Making the 2023 Subaru WRX a better car! I Actually Like This thing! 

I did some very minor things that drastically improved how I felt about my 23 WRX. 1. Fix your audio EQ - If you don't have the HK system, go immediately into your EQ (hold down tune button) and turn bass up, mid down, treble up (the classic "Rock" EQ preset) or whatever your preferred EQ is. I would also recommend a speaker upgrade in the front doors and dash tweeters, which I'll be doing shortly. Also, try messing with the virtual bass and dynamic beat settings once you're happy with the EQ, as they may improve sound further. And don't forget the SVC control for increasing volume when interior noise goes up when driving. 2. Wireless Android Auto/Carplay Dongle - No built-in wireless yet. I bought the Motorola AA dongle and it connects very quickly and I can now use an adapter in the 12v port for rapid charging. It's so nice to not have to worry constant disconnects (dealt with this in my last car too) and about putting my phone somewhere where it won't get jostled but also be easily accessible. 3. Infotainment Update - the update is available, but you have to download it and install it with at least a 16GB USB stick. Fixes the janky climate controls for 1-touch access. 4. Set your Sirius XM station to 0 so when you start your car, there's no radio playing - Other than turning off your audio every time you get out of the car, I don't know how else to not have the radio playing when you start it back up. So stupid and annoying--I hope I can keep doing this when the trial subscription runs out. These little things made hopping in my car when I just need to hop from A to B so much more enjoyable. The first major upgrade I will do is likely to the brakes, as they feel spongy, likely starting with SS brake lines, but any recommendation to that is recommended, including if I should just ask the dealership to take a look at it under warranty.

Starting to like the VB a bit more after the mods but....the single exit exhaust...i can't do it. If the rear bumper was made with 2 exhaust holes, you gotta fill both holes with the exhaust, but thats my personal preference. Keep up the good content!

Its a happy and sad time when Smeedia posts. Always a great 20 minutes and then sad times after realising im all caught up and there arent anymore videos to watch😅 so keen to see the Rx7 drive🙌🏼

Love your channel! Just got my first car (a subaru), and I'm looking into some mods. You've been a great help so far, keep up the good content 😄

Thank you for making this video! I've been watching your videos for about a year as I was saving up for my first sports car purchase. I ended up buying a '23 WRX in large part because your videos made me appreciate the WRX platform (and because the car is a great deal at $34k brand new). Since I've never modded a car before and I was waiting for you to put out this video to start on mine, because you're the only one that I'd trust to take advice on WRX modding on YT.

Glad you’re enjoying the car! I’ve loved my VB since I traded in my VA. Can’t wait for more videos

Buddy of mine bought one of these. Drove it around and noticed it's quite a bit different from my '19 STI. Granted, its wrx vs sti but still. Drove comfortably. Back and ears didn't hurt when it started up. Excited for the content brother #bluuuuu

Came from a Hawkeye wrx to this. A lot of mixed feelings but after 1 yr and 16k it’s grown a lot on me. A lot of potential with this car.

Finally! VB content! I hyped for the future vids with this thing! I have so so many mods on the list for mine.

Listening.......needs to be a shirt that says: "I just wanna drive the speed limit and listen to Halloween music!"

The VB content is what I've been waiting for! Can't wait for more

New to the channel. Just got my first Subie, 22 WRX premium 6MT. Not nearly ready for engine stuff, but this is right up my alley. That NW tattoo with the space needle is sick! No better place than the Upper Left. Go M's.

New to the channel and I love it. Thx for sharing your knowledge and keeping it simple and relatable.

Seeing all new components looks amazing😂 that and having the right tools would help me out with my repairs!!

This video gave me nostalgia vibes . Like when u had blue in the house you owned before you moved in with Matt . Really detailed talking and showing every bolt to remove when doing the coil overs .

