New Car: What are the first things you do
Discussion
renaultgeek said:
whats the deal with debadging?
Badges are a fussy detail and some prefer the cleaner look without them I suppose - model designation that is. As for nose badges, I think it's each to her/his own. Some look better without but generally it gives a nice focal point that draws the front together and draws the eye to the center. I haven't explained that very well but overall I think most cars look better with a little nose badge.I particularly like the Japanese tradition (Toyota/Nissan) of having model-specific nose badges but these only ever seem to be for the JDM cars as if it wouldn't translate well to other markets.
Examples being early Celicas, Soarer, Skylines, Silvias, MR-S, etc
Classic debadging involves buying a pov spec car, taking off its badges, and pimping it to resemble a posh spec, bigger engined, whatever version of the same heap. In other words, it is the mark of a total knobber. See also: personalised or chavved number plates. These things are a helpful sign to other road users that says: "Caution: car is driven by a cock".
renaultgeek said:
whats the deal with debadging?
I was wondering that.I guess it's because people like to remain "mysterious", which seems counter-productive, especially if you've bought something to be proud of (as must surely be the case on PH, judging by some of the comments on here).
Same goes for "aggressive" styling: why? Oxford English has this for aggression: "Feelings of anger or antipathy resulting in hostile or violent behaviour; readiness to attack or confront". Why is that a good thing in a car?
Back on topic - genuine question: how long does your wheel alignment stay true on today's roads? Had mine done last year and didn't notice much difference (may have been OK to begin with) but the number of potholes which you simply cannot avoid must knock it out quickly (I'm thinking the one on the A43, just before you get to Silverstone, as an example).
Week 1, fill tank with optimax/whatever shell call it this week.
Week 1-4, oil service including engine flush, fully synthetic oil, note any worn parts to replace and order
Up complete service items for vehicle (plugs, air filter, micro filter, fuel filter, wiper blades) and any sundries
That need renewal. Perfect disabling the DSC without looking at the switch.
Month 1-2 complete said full service (usually including discs and pads etc), carry out full valet (wax, wheels off,
Arches cleaned, leather treated, all trim treated). Fit a scan gauge as lots of modern cars have no temp gauge
(Step forward R53's with Nav & Bmw E90's)
Month 2-4 another oil changed (regardless of mileage) as modern machines have sh*te service intervals
(Such as up to 20k on a Bmw E90) and people drive modern cars in a disposable fashion.
Month 4-6 fit those mud flaps you forgot to fit in Month 1, Ring trip, vmax it on the autobahn, park it up
Filthy in a camping field and admire it from a short distance whilst sipping a stiff drink.
Month 6-9 become worried as the average economy starts to slip, then realise you're just used to the car and
Driving it harder these days.
Month 9-12 probably another oil change as you've now perfected the technique and can do them in 20 mins.
Spend spare evenings on Autotrader deciding the big question..What car next ?
Year 1-2 usually sell car for a decent price and in far better condition than when purchased, hunt down replacement
And repeat process from week 1.
Week 1-4, oil service including engine flush, fully synthetic oil, note any worn parts to replace and order
Up complete service items for vehicle (plugs, air filter, micro filter, fuel filter, wiper blades) and any sundries
That need renewal. Perfect disabling the DSC without looking at the switch.
Month 1-2 complete said full service (usually including discs and pads etc), carry out full valet (wax, wheels off,
Arches cleaned, leather treated, all trim treated). Fit a scan gauge as lots of modern cars have no temp gauge
(Step forward R53's with Nav & Bmw E90's)
Month 2-4 another oil changed (regardless of mileage) as modern machines have sh*te service intervals
(Such as up to 20k on a Bmw E90) and people drive modern cars in a disposable fashion.
Month 4-6 fit those mud flaps you forgot to fit in Month 1, Ring trip, vmax it on the autobahn, park it up
Filthy in a camping field and admire it from a short distance whilst sipping a stiff drink.
Month 6-9 become worried as the average economy starts to slip, then realise you're just used to the car and
Driving it harder these days.
Month 9-12 probably another oil change as you've now perfected the technique and can do them in 20 mins.
Spend spare evenings on Autotrader deciding the big question..What car next ?
Year 1-2 usually sell car for a decent price and in far better condition than when purchased, hunt down replacement
And repeat process from week 1.
CS Garth said:
-Full valet - always done since the Top Gear episode where a load of sp*ff was found on the seat
Get full service by someone I trust. See if anything comes up I feel seller should take care of.
Moan about lack of quality tyres and drive it like I stole it to get rid of them asap.
Play no music in the car as I look for creaks, rattles and other odd noises.
Check all and I mean all the electrics in the car. I remove all dealer stickers.
I then promise to remove dealer plates but never get round to it.
Then complain about the lack of fidelity produced by the car speakers when I do play music. Flirt with the idea of a speaker upgrade and then decide my next car will have a speaker upgrade as don't want to waste money on a car I'll replace soon.
Go on a journey through London to make sure car can handle stop start traffic (my first car couldn't so this is just my little thing)
Then plan a long weekend away allowing for the possibility of a breakdown. Spank the car and see how fast it can go.
oh yeah no joke I spend the first week getting my settings just right and swear my next car will have memory settings so that I don't have to think about it in the future.
Moan about lack of quality tyres and drive it like I stole it to get rid of them asap.
Play no music in the car as I look for creaks, rattles and other odd noises.
Check all and I mean all the electrics in the car. I remove all dealer stickers.
I then promise to remove dealer plates but never get round to it.
Then complain about the lack of fidelity produced by the car speakers when I do play music. Flirt with the idea of a speaker upgrade and then decide my next car will have a speaker upgrade as don't want to waste money on a car I'll replace soon.
Go on a journey through London to make sure car can handle stop start traffic (my first car couldn't so this is just my little thing)
Then plan a long weekend away allowing for the possibility of a breakdown. Spank the car and see how fast it can go.
oh yeah no joke I spend the first week getting my settings just right and swear my next car will have memory settings so that I don't have to think about it in the future.
(1 tax and insurance blood sacrifice
(2 quickly check it's the same car i put a deposit on and they fixed what they said they would
(3 do the V5 malarky
(4 Drive the longest way home possible with girlfriend pinned to passenger seat as i wonder why it took this long to get a turbocharged car
(5 Obligatory facebook post and picture. Sigh when no one on faceballs knows anything about cars
(6 Trawl owners club forums reading horror stories
(7 Wonder every time i put my foot down if the block liners will crack.
Such is Focus ST life. Still wouldn't trade it for the world though.
(2 quickly check it's the same car i put a deposit on and they fixed what they said they would
(3 do the V5 malarky
(4 Drive the longest way home possible with girlfriend pinned to passenger seat as i wonder why it took this long to get a turbocharged car
(5 Obligatory facebook post and picture. Sigh when no one on faceballs knows anything about cars
(6 Trawl owners club forums reading horror stories
(7 Wonder every time i put my foot down if the block liners will crack.
Such is Focus ST life. Still wouldn't trade it for the world though.
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