Allow me to introduce myself...Looking for guidance
12-19-10, 05:28 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Allow me to introduce myself...Looking for guidance
First things first. I got a 93 sc400 just a little over a year ago for 7k and it had around 57k miles on it. It's in excellent condition inside and out except for a few minor dings and blemishes on the outside. This is my first car, got it when I was 16 and I am now 17, my knowledge on vehicles is extremely limited but I figured it's about time I've gotten to know more about cars and what better way to do so then while working on my own. There's quite a few things that I would like to do with my car but there is also a couple dilemmas, i'm broke, I know close to nothing about cars and I have very few resources to go to for help (hence i'm on the internet asking you guys.)
Basically i'm just going to list the things I want done with my car and the concerns I have about it and hope that I get some useful responses. I already did my own research on this forum and other sites but I could still use a lot more insight into how much it'd cost to get done, where to get it done, should I do it myself or other threads that already go over the subject I need help on.
1. Paint - should I save up for a paint job or just get my sc400 detailed? The color is light blue and as I stated above the exterior is in fairly good condition. Their are a few minor blemishes and some very small dents but nothing to severe at all. I am no where near close to having enough money for a paint job, so I figured a good car detailing will remove most of the imperfections. Which would be the better route?
2. Sound System- I'd like to replace the speakers but I don't know what size they are or what what kind of speakers to look for. Everything in the car is stock except for the radio which i had replaced b/c it went out. I'm looking for moderate base, nothing too extreme but something that sounds good and gives a nice bump. I'm not sure if I should get am amp or just speakers. Or if I should order them online and install myself or get them done professionally.
3. Window Tint- If any of you live in the Houston TX area and know of a good(cheap) place to get my windows tinted please let me know.
4. Rims - I'd like to increase the size of my tires to 17's or 18's, not sure which would be better. Where can I find some affordable rims and what type should I look for?
5. Concerns - Their is a small leak coming from the bottom of the car and whenever I turn the wheel I hear a grinding noise. I got the leaked checked out and the mechanic said it wasn't anything urgent and have yet to get the wheel looked at. Have any of you had similar problems and do you know what may be causing it?
6. I want my car to look cool. What mods can I make to the car myself that will enhance its overall look and wouldn't cost to much?
I realize that i'm asking for a lot of help, but I sincerely don't know were to go to get reliable information other than a forum that specializes on my vehicle. I would greatly appreciate any insight involving anything above or just anything that I may not know/need to know about my vehicle.
Thank you in advance
Basically i'm just going to list the things I want done with my car and the concerns I have about it and hope that I get some useful responses. I already did my own research on this forum and other sites but I could still use a lot more insight into how much it'd cost to get done, where to get it done, should I do it myself or other threads that already go over the subject I need help on.
1. Paint - should I save up for a paint job or just get my sc400 detailed? The color is light blue and as I stated above the exterior is in fairly good condition. Their are a few minor blemishes and some very small dents but nothing to severe at all. I am no where near close to having enough money for a paint job, so I figured a good car detailing will remove most of the imperfections. Which would be the better route?
2. Sound System- I'd like to replace the speakers but I don't know what size they are or what what kind of speakers to look for. Everything in the car is stock except for the radio which i had replaced b/c it went out. I'm looking for moderate base, nothing too extreme but something that sounds good and gives a nice bump. I'm not sure if I should get am amp or just speakers. Or if I should order them online and install myself or get them done professionally.
3. Window Tint- If any of you live in the Houston TX area and know of a good(cheap) place to get my windows tinted please let me know.
4. Rims - I'd like to increase the size of my tires to 17's or 18's, not sure which would be better. Where can I find some affordable rims and what type should I look for?
5. Concerns - Their is a small leak coming from the bottom of the car and whenever I turn the wheel I hear a grinding noise. I got the leaked checked out and the mechanic said it wasn't anything urgent and have yet to get the wheel looked at. Have any of you had similar problems and do you know what may be causing it?
