x-mas present

[mickey]

hi-

i'm not really familiar with this..but can anyone give me any idea on a christmas present for my guy?? he has an Mp3 and he loves it, I want to get him something that he doesn't have already....something really good. Does anyone have any ideas?? I'd appreciate it. I live in Denver..thanks

[SpicyMchaggis]

what does he have already?

[Heathen23]

Give us some specifics like what he already has for the car and a price range. It should be pretty easy from there:)

[mickey]

I wouldn't want to spend anymore then 500 bucks I think..but if it's something really good, i'd get it, he's worth it.

Is there anything cool you can get for the engine? Bear with me, I have no idea what I am talking about...thanks.

[Heathen23]

With that budget give or take and something under the hood you have tons of options.

Do you have any clue what he has done to it performance wise up to this point?

[fkmp5]

mickey.. you're awesome. i wish my girl would do something similar.. hehe.

anyway, if he doesn't have any of the following, i suggest:

lowering springs
cold air intake
exhaust
short shifter & bushings (new knob?)
autoexe front lip
autoexe grill

does any of that sound appetizing? if so, write back and we can give you specifics (brands/prices, etc)

[scott42]

fkmp5 has some good ideas. springs would be good for him if he doesn't already have them. Is he mechanically inclined, or would he need someone to put them on for him? Springs + install would run 300-500 depending on where you took them to be installed...Obviously, if he did it himself, you'd only be looking at $200 (+ a saturday) or so for a great present (plus, you'd get to give him a big box on xmas)

[fkmp5]

Originally posted by scott42
(plus, you'd get to give him a big box on xmas)

a big HEAVY box too :)

[bud_d]

you could get a header for <$400. Add a high flow cat to it for $100 so it doesnt sound like a fart can. He'd be doing an install himself, but it'd be a nice solid engine mod, course if you have emissions testing that may be a problem.

[mickey]

he's pretty pretty good at putting things together..so I think he could do it himself. I think he already has some sort of intake thing. I like the springs idea ( does that mean the car will be lower??) great...we are having are first baby soon- that will make it really easy for me to get in and out of!!

thanks guys. where do i find them?

and what's a header? we've been married for about five years, and I've yet to buy him anything for this car or any other car for that matter, I'd really like it to workout.

[bud_d]

I'd be careful about lowering being you have snow there, not so much fun to have an MP3 snow plow. A head is what connects the exhaust to the engine. A new header will basically increase the engine breathing, getting more power. Plus it looks good :)

http://www.racingmazda.com/images/nav/MX6-header.jpg

[grishulia]

I bet you he'll enjoy these more than the mods:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570718792/ref=pd_sxp_f/102-6228454-8199308?v=glance&s=books

or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570718865/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/102-6228454-8199308

or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570719942/ref=pd_sxp_elt_l1/102-6228454-8199308

[laracroft]

Our family has odd & expensive "presents" for all occasions. Like Valentines last year I got a Voodoo graphics card for my computer. I was like gee...nothing says love more than a graphics card...lol This year X-mas will be hell between his wanting the turbo & some other things...and me wanted Sparco seats & hard pipes...lol
:D

[scott42]

But that (a header) will make it louder :) with a baby on the way, that may not be the best idea either.

Explain to him that you wanted to get something for his car, but it was very tough to pick the right thing (especially in your circumstances); then tell him that $400 of the $500 you were planning on spending went into your childs savings for future education costs, and the remaining hundred will go towards a babysitter and a real nice dinner once the baby is born. The fact that you are nice enough to think of this great idea is enough to make him happy/thankful to be with you; and he'll really appreciate thinking of your child, as well as looking forward to a peaceful night out in the future.

(all the extremeists will say spend it on the car, but there are more important things in life, and you're expecting one of them now)

:D best of luck.

[bud_d]

Originally posted by laracroft
and me wanted Sparco seats & hard pipes...lol
:D

want man can't love a girl who wants hard pipes for xmas

[laracroft]

The hard pipes can be taken two different ways...which santa's little helper wants BOTH BABY!!!!! whoohooo lol
(naughty)

[mickey]

Thanks everyone, you are so helpful!

Scott42 you are so sweet, I hope you have a girlfriend/wife, she's a real lucky girl. You are so thoughtful!

However, I think we are getting me some type of SUV or something for the baby..so he will be the only one driving that MP3 from now on. (not that he lets me drive it anyway) ha ha!

so how about I get him those springs, I think he would like them..where do I find them??..and then i'll take him to dinner..

Thank you

[bud_d]

Originally posted by laracroft
The hard pipes can be taken two different ways...which santa's little helper wants BOTH BABY!!!!! whoohooo lol
(naughty)


damn greedy women :) (bow)

[scott42]

I'm not versed well enought to reccomend the place with the best price, though I know Terry @ www.spool-turbo.com is a good guy and stands behind his stuff. He has H&R and Eibachs...both very good brands $229+s&h) He used to manufacture his own brand which were good too; (i had bought a set myself, but had to sell them...that whole "buying a house" thing screwed it all up :D). Might want to email him and see if he can get you set up. (Spoolinfo@aol.com)

And on the SUV front...dont do it :) pick up a Volvo Cross Country if you can afford it; best family thing going; either that or an Audi off-road wagon. They are just all around safer and more realistic.

