Book's vehicles thread: Now with Two Different Wheels-Post 339
- Thread starter TheBook
- 342 comments
- 55,932 views
Every white car I see around here looks kinda ratty, though, so that's all I really have to work with. I know I'd keep mine clean though.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
Holy crap, I haven't updated this in a while.
Anyway, I've done a few things to her over the past few months. Paint job fell through (long story), so I decided to modify it another way. My exhaust was starting to get kinda rotten, so this May I decided to replace it instead. 2.5" Trubendz catback exhaust with AeroTurbine muffler (more on that later) with Kamikaze 2-piece 4-1 header. Click for bigger pics.
Header (well, half of it) in the box:
Old exhaust manifold:
Back of catback:
The slightly oversized exhaust tip (that was later replaced):
New header, nice and cozy:
I didn't realize the muffler was essentially an aluminum can with no muffling properties whatsoever until after I installed it. Suffice it to say I would have made the average ricer run away with its tail between its legs; not only was the noise reverberating off buildings, you could literally hear me coming from half a mile away. So I ordered a new Magnaflow muffler for it, rigged it up so I could make it to the exhaust shop to have it welded on, and had them do it. They then told me that I would have to have them put in a catalytic converter before they could work on it, so I had them do that as well. Total cost for everything: $1100.
Having a car that only sounds like it contains a hundred bumblebees instead of a hundred thousand: priceless.
Fast forward to September, when I decided that my sound system wasn't sounding very good. Nor could it get loud enough to play over my exhaust at full throttle. So my dad was nice enough to give me an old Jensen 150w RMSx4 amp that he lad laying around, and I bought a pretty cheap Boss head unit and 4 decent Kenwood speakers. That project went nearly as intended, except I had to drill holes in the doors to run speaker wire. No big deal, and it sounded quite a bit better. No pictures though, sorry.
Fast forward again to Christmas. I received a good Pioneer head unit and put that in. I also received a pair of headlight housings, as mine were fogged to the point that cleaning them was no help whatsoever. I took pictures of this adventure, though:
Before I started:
Toldja it was foggy:
DIY rolled fender mod (I somehow bent it while pulling out the splash shield to get to the bolts to get the bumper off.):
Oooh, shiny...:
Comparison: New light on left, old one on right:
From the other side:
All nice and buttoned up:
Having the new housings make driving at night several times safer, as I can see a good quarter mile down the road with the high beams on. I love it.
Now I'm looking at a new intake for her, as the one I improvised isn't working too well at the moment. Not only that, I'm considering buying a strut/spring setup for the S/R model that firms up the dampers and lowers the car about an inch and a half.
Thoughts?
Anyway, I've done a few things to her over the past few months. Paint job fell through (long story), so I decided to modify it another way. My exhaust was starting to get kinda rotten, so this May I decided to replace it instead. 2.5" Trubendz catback exhaust with AeroTurbine muffler (more on that later) with Kamikaze 2-piece 4-1 header. Click for bigger pics.
Header (well, half of it) in the box:
Old exhaust manifold:
Back of catback:
The slightly oversized exhaust tip (that was later replaced):
New header, nice and cozy:
I didn't realize the muffler was essentially an aluminum can with no muffling properties whatsoever until after I installed it. Suffice it to say I would have made the average ricer run away with its tail between its legs; not only was the noise reverberating off buildings, you could literally hear me coming from half a mile away. So I ordered a new Magnaflow muffler for it, rigged it up so I could make it to the exhaust shop to have it welded on, and had them do it. They then told me that I would have to have them put in a catalytic converter before they could work on it, so I had them do that as well. Total cost for everything: $1100.
Having a car that only sounds like it contains a hundred bumblebees instead of a hundred thousand: priceless.Fast forward to September, when I decided that my sound system wasn't sounding very good. Nor could it get loud enough to play over my exhaust at full throttle. So my dad was nice enough to give me an old Jensen 150w RMSx4 amp that he lad laying around, and I bought a pretty cheap Boss head unit and 4 decent Kenwood speakers. That project went nearly as intended, except I had to drill holes in the doors to run speaker wire. No big deal, and it sounded quite a bit better. No pictures though, sorry.
Fast forward again to Christmas. I received a good Pioneer head unit and put that in. I also received a pair of headlight housings, as mine were fogged to the point that cleaning them was no help whatsoever. I took pictures of this adventure, though:
Before I started:
Toldja it was foggy:
DIY rolled fender mod (I somehow bent it while pulling out the splash shield to get to the bolts to get the bumper off.):
Oooh, shiny...:
Comparison: New light on left, old one on right:
From the other side:
All nice and buttoned up:
Having the new housings make driving at night several times safer, as I can see a good quarter mile down the road with the high beams on. I love it.
