*My RA Journal>>>>>>>>>>>Update: 10/10/12<<<<<<<<<<<<Pg.2
Oct 3, 2012, 03:56 PM
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*My RA Journal>>>>>>>>>>>Update: 10/17/12<<<<<<<<<<<<Pg.2
Hey Everyone,
I've always had a car journal for every car I've ever owned. Figured I'd do the same for my RA
Updated: 10/17/12
Latest post:
- Page 1: Intro
- Page 1: Photos
- Page 2: AEM CAI Intake
- Page 2: Buschur Racing Catback Exhaust
Before the Ralliart I was driving this little guy for awhile, a 2005 Nissan 350Z 6MT
- Nismo V2 Front
- Powerhouse Amuse Sideskirts
- Nismo V3 Rear
- Greddy Type Coilovers
- Nismo LM GT4 wheels
- Fujita SRI
- Invidia Catback
- TWM Short Shifter
- Megan adjustable camber arms
- etc.....
In Feb of 2012 it began to be more and more of a hassle to carry my camera equipment around. I really didn't want to get rid of her, but I had no choice. I spent from March - July debating on what car to get. I for sure wasn't getting a FWD car.
The things I had to put into consideration:
"Daily Usage"
- Camera equipment (3-5' stands and tripods)
- Lighting energy sources (i.e. power generators and batteries)
- Lighting strobes
- Lens and camera bags
"External uses"
- Surfing
- Biking
- Snowboarding
I decided rear wheel drive wasn't the best option especially since I liked going up to the mountains. I've always liked Subarus and Mitsubishis, but which one was I going to get...?
For the entire months of June and July I went to multiple Subaru and Mitsubishi dealerships talking, negotiating, test driving, etc... I had a horrific experience at one of the Subaru dealerships which automatically turned me away from that one.
When it came down to price points it came down to this:
(*Note: These price comparisons are between dealerships here in CA with price negotiations)
^ Subaru STI = Mitsubishi Evo X MR
^ Subaru WRX = Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
^ Subaru Impreza = Mitsubishi Ralliart
Considering this was going to be my daily driver, and I was going to stack miles on this guy I didn't need an STI or MR. I could have afforded either the 2012 WRX or 2012' GSR. I test drove both and they were both super fun. I loved the feel and sound and the fact that they were both stick shift. The deciding factor between the two were the motors. Finding out the the WRX wasn't even a "watered" down version of the STI, and that it was basically a completely different car bummed me out. So I decided with the Evo X GSR. I loved the look and feel of the Evo. I thought it looked way more aggressive than the WRX. I test drove and fell in love. I was ready to sign papers until the salesman showed me the trunk and I was speechless... The Evo's trunk was smaller than my Z's trunk. The whole point of me selling/trading my Z was to get something with a bigger trunk. I was ready to leave until the salesman told me that the Ralliart had the same 4B11T motor as the Evo, as well as the same tranny, and awd system and not too mention it had lay-down backseats. I was confused... I had no idea. I went home that night and simmered on it and did more research. A few days later I went back to the dealer and test drove. I fell in love (again) despite it not being a stick shift...
I didn't want to rush into it so I waited another week. Then in August of 2012 I went back and starred at an Octane Blue 2012 RA for about an hour
Here's a cell phone pic I sent my brother asking him what he thought
He said it was badass. He's been wanting an Evo or an RA since this body style came out.
I sat with Sam Smash (most of you guys know him) and I asked him to be honest with me and to give me the pros and cons of the RA.
About an hour later as we were negotiating pricing he says, "DUDE! What else can I do??????"
and I said, "Throw in the side mount plate holder and some window visors and you got a deal"
He stook his hand out and simply says, "deal."
