WrenchMonkey
May 29, 08, 10:14 AM
Hi all,
Been lurking on this forum for a few months since I bought my car.
A little history. I've always been a big car nut, from dinky cars as a kid, to RC cars as a teen and then life sized cars as an adult. My first time seeing a Primera was this Tamiya Calsonic Primera model kit I bought in my teenage years. I still have that kit today, still unbuilt I believe. Thought it was a great looking car.
First car I owned was a Subaru Justy, then a Civic sedan, then a Civic hatch, then a Corolla hatch, then a Miata, then an MR2, then another miata and another civic hatch for a beater and now finally, my G20. Lot of hatches and small cars in that list. That's how I like 'em. But it was time for a family car to fit my growing family and while I would like something RWD, it's just not in my budget. So I went with the Infinity that's always been a beauty in my eyes.
My example is a 1999 red G20t 5spd and from the first test drive, I was sold. It was a private sale car and appeared well cared for, other than the super high mileage (250,000km), but my only concern was the condition of the structure and not so much on the mechanics which I assumed I would fix and maintain or replace at some point anyway. Money was exchanged and I was soon driving my (new to me) car.
For being the biggest and heaviest car I've owned, she handled quite well and wasn't too bad on gas. She's nimble around corners but could use a little more power. The creature comforts are great (my first time having leather and heated seats - altho that's holding me back from dropping in an aftermarket seat to sit lower, right now I feel so high up in my seat). The full sized alloy spare in the trunk was an eye opener for sure! And the size of the trunk was quite surprising as well; you can fit a LOT in there.
Unfortunatelly, about a month ago, my car was t-boned in a parking lot. Good thing it was at slow speed but it still required having the b-pillar pulled back and the 2 doors on the passenger side repair. The upside is that I got a decent payout from insurance to cover the damages and now I can use what's left of those funds to clean up other areas of my car.
This summer, the brakes will get a complete over haul. New fluid, new rotors, better pads, send out to have capilers rebuilt and while I'm at it, I'll see what can be done with the brake lines. I know my brakes are really beat up (the rear ones I think are almost completely seized and the front rotors have deep gooves) but overall, I feel like the braking isn't strong enough on this car. Hopefully the rebuild will yield decent results.
All other fluids are slowly getting changed. 2 oil changes, new air filter and new plugs seems to have given a little more pep. Coolant, clutch fluid, tranny oil will get a change. Then maybe I'll get the A/C a recharge. Might look at some new shocks and a slight drop, and after, an alignment is surely needed.
As long as the tire dimensions are ok, I'll swap on some of my old barely used azenis that I had for my miata onto the G (205/50/15). I'd like to go up to 16's for this car, but really don't want to spend the money.
Eventually, IF the motor tires, I'd like to look into a DET swap but have yet to find a good straight forward link to what's involved (can anyone send me in the right direction). I don't mind doing most of the work myself so long as I know I can gather all the parts I need before I start AND it doesn't get too expensive. My main goal for the car is just to have a decent reliable ride that I can be proud of and not become a money pit.
Oh, I'm also looking to do something about the hood which currently has a healthy dose of rust around the front grill. I've been quoted about $500 for an aftermarket OEM replacement (painted + installed) which is leaning me over to the CF option. If anyone has experience with the CF hoods and can clue me in to how nice they are (rolled edges, latches fitment), what price, and how they do at hwy speeds (ie, does it need hood pins), that would be great.
Anyway, that's my story. Hope to be more active in this forum in the future. I won't bother posting pictures as the car is just like any other G20t in red ... for now. Cheers!
Been lurking on this forum for a few months since I bought my car.
A little history. I've always been a big car nut, from dinky cars as a kid, to RC cars as a teen and then life sized cars as an adult. My first time seeing a Primera was this Tamiya Calsonic Primera model kit I bought in my teenage years. I still have that kit today, still unbuilt I believe. Thought it was a great looking car.
First car I owned was a Subaru Justy, then a Civic sedan, then a Civic hatch, then a Corolla hatch, then a Miata, then an MR2, then another miata and another civic hatch for a beater and now finally, my G20. Lot of hatches and small cars in that list. That's how I like 'em. But it was time for a family car to fit my growing family and while I would like something RWD, it's just not in my budget. So I went with the Infinity that's always been a beauty in my eyes.
My example is a 1999 red G20t 5spd and from the first test drive, I was sold. It was a private sale car and appeared well cared for, other than the super high mileage (250,000km), but my only concern was the condition of the structure and not so much on the mechanics which I assumed I would fix and maintain or replace at some point anyway. Money was exchanged and I was soon driving my (new to me) car.
For being the biggest and heaviest car I've owned, she handled quite well and wasn't too bad on gas. She's nimble around corners but could use a little more power. The creature comforts are great (my first time having leather and heated seats - altho that's holding me back from dropping in an aftermarket seat to sit lower, right now I feel so high up in my seat). The full sized alloy spare in the trunk was an eye opener for sure! And the size of the trunk was quite surprising as well; you can fit a LOT in there.
Unfortunatelly, about a month ago, my car was t-boned in a parking lot. Good thing it was at slow speed but it still required having the b-pillar pulled back and the 2 doors on the passenger side repair. The upside is that I got a decent payout from insurance to cover the damages and now I can use what's left of those funds to clean up other areas of my car.
This summer, the brakes will get a complete over haul. New fluid, new rotors, better pads, send out to have capilers rebuilt and while I'm at it, I'll see what can be done with the brake lines. I know my brakes are really beat up (the rear ones I think are almost completely seized and the front rotors have deep gooves) but overall, I feel like the braking isn't strong enough on this car. Hopefully the rebuild will yield decent results.
All other fluids are slowly getting changed. 2 oil changes, new air filter and new plugs seems to have given a little more pep. Coolant, clutch fluid, tranny oil will get a change. Then maybe I'll get the A/C a recharge. Might look at some new shocks and a slight drop, and after, an alignment is surely needed.
As long as the tire dimensions are ok, I'll swap on some of my old barely used azenis that I had for my miata onto the G (205/50/15). I'd like to go up to 16's for this car, but really don't want to spend the money.
Eventually, IF the motor tires, I'd like to look into a DET swap but have yet to find a good straight forward link to what's involved (can anyone send me in the right direction). I don't mind doing most of the work myself so long as I know I can gather all the parts I need before I start AND it doesn't get too expensive. My main goal for the car is just to have a decent reliable ride that I can be proud of and not become a money pit.
Oh, I'm also looking to do something about the hood which currently has a healthy dose of rust around the front grill. I've been quoted about $500 for an aftermarket OEM replacement (painted + installed) which is leaning me over to the CF option. If anyone has experience with the CF hoods and can clue me in to how nice they are (rolled edges, latches fitment), what price, and how they do at hwy speeds (ie, does it need hood pins), that would be great.
Anyway, that's my story. Hope to be more active in this forum in the future. I won't bother posting pictures as the car is just like any other G20t in red ... for now. Cheers!