"i just wanna drive the speed limit and listen to halloween music" -me on my way to work as a minivan cuts me off to get to the exit from 3 lanes over

Yeaaaaa buddy always a good time when smeedia notification goes off love the wrx content keep it coming

Glad to see you warming up to the wrx. I have the cbs vb for the most part blacked out and it looks pretty mean. The lip does make a difference. I have the Kogeki duckbill and it pulls a sense of balance to the rear bumper.

I love the car, even the color. This would be my first Subaru, coming from a Mazda CX-5 Sig. Looking forward to driving a manual again. Great video. I didn't realize all of those modifications were available. I'll probably just drive mine stock, but it's good to know there are modifications out there. Thank you for the content.

That new grill is awesome! Crazy how much that changes the aesthetic for the better

Love it! Nice to watch how this is coming along. FA owner and up and down over the new one and waiting a year or 2 but very fun to watch and making it just a little bit more of a maybe. The grill IMO one of the best bang for your buck mods. I kinda like it without the emblem,(too much Tokyo extreme racer) :) but you do you. Did the JDM on my 2017 and so much better.

My brother bought a 22 in Black. He tinted the windows and some of the rear reflectors first thing. Looks great now. It could use bigger brakes. But now I want an FA24 in my STI. Seems like a more reliable option and an excellent mod to see.

i got mine a year ago and im just starting to do stuff to it! the stuff you got was some of what i was looking at so this is cool seeing it :D

Everything you did in this one video definitely did change it. Drastically changed the dynamic

Already loving the VB content

JDMUSCLE is awesome, super quick shipping and good parts for the VB👍

Got a '23 GT MGM last weekend. Already installed foot well illumination kit and illuminated side sill kit. Tint is next followed up with JDM F1 with PnP kit. Then grabbing JDM sport grill, DRL fog kit, and JDM rear diffuser. I love this car and can't wait to work on it more. This video has convinced me to consider coil overs. Looking forward to more videos on your '23

This is sick. So glad you grabbed a VB.

Don’t have this car but enjoy the content keep it coming.

Great video ready for the next vid 🔥🔥🔥 subbed

I'm stoked to see this baby come together 🔥

Looks much betta! I'm running BC's on my Spec V with Swift springs and man the ride is comfy when I'm cruising and very stable during aggressive driving.

Really glad I stumbled across your channel. At some point in the next 9-12 months, I’m going to be buying a new or used WRX. I’ve been on the hunt for one for years and am finally in the position to make it happen. Test drove a 2019 the other day, but the used market right now is crazy. Looking forward to following your journey with this car as I think about buying my own.

Just picked one up yesterday and I love it. Looking it make some more power and hear that motor/turbo a bit more . Love the interior as well I got the premium model on Sapphire Blue.

Just saw you on 160th St E. It looks really good bro! Makes me want to buy one! 🤯

Exhaust looks great man! Burnt tip looks awesome too. Jdm af lol

It's a beautiful day when the neon is inside the garage😂🎉hopefully yall start wrenching 🔧 🛠 on it soon 🙏🏾💪🏾💯🥰

Dude that is extremely clean. Just picked my 23 premium up in the same color this weekend. I can't help but want to emulate the start of your build.

I did a similar grill to my 16 wrx, instead of putting an emblem I painted the part of the radiator black to give it a meaner look, car looked awesome

Looks great! Window tint is a definite MUST HAVE on vehicles!! Also, good to see that Subaru's infotainment system still suxs and breaks in short order. Yours makes 4 out of 4 I personally know if. Co-worker's '22 Outback XT, Wive's '17 Outback 3.6R, Son's '22 Outback XT and my '17 Forester XT Touring. At least we're a perfect 4 for 4 on busted infotainments. :)

Biggest improvement I made to my VB was putting the group N trans mount positive shift kit and rear diff bushing inserts in huge difference in shifter feel i would recommend those 3 mods

getting rid of the crosstrek front grill makes a huge difference on these VBs. i love the look of the debadged grill too

Nice job, looking good 🤙

Coming from a 6spd turbo Dart, then a 5.7 daytona charger then a type r THEN an overland ecodiesel grand cherokee now a 6spd VB. MAN this thing is amazing!! Me and the wife both bought one 😅

I'm not a subaru guy, so maybe that's why I never had issues with the looks lol. The overall look of the car was ok to me. However when I saw pics of ones that color matched all the black cladding, it looked sweet. I'm thinking about getting one now.

