| grippgoat | 06-01-2004 03:22 PM |
STI seats suck
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I've decided I don't like my 05 STI seats (which seem to be mostly the same, functionally speaking, as the 04 STI seats).
I went to a rallycross in portland and checked out a bunch of other WRXes, and I've decided the 02-03 seats are WAY better. Sure, they don't look quite as cool, but they are more comfortable, more supportive, and they sit a good inch and a half lower, at least, which makes the car feel more sporty. I've also noticed that the 02-03 seats are angled a lot more (the front edge of the seat is higher than the back edge), and may even be a bit deeper. The 02-03 seats also have softer cushions. I really feel like I sit *on* my STI seats, rather than *in* them. The 02-03 seats fit like a glove (and I'm 6' 210lbs).
Why did they have to change them?
I can't exactly figure out why the 04+ seats (both STI and regular WRX) sit so much higher. I can't tell if it's a seat difference, or just a bracket difference, or some of each. The STI seat only seems to be about 3" thick at most under the butt, so I'm guessing it must be in the bracket.
What's the going rate for brand new 05 STI seats? Maybe I should sell them and get some Recaros or Sparcos, or trade for some 02-03 seats. It'd be kind of a shame to dull-down the otherwise cool-looking STI interior with some plain-jane 02-03 seats.
What's the weight difference between a pair of stock STI seats, and a pair of Recaro Speeds (cloth) with simple brackets/sliders? It seems like getting rid of that ratcheting mechanism would be worth a few pounds, not to mention ditching the side airbags.
-Mike
I went to a rallycross in portland and checked out a bunch of other WRXes, and I've decided the 02-03 seats are WAY better. Sure, they don't look quite as cool, but they are more comfortable, more supportive, and they sit a good inch and a half lower, at least, which makes the car feel more sporty. I've also noticed that the 02-03 seats are angled a lot more (the front edge of the seat is higher than the back edge), and may even be a bit deeper. The 02-03 seats also have softer cushions. I really feel like I sit *on* my STI seats, rather than *in* them. The 02-03 seats fit like a glove (and I'm 6' 210lbs).
Why did they have to change them?
I can't exactly figure out why the 04+ seats (both STI and regular WRX) sit so much higher. I can't tell if it's a seat difference, or just a bracket difference, or some of each. The STI seat only seems to be about 3" thick at most under the butt, so I'm guessing it must be in the bracket.
What's the going rate for brand new 05 STI seats? Maybe I should sell them and get some Recaros or Sparcos, or trade for some 02-03 seats. It'd be kind of a shame to dull-down the otherwise cool-looking STI interior with some plain-jane 02-03 seats.
What's the weight difference between a pair of stock STI seats, and a pair of Recaro Speeds (cloth) with simple brackets/sliders? It seems like getting rid of that ratcheting mechanism would be worth a few pounds, not to mention ditching the side airbags.
-Mike
| TanXP | 06-01-2004 03:56 PM |
hey man lets switch, mine are in perfect order
| maaw | 06-01-2004 04:14 PM |
The typical wrx owner in japan is probably 5' 8 - 5'10 weighing in at a svelte 140-170 pounds. The typical wrx owner in america is much much larger. I'm guessing enough people with 02 wrxs complained about not being able to fit in the seats and subaru decided to "super-size" the seats for 04-05.
Its sad that they dont give you the option to "super-size" your rex. the v5 sti seat fits me like a god damn glove. The 05 sti, feels like I need to gain about 50 pounds before the bolstering kicks in.
Its sad that they dont give you the option to "super-size" your rex. the v5 sti seat fits me like a god damn glove. The 05 sti, feels like I need to gain about 50 pounds before the bolstering kicks in.
| Drowner | 06-01-2004 04:23 PM |
I'll trade you for my 01 RS seats. :)
| Calamity Jesus | 06-01-2004 04:26 PM |
I'd sell those and go for the aftermarket seats myself. Sparco, Recaro or Corbeau. Take some time to measure yourself and visit some race shops to find seats that will fit you well.
| grippgoat | 06-01-2004 04:56 PM |
Well, first of all, headroom is like an inch and a half less in the 04+ seats... That definitely doesn't seem like a good move for bigger drivers. Second, I'm 6' 210lbs, not a small dude, and the 02-03 seats fit great. Third, the side bolsters on the STI seats work ok for me, but the seat bottom bolsters are actually too narrow if I really get my butt back in the seat. It really just seems like a horrible design. Two of my friends that I was visiting this weeked are either taller and bigger than me, or shorter and fatter, and they both greatly preferred the 02-03 seats to mine. So even if size was the reason subaru re-designed the seats, they did a horrible job. I'm almost almost wondering if safety had something to do with it.
