Weekend Projects

[jmsj578]

I'm not collecting SS yet but I'm 47 years old and Have always enjoyed performance cars. I'll probably be 90 years old and still have a sports car. If I get to old to drive I'll pay some high school kid to haul ass around town with me in the passemger seat.

Yep, that's how I feel about it. In our fleet, we own a sports car (MX-5), a sporty car (Roush Mustang), and a nicely styled family car (RX-8). The truck is our work vehicle for light hauling and bad weather road days. It doesn't look that sporty; but, it sure does save the others that do.

As I get older, I find it harder to get in and out of the three cars; but, I intend to keep on doing it until I can't do it, anymore. I'll never own a SUV or minvan unless I need it to support a handicap situation. I'd not rule out the Mazda3 class of cars, though. They're family cars, by my standards; but, they're nimble and get good gas mileage. You guys seem to have a lot of fun with them. I'm sure I would, as well.

I don't want to seem like an ass; but, I'd like to make a clarification of what I call a sports car, which is unlike most of you younger guys. My generation grew up calling a sports car any roadster or coupe that has two seats and is fun to drive, such as a Miata, RX-7, Corvette, S2000, Solstice, etc. (The Smart car doesn't qualify, though.) Anything else is sporty, at best. Anything with four doors is a family car. Manufacturers want you to believe they're sports cars so they'll sell more of them. Most of us can't justify a true sports car because we have families that require more than two seats and at least four doors. Some are great looking and are fun to drive (RX-8); but, they still aren't sports cars to me, unless one looks at the performance standards, only.

I'm betting you want to flame me for being old school, huh? It'll be hard to change a mind that's had this definition of a sports car ingrained in his brain for most of his life. Don't think badly of me because I don't think of a four door car as a sports car and mention that, from time to time. I'm too old to change, now. (shrug) You can just consider my age, if you disagree; and, I'm sure some of you will want to protest my definition. Go for it! (protest)

 

[Moultese]

I'm digging the LED interior. My buddy did this in his IS300 and I really liked it. What website did you order your LEDs from?


And to the post above: I would call the Mazdaspeed3 a sports car by any means. I share a similar definition of "sports car" as you. However, I would consider the MS3 "sporty."

 

[DaleNixon]

Even my Protege5 was "sporty" with its amazing <100whp engine and slushbox.

I would call the Mazdaspeed3 one hell of a hopped up econobox.

Oh and Knuckles the Echidna FTW.

 

[///M Compact]

As I get older, I find it harder to get in and out of the three cars; but, I intend to keep on doing it until I can't do it, anymore. I'll never own a SUV or minvan unless I need it to support a handicap situation. I'd not rule out the Mazda3 class of cars, though. They're family cars, by my standards; but, they're nimble and get good gas mileage. You guys seem to have a lot of fun with them. I'm sure I would, as well.

I don't want to seem like an ass; but, I'd like to make a clarification of what I call a sports car, which is unlike most of you younger guys. My generation grew up calling a sports car any roadster or coupe that has two seats and is fun to drive, such as a Miata, RX-7, Corvette, S2000, Solstice, etc. (The Smart car doesn't qualify, though.) Anything else is sporty, at best. Anything with four doors is a family car. Manufacturers want you to believe they're sports cars so they'll sell more of them. Most of us can't justify a true sports car because we have families that require more than two seats and at least four doors. Some are great looking and are fun to drive (RX-8); but, they still aren't sports cars to me, unless one looks at the performance standards, only.

(protest)

I'm 52, semi-retired, and I'm also old school with regards to the definition of "sports car". I've only owned one-a 1969 Datsun SPL-311-but I'm still not able to justify owning a two-seater at this point. That said, in 3-4 years I'll probably nab a nice used Z06 or 911 to use as a dedicated track rat. I believe that life is too short to own boring cars, so everything I run is at least a little bit interesting and rewarding to drive. I tell people that if they see me driving a Buick, a Camry, a minivan, etc., it will mean that I have suffered a very serious brain injury...

 

[jmsj578]

I'm 52, semi-retired, and I'm also old school with regards to the definition of "sports car". I've only owned one-a 1969 Datsun SPL-311-but I'm still not able to justify owning a two-seater at this point. That said, in 3-4 years I'll probably nab a nice used Z06 or 911 to use as a dedicated track rat. I believe that life is too short to own boring cars, so everything I run is at least a little bit interesting and rewarding to drive. I tell people that if they see me driving a Buick, a Camry, a minivan, etc., it will mean that I have suffered a very serious brain injury...

