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San Bernardino monthly Mazda meet and drive.

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Old 03-12-2009, 08:35 PM
  #6376  
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same advice either way...

if it's a recession and you are worried about losing your job, then all the more reason not to waste money souping up a honda accord. (what respect do you get from that anyways?)

if it's not a recession and you are working hard and moving up in the world, then all the more reason to save up and get the car that you really want.

just like mom used to say, "taking shortcuts may gratify you temporarily, but you end up paying double the price of what you would've paid had you done the right thing to begin with..."

Old 03-12-2009, 08:39 PM
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ok, enough preaching out of me today... hehehe

time to go home and have a beer.

Old 03-12-2009, 08:46 PM
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i've calculated an estimate of the total cost for what i would do to my accord (not counting rims wheels if i were to get wheels). and that would come out to be about $1,400 for everything...this is rounding up of course.

lowering the car (this is the most expensive), intake, exhaust, and lights

if i were to get wheels, it'd be another $1,200 or so.

my job is pretty secure at the momment.
Old 03-12-2009, 08:56 PM
  #6379  
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how does the paint and body look. if the two are
in good shape, then spend your money and get the
look that you want. just don't spend the money on a
car that needs a paint job, and with a shabby body..
Old 03-12-2009, 09:20 PM
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i would say that the paint and body are in overall excellent condition for the car being 9yrs. old.

there's a tiny dot...about the size of pea, on the left rear quarter panel that has some chipped paint. i think it's from a rock that had hit the car there, on the right rear quarter panel, there's a bit of a dent that appears to have been removed with dent-less removal process, and the most recent is in the front right corner of the bumper. i managed to scrape off some paint by rubbing the car up against some pottery at my aunts house a few months back. it's all minor stuff that can easily be ignored.
Old 03-13-2009, 10:05 AM
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TGIF!!

There is a Rancho Cucamonga meet tonight at Farmer Boys at 7
(i will most likely be there early)
There is a San Bernardino meet tomorrow at Pirate City at 9
(i wont be there sicne i have to be hoem when teh new tv/internet is installed)

What is everyone else doing this weekend?
Old 03-13-2009, 10:46 AM
  #6382  
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i'll be bowling in a tournament satrday..
have not done that in awhile..
Old 03-13-2009, 10:56 AM
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good luck with the bowling michael. Turkeys are your friend...
Old 03-13-2009, 11:08 AM
  #6384  
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
Turkeys are your friend...
Unless you're a fox, coyote or bobcat, or if you're from Greece, Iraq, Cyprus or Syria.
Otherwise, yes, turkeys are your friend.
Oh, and Armenia, if you're from Armenia, they are not your friend.
Old 03-13-2009, 11:27 AM
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TGIF!

i have to work tomorrow am, and then i will go to the weekly 626 meet in the evening...
Old 03-13-2009, 12:14 PM
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T.G.I.F.F.
Old 03-13-2009, 12:28 PM
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xrider....Lowering is not that expensive. I had a Honda civic and had Nuespeed springs on my car. I was happy with them. They offer a subtle or aggressive drop option, and with the subtle drop, you won't need to replace your struts. Don't waste money on struts bars, you're not racing that car and you won't notice a difference on the street.

Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).

I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.

As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.

......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.

The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.

Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.

Last edited by kwescott; 03-13-2009 at 12:30 PM.
Old 03-13-2009, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by scremn8
the asst. manager at american tires want to see if he can work out
a deal for me.. with and without tpms transfer..
this is for the whole set up
I'm glad you found a set of wheels that you are excited about. Wheel selection is always a personal one, and I totally know the excitement you have right now with the anticipation of seeing them on the car for the first time.

Dont let anyone drive you car who is prone to curbing.......
Old 03-13-2009, 12:39 PM
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that means i can't drive it then..
this is the only car that i've hit the
curb alot in.. but now i'll park my given 18"
away. so hopefully these will not get banged up.
Old 03-13-2009, 12:49 PM
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i wish the r3 wheels came in 18's and were cheaper...
Old 03-13-2009, 01:09 PM
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Michael: grats on the wheels, can't wait to see them!
Old 03-13-2009, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by kwescott
xrider....Lowering is not that expensive. I had a Honda civic and had Nuespeed springs on my car. I was happy with them. They offer a subtle or aggressive drop option, and with the subtle drop, you won't need to replace your struts. Don't waste money on struts bars, you're not racing that car and you won't notice a difference on the street.

Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).

I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.

As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.

......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.

The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.

Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.



Thats pretty much a good way of putting it. I agree in so many ways.

I too have had my share of cars that I have put money into. There is nothing wrong with doing stuff to a car that you like. but if your not really into the car, then enjoy the "flying under the radar" effect.

