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Re: Need some ideas for my GTS
Posted By: Jay B. Posted On: July 22, 2002 at 12:39 am EDT
Hi Pete,
I guess it kinda depends what you really want your car to be when it is all done. Do you want a really nice looking car that is a totally reliable daily driver, an all out go fast car, with the ability to blow away a few Hondas along the way, or something in between?
Ask yourself a few questions about your goals, how much money you have to spend, and how much of the work you can do yourself. Keep in mind that the more you can do on your own, the further the money goes.
Now for my suggestions. Since I personally want my car to look good first, I would spend a little money at the local Toyota dealer and buy some new trim pieces for the windows. They always seem to get really trashed on the MKII's. If the ones you have are just tired and faded grey, get some NOVUS Plastic Polish #2, and have at it. This stuff is a really great detailing tool to have around. It is kind of like WD-40, in that you always seem to be finding new uses for the stuff.
Next, if you haven't done it already, detail the heck out of the car. Interior, engine compartment, the works. Make it shine.
Wheels are a nice addition, but since there aren't a lot of choices in the aftermarket for the MKII's, keep the stock ones like you suggested. Instead of having them painted, consider having them powder coated. Very durable finish. My personal choice would be to leave them the stock aluminum color. But that's just my taste. You have to do what turns you on.
Tunes are always great, especially if you spent a lot of time in the car driving to work. Again, you have to ask yourself what your final goals are, cause you can spend as little or as much as you want in this area. My personal tastes are for nice, but not wild. Keep the factory speaker locations, but replace the factory speakers with some higher quality aftermarket units. I prefer Polk myself. I would also check out Crutchfield's for the gear. (www.crutchfield.com) They have wiring harnesses available so you don't have to cut the factory one. Just plug it right into the factory connectors, hook up the speakers or head unit, and away you go. Done in a day. You might also want to add a little bass to help the low end a bit. The powered Bazooka Bass Tube is a nice choice here if all you are after is a little fill on the lows. You certainly won't win any stereo competitions with them, but they are easy to install, and do a good job for what you pay for them.
I would go with the a better flowing air cleaner element. This is going to be the first performance mod I make to my car. Steve has good info on the subject on this site. I also found the info that Oldmage has very helpful. His car can be seen at http://www.speedtoys.com/~oldmage/ . He has a nice article on installing a K&N Universal element. That is the way I am going to go.
The window tint idea sounds great. I think it will really set off the car.
BTW, I really like the Celica GTS decals on the side of the car. Nice, without being overdone.
Good luck with the car. Please let us all know how it goes, and post a few more pics when you get some of the mods done.
Later,
Jay B.
Pete wrote:
> Just curious what you guys wou
> ld do to my car if YOU owned i
> t. I'm considering a custom s
> tereo/CD changer setup, custom
> exhaust, maybe lowering it 1/
> 2" to an 1" and will be gettin
> g all the windows tinted withi
> n a month (except front of cou
> rse). I already tried to get
> some new rims for it but since
> only 1 or 2 types are able to
> fit the bolt pattern, it's ve
> ry limiting. I may end up hav
> ing the rims polished and/or e
> namled (baked on paint, any co
> lor you like). I'd go with wh
> ite or black, not sure which y
> et. Black may be just too bla
> ck for the overall look. Whit
> e would look sharp though I th
> ink. I also want to put it an
> open air filter. Right now t
> he car is 100% stock with a 22
> RE engine.
>
> Any thoughts? It's the first
> one listed in the pics section
> . Thanks for any pointers.
Replys:
- Re: Need some ideas for my GTS - Jay B. 07/22/02 (1)
- Re: Need some ideas for my GTS - Pete 07/22/02 (0)
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