I with you! When I get that old, I'm sure I'll want something I can roll in and out of. Hmm. I'm probably closer to that day than I want to be.

As for the MS3, etc, I still see four doors on many of them. Of course, the hatchbacks are sporty little devils. That's why I said I wouldn't mind having one. I'm not into any of the sedans, though. With jazzed up engines, the hatchbacks become great bangs for the buck fun cars. If the gas prices go up and stay there, I may have to buy one for a daily driver, one of these days. For now, our fleet already has enough sport to it. I can't afford any more. My wife has spoken.

 

[08cosmic3]

I would consider any car that is small, nimble, will haul ass and corner, a sports car. It does not matter to me how many seats or doors it has. I don't track my car but from what I have read the Speed 3 in stock form can hold it's own on a road course and with upgraded suspension will shine.

 

[jmsj578]

I would consider any car that is small, nimble, will haul ass and corner, a sports car. It does not matter to me how many seats or doors it has. I don't track my car but from what I have read the Speed 3 in stock form can hold it's own on a road course and with upgraded suspension will shine.

Ah, yes. You are an example the new breed of car enthusiast who uses the manufacturer's criteria for sports car, albeit you're a little older than most. To me, you describe what can be a sports car, a sporty car, or a nice handling family car. We have all three in our fleet. Well, the Roush isn't small, though. It does handle well. Of course, we call all agree to disagree. That's what makes the world go around. If you think your car is a sports car, and that makes you happy, who am I to argue? It is a sporty car, at that. I'll not be the one to belittle it.

As for the Mazda 3 series, I just got an e-mail update from MazdaUSA showing the new 2010 Mazda 3 series. I gave the sedan the usual ho-hum because it's still just a family car; but, the hatchback is cute! They say they've made a few changes. I didn't read the details; but, you might want to go out there and check out MazdaUSA.com. If you haven't been on that site, check it out.

As for me, I'm still waiting on February to get here so I can have my Miata painted.

 

[08cosmic3]

Indy Fogs

I just successfully did the Independent (Indy) fog light Mod on my Speed 3. I used a nice how-to on another forum. It's easier than I thought it would be and the hardest part is lying on the floorboard with a poor angle at the wiring harnesses. The how-to suggested to remove the glove box if you need to have more room. I would probably do that if I had to do it again.

 

[Diehonda]

I just successfully did the Independent (Indy) fog light Mod on my Speed 3. I used a nice how-to on another forum. It's easier than I thought it would be and the hardest part is lying on the floorboard with a poor angle at the wiring harnesses. The how-to suggested to remove the glove box if you need to have more room. I would probably do that if I had to do it again.

Nice!

I will be posting pictures of my parts once they come in. I am doing a 200K tune up. Timing belt, tensioner, idler, idler spring, water pump, front seals, rear main seal, oil pump seal, oil pan gasket, new oil pressure sending unit, man tranny flush, fuel injectors, and high pressure fuel filter. Also replacing the inner tie rod.

Sound fun?

 

[jmsj578]

Nice!

I will be posting pictures of my parts once they come in. I am doing a 200K tune up. Timing belt, tensioner, idler, idler spring, water pump, front seals, rear main seal, oil pump seal, oil pan gasket, new oil pressure sending unit, man tranny flush, fuel injectors, and high pressure fuel filter. Also replacing the inner tie rod.

Sound fun?

Sounds extensive. The car should go for a while, after all that.

 

[jmsj578]

I talked with the body man, yesterday. I'll be taking the Miata to him for new paint, this week. He's finishing up a truck for a dealer who uses his services often. He thinks it should be warming up enough to paint the car, now. He also showed a piece of the material he'd like for me to use on the seats. He said it cost a lot more than the material he used on the seats of his truck; but, it has a soft/supple feel like leather with a better price than leather. The upholsterer guesstimated the price to do mine at $600; but, that may have included the side panels, which are fine. I'll take the seats to the guy to see if I can get them done a little cheaper, though. Still, that's as cheap as I can order the nice ones online and still have to put them on, myself. Needless to say, I'm excited about getting the car done. Yes, I'll try to have pics for the finished product for ya.

 

[08cosmic3]

Installed Cobb Turbo Inlet.

I installed the Cobb Turbo Inlet yesterday.

