Customer Profile: Justin Veilleux and the 2019 Subaru WRX Limited

Of course, our staff comes in contact with many Subaru owners of all platforms during visits to our shop and headquarters here in Bloomfield, CT, but at times, we also cross paths with some actual customers in the cities and towns that we live in each day. It is very difficult for us to not approach a car and its driver to find out about their plans and if they have turned the wrench on any major upgrades since owning the car. We are not just suppliers of aftermarket parts, but our team is a band of faithful enthusiasts who love to connect with the Subaru community at all levels. It wouldn't make sense if we didn't. To our team, there is nothing better than seeing a Subaru and its owner in public, striking up a conversation about their car and some of the modifications they have done, or plan to do, then discover that they began their upgrade journey with a purchase they made at Subimods. Going from a handshake to an inspirational chat to a feeling of extreme pride is a very rewarding experience, so we felt it was important to share this with the rest of the community to build on some inspiration and hopefully encourage others to take the journey they may be contemplating. We wanted to take an opportunity to create a new series of articles which we hope can extend these random meetings and get to know some of these people who, just like you, need to pour their creative personalities into the Subaru that has an important connection with their life.

It is always a reward to meet a Subaru enthusiast for the first time who is truly proud of their vehicle and what brought them to their relationship with the brand. At the first mention of his car, and moreover, that it was noticed by someone within the Subaru community, caused a spark to instantly transform into a flame. As proud as a young father with his first child, his eyes grew wide with excitement and his voice raised with anticipation to tell us how this relationship came to be. Justin grew up in the sleepy town of Agawam, MA across the Connecticut River from the city of Springfield in the middle of the Pioneer Valley. As a young boy, he began to grow excited by any kind of performance car he saw whether in person or in photos. As he got older this feeling was amplified further by his exposure to industry publications which made him hungry to learn more. "I remember my dad bringing home Car and Driver magazines for me. I would remember every car by their brand - naming cars as we drove down the road", Justin explained. When he became closer in age to being a driver himself, he took the predictable path and began craving the sights, smells, and sensation that feeds the true enthusiast's heart. Surrounding himself with the people, places, and things that could build on his passion for cars. "While growing up, my group of friends and I were always tooling around with cars", Justin said. "We all had a passion. Some drove muscle cars, but most of us had tuners. I have a strong passion for tuner cars, especially old wagons/hatchbacks, but I love all cars. They all are unique in their own way." During this time of discovery and experience, Justin felt the first bite of a classic Subaru which would sit in his memory for years to follow and cause him to dream of bigger but somewhat unattainable possibilities.

Like many of us in this Subaru tribe of faithful, it only takes that first look, that first sound, and that first Subaru experience to fall hard for the brand and the spirit behind the logo. "I remember when I was about 13 years old...my friend's older brother had a Rally Blue "Blob Eye" WRX with a big wing. I absolutely loved that car", he said. "It was fast and sounded aggressive with those turbo noises...but as I got older I realized how well the Subaru WRX/STi models hold their value. By the time I was 16 it seemed like an impossible reach to ever own one." Even though owning the cherished WRX STi faded away in his mind like a grandiose fantasy, Justin kept feeding his passions with a constant pursuit of performance on his terms. Now having the heart of a true enthusiast, the craving that began with his first Subaru contact was fed by another brand crossing his path. Funny as it sounds, Justin was then tempted by another iconic model car that in it's day was once referred to by the auto industry, according to Motor Trend Magazine , as "Mengele" and/or "The Angel of Death", the infamous WWII German doctor who carried out gruesome experiments while condemning enemy prisoners to horrible deaths. This time he was able to acquire a 1992 Volkswagen Corrado SLC equipped with a VR6 engine which he used as his daily driver for four years. "I absolutely loved that car but unfortunately it always had issues", Justin explained. "Eventually, I couldn't keep up with the repairs. My wife and I were buying our first home so I had to sell the car. It breaks my heart, still today”, he added. “I missed having a manual car. I can remember how free, fun and stress relieving it felt driving my Corrado." That first bite leaves an itchy mark that we all need to scratch. As we all know, once you get the taste of a true performer, the want does not subside, no matter what you pull in as a substitute. Justin had obligations and responsibilities in his life, but knew someday that he would revisit the same feelings and hopefully capture an earlier dream he had as a boy.

After owning his first true "performance car" and experiencing a vehicle that had no modifications but generated plenty of excitement from under the hood to increase his passion to a heightened intensity, he moved forward in life, choosing another daily driver that he hoped would give him some dependability. "At this point and time I was driving a 2011 Ford Escape limited for a few years and it started to give me issues", he said. "I really wanted another sports car, but also wanted to have AWD (all-wheel-drive) due to our beautiful New England winters." Justin remembered back to those earlier days, seeing that old "Blob Eye" in the back of his mind and hoping that he could enter that family and regain some possibilities through one of Subaru's younger siblings that had the same spirit and fire built into its belly. "I went looking for a Subaru...and low and behold...I saw my current [2019 Subaru] WRX for sale", he confirmed with excitement. "I went to the dealership, they gave me an outstanding trade-in for my Ford Escape, and I was able to purchase this car. Finally after all those years, what seemed to be an impossible car to own, was now mine!" As many of us know, it is a fantastic reward to finally receive what has been a product of your dreams for years and years. Learning about Justin's story should not convince anyone that achieving these gifts is unique, but is possible if you keep your dreams close and hold on firm. He is at the beginning of his modification journey , but is moving swiftly forward knowing that his original goals of performance are only as far away as he chooses. "Since owning my 2019 Subaru WRX Limited I have made some cosmetic mods, but the best has been my Axle Back Exhaust I purchased from Subimods", Justin confirmed. "It has changed the driving experience so much. The sound and the attention. I can't get enough of it", he says with laughter. "Now I feel like I have more personality." With a future of possibilities ahead, Veilleux knows he will be working hard to bring his platform to where it will match his dreams. "In the upcoming year my goals for the car are to get an upgraded braking system, lower the car by an inch, and then, of course install a COBB Access Port", he states with confidence. "My ending goal...would be to have it tuned to Stage1+ . Just a light tune with more pep. We all know how getting off that stock tune makes a difference." Now with a positive outlook on his enthusiast life, Justin can stand back and take in all the good energy. Without doubt he added, "I've never been happier driving my WRX and I'm looking forward to the future to see what my car turns into and especially to see where Subaru takes their future designs."

We are honored that Justin Veilleux chose Subimods to help him achieve some of his goals at the beginning of his modification journey. We are confident that you will find what you need within our wide selection of offerings.

Our team continues to concentrate on providing aftermarket innovations and products that take the Subaru platform of your choice to new levels in the present and the future, no matter if you choose a more exciting, dynamic daily drive, a more exhilarating weekend on the track, or a more aggressive adventure overland and in the wild.

We would be very interested in your thoughts regarding this article and would encourage your feedback and comments regarding your Subaru WRX and how it compares with other cars in its class.

For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your Subaru, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform. We would be happy to serve you!

Write your comments below and continue this conversation. We are always thrilled to hear your opinions. THANK YOU!

Take a look at the selection of upgrades we have in the Subimods catalog for the Subaru WRX. Scroll through our product rotator below to sample some of the quality products we have available.