As for ppl wanting to trade... I'm not sure I want to go that route, and I certainly wouldn't want to go that route with someone who isn't local.
-Mike
As for ppl wanting to trade... I'm not sure I want to go that route, and I certainly wouldn't want to go that route with someone who isn't local.
-Mike
| reno_bk | 06-01-2004 05:14 PM |
I ditched my 04 seats for a used pair of 03's after about 6 months for the same reason -- they just didn't feel anywhere near as comfortable as the 02/03 seats to me. I thought it might look strange at first, having different seat fabric on the fronts than the rears, but it looks totally normal. "Looks" are secondary to "feel" to me, so I don't mind the switch at all...it was either find new seats or find a new car. I'm VERY pleased with the switch!
Brian
Brian
| wgknestrick | 06-01-2004 06:11 PM |
Let me chime in with a pic to get the thoughts rollin.
[IMG]http://users.rcn.com/wgknestrick/STI%20034.jpg[/IMG]
I ended up pocketing about $300 after I sold my complete STI interior for a WRX one and buying these covers.
[IMG]http://users.rcn.com/wgknestrick/STI%20034.jpg[/IMG]
I ended up pocketing about $300 after I sold my complete STI interior for a WRX one and buying these covers.
| bemani | 06-01-2004 06:41 PM |
And your resale value dropped about $1000 :(
| Samirr76 | 06-01-2004 06:56 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by bemani [/i]
[B]And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
Yeah well who cares as long as your happy with your car. As long as he's happy with it thats all that matters.
Nobody's asking YOU to buy it or even LIKE it. :rolleyes:
[B]And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
Yeah well who cares as long as your happy with your car. As long as he's happy with it thats all that matters.
Nobody's asking YOU to buy it or even LIKE it. :rolleyes:
| SilverstreakSTI | 06-01-2004 07:03 PM |
Im 6' and 235 lbs, and I am comfortable in them. Then again I am used to being stuffed into a cockpit with VERY uncomfortable seats for hours at a time. I guess its all up to what you are used to but the stock seats feel like a laz-y-boy under my fat ass:p
| IronMonkeyL255 | 06-01-2004 07:58 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by bemani[/i]
[B] And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
That is if he is even going to sell it.....
[B] And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
That is if he is even going to sell it.....
| grippgoat | 06-01-2004 08:04 PM |
Hrm. Just checked out the Recaro Speed and Sport, the Sparco Torino, and the stock EVO seats. They're all not quite right. Guess that puts 02-03 WRX seats at the top of the list.
-Mike
-Mike
| grippgoat | 06-01-2004 08:18 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by IronMonkeyL255 [/i]
[B]That is if he is even going to sell it..... [/B][/QUOTE]
He was talking to wgknestrick
-Mike
[B]That is if he is even going to sell it..... [/B][/QUOTE]
He was talking to wgknestrick
-Mike
| clamdip | 06-01-2004 09:41 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by maaw [/i]
[B]The typical wrx owner in japan is probably 5' 8 - 5'10 weighing in at a svelte 140-170 pounds. The typical wrx owner in america is much much larger. I'm guessing enough people with 02 wrxs complained about not being able to fit in the seats and subaru decided to "super-size" the seats for 04-05.
Its sad that they dont give you the option to "super-size" your rex. the v5 sti seat fits me like a god damn glove. The 05 sti, feels like I need to gain about 50 pounds before the bolstering kicks in. [/B][/QUOTE]
well, i think the typical japan WRX owner is a bit smaller, i'd say about 5' 3 - 5' 8 or so. i think the typical american owner is about 5' 7 - 6' 0 or so on average. :)
[B]The typical wrx owner in japan is probably 5' 8 - 5'10 weighing in at a svelte 140-170 pounds. The typical wrx owner in america is much much larger. I'm guessing enough people with 02 wrxs complained about not being able to fit in the seats and subaru decided to "super-size" the seats for 04-05.