Pic of MY new car a few hours later after we finished signing papers and the guy washing my car
The next day I had to go back because I forgot to provide proof of insurance and stuff. Couldn't help to take a pic with the other RA's and Evo's
Coincidentally, when I drove down to San Diego to visit my family, my dad and brother both got new cars as well :P My dad got a 2011 Accord and my brother got a 2010 Civic
A few weeks later I couldn't deal with the 4x4 status anymore. So I went to my friends at Pann Auto and Cartune down in San Diego to hook it up with a set of Tein S-Techs
Installing:
Afterwards:
A few weeks later I gave in to the trend and plasti dipped my nose ring and took off my lower grill
Mini photo shoot I did with my brother's Civic (unedited)
I drove the car like this for a couple weeks then picked up a set of new-ish NT03+M with super low miles
Then I purchased an Evo X wing from another member that just purchased a brand new 2013 Evo X. Apparently he took it home from the dealer and took off the wing and sold it to me. That same weekend I mounted my wheels and tires, rolled my fenders, and had my wing painted and installed
And thus far this is how the car is sitting. Here are a few pics I took today (10/3/12). I had a photo shoot at a warehouse in Irvine on an article we're doing about a philanthropist that donates wheelchairs to people in need in third world countries (pretty cool). Anyways, after we finished the photo shoot I was waiting for the videographer to pack up his gear so I took some quick snaps of my car while I waited for him.
(Unedited)
That's it so far! I have a lot of plans for this car so I'll keep updating this page. I'll update the top of this page with the current updated date and page #
My "to do" list:
- AMS UICP
- AMS LICP
- AMS FMIC
- Injen CAI
- Tune from RRE
- BC Coils
- Sway bars
- Hancook RS3's
Then aesthetic stuff...
- Evo X fender arches
- Vortex generator
- JDP front lip
That's what I have so far
I've always had a car journal for every car I've ever owned. Figured I'd do the same for my RA
Updated: 10/17/12
Latest post:
- Page 1: Intro
- Page 1: Photos
- Page 2: AEM CAI Intake
- Page 2: Buschur Racing Catback Exhaust
Before the Ralliart I was driving this little guy for awhile, a 2005 Nissan 350Z 6MT
- Nismo V2 Front
- Powerhouse Amuse Sideskirts
- Nismo V3 Rear
- Greddy Type Coilovers
- Nismo LM GT4 wheels
- Fujita SRI
- Invidia Catback
- TWM Short Shifter
- Megan adjustable camber arms
- etc.....
In Feb of 2012 it began to be more and more of a hassle to carry my camera equipment around. I really didn't want to get rid of her, but I had no choice. I spent from March - July debating on what car to get. I for sure wasn't getting a FWD car.
The things I had to put into consideration:
"Daily Usage"
- Camera equipment (3-5' stands and tripods)
- Lighting energy sources (i.e. power generators and batteries)
- Lighting strobes
- Lens and camera bags
"External uses"
- Surfing
- Biking
- Snowboarding
I decided rear wheel drive wasn't the best option especially since I liked going up to the mountains. I've always liked Subarus and Mitsubishis, but which one was I going to get...?
For the entire months of June and July I went to multiple Subaru and Mitsubishi dealerships talking, negotiating, test driving, etc... I had a horrific experience at one of the Subaru dealerships which automatically turned me away from that one.
When it came down to price points it came down to this:
(*Note: These price comparisons are between dealerships here in CA with price negotiations)
^ Subaru STI = Mitsubishi Evo X MR
^ Subaru WRX = Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
^ Subaru Impreza = Mitsubishi Ralliart
Considering this was going to be my daily driver, and I was going to stack miles on this guy I didn't need an STI or MR. I could have afforded either the 2012 WRX or 2012' GSR. I test drove both and they were both super fun. I loved the feel and sound and the fact that they were both stick shift. The deciding factor between the two were the motors. Finding out the the WRX wasn't even a "watered" down version of the STI, and that it was basically a completely different car bummed me out. So I decided with the Evo X GSR. I loved the look and feel of the Evo. I thought it looked way more aggressive than the WRX. I test drove and fell in love. I was ready to sign papers until the salesman showed me the trunk and I was speechless... The Evo's trunk was smaller than my Z's trunk. The whole point of me selling/trading my Z was to get something with a bigger trunk. I was ready to leave until the salesman told me that the Ralliart had the same 4B11T motor as the Evo, as well as the same tranny, and awd system and not too mention it had lay-down backseats. I was confused... I had no idea. I went home that night and simmered on it and did more research. A few days later I went back to the dealer and test drove. I fell in love (again) despite it not being a stick shift...
