So, I had to put the STI in the shop to get rid of the odd noise in left hand turns ... they think it may be one of the rear hub assemblies ... and have one ordered now and should have gotten it today so I might get the car back tomorrow if I'm lucky ... KIA makes a nice car in the Optima but it's not an STI and well I want my car back ... there is one nice thing the KIA gets great gas mileage.
Update -- The car is still in the shop and a new hub assembly didn't help it made the sound louder ... so back with the chassis ears and more listening and driving ... I'm not really happy because of the KIA ... but there isn't really a better solution ... more KIA driving for me ... Oh Boy
Update -- The car is back .. I got it on Tuesday morning and the noise is gone ... it was a wheel hub and they got a bad one when they changed it out the first time. Now I have to take it back for a Check Engine light and rough running at idle ... we think they forgot to plug one of the sensors back in ... shouldn't take long to fix ...
Update -- Just got back from dropping it off and getting a loaner .... It's an 08 outback not a bad car but not an STI either ... Oh well they are going to tear into her tomorrow and run a full check ...
Update -- The Plastic motor mount strikes again ... so the crappy plastic motor mount broke in my STI and then the intake wire harness was broken do to the rotation of the motor ... the CEL came on at 42 mph 6500 rpm and a load of 99.6 % ... Of course this is all my fault being I was driving out side of the design specs for the car ... Yeah right ... I don't drive the car hard but I do drive spiritedly ... don't put quieter motor mounts in a car built to be driven ... So now they are going to find the 04-05 steel mounts and a new wiring harness for the car and put those in ... In good faith of course ... I still won't get it back till Wednesday or so ... at least I'll have the motor mounts that the car should have always had ... If you look on the IWSTI forums this is a common problem to the point that they suggest you get the dealer to change them out when you buy the car. I had hoped that since I bought the car really really late it was an 06 that had already been fitted with the proper steel mounts. Oh well I'll have a better car when it's all done ... one less thing to fix later.
Update --- This is now the longest post on my blog ... I talked to them today and the parts show as shipped to them ... they don't think I'll get it back till tomorrow afternoon some time at the earliest ... I'm still hoping that they call around lunch but I'm not holding my breath ...
For all the trouble I've had with this STI I still love the cars ... The '04 my wife has is still in perfect condition and runs like a champ ... It was abused by the previous owners am sure and has suffered no ill effect from the hard life it lead ... It's a wonderful machine and a great driving car ... I do believe this will be the last of my problems with the '06 and will be pleased to get her back. I'm really looking forward to the feel of a fine machine under my control ... Well I'll tell you how the repairs went tomorrow I guess.
Update --- Final one ... yes that means I got the STI back yesterday afternoon and it feels like a whole different car ... the gear shift is more precise ... there is more feedback in the drive train ... the whole car feels brand new ... if you have an 06 STI get the motor mounts replaced with 04-05 ones quick it's a really nice upgrade that will save you money in the long run ...