Now I'm looking at a new intake for her, as the one I improvised isn't working too well at the moment. Not only that, I'm considering buying a strut/spring setup for the S/R model that firms up the dampers and lowers the car about an inch and a half.
Thoughts?
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
So I planned on getting some new suspension bits for the car. Nobody told me it would be this much of a hassle.
It started with the springs. I wanted the Eibach springs that came stock on the ZX2 S/R. Quite a few places had them listed on their website, but nobody actually had them. Not only that, they were discontinued. FFFUUUUUUUU- #1.
Ordered a different set of springs, still made by Eibach, but with adjustable sleeves that fit onto the struts. The one part of this that has gone right; shipping was quick and they're sitting on the bedroom floor right now. I'll get a pic in the morning.
Then there were the struts. Ordered a set from Summit Racing Equipment; they said it was backordered and would be in on the 9th of March (I ordered them February 14). March 9 came along, and I got a notice saiyng they would be in on the 25th. FFFUUUUUUUU- #2.
Canceled the order from Summit, and ordered them from my local Carquest store. Turns out they're backordered as well. FFFUUUUUUUU- #3.
Oh, the joys of having a car that is somewhat lacking in aftermarket support.
It started with the springs. I wanted the Eibach springs that came stock on the ZX2 S/R. Quite a few places had them listed on their website, but nobody actually had them. Not only that, they were discontinued. FFFUUUUUUUU- #1.
Ordered a different set of springs, still made by Eibach, but with adjustable sleeves that fit onto the struts. The one part of this that has gone right; shipping was quick and they're sitting on the bedroom floor right now. I'll get a pic in the morning.
Then there were the struts. Ordered a set from Summit Racing Equipment; they said it was backordered and would be in on the 9th of March (I ordered them February 14). March 9 came along, and I got a notice saiyng they would be in on the 25th. FFFUUUUUUUU- #2.
Canceled the order from Summit, and ordered them from my local Carquest store. Turns out they're backordered as well. FFFUUUUUUUU- #3.
Oh, the joys of having a car that is somewhat lacking in aftermarket support.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
good point. I know Tire Rack has a set of KYB's for your car although I'm not sure they are made for lowering springs. But have you checked Koni, Blistien, and Öhlins to see if they have anything?
The KYB's are a OE replacement, so I wouldn't think they'd be compatible. The FR ones, considering they're technically OE and were paired with lowering springs, should work. Also, most ZX2 owners swear by them, so they can't be too bad.
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
You still thinking about colours then? I know you mentioned metallic orange in your original post but I'm beginning to think that it's the one to go for. Stands out more than the darker colours and it'll look great in the sun, but it's not so wild that everyone will think you're crazy.
Or alternatively, a deep turquoise-like colour similar to that on the Corvette behind would probably work well too.
Or alternatively, a deep turquoise-like colour similar to that on the Corvette behind would probably work well too.
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Certain colours will work better to modernise the design (not that there's anything wrong with it, but always good making it look less old than it is!), including that metallic orange. A nice, bright white would do the same, as even would colours like dark grey and steel blue.
Green is a good colour but unless you picked something a bit more vibrant you'd risk making the car look a bit dull, unless you get sunshine 24/7 365. And you live in Michigan so I think that's hoping for a bit too much
Green is a good colour but unless you picked something a bit more vibrant you'd risk making the car look a bit dull, unless you get sunshine 24/7 365. And you live in Michigan so I think that's hoping for a bit too much
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
homeforsummerCertain colours will work better to modernise the design (not that there's anything wrong with it, but always good making it look less old than it is!), including that metallic orange. A nice, bright white would do the same, as even would colours like dark grey and steel blue.
Green is a good colour but unless you picked something a bit more vibrant you'd risk making the car look a bit dull, unless you get sunshine 24/7 365. And you live in Michigan so I think that's hoping for a bit too much
It doesn't hurt matters that the picture you posted that the front bumper from an '03, the only year that particular front end was used. I think they look better, but it's nigh impossible to find one.
I kind of want to avoid the "non-colours", I.e. White and grey. Black is okay, especially when it's done well and you can get a nice deep shine out of it.
Joey D
Premium
- 47,507
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
www.fordparts.com
You can get the bumper for about $350 with free shipping to any Ford dealership. When I fixed my car that's where I ordered my parts. I think it took like 3 days for them to come in.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
Might as well make it official.
The car has really started nickle-and-diming me lately. It did make a trip over to Detroit last weekend for a show (deadmau5 FTW!), but I'm getting tired of spending money on it. Therefore, I am planning on selling it.
