In 2021, I made the decision to sell my Opel Corsa 1.0T and upgrade to a 2018 Subaru Impreza 2.0 CVT. As someone who had never owned a car like this before, I was both nervous and excited to see what it could do. Little did I know that this car would ignite my passion for cars and change my life in unexpected ways.
At first, the CVT transmission felt strange to me. I had only ever driven manual transmission cars, so it took some time to adjust. But as I got more comfortable with the Impreza’s smooth and seamless shifts, I began to appreciate its benefits, especially for city driving. The power of the Impreza was another thing that impressed me. With a horsepower of about 115kw, it was the fastest car I had ever owned. Compared to my Opel Corsa, which was only rated at 80kw, the Impreza was a major step up. I loved the feeling of acceleration and power that came with driving the Impreza, and it only fueled my interest in cars and their capabilities.
After a few months of driving the Impreza, I decided to make my first modification. I had a locally made axle-back exhaust installed to delete the mufflers and bring the car’s sound alive. The resulting roar of the engine was music to my ears and completely changed my perception of Subarus. It was this moment that made me fall in love with Subarus as a whole. The exhaust not only gave the car a more aggressive sound, but it also improved its performance. The exhaust system allowed for better airflow and less restriction, which in turn increased the horsepower and torque output of the car.
However, the Impreza was still under warranty, and when it was time to go for its last service under the motorplan at Subaru Pietermaritzburg, I had to swap out the axle-back exhaust for the factory muffler by myself so that they would not void the warranty. This was my first “self-done” mod, and I was proud of myself for successfully completing it.
As I continued to drive the Impreza and learn more about cars and car culture, I faced some challenges along the way. I initially struggled with figuring out where to start, as there were so many aspects of car culture to explore, from performance upgrades to aesthetic modifications. But I was determined to take it one step at a time, starting with basic maintenance tasks like changing the oil and checking tire pressure.
One of the things that impressed me most about the car-hobby world was the passion and dedication of the community. From attending car shows to participating in online forums, I discovered a whole new world of like-minded people who shared my interests and enthusiasm. It was inspiring to see how people from all walks of life came together over their love of cars.
In retrospect, I’m grateful for my decision to dive into the car-hobby world with the Impreza. It may not have been the most luxurious or expensive car, but it opened up a whole new world of possibilities and experiences for me. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes me next and to continue learning and exploring the world of cars.