding.

A little irked that Murica was the only forsaken place on this planet that could not get the XV with HID headlamps. WTF!!!

And my search for a new wheel/tire combo with lifted Forester springs has already begun.

[LittleBeast]

Sadly I do see some familiar styling cues between the XV and the Aztek. No biggie, to each their own, I am glad you are liking it, and glad you are still taking care of your VX ;-)

[vt_maverick]

Pics please.

[WormGod]

Pics eventually.

The Subtle lift kit should yield a 1" lift. Though, it's simply spacers, and I am not very keen on that idea. Gonna have to play it by ear on some forums for a bit. But, this is what it looks like with the kit....

[honeyblond]

So, considering trading in my '09 STi this weekend on a Crosstrek (better known as the XV). Heck, what a cooler thing to ask myself, "Do I want to drive the VX or the XV today?"

If I do go through with it, I surely will miss the STi. She is essentially light track ready with a tune, track suspension, complete aftermarket turboback, and just plain fast and fun (roughly 360hp now). But, after 70k miles commuting around the Capital Beltway with a manual 6spd tranny that is absolute torque, I need something easier and more comfortable. My left leg, which was rebuilt after a nasty accident years ago, is simply not getting better with old age, and that hard clutch is taking it's toll. I LOVE stick, but I think it's time to hang up that mantle.

The hardest thing will be the hp tradeoff. From 360 to roughly 170, and on an automatic CVT tranny (could opt for the 5spd manual, but that only comes in the lower end model, and again, there's that stick vs leg thing). However, the XV has some damned nice options, and for the price, I imagine all of them to be a good deal.

Already researched and been talking on an XV forum concerning "possibilities". Yes, there is a spring lift option. Yes, folks have scaled up their tire size on the CVT and been having success (not THAT big of course). And yes, I have some wild plans for a new project car.

So, from this....





To this....



Fingers crossed....

Wow! This Subaru XV Crosstrek is awesome Good luck with your trading transaction WormGod! I really like this vehicle too

[vt_maverick]

Pics eventually.

The Subtle lift kit should yield a 1" lift. Though, it's simply spacers, and I am not very keen on that idea. Gonna have to play it by ear on some forums for a bit. But, this is what it looks like with the kit....

Looks like front bumper wheel well trimming may be in your future to get bigger tires. How ironic... don't you think?

[LittleBeast]

The Subtle lift kit should yield a 1" lift. Though, it's simply spacers, and I am not very keen on that idea. Gonna have to play it by ear on some forums for a bit. But, this is what it looks like with the kit....

Hmm, well it definitely looks better with the spacers + the mudflaps. What color combo are you going with? Stock rims? I think you could definitely pull something off that looks pretty cool.

[WormGod]

Re: Trim. Nope, not gonna go so aggressive that I have to trim the bumper cover. Meaning, wheel offset and tire size will be the major player here. I may end up on skinnier cowboy tires than I would like, but, meat isn't gonna mean much on this CVT tranny anyways. Already considering a 235/65-17. Only a hair wider/taller than the OEM 225. Still researching....

Re: Color. Considering I have the Ice Silver, I am a bit more limited in what colors will work well. Definitely not black. I am not a fan of full black wheels. i may look at either gunmetal or hyper black, both which have a nice midrange between black and silver.

[WormGod]

So it has begun. Spring has sprung and checkbook in hand....

I am working with Primitive Racing in OR to build the mightiest of weakest Crosstreks.

Just ordered some items to lift her and get to work....

1" Primitive strut spacers
1" taller King springs
Primitive rear subframe spacers
Primitive shock extensions
Primitive brakeline brackets

Next up....

Team Dynamic 15x7 wheels



General Grabber 225(215)/70 tires



Mall crawler 2.0 is officially in the works....

And yes, I know, I fail.... still no pics of my Crosstrek. After it looks less like a family wagon and more like the one below, I will....

http://www.subcompactculture.com/201...crosstrek.html

[bartmanS4]

Get those pics up when you have the new wheels etc on. Too bad they don't offer the turbo diesel version in the USA eh?

[WormGod]

Get those pics up when you have the new wheels etc on. Too bad they don't offer the turbo diesel version in the USA eh?

If only.... us Yankees get robbed of everything. They didn't even put HIDs in these for the states....

[WormGod]

Update:

Project is off the ground....

Yesterday, installed subframe spacers, brakeline extenders, shock extenders, and King springs. Ran into a snag with my front strut hat blocks, so I have to sit and wait for the "correct" ones to be shipped to me.

I did mount and balance the wheels and tires and put them on for a quick look. From the looks of it, I MIGHT have to get a 5mm wheel spacer for the front wheels. Will depend on alignment.

But, in all, looking good so far and it's getting there. No pics until complete!

[nfpgasmask]

It's gonna look good, Noonan! You have good taste when it comes to mods. I think you understand balance and subtlety, which imo, is very important when modding a vehicle.

Bart

[tom4bren]

... balance and subtlety, which imo, is very important when modding a vehicle.

& offset ... offset is important too!!!

[WormGod]

& offset ... offset is important too!!!

Heh.... not on this curb hopper. Offset is -8mm from stock, but I went with a thinner 215 over the stock 225 tire. Had to cut that corner in order for the taller diameter to fit the well.

A fun project though. Snags are a PITA, but I rather I get them now than when I am all done and cruising down the road.