The stance is definitely mean now. I think that is perfect height.

"I just wanna drive the speed limit and listen to Halloween music!" 🤣🤣🤣

Great video! Enjoyed seeing the before and after with mods. Does the new exhaust add much for performance gains?

A good thing about the blob eye and the bug eye is the bumper doesn’t need to come off to change grille, just gotta pop the hood and unclip it

1000x better with these mods. I now can say I finally like the new body when tastefully modified.

Front/side lips help looks alot on this those and flaps really help fill in some of the gaps and weird looks of the plastics, i need to get some coils eventually that looks really good though. The wing theres a few of the same ones out there those look great too

I think an important, inexpensive mod would be a steering damper lockdown. For $84 it should help correct some of the lack of road feel in the steering that people complain about. I would probably look at upgraded swaybars before doing coilovers. Better bang for your buck for handling and won't make the ride stiffer. I haven't received my WRX yet but these will probably be first on the list.

You're making me almost like the new chassis. Almost. 😆 Mel: I've been on the lookout for more streams!

I was so happy when I saw the sport grill on it in the thumbnail

Looks great!!! 🚙💨

Its looking much better now. A few mods to it and it can change the way it handles and performs. Im going to wait for the facelift and probably the limited release with STI kit, Brembos etc. Until then i will decide which way to go.

Damn that looks way better. Only blemish is the rear bumper. Really coming around to this car.

Huge difference in the looks in one day. 👌 Im with Matt, always liked it except that rear bumper.

I agree that window tint is a must first👍🏼.

Nice I'm plan on getting one made for me in Orange and might drop it a .and exhaust and I miss driving an manuals

For the plastic borders around the wheels, they are my biggest gripe with this car for the looks department. Check out aeroflow dynamics please!! They have done a paint match for those pieces and it looks so much cleaner!!!

You can completely rewire a car from the ground up but cannot tint...

Just got my 2023 yesterday. Gonna drive it around for awhile before swapping anything out. But I'll definitely be doing an exhaust upgrade. Too quiet from the factory. Thinking the Invidia R400 are gonna be my pick. 😁 Think I might follow your lead and get the windows tinted.

I've said it since the beginning... This will be the best wrx ever. Engine and exterior. Give the all the new mods time to be on the market.

I've always liked the VB wrx. Once I learned how good the factory tune was, and how much potential the engine had I knew the internet haters would fade into the background after they bought one.

Window tint = $600 Picking nose at a red light = Priceless

I've used the QuickJacks on my 2015 WRX before. Love those things makes working on vehicles easier. Unfortunately it was my friend's. I still use jack and jack stands. I don't have a garage wish I did. Eventually I'll move out and will definitely want a garage. Can't complain too much though otherwise.

Looks good! Needs the Subaru logo on the grill though.

I can’t wait for more blue content. Glad to hear the heart is coming soon. 2023 wrx thought “ see if you can cut the fake bezels out to make them functional front and rear. That car has so many nonfunctional bezels and I believe it’s actually more heavy than the Sti. Maybe due to the engine. Or get a aftermarket rear bumper that’s more functional for that car…. Don’t know if I like the wrx too much Honda on it.”

Rx-7 intake manifold looks great!!!

Can’twait to see where you’ll take that car !!!!

Woo hoo VB content! Wait till the AP is released for the 23! Then you’ll have some fun

I have a 2012 Dodge Challenger, but bought a 2024 Legacy for my mother-in-law because the Toyota and Honda sedans are overpriced. I am so GLAD I did. I now see why people love Subaru. The engine is so easy to get to everything! Plus, after the engine broke in after 2K miles the performance is actual very good. I am impressed. I love the Challenger, but I would buy a WRX!