I have had my share of cars.... 17 I know of off the top of my head. (a couple I never did drive though). many of them with mods, a few without. If your into your car then go for it. it gives you something to do, it gives you something to be proud of, and you can learn a lot.

you can tell how much I am into a car by the amount of mods that go into it.
My blue RX-7... well we all know the extremes I took with that car.
the RX-8... lots of mods there. from the little stuff like chrome light bulbs to the nice shocks.
the Miata... whoa, dont get me started. (although I think this car shows more how much I am into autocross and less how much I am into the miata as I dont have any pretty mods, only performance mods)

but there are certain "mods" I like to do that are just for me. I like tinted windows, I like power door locks on a key Fob, I like a bumpin system, I like wheels and to be lowered, all of which I did to the Cobalt that was not the "toy" car. I did those for me.

the escort.... Tint.... .thats it. I'm just not that into that car. (and for good reason... duh)

Keith is right about the saving money. if your not into the Honda, then enjoy flying under the radar ans save the money for something else. or at least something that you can transfer over.... like a stereo.

It all comes down to you. how long do you plan on keeping the car. how much do you like it?

I have been pretty lucky lately.
I have gotten to enjoy many worlds all at the same time. I currently have the wicked track car that gets the bulk of the left over time and money. (miata)
I have the truck that allows me to tow the miata, carry heavy loads from Home Depot, and takes me off the highway when we go shooting.
I also have the daily driver gas saver that lets me get to and from work without attention. (escort)
and for the time being I have another gas saver that allows the gas guzzler truck to be parked when I have the escort and Michelle needs to drive. (cobalt... until it sells)

now if only I could get a cool street car for when we have meets and I feel like having attention on me. (like the RX-8 was)... but thats not going to happen. I just dont have that much money.

he he, anyways, the point being, do what you want. if you are happy with this car, then mod it out. you can even met in the middle and just do the stuff that will make you happy for now. Kinda like I did to the Cobalt. I was perectly happy with the tint, stero, drop and wheels.... I really wanted those, but I also really didnt want to put more time and money into it then that. it was perfect. it looked good, I enjoyed driving it, and it didnt cost me a lot.

speaking of which.... you wana buy a yellow cobalt? I'll even put the drop springs and wheels back on... heck, Ill even put the subs and amp back in.

ok thats enough unnecessary rambling for now.
Old 03-13-2009, 01:28 PM
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see what you started Xrider???
Old 03-13-2009, 02:01 PM
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yeah... thanks alot!




I dont remember if I told the RX-8club or not. but there are big changes in store for the miata tomorrow.

AEM 30-1900 Engine Managment http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=63

AEM 30-2900-72 72" wire harness with fuses and relays. http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=65

AEM Inlet Ait Temp Sensor http://bisimoto.net/store/index.php?...roducts_id=310 Got to meet Bisi, so that was really cool. nice guy.

Bosch Wide band O2

SR Motorsports / Indigo pulleys http://www.srmotorsports.com/srmiataCooling.html

99 Valve cover

99 Cam angle sensor

99 Crank angle sensor & trigger wheel

99 MAP sensor

99 throttle body (larger) with liniar TPS (vs my on/off switch for a TPS

Manual rack (will loose 21 pounds)

93 LE / 94 R tie rods. (longer tie rods that fix bump steer on lowered miatas) http://www.949racing.com/index.asp?P...ROD&ProdID=128

front main seal

... I think that about does it.
Old 03-13-2009, 02:03 PM
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oh man, Casey is on a ROLL!
Old 03-13-2009, 02:15 PM
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wow big reading alert, gave me something to do on lunch
Old 03-13-2009, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by speeddemon32
I dont remember if I told the RX-8club or not. but there are big changes in store for the miata tomorrow.
Don't you actually have to have the parts mailed to you in order to install them?
How's that going?
Old 03-13-2009, 02:39 PM
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@ keith and casey: thanks for putting things into perspective. with what you two guys have said, particularly casey, i'll probably meet somewhere in the middle. i do like my accord enough to put some spare money into it, but not enough to make it stick out like a sore thumb. things for me.

i already have the stereo in it, and even got the fix-it ticket for my tint...which i put back on two days after getting my car checked off with the CHP, lol.

now, just a few other things to make me content with my car. springs, and exhaust (for how it sounds, not for performance )...and maybe an el-cheapo intake off eBay for $30 .
Old 03-13-2009, 02:53 PM
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I know it can be hard jonathan, coming from an RX8 that looked great from the time you bought it...the previous owner did a good job in picking out the interior, grill, wheels and drop. I know how hard it would be to drive a stock Accord, after having the 8.

Don't get burned on a suspension install (It is not that hard, just time intensive)....I'm sure Casey and I would be willing to help you out at a fraction of the cost, as we are always looking for ways to add money to the miata fund.
Old 03-13-2009, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by speeddemon32
I dont remember if I told the RX-8club or not. but there are big changes in store for the miata tomorrow.
...wait, what, tomorrow????? did I miss something?


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