Where’d everyone go?

[NBinSD]

I haven’t been on the forums in a cpl of yrs. I got my plates in 2017 and thought it would be nice to have some time back - following build threads and discussions ate up most of my evenings for probably 3 years.

I just popped back on here for the first time in a while and the 818 threads are super quiet. Is there another forum or FB group that’s more active? Or did sales of the 818 die off?

[Ajzride]

It’s a pretty dead platform at the moment. Donors are 15+ years old is probably the biggest hurdle. There are about a dozen active builds, but none of them are fast paced.

[Sgt.Gator]

The two FB groups get more action. But it's hard to search for info.

[fletch]

Like AJ said, we're building... slowly. And posting even more slowly. Sorry. We'll try to be better forum citizens, especially since we'd never be able to get our build done without all the help from everyone.

[Mulry]

Which groups? Hadn't even thought to look there. We are _just_ about to do first start on the engine and go-kart.

[Sgt.Gator]

Which groups? Hadn't even thought to look there. We are _just_ about to do first start on the engine and go-kart.

Just do a search for 818 on FB. There's a closed 818 Owners group and an open Factory Five 818 Builders and Dreamers group. Both are active but I find threaded forums like this one to be better for the long term value. The folks in the FB pages are a younger demographic generally speaking.

[NBinSD]

I second not being able to get the car done without all the forum help. That's why I was so surprised to see how quiet it is here.

I think if the car ended up being what it was marketed to be originally in terms of time and cost to build, it would have been a big hit.


It's too bad, the car is fun and has a lot of potential.

[Ajzride]

If you take it on with the right mindset it’s a great build. But thinking you will get a nice paint free car for $15K is off base. If I were to do a second one I would definitely stretch the frame for more room and adjust the suspension pick up points to help with bump steer and alignment.

[FFRWRX]

I don't know if I should say I'm still here, or just here. Working on an 818C I bought partially assembled. The forum help has been great! I should start a build page even though I'm not great at keeping things like that up to date.

Rick
Bolton, Ontario

[Jetfuel]

As the new/old kid in the block I've been here learning from all the builders and getting their ideas
After purchasing sn 59 in a running state I've been working on it to make it my own
Winter of '18 was interior/exterior work and a five month project of a hard top
Winter of '19 was used for removal of all panels and paint, didn't like it after I got it all back together so I took it apart and did it again and now I'm satisfied with the way it looks and the other 3 seasons ...well...drove the wheels off

Jet

[Mechie3]

I'm here on and off. FB killed most forums, at least for younger demographics. The two subaru forums I was part of are either dead (domain expired) or a group of former Subaru owners that just chat in the forum about nothing Subaru related. Haha! It's so much easier to post photos to FB. Take pics with your phone, go to FB app, click photo, done. Forums require you to upload them elsewhere usually, then link with img tags.

[Santiago]

That's true. But I find that FB makes for a pretty poor venue to explain things and keep track of an extended project. It's more of an "oooh-ahhh" sort of place.

Us old guys like to sit and think, digest info, do research. The "click-click-snort/sniff" culture is for the kids. =)

[Mechie3]

I definitely hate it for chronicling things. Too hard to search. It's more "10 seconds of fame".....and it's gone. Forums are good for long term documentation and instruction.

[lsfourwheeler]

I'm not sure the forums are any less active now than they have been. It actually seems like to me all the extra time people have had recently have restarted a few builds that had been dormant for a while.

[DMC7492]

Hi guys I’m still here on and off but just sanding fiberglass doing bodywork. forming the duct work for the front intercooler radiator. It’s a long process being summer there is too many other activities going on!

[redbudrr]

I started my 818s in 2017 and licensed it April 2019. I still check out the Forum daily. It has been an invaluable tool, helping whenever it was needed during the build and since I have been on the road. I am also on the FB sights, which are also in their own way.

[pixel]

Thanks for the info!