 

[DaleNixon]

Looking really nice! I ordered mine today! Have you noticed any performance increase? Have you noticed any change in sound?

 

[08cosmic3]

It was harder to install than I thought it would be. You have to remove the battery and battery tray, unplug the ECU, remove your intake (cobb sri), IC cover and several fasteners that hold wiring harnesses in place. It comes with instruction. There is not a lot of room to work with even after removing everything. Removing the clamp on the turbo was not easy because the oreintataion of the clamp made it hard to get to it. When I reinstalled the clamp I changed the oreintation so It could be reached from directly above but even then I had to hook three extentions together to reach it from above. I'm not a mechanic, so If I can do it you can too.

The car seems to get into boost faster now, my exhaust tone seems to have changed, not sure if thats possible though, might be my imagination. The sucking sound seems less now and letting off under high boost gets me a chirp, sounds like a squirrel bark. I hope that is not the sound of surge but the sound of the pressure going back into the intake. Can't tell if there is any HP gains but if the boost comes in sooner then there will be a performance gain, but not be detected by dyno #'s.

There is no fastener for the Inlet but I'm thinking about fabricating one with a clamp somehow. After installing the inlet you will know what I mean and if you are gifted mechanically and come up with a good fastener idea then post it.

 

[jmsj578]

Cosmic03, it sure does look busy under that hood. I'd get lost, for sure.

I talked with the painter again. The weather has held him up. He has an unheated garage that he can use a torpedo heater to bring the heat up some; but, it doesn't work well on those really cold days. He should get the truck finished, this weekend. Then, it's my turn. He and I drove the Miata to Somerset to see his buddy, the upholsterer. I liked the guy. He also does good work. I did find out the material isn't as expensive as the painter claimed, though. He must have gotten his story messed up. I believe the price he quoted was more than likely included labor. Anyway, I'll be taking the seats to Somerset when we get the car in the shop. That should be this coming week.

The painter, who owns a 'Vette, was impressed with my Miata. He liked the ride and the sound. I have to admit it is a nice ride. That's why I want to spend the money to make it really nice.

 

[///M Compact]

A bit OT, but on eBay I bought a pair of tan cloth Recaro seats along with a rear seat upholstered to match for my 2002. $750 including shipping. Next job is to change the transaxle oil on the MS3 to eliminate the dying moose LSD noise. After that, it's time to decide whether to dump the MS3 while it's still worth a little money or grit my teeth and drive it for a few more years...

 

[DaleNixon]

I installed my Cobb inlet and shifter weight today.

 

[Diehonda]

A bit OT, but on eBay I bought a pair of tan cloth Recaro seats along with a rear seat upholstered to match for my 2002. $750 including shipping. Next job is to change the transaxle oil on the MS3 to eliminate the dying moose LSD noise. After that, it's time to decide whether to dump the MS3 while it's still worth a little money or grit my teeth and drive it for a few more years...

Take it in for an appraisal. That way you know if it is a good choice.

The market is bad on trades but good on straight purchases.

I ended up buying a bunch of parts to do a total tune up on mine rather than trading. I wouldn't get anything for it.

Installed Brembo rotors and new pads on the wife's Camry today. Painted the calipers too.

 

[jmsj578]

Take it in for an appraisal. That way you know if it is a good choice.

The market is bad on trades but good on straight purchases.

I ended up buying a bunch of parts to do a total tune up on mine rather than trading. I wouldn't get anything for it.

Wise choice. With the economy the way it is, I'm not sure it would be wise to buy anything, if one's car is paid for. Granted, that comes from a guy who bought one new car and one wildly swapped car in the last six months; but, I have a fixed income and no job to worry about. I'd wait maybe a year to see what happens in the job market. Some time ago, I looked at getting rid of my old truck. It's over 14 years old; but, it's in good shape and mechanically sound. I've seen a lot newer trucks that don't look as nice as mine. I chose to keep it and let it age with me. Nowadays, it's the vehicle we use in the winter to keep salt off the other vehicles. Anyway, I'd think long and hard before trading for something I might have to start making payments on, if one has no payments, now.

 

[///M Compact]

I do own the MS3 free and clear, and I don't want to start making payments again either. I just don't enjoy driving the thing anymore; I can't even remember the last time I drove it. I've about decided that I'm just going to dump it for the best offer and bank the money. I'll drive the ti as long as there's no salt on the roads, otherwise I'll take the Wrangler. I'll save up and buy another Bimmer in a year or two...