The safest gifts for a WRX or STI owner are the ones that fit any year: the Perrin jack pad set, which Perrin lists for the WRX from 2002 and the STI from 2004 to 2021, and a Wrench Masters shirt. For a manual STI, the Kartboy 6-speed short shifter kit and the COBB 6-speed knob are the standouts, and the Perrin driveshaft lockdown kit suits a 2008 or newer WRX or STI. The Kartboy rear shifter bushing is a good small gift for a manual car, but it does not fit the 2015 and newer WRX.
Wrench Masters sells and works on WRX and STI builds in St. Petersburg, FL. Gift shopping for a Subaru owner has one big trap, which is fitment. Most parts depend on the model year, the transmission, and whether the car is a WRX or an STI, and a gift buyer often does not know all three. This guide sorts the picks by budget and shows which ones fit which cars, so a gift never has to go back.
Which Gifts Fit Which Year?
| Gift | 2002 to 2007 | 2008 to 2014 | 2015 to 2021 | 2022 and newer WRX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrench Masters 10 Year Anniversary shirt | Any | Any | Any | Any |
| Perrin jack pad set | WRX and STI | WRX and STI | WRX and STI | WRX |
| COBB 6-speed knob (6-speed manual only) | STI only | STI only | WRX and STI | Confirm first |
| Kartboy rear shifter bushing (manual only) | WRX and STI | WRX and STI | STI only | No |
| Kartboy 6-speed short shifter kit | STI only | STI only | STI only | No |
| Perrin driveshaft lockdown kit | No | WRX and STI | WRX and STI | WRX |
| COBB carbon fiber alternator cover | No | WRX and STI | STI only | No |
| Perrin 2.4 inch turbo inlet hose | WRX and STI | STI only | STI only | No |
Fitment comes from the makers, their dealers, and the product names on the Wrench Masters listings. Perrin lists the jack pad set for the 2002 and newer WRX and the 2004 to 2021 STI, and the driveshaft lockdown kit for the 2008 to 2025 WRX and the 2008 to 2021 STI. Kartboy lists its short shifter for the 2004 to 2021 STI and its rear bushing for manual 2002 to 2014 WRX and 2004 to 2021 STI cars. The 2002 to 2014 WRX has a 5-speed, which is why the 6-speed knob and short shifter are not for those cars.
What Are Good Gifts for a WRX or STI Owner Under $100?
Start with the safest one. The Wrench Masters 10 Year Anniversary T-Shirt fits any owner and any year, and it comes in sizes from small to 2XL.
For the owner of a 6-speed manual, a shift knob is the classic gift. The COBB 6-speed knob is a Delrin knob on an anodized aluminum base, and dealers list it at about 104 grams with an M12 by 1.25 thread. It threads onto the factory shifter, and it is listed for the 2004 to 2021 STI and the 2015 and newer 6-speed WRX. Dealers differ on the newest WRX years, so confirm a 2022 or newer car before ordering.
The Kartboy rear shifter bushing is a smaller upgrade with a noticeable effect. Kartboy describes it as a 95A polyurethane replacement for the soft factory rubber bushing that tightens the shifter feel, and it warns that the firmer material increases noise, vibration, and harshness. It fits manual 2002 to 2014 WRX and 2004 to 2021 STI cars, and it will not fit the cable shifter on the 2015 and newer WRX, so confirm the transmission before buying.
What Are Good Gifts Under $300?
Bigger gifts are the ones owners rarely buy for themselves. The Perrin jack pad set fits the widest range of cars on this list. Perrin designs the five pads to stay permanently mounted on the car, so there is no jack adapter to lose, and they protect the pinch welds when the car is lifted. A WRX from 2002 onward and an STI from 2004 to 2021 are covered, which makes it the safest fit in this guide.
For an owner who likes tightening up the drivetrain, the Perrin driveshaft lockdown kit holds the driveshaft in place to maintain alignment and reduce movement. The kit includes a front and a rear lockdown, machined from 6061 aluminum with a black anodized finish, and it fits the 2008 to 2025 WRX and 2008 to 2021 STI. It is not for a 2002 to 2007 car, so check the year first. The post on what engine and drivetrain movement actually costs you under power explains why owners add parts like this.
