So I've had my '03 ES since winter of '02 and have been on and of about if it was worth making any changes to for a few years now.

Now after 6 years and 90,000 mi I realize I don't plan on getting a new car until this ones craps out on me because I don't make payments on it. Why start paying a car note when nothings really wrong with my car? So I'm making due with what I have.

Over the past few months I've made some small changes. Ill post some pics later on today. It's a work in progress and for the most part I'm working on the outside appearance first...though I think I may be picking up an Injen cold air intake sometime next week...

 

The overall look as of now (10/1/09):

 

The grill was the very first thing to go. Its probably the one thing I hate the most on all Lancers.
It looks like a widows peek. So I got the JDM grill and had it painted the day it came in!

I couldn't pick it up til the next day though because Maaco screwed up the paint job the first time. Ive seen this grill a million times on here done the same way. Notice I have a matte black paint in the center to breakup the white lines, rather than going with the same color glossed like the outside of the grill.

Originally they went ahead and painted it with the white on the inside which is specifically what I asked them NOT to do. So they did it over and quite frankly, im glad I had them redo it that way. I think it makes it look a little more original and more JDM than having the centerpiece painted white too:

 

Loving the grill! how much did maaco charge you?

the rest of the car's coming along nicely too, what tails do you have?

gotta give props to another white es owner haha

 

Thanks.

Funny you say that...Im actually on my way today to get an estimate on painting these:


Maaco wants $320 to do them though! As you can see I've pretty much gotten a steal for everything so far, so Im not trying to pay more than I have to on this paint job. I got all skirts and lips for $160

 

And about lowering...I picked up Eibach Pros about two days ago, but realize the front springs won't fit so if anyone wants to buy this set for $160 + shipping/fees or trade them for some progress springs...PM ME!

 

Here are my other mods you see so far:

Depo Black housings ($40 on craigslist for the pair. ) + xenon bulbs


Shaved trunk, CF Mitsu. badge, and Altezza Black Housing tails ($45 on ebay. )


OG Enkei 17"s circa '9? wrapped in ecstas 205/40/17 (A little scratched but $260 for the set WITH TIRES on craigslist )

 

oh and shutout...Maaco only charged me $50 for the grill.

 

car looks fresh but try n smoke out ur tails

 

Thanks.
Smoke tints on tails are illegal in nj bro...u know that.

Blackhousing was the closest I could get to a tint look without being hassled.

I originally wanted to do tints...
Maybe in the future ill take the risk

 

Seems like you got some good *** deals! Car looks good. Cant wait to see it with the lipkit.

 

wow 320??? were they gonna install them too?

 

Damn lukin gud homie keep it up keep it up!

 

YOU SHUD SAND THEM DOWN AND PAINT THEM WHITE MATCH THE SHOES WHT THE CAR

 

nah..just to paint them!

i told them id install it myself...which wont be hard.
i can drill the holes in the front and back bumpers for the screws for the lip kit.

for the sides i can just screw the ends to the existing holes on the edge of the wheel well and use doublesided auto 3M tape for the middle of the sideskirts.