New owner - 2008 coupe 6mt red
09-29-2018, 12:40 PM
#1
New owner - 2008 coupe 6mt red
I've been looking for a 6mt coupe for awhile and I just picked up this red girl yesterday. It's a blast to drive and 8/10 cosmetically. My other ride is a F150 but my new job has a long highway commute. I may have to take the country road more now. I got the car to use as a commuter and to do a few track days each summer. I'll leave it mostly stock and just get track suitable brake pads , fluid and tires when the time comes. Now the only thing it really needs is tint. I really wanted an Athens blue car but couldn't pass up the deal on this red one.
10-02-2018, 09:15 PM
#4
My daughter grabbed a rag and started right to work. The funniest part about this is I haven't hand washed a car since she was born. She did see the guys at the dealership wash the car before we took it home last week.
Last edited by Gavin17; 10-02-2018 at 09:37 PM.
10-06-2018, 02:07 PM
#6
I was going to wait on the tint but when I was cruising around w/ my daughter last weekend the sun was in her eyes in a rear facing car seat. My wife said we had one of those stick on baby screens but I respectfully declined.
15% ceramic all around.
15% ceramic all around.
10-07-2018, 03:38 PM
#7
Your g looks great with the tint btw
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10-08-2018, 07:54 AM
#8
Administrator
iTrader: (9)
Hard to believe that's a 10-year old car. Beautiful. Your Sport 19's look pristine.
You've no doubt been researching, but I'll say it anyway: the two most transformative and inexpensive mods for your car are a set of aftermarket swaybars and a short-throw shifter. And from the pics here, a headlight restoration.
Nice garage floor, adorable kid. I miss the toddler years. Here's some unsolicited old Dad advice, Gavin... start a college savings plan like yesterday. Make it enough that it hurts, then when you get comfortable, up it again.
Summer track days, huh? That's awesome. You're going to love your G.
You've no doubt been researching, but I'll say it anyway: the two most transformative and inexpensive mods for your car are a set of aftermarket swaybars and a short-throw shifter. And from the pics here, a headlight restoration.
Nice garage floor, adorable kid. I miss the toddler years. Here's some unsolicited old Dad advice, Gavin... start a college savings plan like yesterday. Make it enough that it hurts, then when you get comfortable, up it again.
Summer track days, huh? That's awesome. You're going to love your G.
Last edited by Rochester; 10-08-2018 at 08:19 AM.
09-02-2020, 03:39 PM
#9
Rochester, thanks. I don't think I ever saw your comment 2 years ago.
We ended up w/ a 529 and UGMA account, we've canceled day care due to covid and have been able to up college and retirement contributions due to working from home.
The toddler still likes to work on cars, or maybe just be in the middle of whatever is going on. My sport 19's were in good condition but not perfect. I had them cleaned up and powdercoated grey. I like the grey look but now 2 years later they have some dings from pot holes and need it again. I decided to go w/ the forgestars you recommended in the wheel thread and they should arrive in a few more weeks. The all seasons the car came with aren’t impressive and I want more tire. New wheels will be 18x9.5 with 265/40 all around. We wet sanded and polished the headlights and they don't look quite new but do look much better. 2 years later they were ready for a quick polish again.
While I was going down the wheel/ tire rabbit hole I decided to add a set of Tein Street basis coil overs. They have been on a few days and I’m impressed with the value. They’re not a stiff race setup but feel better than stock and offer ride height adjustability. I read on the forums that they are for a mild drop and aren’t for going very low but my experience was the recommended settings in the book was way to low for a daily driver. Tires were tucked in the fenders by about ½” so I raised the front and rear to just eliminate the wheel gap. I may have to go even higher after they settle some. Ground to fender is now about 26.375” all around. The rear is a little higher. My garage floor is old and not very level so I need to do some fine tuning on a better surface. Alignment scheduled for next week. I warned the shop I may need camber arms to get the rear in spec. They said they’d try it first before I spend any more. Driving with the coil overs feels better than stock w/ 130k miles. The corners feel more flat and stable and the biggest difference is the extra braking response. I need tires so I can’t push anything yet. Actually I have the new tires but am still waiting on the wheels.
