![]() |
What should I do to my first 86?
Hey guys,
Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm new here :). So I recently just bought myself a 2013 Toyota 86 GT manual black as my very first car. I've had her for just under 2 weeks now and have built back up a little bit of cash to start spending a bit more on it. So, I was wondering since you guys are the experts, what I should start spending money on it. I'd like to start with the exterior cosmetics to get it looking clean and fresh. I had some ideas on what to do like blacking out the car but I'm not sure if that'll look any good. Thanks for any help, Much appreciated http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...d7ef5a99aa.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
ew, in for convex mirrors!
|
Window tint. Maybe a full detail and paint correction.
And driving time. Learn the car first before you start modding it. |
Quote:
|
DRIVE IT?
|
1) Wait.
2) Drive. 3) Decide what you want to do based on learning the car. 4) Save to get quality parts. 5) Get quality parts. 6) Install them properly. 7) Start over at #1. |
Detailing products.
|
while we are at it would you like us to tell you what to eat for dinner? dont let us tell you what to do man. think about what you personally want to do to the car, and then do it. otherwise you are just a sheep. build your car, or just drive it, cars are great for driving. the choices are yours. just make careful decisions on what the best route you want to decide on. come on guys, lets be individuals here and think for ourselves.
|
Start a new thread saying the car needs more power?
J/K. Don't do that. Welcome and congrats on a perfect 1st car. This forum has tons of information. Definitely listen to the advice here. Or most of it anyway. |
Since you say "first", i am assuming you will have second.
So, go drive like no tomorrow,,slide it, burn the tires, and shift at redline all the time. Then repeat. |
Thanks guys definitely take in the advice :) just waiting another month for my p plates so I don't have to have the old folk in the car
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Lol he said we're all experts :D
My build went - Window Tint, Wheels/Tires, Exhaust, Tune. Just do research and drive the car. Learn what you don't like about it and make changes as necessary. |
I owned my car for 1 year before I started thinking about mods.
I did spend on my car...before I got it actually. First $500 I spent were for detailing products! Then I bought an OEM sunshade then an OEM cargo tray! All things to keep the car pristine. After owning it for almost a year, I realized I really do love how the stock car FEELs. I wasn't totally satisfied with the sound of the car so I changed the exhaust first. I earned some money to buy mods so I ended up spending it on JDM OEM/STI parts. I recently bought an STI red push button, STI Tower Bar, and OEM Clear sides. I'm about to buy an STI front lip now. The only reason why I bought those parts specifically is because the Australian HyperBlue model has those parts! Obviously if you want performance, you wouldn't spend money on the things I chose to buy. I could've bought performance brake pads, better tired, new springs, heck even a header back exhaust but the only reason why I didn't was because I love the stock feel of the car! Come to think of it, I got a Whiteline Sway Bar Set for free and ended up selling them brand new because I didn't want to change how my car felt! |
Quote:
Ahhhh ........ I gather the mod bug has bitten you ........ ;) If you look around this forum, you will see a bunch of things that can be done to this car. In my opinion, there is nothing that NEEDS to be done to the car, for average driving. Just follow the maintenance schedule and put high quality gas in it. You might ask yourself ..... what do I want my car to do/be..better ..?? It's really your call. Enjoy your new machine ....... :thumbsup: humfrz |
Quote:
|
From a performance standpoint, everyone is right; drive and learn about the car stock first.
But since you said you just wanted to start with cosmetic things, well that's going to be pretty subjective. What do you want to change about the looks? Given that the car is used (or I assume it is since it's a 2013; I can't imagine a new one sitting on the lot for 3 years), you might want to consider paint correction and paint protection just to bring it back up to like new paint quality. Invest in some good detailing products, and/or have a coating applied like Opti-Coat Pro for pretty much permanent shine (but maybe don't do this if you are considering putting on a body kit). Changing the wheels and tires is probably the easiest thing you can do to change the look of the car. Is it still running the original Michelin Primacy HPs? Window tint can also be a nice touch. Get a little privacy, add some mystery, and keep the car cooler. If you like the dropped look, start saving up for good coilovers. Don't cheap out on lowering springs (my opinion at least) or used coilovers (who knows what stresses the previous owner put them under). You'll also need an alignment if you do this since this can really change the driving dynamics of the car, and a bad alignment will unevenly wear your tires. Generally, follow the car guy's motto: Do it nice, or buy it twice. |
Please don't black out the lights. It's tacky and makes it easy to identify you as a poor noob that just had to be different. Keep it simple and tasteful. Less is more. She's a great looking car as-is.
|
Quote:
Crossover-driving soccer moms already aren't looking out for low sports cars while they tool around texting on their phones. Why do you want to make your car even less visible? |
IDK what do you want to do?
|
Exhaust.
Even with a simple axleback you'll be turning heads every time you wind through the gears next to your fellow 'masses are asses' motorists, and the pure aural pleasure means you'll never regret getting a red light again - wind 'er down, wait for green, wind 'er back up, smiling all the while. You can't see the your exterior mods while driving, but the engine and exhaust are with you every yard of every mile. |
Cut your springs and put 19 inch wheels on.
|
Come on guys, this "driver mod" thing gets old. Don't forget we are all on this forum because we all care a little bit more about our car than the average person. Stop knocking the guy down for wanting to spend more time with his car!