Its sad that they dont give you the option to "super-size" your rex. the v5 sti seat fits me like a god damn glove. The 05 sti, feels like I need to gain about 50 pounds before the bolstering kicks in. [/B][/QUOTE]
well, i think the typical japan WRX owner is a bit smaller, i'd say about 5' 3 - 5' 8 or so. i think the typical american owner is about 5' 7 - 6' 0 or so on average. :)
| Estiem | 06-01-2004 09:47 PM |
Gimme your seats mikey!!!!!
:banana:
:banana:
| Alizarin | 06-01-2004 10:31 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by grippgoat [/i]
[B]So even if size was the reason subaru re-designed the seats, they did a horrible job. I'm almost almost wondering if safety had something to do with it.[/B][/QUOTE]
Ding ding ding! We have a winner! ;)
[B]So even if size was the reason subaru re-designed the seats, they did a horrible job. I'm almost almost wondering if safety had something to do with it.[/B][/QUOTE]
Ding ding ding! We have a winner! ;)
| PoweredByRICE | 06-01-2004 11:37 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by bemani [/i]
[B]And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
Doubt it..private sales are always the way to go, people eat that stuff up sometimes (custom interiors)
[B]And your resale value dropped about $1000 :( [/B][/QUOTE]
Doubt it..private sales are always the way to go, people eat that stuff up sometimes (custom interiors)
| raamaudio | 06-02-2004 02:39 AM |
I have a mint pair of black Recaro SRD's I am selling, I sat in every seat available and chose these, exceptionally comfortable and superb support.
Now the bad news, I built custom mounts that allowed a 6'8" driver to not be able to reach the pedals when all the way back, for audio comp reasons yet a short legged 5'8"(me) still did not need to go all the way forward. I lowered the seating position 1.5" for a lower roll center and then build a single 10" fiberglass sub enclosure for under the passenger seat. Ok, band news, setup for a Toyotay Matrix not a Subaru:( I want to sell it all as a set to maximize a return on my expenses and labor.
I even have a few yards of matching Recaro fabric I was going to do the rear seats in, I did redo the door panels, came out sweet.
If you can, check out the Recaro SRD's, recently discountinued, not sure what the replacement is, hopefully they did not screw it up, the SRD's were the only recliner in their race line at the time;)
Rick
Now the bad news, I built custom mounts that allowed a 6'8" driver to not be able to reach the pedals when all the way back, for audio comp reasons yet a short legged 5'8"(me) still did not need to go all the way forward. I lowered the seating position 1.5" for a lower roll center and then build a single 10" fiberglass sub enclosure for under the passenger seat. Ok, band news, setup for a Toyotay Matrix not a Subaru:( I want to sell it all as a set to maximize a return on my expenses and labor.
I even have a few yards of matching Recaro fabric I was going to do the rear seats in, I did redo the door panels, came out sweet.
If you can, check out the Recaro SRD's, recently discountinued, not sure what the replacement is, hopefully they did not screw it up, the SRD's were the only recliner in their race line at the time;)
Rick
| raamaudio | 06-02-2004 02:41 AM |
P.S.
I have driven, fairly hard, an STI and was not all that impressed with the seats, would change them if I owned the car. The Evo 8 seats are better but still not great.
I have driven, fairly hard, an STI and was not all that impressed with the seats, would change them if I owned the car. The Evo 8 seats are better but still not great.
| grippgoat | 06-02-2004 04:56 AM |
Yeah, I checked a co-worker's EVO 8 seats today. They are good, but the butt is still a hair tight. Not quite as tight as the Recaro Speed. But the thigh bolsters are also a little wussy on the EVO 8 seats.
