unfair

Its simply relearning of the air/fuel ratio because ECU got reset. Just add more gas when moving off till it completes.

Its not normal. Maybe because you didnt tune after decatting. Where do you feel the vibrations ? Rattling items or steering wheel ?

Haha, no i driving WRX. But i thought can help answer general Qs or ask one of my hippo friends.

couldnt find one in English lol. What info do you require ? I havent gone thru my subaru manual before haha.

Whats the benefit of changing to the new Forester ? Since you got money just go audio shop and let them recommend when you get it ba.

go buy a new android headunit ? about $500-$800.

What is your definition of short term ? As these choices are AWD, the pickup and fuel economy sucks. If there are no major mods, its a reliable vehicle. Remember to get your mechanic to check the Timing belt. If insurance is not too expensive and you prefer pickup, i rather you buy a WRX/STi that is minimally modified as the fuel consumption may be 1-2KM/L difference only. I have a WRX that is getting in 8-9KM/L.

Wah. 4 iridium spark plugs ?

Yes but mine is tune and forget. Because I don't keep modding parts. Edgeworks first tune iirc 400. Retuning is cheaper at 150. If you want you can try yourself. Just need a cable and laptop haha

I think stock enough for street. No need to keep visiting Workshop as car will be more or less reliable. I am using open source tuning. The Accessport i think is useful if you want to keep changing tuning maps. But locally i dont really see people using it.

Road tax is a small issue compared to the new car taxes. Mine is also an 08 WRX that changed intake/exhaust/tune. No other stuff like turbos/internals, for the sake of reliability. With the stock power, already too much power for the street.

Yeah. Renewing my hatchback as the depreciation will be half of a new one

I think the community quite small nowadays. Somemore the VES punishing 20k tax.

why didnt you just ask the workshop to diagnose ?

I think this forum is mainly for Singapore, so might be almost impossible. Suggest you find a group from your country.