I have a Subaru Impreza WRX that I really enjoy, but I find Subaru’s lack of passion for safe performance incredibly disappointing. Aftermarket parts from reputable dealers are plentiful as are performance chips, engine management systems, performance air filters, downpipes and performance exhausts.
Being a responsible owner I called up Subaru to find out what was legal and what was not, only to find out that nothing was legal and any changes made automatically void the warranty. My question is, if there are a million “unapproved parts” designed specifically for performance cars, where are the “approved” parts? Why are people forced to do reasonable mods (like exhaust changes!) in back-door garages in uncontrolled conditions that lead to losing the warranty?
Let’s face reality; owners of performance cars want these options, which is why we don’t buy “practical” cars in the first place! Owners will continually use aftermarket service providers and its time manufacturers woke up and provided safe, reliable and, dare I say, pricefriendly options.
ANTHONY JAGESSUR – By e-mail
The Subaru engineers have taken a standard Impreza and modified it to the hilt, based on their rally experience. You’ve bought this car and now want to modify it even further – and you want Subaru to still honour its warranty? No manufacturer can be expected to do this because it cannot control either the design, materials or the workmanship of the part and even if it supplied a so-called approved part it couldn’t inspect the part after fitment or monitor the person fitting it.
Please also read the answer to the previous letter.