The standout gift for a manual STI owner is the Kartboy 6-speed short shifter kit. Kartboy says it reduces shift throw by 40 percent and drops the shift lever height by one inch, and the kit replaces the stock lever on 2004 to 2021 STI models. One dealer says it installs with simple mechanic’s tools in under 30 minutes. It is STI only, so it is not a gift for a WRX owner, and a manual transmission is required.
For an owner who likes how the engine bay looks, the COBB Redline carbon fiber alternator cover is a dress-up part. The Wrench Masters listing names it for the 2008 to 2020 STI and the 2008 to 2014 WRX, so it is not a gift for a 2015 or newer WRX.
The most involved gift on the list is the Perrin 2.4 inch turbo inlet hose, which replaces the pleated factory inlet on a 2004 to 2021 STI, a 2002 to 2007 WRX, or a 2004 to 2008 Forester XT. Owners of the 2015 and newer WRX cannot use it. It also changes the intake path, and Perrin’s listing says it is not CARB approved, so check local rules before giving it to an owner in a CARB state.
What Should You Check Before Buying a Gift for a Subaru Owner?
Four questions settle almost every fitment problem. Is the car a WRX or an STI? What is the model year? Is the transmission a manual or an automatic? And has the owner already bought the part? A quick look at the car or a message to its owner answers the first three, and the Wrench Masters team can confirm fitment from a year and a model before an order goes out.
Most of the picks here are chassis, drivetrain, or cosmetic parts that need no tune. The turbo inlet hose is the exception, since it is an intake part and not CARB approved, and anyone planning more power parts is better served by a conversation about their build than by a surprise gift.
Where Can You Find More Gift Ideas?
Several guides cover small parts that make good gifts. The drivetrain slop fix list and the five cheap Perrin upgrades are good places to start, and the COBB 6-speed shifter bushing guide covers another shifter option for the STI.
Browse the shifters category and the shifter bushings category for drivetrain gifts, the shift knobs category for interior gifts, and the Wrench Masters gear category for shirts. Parts for these cars are listed on the Subaru WRX parts page and the Subaru STI parts page, and more build guides sit in the Subaru blog category. Owners planning a bigger project can start with the WRX performance upgrades guide or the STI performance guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gift for a WRX owner?
The safest picks are the Perrin jack pad set, which Perrin lists for the 2002 and newer WRX, and a Wrench Masters shirt. A 2015 or newer 6-speed WRX can also use the COBB knob, and a 2008 or newer WRX can use the Perrin driveshaft lockdown kit.
What is a good gift for an STI owner?
The Kartboy 6-speed short shifter kit and the COBB 6-speed knob are the standouts for a manual STI from 2004 to 2021. Both the Perrin jack pad set and the Kartboy rear shifter bushing also fit the 2004 to 2021 STI, and the driveshaft lockdown kit fits the 2008 to 2021 STI.
What should I buy if I don’t know what year their Subaru is?
Stick to gifts that fit every year: the Wrench Masters shirt and the Perrin jack pad set. Avoid shifter parts, the alternator cover, and the driveshaft lockdown kit until you know the year and transmission.
Will the Kartboy rear shifter bushing fit a 2015 WRX?
No. It fits manual 2002 to 2014 WRX and 2004 to 2021 STI cars, and it will not fit the cable shifter on the 2015 and newer WRX.
Do these gifts need a tune or professional install?
Most do not need a tune, because they are chassis, drivetrain, or cosmetic parts. Install difficulty varies, and Kartboy’s dealer says the short shifter installs with simple tools in under 30 minutes, so a shop appointment is optional.
Can I return a gift part if it doesn’t fit?
Return terms depend on the order, so check the shop’s policy before buying, or ask the team to confirm fitment first. Giving the year, model, and transmission up front avoids most problems.
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