6. I want my car to look cool. What mods can I make to the car myself that will enhance its overall look and wouldn't cost to much?
I realize that i'm asking for a lot of help, but I sincerely don't know were to go to get reliable information other than a forum that specializes on my vehicle. I would greatly appreciate any insight involving anything above or just anything that I may not know/need to know about my vehicle.
Thank you in advance
12-19-10, 06:27 PM
#2
1) you can likely get the blemishes touched up by a shop, combined with some pdr
2) it's bass, not base. stock speakers are 4". combine replacements with a quality amp/sub. I've found that quality makes more difference than watts. after x-mas, there'll be plenty of deals to be had, so keep an eye out then.
3)I don't live in houston, so...
4) not familiar with Houston roads, but I hear they can be bad. for that reason, I would recommend 17" rims. more sidewall=smoother ride. otherwise, 18"s look 100x better.
5)a leak needs fixing, a grinding needs fixing. any puddle needs to be investigated, unless it's your AC condenser shedding water,needs to be fixed.
Where is the grinding coming from? front or back? left or right?
6) not much can be had for cheap. blacked out/de-golded emblems, a good wax, that's about it in the "cheap" category.
take care of #5 first, the car will thank you later.
2) it's bass, not base. stock speakers are 4". combine replacements with a quality amp/sub. I've found that quality makes more difference than watts. after x-mas, there'll be plenty of deals to be had, so keep an eye out then.
3)I don't live in houston, so...
4) not familiar with Houston roads, but I hear they can be bad. for that reason, I would recommend 17" rims. more sidewall=smoother ride. otherwise, 18"s look 100x better.
5)a leak needs fixing, a grinding needs fixing. any puddle needs to be investigated, unless it's your AC condenser shedding water,needs to be fixed.
Where is the grinding coming from? front or back? left or right?
6) not much can be had for cheap. blacked out/de-golded emblems, a good wax, that's about it in the "cheap" category.
take care of #5 first, the car will thank you later.
12-19-10, 08:49 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Appreciate the insight. So would an ordinary body shop do touch ups or is their somewhere else I should take it to?
As for the speakers, I seem to find the best prices online so would I be better off ordering them and having someone install them?
What bifi thing?
I'll be posting pics tomorrow.
As for the speakers, I seem to find the best prices online so would I be better off ordering them and having someone install them?
What bifi thing?
I'll be posting pics tomorrow.
12-19-10, 10:04 PM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
12-19-10, 11:05 PM
#10
as stated 92-94 sc300 and 400 did NOT have fog lamps, they had turning lamps that were only supplied power when using the turn signals...hence, no fog light switch inside the vehicle as pictured above.
fog lights were not introduced to the SC3/400 until 95, and ONLY 95+ SC's have factory fogs.
fog lights were not introduced to the SC3/400 until 95, and ONLY 95+ SC's have factory fogs.
12-19-10, 11:40 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
as stated 92-94 sc300 and 400 did NOT have fog lamps, they had turning lamps that were only supplied power when using the turn signals...hence, no fog light switch inside the vehicle as pictured above.
fog lights were not introduced to the SC3/400 until 95, and ONLY 95+ SC's have factory fogs.
fog lights were not introduced to the SC3/400 until 95, and ONLY 95+ SC's have factory fogs.
12-20-10, 02:13 AM
#13
Besides painting/blacking out emblems you can also restore your headlights and paint your pillars if fading. Just bought my first car also, 99 sc300, and these were affordable things I did and really made the appearance of the car better.
Congrats and GL!
Congrats and GL!
12-20-10, 07:10 PM
#15
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I took pics this morning with my camera but apparently the photo size is too big to upload and I was too lazy to try adjusting anything, so tomorrow i'll just take some pics with my phone and upload them...
You guys wanna see anything specific on the car like some of the blemishes or dents, or just the whole package?
You guys wanna see anything specific on the car like some of the blemishes or dents, or just the whole package?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
O. L. T.
SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)
29
05-08-07 09:18 PM