Im glad im not the only one who can admit when its just not worth it to try tinting windows on your own.

I'm coming around to it. I parked right next to one of these at work in my STi hatch, and my coworker told me to keep mine because it looked better lol

for those bolts with the allen in the wheel well, you can get an actual ratchet for that kind of hardware with a passthrough on the drive. they're called Hi-Lok ratchets. Just a little side note.

My VA WRX is lowered by 1 inch and on 20MM spacers with 18x8 wheels and 245/45/18 tires Makes it flush af 👌🏽

For whatever reason i thought the single cannon on the back would be louder too, car looks great though you did everything i want to do to my car in one day smh looks great!

Remember that you actually want a tad bit of negative camber even for a daily. Not much bit a smidge. If the wheel is a perfect 90*, it wont handle correctly as you will get positive camber mid turn.

Hello, Thanks for the info. Im new to the mods world and the videos really make it much clearer and easier to take on. Can you please tell me what specific setup the BC Racing BR Series Coilovers 2022+ WRX are? IDid you use the Default 6k Front/Rear spring rate?

Would be fun to yank the FA24 out of em and swap it into an older chassis. But youve already got a crazy swap going with Blu lol. Keep it up Tanner!

She said I just wanna drive the speed limit and listen to Halloween music lol. Oan. Tint on the subie just made it more sexy. It's definitely gotta be louder, bro.

SICK.

Earliest I’ve been to a video in a while

Had my Vb for just over a year now, after coilovers, exhaust, wheels, and a carbon trunk I have come to like this car so much more than I thought I would at first, hope the same comes around here and excited to see what you do with it!

The car is looking a lot better for sure. I just don't think I'll ever get over the plastic feeders and side skirts. But maybe your continued improvements will change my mind

Even with going muffler deletes you don't get much sound. When I did the Grimmspeed J-pipe is when mine came alive. That and a bunch of other parts and a dyno tune..hehe

The paint match Sti wing and fenders would look insane I saw them online not bad ether for the price

Hell yeah, this is dope. I bought my 23' rex about a month ago. The day I bought it, I ordered paint matched fender flares, roof and rear spoilers, and the ETS catback. Within a week I had an appointment to get the STI short shifter installed. I like the look of the BC racing coilovers, I may end up picking them up. How does it drive compared to stock? I am coming into the WRX from a 17' STI that could never pass inspection due to a transmission sensor issue. I don't want the same bumpiness as the stock STI...but I want it to feel more sporty than stock.

U should hit up aero flow dynamic for the paint match fenders and I think they also do rear bumper and front bumper color match stuff….

With the way the new car market is the WRX is a great bang for the buck.

Somebody gotta make a whole rear end body kit for this

Wasn't a fan of the grill at first, but after seeing it out of the garage I kind of like it with no badge.

Brembos front and rear, suspension lowering, exhaust and a tune. That will totally transform it.

I think it needs a little less spacer up front or a little more spacer out back. The rear looks a little further in. The ride height is pretty perfect out of the box and the exhaust sounds great. Not a fan of super dark tint, but everyone has their preferences. I haaaaaaate the grill though. It just looks…budget. Can’t complain for free, but it doesn’t match anything on the car. The OEM JDM grill would be sick

You know what the grill needs? Cherry Blossom Red WRX logo in the bottom right, go STI style but all in on the WRX.

One and a half finger lol, after they settle it will be 1. I ran a 1 finger gap on my Sti for a while but it was way too low. Moved it up to a 2finger gap and it’s a lot more daily friendly, I still need to be careful and angle it up steep driveways but much more manageable.

front grill is a great upgrade

Paint matched wheel wells👀👀😍

bruh i had no idea you where in pnw, i love your vids. That tint place in Puyallup? how long did they take & is there pricing pretty good?