I didn't want to rush into it so I waited another week. Then in August of 2012 I went back and starred at an Octane Blue 2012 RA for about an hour
Here's a cell phone pic I sent my brother asking him what he thought
He said it was badass. He's been wanting an Evo or an RA since this body style came out.
I sat with Sam Smash (most of you guys know him) and I asked him to be honest with me and to give me the pros and cons of the RA.
About an hour later as we were negotiating pricing he says, "DUDE! What else can I do??????"
and I said, "Throw in the side mount plate holder and some window visors and you got a deal"
He stook his hand out and simply says, "deal."
Pic of MY new car a few hours later after we finished signing papers and the guy washing my car
The next day I had to go back because I forgot to provide proof of insurance and stuff. Couldn't help to take a pic with the other RA's and Evo's
Coincidentally, when I drove down to San Diego to visit my family, my dad and brother both got new cars as well :P My dad got a 2011 Accord and my brother got a 2010 Civic
A few weeks later I couldn't deal with the 4x4 status anymore. So I went to my friends at Pann Auto and Cartune down in San Diego to hook it up with a set of Tein S-Techs
Installing:
Afterwards:
A few weeks later I gave in to the trend and plasti dipped my nose ring and took off my lower grill
Mini photo shoot I did with my brother's Civic (unedited)
I drove the car like this for a couple weeks then picked up a set of new-ish NT03+M with super low miles
Then I purchased an Evo X wing from another member that just purchased a brand new 2013 Evo X. Apparently he took it home from the dealer and took off the wing and sold it to me. That same weekend I mounted my wheels and tires, rolled my fenders, and had my wing painted and installed
And thus far this is how the car is sitting. Here are a few pics I took today (10/3/12). I had a photo shoot at a warehouse in Irvine on an article we're doing about a philanthropist that donates wheelchairs to people in need in third world countries (pretty cool). Anyways, after we finished the photo shoot I was waiting for the videographer to pack up his gear so I took some quick snaps of my car while I waited for him.
(Unedited)
That's it so far! I have a lot of plans for this car so I'll keep updating this page. I'll update the top of this page with the current updated date and page #
My "to do" list:
- AMS UICP
- AMS LICP
- AMS FMIC
- Injen CAI
- Tune from RRE
- BC Coils
- Sway bars
- Hancook RS3's
Then aesthetic stuff...
- Evo X fender arches
- Vortex generator
- JDP front lip
That's what I have so far
Last edited by OherrOderr; Oct 17, 2012 at 04:55 PM.
Oct 3, 2012, 04:53 PM
#3
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And I really like how it rev matches when you downshift
Oct 3, 2012, 05:13 PM
#4
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Why did u end up putting back on the front grill? I thought it looked really nice without. I'm debating whether to paint my intercooler gold, take off the grill.
Oct 3, 2012, 05:16 PM
#5
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some of the freeways around me here in CA are unforgiving
There are tons of debris falling off the back of trucks and stuff. So I decided to put it on for daily driving, and then taking it off for meets and stuff
There's literally only 2 screw infront holding it in place
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Oct 6, 2012, 01:56 PM
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Oct 8, 2012, 10:52 AM
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Haha I was actually thinking about buying a flat glass surface from Ikea and using my stock wheels to prop up the glass to make a coffee table 
Me and my fiance broke up so now time to make some man furniture, lol
LOL!
Me and my fiance broke up so now time to make some man furniture, lol
LOL!
Oct 9, 2012, 11:21 AM
#14
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Haven't done anything exciting to the car. I just went to the Willow Park hiking trail in Laguna Beach to take some photos of the nature and pulled over and snapped some quick photos of the RA