Here are some tasteful ideas to help you 'get to know' your beautiful car until you figure out what you really want out of her :) 1) paint chip/scratch repair 2) window tint 3) carpet cleaner! 4) mud flaps 5) all season floor mats 6) new oem or aftermarket air filter 7) cabin air filter 8) tranny fluid change 9) center console arm rest 10) shift knob 11) license plate frame 12) bushings! (oem or aftermarket, always a good idea on high mileage or older vehicles) 13) fog lights 14) air freshener (the "like new" car smell one :thumbsup:) 15) some colored or black lug nuts 16) a cat back exhaust to make her purr 17) a hot chick in the passenger seat (i still haven't figured out how to install this one, may need some help) |
Quote:
|
switch to scion badges. #1 mod. Don't forget heavier wheels.
|
It really all depends on what you want out of the car. Like others have said, and I think you took to heart, seat time to get to know your car is the first thing. I've had mine a little over a year now (not my first sports car, by the way) and I've drooled over some of the available mods but decided I was just going to drive the thing and decide that way what I wanted to do.
In my case, I have tried to just make minor changes to expand on what the car does naturally which is put a smile on my face every time I drive it and to do things that will prolong the car's life. Replaced trans and diff with Motul 300, change my oil every 5,000 miles (so far Mobil 1 works just fine) and a K&N drop-in. I will be replacing brake fluid and installing SS lines and a master cylinder brace in a couple of weeks. I did add spacers, 20mm front and 25mm rear which do make even the stock wheels/tires look better. Not expensive spacers, just check torque frequently and zero problems. I will probably upgrade both wheels and tires when the OEM tires wear out, but the damn things have 29k miles on them and still look half-new! The car is fun by nature and what changes you make should be based on driving experience. Not on what other people think needs to be done. Just drive the car, save up some cash and when you get to the point where YOU feel something could change for the better, do it! Much less pressure that way and greater chance of getting what you really want. |
If you're just looking for cosmetic mods, tail lights and wheels look great. Welcome btw!
|
Spend about 10 hours going through build threads, then take your top 5 and copy their builds entirely.
On a serious note. Look at what other people are doing and go from there. Personally, I wanted to slam my car and go with crazy aggressive offset wheels. After being slammed with moderately aggressive wheels for about 6 months, I sold all that shit, got springs that had a pretty low drop and got lightweight wheels. Why? My car doesn't scrape on pebbles. It's fun to drive, and not a burden. I have grip for days and can go 140+ KMH around corners on 80kmh limit roads (not that I've ever, or will ever do that, of course). Finally, I just want to drive the car. I've also wasted a bunch of money on exhausts (8 of them, 2 of them being the same one). Go to meets and listen in person for your "perfect" sound. |
Quote:
Quote:
Also see no pushing of the "driver mod" but do think in this case that is EXACTLY where he needs to start! Provisional Licence "P1 license plate NSW.png Provisional Licence applicants must be at least 17 years of age, held a Learner Licence for a minimum of six months, recorded driving experience a learner logbook with a supervisor who has held an open licence for twelve months for the class of vehicle used or an accredited driving instructor, or has passed a practical driving test" The focus on maintenance cosmetics is however appropriate as well. I maintain my statement of drive, learn, save and mod to taste with quality parts. Doesn't need to run out and slap a cheap ass exhaust or ricer lug nuts on it just to say he "upgraded" his car. |
Honestly,if you have to come on the forums and ask what to do,then that should be a clue that you probably shouldn't do anything.
|
Quote:
|
I drove mine for a while (until I paid it off) before I did anything to mine.
I think that made me appreciate the OFT stage 1 93 octane OTS tune a lot more than if I wasn't intimately familiar with how she runs. Only other thing I did was add DRLs and that's only because I didn't have fogs like yours and it was a cheap fix for some front end damage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Window tint, license plate relocation kit, OFT, exhaust, wheels and tires, and side markers because the amber is straight ugly
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G925A using Tapatalk |
Paint correction, opti coat, and clear bra is something I should've done first. I highly recommend if you want to keep the car super fresh. BUT I did OFT stg 1 right after break in.
|
Hookers and blow
|
Quote:
|
Wait a few months to do anything.
|
Quote:
That's a good idea to do the paint job thanks :) I was scared to lower the car because of the scraping I already get (not that I scrape) but does the 3 or so centimetres make much difference when pulling into driveways or over speed bumps? And for the tyres the guy I bought it from pit apparently extra grippy tyres in the stock rims so I was going to wait til the tread wears on those but always a long term idea Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Quote:
I like that :) do you have a rough estimate at how much it would be for a new exhaust? I heard there's a place nearby that does them but I was scared of them turning round and telling me they'll straight pipe it 😂😂 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Quote:
Yep I have 145 hours and just waiting for the dying days of being 16 :) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Quote:
I'm 27 and barely figured this crap out myself kinda. Lol |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:40 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
User Alert System provided by
Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2026 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.