-Mike
-Mike
| saar | 06-02-2004 05:27 AM |
I have a Recaro SRD (discontined) as my Video game chair...I originally bought it for my RS...but it seemed like the bolstering was not much tighter than my stock RS seat...wich wasnt what i was persueing ...so i picked up a Sparco Sprint Bucket....but the SRD is quite nice...Reclinable...and accomadating to larger fellows...ie 6'foot +
| scrappydoo | 06-02-2004 05:40 AM |
Now that I've added bolstering to my seats I love em.
| PoweredByRICE | 06-02-2004 09:35 AM |
Remember, for tigther seats sometimes you sacrifice comfort. While USDM STi won't hold you in cornering, they are pretty comfy otherwise..while JDM STi seats hold you in great, they are alot harder then USDM seats..I could do on, but its basically a tradeoff..get some seats for what you use your car mostly for
| wrpmission | 06-02-2004 11:20 AM |
the 04 seats are so thin, if somebody is sitting behind me I can feel their knees in my back.
| raamaudio | 06-02-2004 03:01 PM |
Very good points to consider:)
I bought my SRD's for the confort on long drives to audio and driving events. I had a back injury many years ago and they seemed to be the only ones I could sit in for more than a few minutes without suffering pain. If fact can sit in them for hours with not a single problem.
I have wide hip bones so many of the seats just do not fit me in that department.
I needed reclining for audio comp reasons.
I turned down some killer partial sponsor deals on other seats to go with the SRDs that I paid nearly retail for because I liked them so much better.
We all have our needs to fill and some seats are better than others for our intended purposes:)
Rick
I bought my SRD's for the confort on long drives to audio and driving events. I had a back injury many years ago and they seemed to be the only ones I could sit in for more than a few minutes without suffering pain. If fact can sit in them for hours with not a single problem.
I have wide hip bones so many of the seats just do not fit me in that department.
I needed reclining for audio comp reasons.
I turned down some killer partial sponsor deals on other seats to go with the SRDs that I paid nearly retail for because I liked them so much better.
We all have our needs to fill and some seats are better than others for our intended purposes:)
Rick
| grippgoat | 06-02-2004 06:28 PM |
Perhaps I was too harsh before. The STI seats really aren't THAT bad. I think if they were a bit softer, so I could sink in more, and if they were just mounted lower with the back of the seat bottom tilted down more, they'd actually be pretty nice. And if the bracket were at a better angle for my tastes, the firmness might not bother me so much.
-Mike
-Mike
| ChrisL2 | 06-02-2004 08:52 PM |
I think I'm just going to take the seats from Neon R/T and put them in the STi. :D
They are more comfortable and better bolstered then the STi ones. The STi ones feel fine to me, but lack support in the upper body area. The lower body feels fine.
They are more comfortable and better bolstered then the STi ones. The STi ones feel fine to me, but lack support in the upper body area. The lower body feels fine.
| scrappydoo | 06-03-2004 05:24 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ChrisL2 [/i]
[B]I think I'm just going to take the seats from Neon R/T and put them in the STi. :D
They are more comfortable and better bolstered then the STi ones. The STi ones feel fine to me, but lack support in the upper body area. The lower body feels fine. [/B][/QUOTE]
Try the bolstering mod first, it's only $3 for the pipefoam. If you don't like it you're only out $3. I did that to mine and love em. I used 2 layers of pipefoam and it added about 1 inch on each bolster.
[B]I think I'm just going to take the seats from Neon R/T and put them in the STi. :D
They are more comfortable and better bolstered then the STi ones. The STi ones feel fine to me, but lack support in the upper body area. The lower body feels fine. [/B][/QUOTE]
Try the bolstering mod first, it's only $3 for the pipefoam. If you don't like it you're only out $3. I did that to mine and love em. I used 2 layers of pipefoam and it added about 1 inch on each bolster.
| VanillaEps | 06-03-2004 09:05 AM |
Any info on the bolstering mod? I feel that the 04 WRX seats aren't tight enough.
| BOFslime | 06-03-2004 09:13 AM |
I was thinking about doing this to the side bolsters of my seats aswell. I'll have to pick up some pipefoam.
| scrappydoo | 06-03-2004 09:44 AM |
Here you go.
[URL=http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=551179]bolstering mod[/URL]
[URL=http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=551179]bolstering mod[/URL]
| VanillaEps | 06-03-2004 09:50 AM |
Thank you.
| scrappydoo | 06-03-2004 09:56 AM |
No problem.
| raamaudio | 06-03-2004 02:37 PM |
Ah, I remembered something, thanks for the reminder;)
Back in the day I could not afford aftermarked seats and not many were available I needed some for our 710 Datsun wagon. My ex and I rebuilt some Capri seats by adding metal wings to the sides of the back and lower sections of the seats and extened the thigh support out a few inches.
