Bit of JDM Marmite!
Discussion
Some seem to love these, some seem to hate them. I've always loved the way they looked and found myself looking for a practical car to replace the MX5 that's sadly up for sale.
Looked at a few things for around £5000 and nothing really stood out until I drove past a dealer who had two of these in stock!
My 2012 Nissan Cube Rider Autech!
The colour reminds me of Nighthawk Black from Honda, it has a metallic dark blue tint to it in sunshine. It really needs a good polish and wash though!
Plans going forward are to get some coilovers and some nice wheels, a good polish and generally keep it tidy. It's going to have some roofbars and bike carriers soon though.
Jobs I want to do are as follows.
It drives very nice, like an automatic sofa
Oh and the PH smiley is already lurking behind the rear tinted window..
Looked at a few things for around £5000 and nothing really stood out until I drove past a dealer who had two of these in stock!
My 2012 Nissan Cube Rider Autech!
The colour reminds me of Nighthawk Black from Honda, it has a metallic dark blue tint to it in sunshine. It really needs a good polish and wash though!
Plans going forward are to get some coilovers and some nice wheels, a good polish and generally keep it tidy. It's going to have some roofbars and bike carriers soon though.
Jobs I want to do are as follows.
- Item 1 Replace Japanese Panasonic HU with an Android Auto/Carplay unit
- Item 2 Change clocks for MPH specific versions (Lockwood seem to sell these)
- Item 3 Clean/polish headlights to get rid of slight yellowing
- Item 4 Fit coilovers
- Item 5 Purchase some nice JDM style wheels, possibly 15x7
It drives very nice, like an automatic sofa
Oh and the PH smiley is already lurking behind the rear tinted window..
I ended up tackling one of the minor jobs today after I gave the interior a quick spruce up with some rather nice smelling mango cleaner!
The headlights were slightly hazy, not to bad but I wanted to sort it before they got any worse.
I used the Meguiars medium kit that consists of 2 x rough scouring pads, a cutting compound and a UV spray.
Before.
After.
They seem to have come up quite well, they'll certainly do for now at least
I do want to give it a good detail but I don't have any kit to speak of so that will change soon too.
The headlights were slightly hazy, not to bad but I wanted to sort it before they got any worse.
I used the Meguiars medium kit that consists of 2 x rough scouring pads, a cutting compound and a UV spray.
Before.
After.
They seem to have come up quite well, they'll certainly do for now at least
I do want to give it a good detail but I don't have any kit to speak of so that will change soon too.
Oh I reckon there's a few who aren't a fan
Some of my mates think I'm mad, but they're always buying the "safe" options when it comes to cars.
This also the first CVT auto I've ever driven and to be honest, it's not as bad as some make out. I'll be getting the gearbox oil and filter changed for peace of mind sometime this year.
Some of my mates think I'm mad, but they're always buying the "safe" options when it comes to cars.
This also the first CVT auto I've ever driven and to be honest, it's not as bad as some make out. I'll be getting the gearbox oil and filter changed for peace of mind sometime this year.
In years to come, I'll probably move on to something like a Stepwagn, Alphard/Vellfire or Elgrand. Couldn't quite stretch the budget at the moment.
To be honest, the wheels are what lets it down, the pics don't show how bad they're flaking. Wheels are probably the first big thing I'll change.
To be honest, the wheels are what lets it down, the pics don't show how bad they're flaking. Wheels are probably the first big thing I'll change.
So I've actually made a modification for a change! Hopefully this means I'm going to actually keep this car for a bit
New wheels and tyres fitted today!
Crying out to be hit with the lowering stick though now....
I did get a quote for a new stereo which I thought was a bit expensive. It was £699 for a Pioneer sph 77DAB fitted.
I feel like I could probably fit the stereo myself. It's just getting the right cables to make sure everything works (ariel, reverse camera etc).
Going to do a few cheaper bits in the meantime because the house may need some roof work doing
Looking at getting a sunstrip due to the massive windscreen and I've also got a stich on steering wheel cover on order.
New wheels and tyres fitted today!
Crying out to be hit with the lowering stick though now....
I did get a quote for a new stereo which I thought was a bit expensive. It was £699 for a Pioneer sph 77DAB fitted.
I feel like I could probably fit the stereo myself. It's just getting the right cables to make sure everything works (ariel, reverse camera etc).
Going to do a few cheaper bits in the meantime because the house may need some roof work doing
Looking at getting a sunstrip due to the massive windscreen and I've also got a stich on steering wheel cover on order.
I've seen a pic somewhere with the Ronal Teddies fitted to one. Last time I saw those they were on a Polo Breadvan
Giving the stereo some more thought. £699 for a carplay/android auto headunit seems pretty expensive (fitted). Does that sound about right? I've no idea how much these things cost as I've never replaced a stereo in a car before.
Giving the stereo some more thought. £699 for a carplay/android auto headunit seems pretty expensive (fitted). Does that sound about right? I've no idea how much these things cost as I've never replaced a stereo in a car before.
Put a sunstrip on the Cube
First time I've ever really attempted one and it turned out ok, although not perfect!
I've also got a stitched steering wheel cover to go on this weekend. That might take a few hours of tedious sewing!
Cheap and cheerful mods at the moment due to needed house repairs....
First time I've ever really attempted one and it turned out ok, although not perfect!
I've also got a stitched steering wheel cover to go on this weekend. That might take a few hours of tedious sewing!
Cheap and cheerful mods at the moment due to needed house repairs....
Had a bit of a drive up Rivington last night to see if the northern lights would make another appearance.... they didn't. Missus insisted on staying till about 11:30pm still
I also had a go at another thing today. Ordered a stitch on steering wheel cover after seeing a few of these. It's the first, and last time I'm ever trying this!
It took just over 5 hours of sitting in the car to get it to this stage and it's no where near perfect. To be honest it wasn't a great fit, but it looks ok and feels good
Absolutely sweated buckets doing this too haha.
Think I need to start looking into sorting out a headunit for it soon. Doesn't need to be an expensive brand but I need to figure out what cables I use to get it all working (including the reverse cam).
I also had a go at another thing today. Ordered a stitch on steering wheel cover after seeing a few of these. It's the first, and last time I'm ever trying this!
It took just over 5 hours of sitting in the car to get it to this stage and it's no where near perfect. To be honest it wasn't a great fit, but it looks ok and feels good
Absolutely sweated buckets doing this too haha.
Think I need to start looking into sorting out a headunit for it soon. Doesn't need to be an expensive brand but I need to figure out what cables I use to get it all working (including the reverse cam).
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