Is it Time to Stop Obsessing Over the Manual Transmission?

November 17, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 12 Comments

Today, Subaru debuted its 2024 Impreza. It’ll be available only as a hatchback. It’ll now be offered in sporting 2.5 RS trim again, and it also drops the manual transmission. That’s right—no more manual Impreza—it’s CVT or nothing. Subaru also recently debuted its 2024 Crosstrek, but hasn’t officially said no manual transmission. But does the…

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Our Mitsubishi Delica On TFLoffroad

November 14, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 2 Comments

We drove the Travel Tractor, aka our 1994 Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear, to the Denver area to pick up an Egoé Nest Supertramp camper setup. While we were there the crew from TFL invited us over to have a walkaround done on our Mitsubishi Delica on TFLoffroad, their 4×4/overland-centric channel.

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2022 Alcan 5000 Rally: The Video

October 3, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 1 Comment

Partnering with Subaru of America and Subaru Motorsports USA, we tackled the 2022 Alcan 5000 Rally in a new Subaru Outback Wilderness. There were good roads, bad roads, lots of bugs, 1,500 miles of dirt, and amazing camaraderie, scenery, and wildlife. We put together this video of some of the event’s highlights; we hope you enjoy.

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Ferrari-Powered Subaru WRX = Insane Rally Car Build

October 1, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

I popped into Primitive Racing last week to pick up some mud flaps and skid plates for our new Crosstrek. The company’s owner, Blake Lind, was showing me around the shop when something in the corner caught my eye. There was a V8 nestled in the bay of a WRX stage rally car. I had…

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Crosstrek Wheels and Tires: Reika Vehicle Solutions and BFGoodrich

September 29, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 4 Comments

I’m a hopeless wheel and tire junkie. I absolutely love what a great set of wheels and tires can do to a car’s appearance. And, of course, we knew our Crosstrek would end up with a good set of rollers and shoes. Before making our selection, I did a bunch of research on which way…

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Nameless Performance Subaru Crosstrek Strut Tower Bar Installation

September 14, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / Leave a comment

Today, our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek finally crossed over 1,000 miles! But shortly before that, we installed yet another modification, this time in the form of a Nameless Performance Strut Tower Bar. This modification is done to help increase handling and structural rigidity and decrease chassis flex on the Crosstrek. If this helps to increase handling, we’re all for it.

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First Crosstrek Mod: Nameless Performance Executive Axle Back Exhaust

August 14, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 2 Comments

Well, that didn’t take long. We’ve already installed our first modification onto our 2022 Subaru Crosstrek. We don’t even have 900 miles on it. So first things first? Let’s make this thing a bit louder. We installed a Nameless Performance Executive Axle Back Exhaust. So far? We’re impressed.

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We’re Ready For the 2022 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally!

August 11, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 1 Comment

We are one step closer to being ready for the 2022 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally! Our 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness has its rally livery on, we’ve got our modifications installed, and we’re nearly ready to hit the road.

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We Bought a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek

August 9, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 3 Comments

There’s a new ride in the Crankshaft Culture driveway. No, not the Alcan 5000 Outback Wilderness, but close. We actually bought a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek—like, with our own money. It was time to retire our steadfast 2007 Toyota Yaris liftback and add a go-everywhere (at any time) daily driver. We’re totally going to keep it…

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Review: The 2023 Nissan Z Turns Heads, Quickens Pulses

August 6, 2022 / Andy Lilienthal / 2 Comments

I pull into the parking lot of my local hardware store driving the new 2023 Nissan Z. As I shut the car off, a man in a white Volvo 850 wagon drives in front of the svelte sports coupe. As I’m turning the car off and gathering my phone, I can see him still looking…

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