Next we used different densities of foam and built up the support in each area we were most confortable with including lumbar. Since I did most of the driving we originally were going to custom fit each seat to us individually but soon realized we were so close in fitment we could just do them both the same.
Then we took apart the seat covers and made patterns for the upholstery which she stiched up and we put on the seats.
They came out exceptionally comfortable, very supportive and quite durable. Then again, it was one heck of alot of work. but it always more rewarding to make something instead of just buying everything.
Total cost was probably less than $100.
Back in the day I could not afford aftermarked seats and not many were available I needed some for our 710 Datsun wagon. My ex and I rebuilt some Capri seats by adding metal wings to the sides of the back and lower sections of the seats and extened the thigh support out a few inches.
Next we used different densities of foam and built up the support in each area we were most confortable with including lumbar. Since I did most of the driving we originally were going to custom fit each seat to us individually but soon realized we were so close in fitment we could just do them both the same.
Then we took apart the seat covers and made patterns for the upholstery which she stiched up and we put on the seats.
They came out exceptionally comfortable, very supportive and quite durable. Then again, it was one heck of alot of work. but it always more rewarding to make something instead of just buying everything.
Total cost was probably less than $100.
| DjDharmaNY | 06-04-2004 12:49 PM |
get the v.7 sti seats jdm. i have them, they rock.
| 03WRXMA | 06-05-2004 12:51 AM |
I LOVE my JDM V8 seats, they feel awesome, and are more comfortable than my 03 seats were.
| MB38 | 06-05-2004 01:13 AM |
I find my 02 seats to be too loose. They hurt my ass like hell after 4 or 5 hours of driving, but that's a given. They simply lack bolstering. I can't even imagine how loose the STi seats must be.
I wish there was a tighter seat option that retained the airbags. I'm not switching seats if I'm losing airbags.
I wish there was a tighter seat option that retained the airbags. I'm not switching seats if I'm losing airbags.
| Rentalpillow7 | 06-05-2004 01:43 PM |
yeah, i bought STi seats wadda waste.
Hum, i'm gonna got some brides later on
Hum, i'm gonna got some brides later on
| T-WRX | 06-05-2004 03:56 PM |
Former '02 WRX owner. Current '05 STi owner.
Differences IIRC:
- '02 WRX seats have higher, stiffer side bolstering
- '05 STi seats have much nicer materials of construction
- '02 WRX stiching/seams was starting to come apart in several places after nearly 3 years. The fabric on the STi's seats is not pulled as taught, and should stand up to wear better.
- '05 STi seats have much better head restraint (integrated, non-adjustable)
Differences IIRC:
- '02 WRX seats have higher, stiffer side bolstering
- '05 STi seats have much nicer materials of construction
- '02 WRX stiching/seams was starting to come apart in several places after nearly 3 years. The fabric on the STi's seats is not pulled as taught, and should stand up to wear better.
- '05 STi seats have much better head restraint (integrated, non-adjustable)
| grippgoat | 06-06-2004 12:28 AM |
After a quick inspection, it does appear that the STI seats will un-bolt from the mounting brackets, so I think I will look into some custom brackets. If I could just get the seats mounted lower, with the seat bottom tilted back a bit more, I'd be all set.
-Mike
-Mike
| olappa | 06-06-2004 12:52 AM |
I just skimmed through the various posts on this thread so forgive me if im repeating anything:
I also hate the 04 seats. Im a size M - 5'10." Too large for me, not enough bolstering (maybe enough, but useless due to the fact that I float about 4 inches side to side between bolsters under hard cornering). So Im getting a set of sparco speeds, finally arriving this week. I dont care about their non-adjustable back since I like to drive upright anyway.
Just wanted to say that youre not the only person unhappy with these seats:)
Olappa
I also hate the 04 seats. Im a size M - 5'10." Too large for me, not enough bolstering (maybe enough, but useless due to the fact that I float about 4 inches side to side between bolsters under hard cornering). So Im getting a set of sparco speeds, finally arriving this week. I dont care about their non-adjustable back since I like to drive upright anyway.
Just wanted to say that youre not the only person unhappy with these seats:)
Olappa
| RoninSTI | 06-08-2004 01:00 AM |
yup screw these seats, i'm getting recaro speed or bride brix 2
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