Personally I feel like the suspension is perfect, I love the way this car handles. Oh, and to add to my earlier post, if you have a manual get the whiteline or perrin transmission support. Personally the only exterior mod I've done so far is replacing the tiny stock exhaust tips, which will hopefully be replaced by a decent exhaust. Performance is what matters in the end.

Maybe a 5:AD kit if you like it. Definitely a sporty exhaust.

Tires and performance parts are nice, but not everyone will benefit from them.
Depends on your use and likes/dislikes.

The car is powerful enough for many people too despite what some people say. If you dont believe me look at all the wrecked examples so far.

Tires, brake pads, brake fluid, camber bolts.
Spend the rest on track time and possible an instructor!

Wheels and tires.

Tune first +1 and My .02cents. Tune will make your car alive! w/ that budget find an intake and a muffler delete lots of choices out there.

Mxp exhaust. Then, the rest on springs.

@ INGEN I have lots of tools, I'm a mechanic. Love doing the work myself. I guess no park-bench, Foldgers can, or diamond encrusted rims for me...lol. Im comming from a 300HP 390Lb-ft TQ Neon SRT and the drag racing scene but, suprisingly, while i could use more torque down low and being rid of that nasty dip around 4k i am very happy with this car for different reasons than the Neon.

I could probably use some autox type instruction. While I feel I'm a decent driver I am definately not a pro. Lots of super twisty roads roads around in the country to practice on from time to time. Sounds like the overwhelming response is; tires, tune lessons. I like that.

Also, just as a note, comming from an SRT forum, it seems that people on forums of "cheap" cars that are somehow both infearior and cheating because of performance vs price are the most helpful. Today i passed an STI on the interstate and had that acknowedgment nod with the owner even though my car is clearly a scion. Don't get that with every car on the road.

My issue with "tune" is that it will most likely void your warranty. Since this car has had some intermittent issues that can seriously affect the engine. I don't want to run into a possible warranty issue if I am unlucky enough to run into an issue down the road.

Plus right now tunes are in the 800-1000 range if you get the license and the cable. You will need them if you plan on flashing back to stock before bringing a car in for work.

I think the tunes are a little pricey for what you get and the risk involved.

[QUOTE=Ingen;669383]Anyway, on to other things. Tires might be nice, but I *personally* wouldn't go with the 18x9 super-sticky stuff people are trying to run./QUOTE]

I agree. I was thinking some nice 225's for the stock rims. Thats the size snow tire I am running now and am very happy with it.

I did coilovers + wheels for my first 2 grand. Waiting on the wheels!

Good on you for having tools :) People these days are starting to forget how the hell to do anything and it makes me sad - thanks for not being one of them.

Anyway, I probably wouldn't even do tires before I did lessons. On the stock tires the car will definitely let you know if your line is too abrupt or not smooth enough. If you can get fast on those tires you will blow those times away on better tires. But it's possible to get good tires, let them hide your flaws, and suck at driving. Don't fall into that trap.

Plus, the hard-as-rock michelins can be drifted and spun-out for hours! Better to do it to them than your good, soft tires that will end up with flat spots or a loss of tread life.

I got drop in filter, ordered a Strano bar, and my RPF/1's with 235 Z2's arrive tomorrow. That's a pretty good start.

I'll put my bridgestone M/S tires on my wifes WRX for the winter.

On the driving lessons front... is anyone on this forum from wisconsin and know anything about the Rod America in Elkhart? It says i can use my own vehicle.