Best of luck, congrats on the bundle of joy up-coming.

Scott (thumb)

[mickey]

Thank you Scott! I'll definitely send him an e-mail- I am so excited. I really appreciate everyone's help!

And I'll mention that Volvo or the Audi (which would be nice)

Thanks All!

[scott42]

Oh yeah, Mickey, I forgot Tein also makes quality springs too (everyone one here really likes them), you might want to consider them as well.

[mickey]

Thanks, I actually just looked at the website..there are a lot to choose from- which ones for the MP3 are the best you can get? The Tein? is that what you would recommend?

guess what we are going to go look at the volvo!

[scott42]

I'd check out this thread for a bunch of decent comments regarding multiple brands.
As I said, I don't have them, so I don't know personally. What I'd buy at this point is the Tein due to a bigger drop. (from what I understand reading through the site.) You remind me of my g/f...she always just goes for "where's the best, I'll buy that" which is a great way to look at things; unfortunately, this world is very personalized and open to varying opinions and loyalty. All three brands are VERY good, and established brands.
Whatever you do, don't buy off of ebay!


http://207.44.244.58/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24660

the volvo is great, my buddy has one and his whole family loves it. great ride for road trips.
(2thumbs)

[PaulMP3]

my mom had the Audi a6 wagon, wonderful car, very roomy, but once it was off warrenty they had to trade it in b/c they had lots of little problems that cost a ton to fix. And also the resale was horrible. Great car but i wouldnt buy one.

[PaulMP3]

I would say go with an intake, not too expensive (around 200), yet a nice improvement on the car and something anyone would love to have. Plus install is a breeze.

That is really tthoughful of you to get him something for his car, my girlfriend also tried to get me something for my car for christmas last year. She registered and asked some questions but didnt want to get something i didnt want, so decided to forget it. Even though she didnt get me anything, i was really happy that she went through the trouble to try.

[scott42]

See what I'm sayin :D Even the effort goes a long way^^^

(thumb)

[mickey]

Can anyone send me the link for Tien? Thanks!

I'm test driving the Volvo tonight!

[scott42]

I have not bought from any of these places, so I can't recommend any of them.

http://www.tliperformance.com/products_get.asp?ProductID=17

http://www.gmpperformance.com/products/suspension/tein_stech_springs.htm

I'd utilize google and other search engines to find the best price (make sure to factor in shipping costs as the lowest price isn't always the best deal)
Ask questions here about certain vendors...plus, you could ask some vendors that frequent this board; do a search for "tein springs" and see if any of the authorized vendors sell them for a decent price. Most Auth. vendors on here many have done good business with.

Best of luck.
Enjoy the Volvo (I'm sure you will actually)

[mickey]

Scott,

You are truly wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help and advice! I'll let you know how I do! Ben is going to love this! I'm so excited!

Thanks again!

[mickey]

i just went to the website. Do I get the one for the protege 5? since they don't mention the mp3?

[scott42]

no, try to make sure what you buy is specifically designed for the sedan version of the protege. the 5 is the hatchback.
keep searching around. Your best bet would be to contact one of the vendors on the site. Search Tein Springs, and sift through the threads to find someone selling them. Don't be afraid to call the company either to make sure. Last thing you want to do is buy something that you're not 100% on.

[scott42]

Hey Mickey...I found a new better Idea for you...and believe me, he'll want whatever it is, that comes out of this thread...
How'd you like the volvo?
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33490

[mickey]

Now I'm really confused, someone is going to try and fix the "clunck" Ben has been complaining about that..

I was just about to buy the springs too.

Please explain..

Oh, loved the Volvo- I'm pretty sure we are going to buy it!

[scott42]

it was mostly a hope/joke/sarcasm. go ahead with the springs, he'll still enjoy them. the resolution is still unknown, and not predictable, but we're making progress.

get the springs, pray for a fix for the "clunk" :)

have fun

[PaulMP3]

mickey is your hubby on the message board? If not when your done xmas shopping get him on here, and delete the thread so he cant see it.

[mickey]

Thanks Scott-

I'll get the springs..I'm sure he'll love them and I'll say a prayer for the clunk issue. I'm ordering it now b/c this baby is coming soon!

No- he's not on the forum- thank god! I just found it from searching the internet! I'll tell him all about it, after Christmas!

Thanks All!!:)

[StuttersC]

I've heard the Tein springs are softer than the stock MP3 springs...(shrug)


The coil-overs are supposed to be better.

[scott42]

Coilovers are also $$$$$ :)

[StuttersC]

Originally posted by scott42
Coilovers are also $$$$$ :)


I know...:(