New 6GC, Need Help!!, First car, looking for ideas. Options

[Hym3n]

Howdy! I'm new to the site, and I love my car. I'm currently 15 (with a permit, license soon..) and just got a '96 Silver ST Hatchback. I'm very interested in modifying my car to match my dreams, but I really don't know where to begin, or what to even look for--I'm pretty uneducated in the field. My dad and brother know a lot about cars in general, but no one in my immediate family knows anything performance-wise.

This would be a project that I have to take some time on, as saving up the kind of money for stereo, tires, wheels, exterior and engine.. stuff is going to be costly, and it's a lot at once. I'm hoping to have everything stereo-wise installed first, within the next 6 months (and I've already picked that out, I fortunately DO know a lot about stereo equipment), followed by good [bigger] tires/wheels, as the ones on it are 14" small, and the wheels are quite ugly. After that, I'm open for whatever you see fit. I'm a cautious driver, and I'm not really interested in letting the car get out from underneath me (not a racer, but I'm definitely interested!), but if it looks good and does a more than the stock 105hp it currently rakes in, that'd be really nice.

I'll try and get some pictures up soon, but in the mean time, just let me know what you recommend.. where I can go to install it (or if there's some kind of online directory of places in the Dallas, TX area), and if possible, how much each part would run me. I've been checking out import performance magazines and stuff like that, trying to find good looking and recommended parts, but without someone to really instruct me.. nothing really makes sense.

Let me know if you have a good resource also, just for cars in general!

Thanks,
-Brian

[Andason]

Check out my profile for a similar silver hatchback. Mines a GT though

[FallenHero]

I'm gonna say do your stereo before anything. Radio, amp and subs! you need to enjoy driving before you make it so everybody else likes to watch you drive. : )

Be self centered, it works for me. : )

Jon

[Andason]

Personally I say exhaust. I can drive for hours just listen to my exhaust without music. I don't have one but my intake sounds very nice. I'm waiting for the swap to do anything else performance.

This post has been edited by Andason: Sep 5, 2003 - 11:41 PM

[Cody]

Every newbie must look at these, because sooner or later, you'll ask "...how can I make my car faster?"

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1448

http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1311

[FallenHero]

yes, I do like my muffler's sound.... : )

Jon

[macavely]

Welcome to the family.. well you have come to the right place. first off start by reading some of the old threads on there.. you will find alot info on the 6gc.. and if you have any questions just ask you'll find lots of poeple around here know what they are talking about...

My advise to you is since you have an ST look into 4AGE or 4AGZE..

[94TRDCeli]

There is a couple of shops in Lewisville that do this kind of stuff....one is just completely imports and the other as far as i can tell as ive never been there just driven by a couple of times may just be American Muscle...ie TA's, Camaros, Vettes...but I saw a couple of import there the first time I drove by so maybe they do them as well

[Hym3n]

Thanks guys for your opinions! Here's what I'm currently thinking as far as adding parts goes, at least a timeframe.

Stereo (receiver, amp, speakers) : Between now and as late as early March '04.
New Wheels, Tires : Between [Stereo Date] and August '04
Body Kit (to be determined which, etc.) : Between [Wheels Date] and January '04-'05
Engine Performance, etc. (to be determined what, etc.) : Between [Body Kit Date] and April '05
Final Paint Job (..way off) : Late July '05

So, that's just to let some of you know.. I'm not really in any kind of hurry on this, it's my first car, I'm an uneducated moron, and I'm much more interested in doing it right than messing up on my first try and wasting a lot of money. Plus, I'm still 15, and getting a reliable job is somewhat difficult until I'm 16 (February).

I'll be putting up some of my favorite pics in a few minutes, just check my username for 'em. Taken like 30 already, I'm probably going to open a real basic Angelfire website to host them all, and keep a sort of diary for my car on.. if I do, I'll put a link up to it.

Thanks again, and keep the suggestions coming, I'm open to any ideas!
-Brian

PS: doGGY, reply to this post, I freakin' love your car.

[doGGy]

[Hym3n]

Well, I read your how-to articles, and I'm considering the eyebrows, and will probably try the Angel Eyes installation. I know your front bumper and everything else is made by you, but is there any way we can get some of that? How do you make it? From the looks of it, you've painted over the front turn signals, is that safe/legal (in the US if you know..)? How did you design the interior, like, how did you replace the stock black vinyl with the gray, or did you just paint over it? And I have to repeat this one.. where can we get ANYTHING body kit-wise from your car? I know half the people on this site would be more than willing to pay for it, it's gorgeous.

-Brian

[doGGy]

[Hym3n]

Well, you know.. I would be willing to pay shipping as long as it's not too ridiculous. For at least one part, the front bumper, the side skirts, or the back bumper.. whichever is easiest for you. But hey, if you can't make more, that's cool. Thanks though!

-Brian