Advice on my new Suby :)

[phirex]

I picked up a 2002 RS Impreza, white, love it.



I need some advice on the best way to do things .. since I've got it, I've

* put an entire stereo system in (mostly all alpine, 1204 sub, brand new alpine single din unit w/ digital radio, etc, all top of the line, sounds nice)

* replaced the intereor lights with blue neons

* flushed everything (fluids, etc. I know the guys at the workshop and it's pretty good under the bonnet)

* in the process of having my air conditioner pipe replaced to fix the leaking air conditioner

The things mainly I want to try and 'fix' up rather than just buying a new part, are things like my headlights - the front cover is murky, and looks crap. Can this be fixed or do I buy a new part - is this the whole assembly? I don't want to spend a ton on this job,

The spoiler is a bit loose on the right hand side (it comes up a bit), looks like the joint is loose. I actually wouldn't mind scrapping the spoiler completely (I've seen one and it looked nice) - am I looking at a new boot for that though? I guess I would be..

I have been quoted $290 to get the 'back half' of the exhaust done (custom made) at 2". Good?

I want to change my rims, probably to 18" low profiles, but this appears to be about $1500 (new) but I've heard you can pick up some real good bargains, they don't need to be perfect rims..also heard my original ones still have some resale too?

then there's some .. 'nice to haves', so I'd be looking at:

Getting all dents etc (all minor, like car door hits) removed

Getting the paint fixed - it has chips etc all over it

Put a nice bonnet guard on (to stop further scratching)

Maybe a respray

Maybe replace the tinting (there's some bubbling but i'm not fussed)

Front subaru badge under the bonnet has been snapped off, or most likely stolen (before I got it), I've been quoted dumb prices to fix this, like $300..

I have blue (and changable) interior neons for the seats going in, in a few weeks, when I get my rear parcel shelf (custom built) & 3rd amp put in, to complete my stereo (splits/rear doors/parcel shelf+sub, 3 amps, alpine head)

So... you guys know what I wanna do, it's a lot (it will be like a 1 year 'project' just to fix it up, mainly cash flow being the limiting factor)

[Brumby Kid]

Get a "kit" for the cloudy headlights. That one bit of Perspex costs $1100 per side.
The spoiler can undone or done up by opening the bonnet. There are bolts underneath. I think that there will be a few small holes were the bolts were, but they look neat.

Cheers Cam

[phirex]

I paid $2 to join this forum, and this is all I got?

I want my money back.



(just kidding)

[Davidov]

Steady on its during the day and people work haha. Give it 24 hours.

You can get this stuff that cleans up headlights, i can't remember what its called but Taza used it on his Foz and it cleaned them up nicely. Check out Repco or supercheap for some sort of headlight cleaner.
Edit: showthread.php?t=21996

$290 for a catback exhaust+muffler isn't too bad.

For rims i'd check out your local gumtree. Also 18" rims are very expensive, IMO you would be better off going 17's. You can find a lot of nice looking subi 17 stockers for decent prices around specially on ebay.

A supercheap dent puller could be worth trying for some of the bigger dents on your panels.

Respray = $$$$.

Tint should be able to get darkest legal for about $400 all round.

Look on ebay, gumtree or even this forum for a subi badge, or go to a wreckers and get one then glue it on yourself.

[Rodeo4jake]

G'day & welcome,
With the lights, I've had success polishing them. But you need a bench grinder with a buffing wheel. You'd be there for hours trying to get it done by hand. They came out good In the end though. It was for a mates plastic Supra lights so should work on yours.
$2 I know rip off!

Cheers Jake

[El_Freddo]

Welcome to the forum phirex!

The spoiler is a bit loose on the right hand side (it comes up a bit), looks like the joint is loose. I actually wouldn't mind scrapping the spoiler completely (I've seen one and it looked nice) - am I looking at a new boot for that though? I guess I would be..

A new boot would be easier to spray, if you keep your existing boot lid with the holes for the spoiler you're going to have to cover them. How you do that is up to you - weld (carefully) plates in with minimal bog or glue a plate in from underneath the boot lid skin, then bog the holes... Personally I'd try for a new boot lid or just do up the spoiler so it's not rattling around.

I have been quoted $290 to get the 'back half' of the exhaust done (custom made) at 2". Good?

Depends on the quality of the job they do. I paid $450 for a 2 1/4 cat back system with some subi noise and I'm happy. $290 for a stock replacement that's larger is alright I guess - easy way to find out is to ring around rather than ask for opinions from those that have nothing to do with pricing in the industry...

I want to change my rims, probably to 18" low profiles, but this appears to be about $1500 (new) but I've heard you can pick up some real good bargains, they don't need to be perfect rims..also heard my original ones still have some resale too?

Nothing wrong with your current rims - lower the impreza and they'll look awesome and still give you a decent ride with that tyre wall size. A mate of mine purchased a set of these off ebay for $250 with good tyres and postage from NSW
Be aware of cheap rims (new) as you'll probably be buying more of them later on after hitting the first ripple in the road surface. I've also heard insurance companies going nuts over cheap aftermarket rims.

Have fun pimping out your ride, it's not for everyone (me), but each to their own!

And patience goes a long way on the forum! I know I'm guilty of being impatient sometimes

Cheers

Bennie

[phirex]

Hey guys, been working hard(ish) on this, it's come up nice with a good cut & polish, and a bit of love..and elbow grease,

the bonnet needs a respray (didnt get told it's not the original bonnet), but i've ordered some spray paint (the proper stuff) & going to attempt a DIY fix on the bonnet.. it will look better, going to do the brush touch myself, and look for a cheap paintless dent removal guy,

been learning a lot about these cars, I have the fault with the cruise control cutting out (i've read it's a new cc module behind the dash), done a few replacements

Headlights came up good, surprisingly with a cut and polish followed by the rain-x stuff, 2-3 goes at it and it's much better than the average set I see on these year cars, it will slowly improve if i keep at it..

http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-a ... 5647bed009

I hope you can see the image,

this is how I got it when it first arrived,

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-a ... 1177_n.jpg

Anyway to do ..

* Muffler
* Going to spray/fix the rims DIY
* Lower
* Finally add the back parcel shelf speakers & 3rd amp
* Fix paint the best I can
* Cheap dent puller for doors, front qpanels
* Repair boot latch
* Remove some of the badges, to make the boot look nicer.. (need to check if this will wreck the paint)

Wanted to buy parts list:

* Front bonnet guard (plastic)
* Front grill (under bonnet) -subaru badge has been stolen before I purchased it, so just a subaru badge would work
* Set of stock mats (all four, fitted)

Might leave it after that, for a while ..

Any point doing like, a pod filter or any of that stuff?

It runs pretty nice .. the AC pipe went, I sourced one from the US for about $150 .. the local auto elec said he'd fit it free & do my regas for another $150 odd, only problem i've had so far :/ fingers crossed

<3 Subaru