Lots of used exhaust systems came on the market in March/ April so I picked up an Invidia Gemini. I installed it last night and so far so good. It got rid of the rasp caused by my high flow cats and made the entire range deeper and louder. I’m surprised how loud the lower rpms are based on everyone saying it’s a mild exhaust but I can still drive quietly in the neighborhood if I try. Cruising on the highway is similar to stock but slightly louder, not offensive and perfectly fine. High RPMs sound great. Based on my daily driver status I’m really glad I didn’t get the used Motordyne I was eyeing. It would be too loud for me, I guess I’m getting old.
I still haven’t done a track day w/ the car. I’m slowly building it there but I drive at least an hour / day and have plenty of other hobbies to suck up my time and money. For now I’m pretty happy w/ my car as 12 year old DD beater. I’ll post pics soon.
We ended up w/ a 529 and UGMA account, we've canceled day care due to covid and have been able to up college and retirement contributions due to working from home.
The toddler still likes to work on cars, or maybe just be in the middle of whatever is going on. My sport 19's were in good condition but not perfect. I had them cleaned up and powdercoated grey. I like the grey look but now 2 years later they have some dings from pot holes and need it again. I decided to go w/ the forgestars you recommended in the wheel thread and they should arrive in a few more weeks. The all seasons the car came with aren’t impressive and I want more tire. New wheels will be 18x9.5 with 265/40 all around. We wet sanded and polished the headlights and they don't look quite new but do look much better. 2 years later they were ready for a quick polish again.
While I was going down the wheel/ tire rabbit hole I decided to add a set of Tein Street basis coil overs. They have been on a few days and I’m impressed with the value. They’re not a stiff race setup but feel better than stock and offer ride height adjustability. I read on the forums that they are for a mild drop and aren’t for going very low but my experience was the recommended settings in the book was way to low for a daily driver. Tires were tucked in the fenders by about ½” so I raised the front and rear to just eliminate the wheel gap. I may have to go even higher after they settle some. Ground to fender is now about 26.375” all around. The rear is a little higher. My garage floor is old and not very level so I need to do some fine tuning on a better surface. Alignment scheduled for next week. I warned the shop I may need camber arms to get the rear in spec. They said they’d try it first before I spend any more. Driving with the coil overs feels better than stock w/ 130k miles. The corners feel more flat and stable and the biggest difference is the extra braking response. I need tires so I can’t push anything yet. Actually I have the new tires but am still waiting on the wheels.
Lots of used exhaust systems came on the market in March/ April so I picked up an Invidia Gemini. I installed it last night and so far so good. It got rid of the rasp caused by my high flow cats and made the entire range deeper and louder. I’m surprised how loud the lower rpms are based on everyone saying it’s a mild exhaust but I can still drive quietly in the neighborhood if I try. Cruising on the highway is similar to stock but slightly louder, not offensive and perfectly fine. High RPMs sound great. Based on my daily driver status I’m really glad I didn’t get the used Motordyne I was eyeing. It would be too loud for me, I guess I’m getting old.
I still haven’t done a track day w/ the car. I’m slowly building it there but I drive at least an hour / day and have plenty of other hobbies to suck up my time and money. For now I’m pretty happy w/ my car as 12 year old DD beater. I’ll post pics soon.
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Rochester (09-02-2020)
09-03-2020, 06:27 AM
#12
Administrator
iTrader: (9)
Ample garage space, a floor you could eat off, and a rack full of tools... so jealous. 
That's a great space you've got there.
Wish I had placed more priority on the garage years ago when buying this house. At the time I was just thrilled to have a garage at all.
That's a great space you've got there.Wish I had placed more priority on the garage years ago when buying this house. At the time I was just thrilled to have a garage at all.
09-03-2020, 08:53 AM
#13
It's just a 2 car so I think it's way too small. But it's plenty of room to work around 1 car. Even if it was empty my F150 won't quite fit. I tried when we bought the house.
Pics of wheel paint, headlight polish, Lowered stance and exhaust.
Pics of wheel paint, headlight polish, Lowered stance and exhaust.
Last edited by Gavin17; 09-03-2020 at 08:59 AM.