New car will be something along the same lines as the Escort, but I can afford quite a bit more now. I am seriously considering a new Chevy Sonic with the 1.4L turbo, but am open to suggestions considering otherwise. Don't want to spend more than about $16k, and I will have to finance, so no private sales.
The car has really started nickle-and-diming me lately. It did make a trip over to Detroit last weekend for a show (deadmau5 FTW!), but I'm getting tired of spending money on it. Therefore, I am planning on selling it.
New car will be something along the same lines as the Escort, but I can afford quite a bit more now. I am seriously considering a new Chevy Sonic with the 1.4L turbo, but am open to suggestions considering otherwise. Don't want to spend more than about $16k, and I will have to finance, so no private sales.
Joey D
Premium
- 47,507
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
While the Sonic isn't awful, I think I'd rather go with the Fiesta at that price point. You can get the SE Hatch with the 201A package for $16,800 and I'm sure you could find someone to give you X plan pricing too which is good for about a $1,000 off. If you buy off the lot you get $250 back too. Also if you are a student and finance through Ford Credit, you'll get and additional $500 rebate.
You could also look at snagging a Certified Pre-Owned 2011 Fiesta and save even more.
You could also look at snagging a Certified Pre-Owned 2011 Fiesta and save even more.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
My friend's mom has a Fiesta, and I drove hers (1.6L automatic). I wasn't all that impressed with it, to be honest. The seats weren't great, the controls for the stereo were placed rather oddly, the transmission hunted around for gears all the time (which wouldn't be a problem with the manual), and it felt even slower than the Escort (which also could probably be fixed with a manual). It still might be okay, but I'll drive some other stuff first.
EDIT: I haven't driven the Sonic yet, as nobody has one with the 1.4 around these parts. Just thought I should clarify.
EDIT: I haven't driven the Sonic yet, as nobody has one with the 1.4 around these parts. Just thought I should clarify.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
Next time you're out, snag me one. I promise I'll bring it back with a full tank of gas.
There are a ton of them at a dealership in Chicago, too. The local GM dealership has one, but it's a 1.8L automatic sedan. I was looking at a 1.4L manual hatch.
There are a ton of them at a dealership in Chicago, too. The local GM dealership has one, but it's a 1.8L automatic sedan. I was looking at a 1.4L manual hatch.
Rotary Junkie
Premium
- 9,810
- Canton, MI
- RJs_RX-7
Mazda3 SkyActiv.
Interior makes infinitely more sense than the Focus and the car feels better in pretty much every way and you could potentially get one out of the door for <18k (hatch, manual, no options, still plenty loaded because hatch).
It's a bit over budget but not by terribly much. Also, used Mazda6 2.3/5-speed. Won't get the same economy as the Escort (unless the Escort is getting worse than I think) but it's not half bad (I manage 24 with my auto in straight city, albeit with a light right foot 95% of the time, 26 with just a bit of highway, no idea on long highway runs).
Interior makes infinitely more sense than the Focus and the car feels better in pretty much every way and you could potentially get one out of the door for <18k (hatch, manual, no options, still plenty loaded because hatch).
It's a bit over budget but not by terribly much. Also, used Mazda6 2.3/5-speed. Won't get the same economy as the Escort (unless the Escort is getting worse than I think) but it's not half bad (I manage 24 with my auto in straight city, albeit with a light right foot 95% of the time, 26 with just a bit of highway, no idea on long highway runs).
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
Escort averages about 30 in mixed driving, 32ish to Detroit and back.
New Mazda3 is definitely more than I could afford, although they are quite nice. Used 6, I'll look into. Not holding too much hope in finding one with a manual, but you never know.
New Mazda3 is definitely more than I could afford, although they are quite nice. Used 6, I'll look into. Not holding too much hope in finding one with a manual, but you never know.
- 3,948
- Sturgis, MI
- GTP_ty00123
WOOOOOO NEW CAR!
I Picked up a 2012 Chevy Sonic LT 1.4T today. Drove it yesterday and completely fell in love with it. The dealer gave me a good deal on the Escort, and with a bit of cosigning help, I drove away in this.
Sonic at the dealer. by thebook92, on Flickr
Sonic at home. by thebook92, on Flickr
I Picked up a 2012 Chevy Sonic LT 1.4T today. Drove it yesterday and completely fell in love with it. The dealer gave me a good deal on the Escort, and with a bit of cosigning help, I drove away in this.
Sonic at the dealer. by thebook92, on Flickr
Sonic at home. by thebook92, on Flickr
