Been driving a toyota corolla since i was a senior in high school. After driving the handmedown car for about 11 years, i felt it was a good time to get a new (used) car. Well, it really wasn't up to me. My car was dying. Even though it's a used car, buying my own car and having a 'new' car was so exciting. I shopped around for a couple weeks, and finally found a 2010 G37 w/ 17k miles. I had my mind set on the 09 one, but the dealership worked with me to get me into the 10 one for only 1k more and about 10k less miles.

I've been driving it around for about a week now. Since it's black (old car was silver), you could really tell when you need a car wash. Braving the 40 degree weather yesterday, I finally washed and waxed my car. Being the beginner that I am, I thought it would only take 30 minutes to finish everything. It started getting dark when I started waxing. I tried my best to finish everything, having my wife hold up a flashlight.

Later that night we drove to a grocery store and parked under a street lamp. Swirl marks everywhere! I quickly used a dry microfiber towel to wipe away the swirl marks. Never making the same mistake again by washing my car so close to sundown. I have a couple questions, and I know all the answers are in different threads. So if anyone can answer and/or direct me to the right thread, I would greatly appreciate it.

I've spent hours reading this forum and finally decided to join. So here goes. I know a lot of these questions are going to be stupid, but please note I've been driving an old junk car for a decade and never really took care of it. Just used it to get me from point A to point B. Thanks in advance.

1) What car wash/wax products are best? I used the Meguiar brand.

2) Not trying to spend TOO much money in the beginning, but what are some good ways to mod the car?

3) Is it ok to use those gas station car washes?

4) When coming to a stop and pressing the brake pedal, sometimes it feels like the car isn't braking for less than a second. It kinda drags a bit. Anyone else experience that?

5) When driving, I sometimes hear this light whistling noise in the back right. I checked the windows to make sure they're closed.


Thanks again! Hopefully I'll be able to contribute in the future.

 

First off, welcome, sort of, lurkers welcome.

1. Chemical guys stuff is good, as is meguiars
2. That's a big question, it depends if you want aesthetics or performance mods. It also depends on what you mean by "Too much" money.
3. Gas station car washes are not great for your car. They'll damage your paint and may cause minor scuffing. People here are about to tell you to go get two buckets and clean your car yourself.
4. Brake fluid is hygroscopic (it attracts and absorbs water) and this property is independent of use or mileage. It might not be a bad idea to have someone (or DIY) flush and replace your brake fluid.
5. Check your trim, have someone sit there and see if they can diagnose it. It might be a piece of trim that is loose, or something as simple as a wheel well snap that is missing.

 

Thanks for your response!

Q2: I guess both, I just don't know what I want first. I don't want to dump all my money on the car... so I'm budgeting around 500 this month.
I do need to take it to my mechanic to get everything looked at. I guess I trusted the dealership and thought it was be good for a couple months. Thanks again!

 

If you want looks, 500 can get you a diffuser and a lip for your car. You could get a spoiler, either deck or roof. You can also DIY a lot of stuff, you can paint your calipers, vinyl wrap your roof, trim, and emblems. You can debadge, tint your windows and lights. You could also paint your engine cover, or do an HiD swap, DiodeDynamics on the forum can send you the kit.

Performance wise, you can get a set of Cold air intakes, either Stillen gen 3's, takeda, K&N, Injen, or R2C. You could get a set of high flow cats, either resonates or non. You could put test pipes in, or get a new intake manifold. There are handheld tuners that you can use to put a generic power map on your car.

Most of that stuff is assuming you DIY the install, it's not impossible.

 

With $500 to start with I would address two areas 1 aesthetic Mod (Stillen F-Lip Spoiler) & 1 Performance Mod (R2C CAI) both can be had for around 500! That is only if you plan on DIY which is a breeze w/the above mods!! Good Luck & Welcome btw!!