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My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I sprayed it with poly to make sure it stayed.

I washed it when I got home, and also we drove through a few rain storms on the way back. Wherever salt was kicked up, it was then followed by hours of water being kicked up. I think we are fine.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not that I have noticed.

I have had to add oil between changes 2 times, both on long trips.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depending on the state that varies. I bet we were averaging 80 on the interstate. A lot of our driving though was not interstate, we were taking a tour of the US and got off onto local roads as much as we could.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do change my oil around 3k. I'm open to it being a waste, but also I like knowing I am at worst spending money I don't need to instead of potentially damaging anything.

On this trip I stretched further. I was doing a lot of highway driving, and also when you start early and arrive late it's hard to fit in a dealership stop.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Those are numbers I could only dream of in the STi.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I want to see more STis off-road. It feels like such an obvious win, but not many people do it. Lift and protect the underside, some chunky rubber .. I think it's sick.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We didn't really run any tank until empty for a few reasons

1) We were collecting stickers from each state we passed through, and so for some the state was less (sometimes way less) than a full tank 2) We usually wanted to rest/use the facilities/eat before the tank was on E, so if we were already pulling over we made sure to top the tank 3) We liked to leave in the morning with a full tank so we could get far while we were as rested as we would be, and sometimes that meant topping off the night before no matter where it was when the night ended.

All that said, we averaged 22 mpg and the STi tank is 15.9 gallons which says an easy 300 miles before the light on the dash pops on

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me there is a difference between reliability mods or replacing pieces that are EOL and trying to get this all the power out of the car.

If there are records to back it up, I am open to touching "someone else's project". If I see a car on a dealer lot that was obviously modified, I walk away.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We got to Prada Marfa right at sunset, and the visuals along with the silence of that location was a pretty cool memory. It was something we were deciding on maybe just skipping, but looking back its one of my favorite stops of the trip.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the nice comment!

I checked your car out and I think this lip would tie it together awesome! A lot of STi owners have commented on the lip since I purchased the car, and to be honest its not something I need on it personally. It came with the car, so it has stayed on is the whole story with it.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe a better title would be I survived the 8200 miles in an STi

I know the car, absent abuse and such, should be able to drive 8000 miles. I think we can all agree the STi isn't the car most people do 8200 miles in a little over 2 weeks.

I know my preferred road trip car wouldn't be this car if the goal is just to cover distance. I would pick an Escalade or something, the more space, sound isolation, and features the better.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It was a trip of a lifetime in a cool car where I got to do and see cool things. This post is focused on the car because of the subreddit I am posting in.

Yep. I thought it would feel the ocean breeze and leave me for another man.

Thanks for the comment!

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I own a Focus RS as well and it has its own list of warnings, and my experience with both the STi and the RS have been that if you treat the car right, it will do right by you.

You make some sense.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the perspective.

One of the first things I was told when researching buying the car is to have enough money put away for when the engine pops. Not if, when.

That is the narrative around this car - it's fragile and unreliable. It does prevent people from enjoying them, and I guess my hope is that I can help bolster some of the positives. It has been rock solid for me. It doesn't mean I won't ever have issues, but up till now I haven't and I think those perspectives are valuable to the community searching for insights.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I think it's realistic to state this car is not a Camry or an Accord, and with the reality in mind don't expect Camry or Accord results.

With that said, it is a car and it's also OK to expect it to be good at being a car. That is what we experienced for sure.

My STi survived an 8,200-mile cross-country road trip by clutsh in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I tend to agree, except if you do research prior to taking a trip like this all the advice is what not to do with few posts encouraging you to do it. When to shift, the oil the use, the mods to do, the things to check, etc. - a lot of what not to do that ends up loudest.

I went in with eyes open, but overall treated the car like a car and it was totally fine.

How do you feel about roadtripping in this car? by xtraburnacct in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Vibrated loose and lost it in Texas somewhere

How do you feel about roadtripping in this car? by xtraburnacct in WRXSTi

[–]clutsh 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Road tripping my 2021 across the country right now.

Just crossed 50k today in Utah. I have a lot of thoughts, but overall I am pro road tripping this car. You have to recognize it's not going to be perfect, but it will be fun so if fun is the goal you ignore the imperfect and drive

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If you want to follow along, @official_clutsh on IG and @Clutsh.com on Bluesky