Need something new....

[Peter B]

Ok, so i have this yearning to do something to my car. So far all I have done is add mudflaps and snows in the winter. I want to add something to make in more.... well mine. I don't to stick out a little from the all the other MS3s out there (because god knows you cant drive 2 blocks without seeing about 50 MS3s ).

Anyhow I am thinking interior for now as I don't have the $$ for a body kit or new rims. On top of that if im gonna drop the big $$ its going to be on something that adds to my overall zoom factor or touch ups for all the nicks in my hood. As far as mods and customization I prefer to do things that enhance performance over just looks but I am willing to consider anything.

So any ideas you guys have? Pictures would be great!

I was all set to go with this shifter from TWM.

I was going to do black or gray with red screws, but they can't do that. Something about the coating doesn't apply well around the screw holes, I asked. Anyhow I do like the red/black theme the car has going on. I have tried to find another shifter that would add to this but have been unable to do so.

Anyhow your ideas, suggestions, photos would be much appreciated.

-Pete

 

[HOBDisease]

No offense, but those shift knobs look really, really gay... just my .02, sorry...

 

[240ka]

yeah they do

 

[MaikuMS3]

not my cup of tea...

 

[toaofallen]

ya man you can do better

 

[08cosmic3]

Don't. Get some LED's to replace the interior lights. They come in many colors.

 

[gonerogue]

I'm going to have to add to the echo of "No"s.

 

[Peter B]

guys dun worry about the shift knob its not happening they dont offer what i wanted lol

now that i know it is generally regarded as "gay" i will probably forget the idea all together.

I was thinking LEDs
any other suggestions?

 

[HOBDisease]

Interior LEDs over neons? Now we can talk...

 

[08cosmic3]

I bought here.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm

I read here.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123698529

 

[BillTheCat]

I don't know about a metal shift knob, man. Maybe in Mass., but here in FL, 9 months out of the year, metal shift knobs leave you feeling like the idiot in Raiders of the Lost Ark who grabbed that medallion from the fire with his bare hands.

I also liked the red & black theme going on, so I swapped out my interior LED's for red all around. Took 10 minutes, cost next to nothing, and now when I open the door in the dark, it looks like I'm entering a nuclear sub or something.

Not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it. There's a thread in the How-To section about swapping the LED's. Got 'em from www.superbrightleds.com as suggested there.

I also really, really like the "Mazdaspeed" hood stripes that go right along the ridge in the hood. Especially when they are a color that's not super-high contrast, like black stripes on Metro Grey. (Maybe grey stripes on Red?) Keeps 'em subtle/understated.

Let us know what you decide to go for.

 

[Peter B]

do you have pics of your nuclear sub look? That is an interesting idea.

And man... people really hating the shift knob. I didn't think it was THAT bad

 

[08cosmic3]

Do what YOU like. There will be people that don't like colored LED's. I have Cool White which have a slight blue hue to them which I like.

Click on the thread link I provided for you and read. There are many pics in the thread also.

 

[Peter B]

Well, what i liked would have been that shift knob, black with the red screws, but they can't do that for whatever reason. Something about the coating not taking right.

I would like to find a custom shift knob if anyone has any suggestions. Nothing i have seen has really interested me yet. Anything that keeps the black red theme going.

I think it would ke to change out the gauges, make the panels white or something, maybe change the back light colors, but that is a rather big project I think.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Turbo-back exhaust!!!! Everyone will hear your car!

But really... maybe if you like the whole "black/red" thing, you could black out your emblems... that sets it apart. LEDs would be cool too.

 

[squidmotion]

i'm not so into the mod thing, i must confess. i must get that outlet these days with my flats boat. always looking for the next thing to make it better... same sickness, different machine.

i can tell you that i would not want that metal shift knob here in texas... not cool having to put a sock over your stick just to drive. i would do a few subtle things...

the one thing i might do to our speed is a bit darker gray metallic powder coat for the wheels... just a bit darker than the silver they are now... but still not sure... hehehe.

i have to say. you guys are very creative.

 

[Peter B]

as it is... the stock shift knob gets pretty hot. I found a couple of others that I like I might look at.

I am likeing the LED idea though, it seems like a fun project, and cheap enough that I could try more then one scheme if I wanted to.

 

[bacarl]

I really like the stock shift knob, so I've never looked at replacements, but don't they cost around $100 typically?

If that's your price range, a company called Redline Goods makes leather bits/boots for the interior and they have an amazing array of customizable options. You can get a shift boot, an e-brake boot, and an armrest cover for around $110 IIRC (or less if you don't get all three). Definitely a great way to personalize your interior. They offer monthly discount codes to forum members and have a great thread where they show off all kinds of stuff they've made for customers that will inspire your creativity.

Here's their thread in the FS section:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123711217&highlight=Redline+Goods

My personal favorites are the BMW "M" tricolor stitching stuff! I would pull off something like that if I could. I went with plain and simple red on black for my two boots and I really like them. Red quad stitching would look cool, or stripes of another color leather, or their faux alcantara if you have a late model GT, all depends how flashy you want it. I enjoyed looking through all their options and thinking about what I'd like best.

 

[coololddude]

Wheels and Tint!!

 

[Peter B]

I was thinking when the 2010 comes out i might see if the floor mats fit my 08. The ones in the promo shot are black and with red outlines and mazdaspeed written in red. That is if i have nothing better to do with my $$