Ok - I just got my new 2002.5 ES this past Saturday. I have been lurking here for the past few months - and yes, I have used the search feature to read old posts. This has all been very helpful and was a contributing factor in me buying my ES.

Anyways - if you only had $500 to spend on a bone stock ES - what would you do? After putting $$$ down - I won't have much to spend on it for a few months, but can find $500 now

I was thinking about the following possibilties -

front strut tower brace (MP3)
Kartboy shifter bushing
new intake - recommendations?
new exhaust - recommendations?

Basically - I want to improve the function of the stock components, not replace with new struts, springs, or sway bars just yet. I will not do any internals with the engine - probably just improve breathing.

Overall - I will be keeping this vehicle for a long time (6-8 yrs min) and don't want to affect the reliability - just improve drivability some.

Thanks for the input.

 

get the intake and exhaust...that will eat the whole $500

 

short shifter has been the most worthwhile mod for me.... besides my stereo. but i love my tunes. i got the b&m short shifter and just added the Kartboy shifter bushings and the feel is great. now you could probably get the KARTBOY SHIFTER and bushings and you'll still have $$ left over for an intake or something else.

 

get the short shifter (B&M or Kartboy), then maybe after that an intake, then after that, if you still got some $$ left, a cat-back exhaust.

That should set you good for the next 5 years

 

I'd recommend holding onto the $500 for now and drive the car for a month or more to decide what you really feel needs improving. Do you think it needs more power? Better stereo? Better shifter? Tinted windows? etc...

Randomly buying mods just for the sake of it can be an expensive habit, ask me how I know In the past 3 years or so I've put probably $5K into my Miata buying mods etc...some of which I ended up selling after a while cause it wasn't what I wanted and didn't improve the car enough to be worth the $.

 

Yes,

After having the Pro a few days now - I'd say the tint will be first - darn Texas sun is too hot on the ES black interior. After the tint, I'm happy with the day-to-day driving power , handling, and exhaust note ----- so if I was spending it today (not yet) I'd get the short shifter and bushing to help the shift feel.

Thanks again

 

sounds like a good plan!

I visited DFW area (Plano) last year around June, and my god Texas sun SCORCHES!!!! I don't know how anyone can get by without tinting their car windows!!!!

 

Yup, that's the best thing to do.......

drive the car for two months and then decide.... one month is too soon I think

 

If it was me....I would have to say lower it.........I cant stand have a car stock height

 

I would suggest getting some springs then intake and exhaust. Then prolly the next month get short shifter (Kartboy or B&M) and kartboy shifter bushing. I think after that you will set for awhile. Unless your like me and like to do mods.. once a month.

Hope this helps

RC