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  • Rice of Life: A Young Man’s Journey of Identity

    Source: CarDomain

    I remember going to AutoZone on three separate occasions to look at washer fluid nozzle lights. Lots of things were brewing inside me, deep paradoxes and truths. Fantasy colliding with reality. My identity trying to claw itself away from my family of origin. My desire and temperance, form and function, all of these tensions and many more lived in those green-tinted washer nozzle lights.

    Source: author

    My 1994 Toyota 5-speed 4-cylinder extended-cab pickup truck wasn’t appreciated for what it was in those years; it was seen only through the lens of what it couldn’t be. Only one company made a header for it, the air intake would need to be a Home Depot affair, and my muffler options were limited. While weighing my options at the local v8 speed shop, they told me “you put this on, and it’s gonna sound like a lawnmower”. As a 16-year-old, my finances were as hampered as my mechanical knowledge, but I couldn’t fight what was in me.

    I have always wanted to turn wrenches, despite going to a private school and my father being a white-collar guy. My adolescence occurred during a period where knowledge and know-how had to be passionately sought and not casually gathered from behind a phone screen. My father, while not mechanically inclined, used the networking strengths he did have to find talented shade tree mechanics scattered throughout our town. They could fix anything and everything in exchange for cash money. A cornucopia of bleary-eyed rednecks who had the ability to install a starter on a Buick Regal while never taking a lit cigarette out of their mouth, or friendly Hispanics who shook your hand with palms of rough-hewn granite. I never wanted to miss a trip to meet one of his latest connections.

    Those missions to get one of the family cars repaired were like stepping into the pages of one of my favorite fantasy books. Leaving the pristine hallways of my private school, driving to an area of town I didn’t know existed. Stepping onto a shop with a floor so dirty you could feel the filth through your penny loafers. Seeing these men drinking cheap beers and smoking. That, to me, felt like they were so comfortable in their own skin, so themselves. A dream I never vocalized but always had was to come to a place like that every day after school and clean their floors, collect their empties and maybe learn something about who the hell I was. I wanted to tap the resources of these mysterious men my father knew, But he wouldn’t open up his little black book of mechanical geniuses for anything other than fixing or preventive maintenance.

    And so when I was of driving age, modifications were silly, and silently discouraged, but not outright banned. This left me with a matrix of trying to meet the needs of my wrenching desire with limited finances and a pittance of ability or confidence. Hungry for mods, I pored over catalogs, back pages of magazines, and dialed up the internet; the matrix relentlessly eliminated my options. I cruised the chrome and neon-washed aftermarket part aisles of Wal-Marts and auto parts stores, until I found myself studying the back packaging of washer fluid nozzle lights.
    What hourly parts store clerk could have fathomed the storm inside of me? Could I even install them? What would they look like? Would my friends mock me? Would these somehow make women like me?

    Source: Geo Metro Forums

    Luckily my heart won out over my mind that afternoon and the lights were purchased for $22.77. I rocketed across town, and with the help of a peer more confident than me, we wired them up and turned them on. I was too scared to actually cut wires or pull the old nozzles out. However, I enjoyed leaning over the hood of my truck and making this small change to it: I was making my mark.
    It’s only through the lens of time that I have realized the deeper truth of those ricey hood lights. They were one of the first authentic steps towards a part of me that was truly me. They didn’t fit my family, my religion and definitely not my stuffy private school. It was a moment of me, answering the call of myself.

    So while my tastes have changed, my resources have increased and my knowledge has deepened, I always hold my tongue when a young man shows me an air raid intake or an eBay muffler. Some could say he is ruining his car, but I always wonder if he’s trying to answer one of life’s hardest questions: Who the hell am I?

  • Found on the Feed: 2008 Pontiac G8 GT

    Projector headlights in a 2008. Neat.

    Today’s Found on the Feed is one of the best V8 and Rear-wheel drive sedans of the modern era. The Pontiac G8 was a direct import from Australia where it was built as the Holden Commodore and sold by GM under the Pontiac Brand in 2008 & 2009. Later to be replaced by the Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) and it’s civilian version, the Chevrolet SS. The Pontiac G8 stands the test of time with its LS3 because its rated north of 350 HP mated to a 6 speed automatic (the 6L80 for you gearheads). Both make it very comparable to modern sedans.

    This example is fitted with Chevy SS wheels

    The G8 GT in today’s example is the top trim level for 2008, The GT. In 2009 GM would release the G8 GXP, which would be the top trim. This particular example seems to have some basic modifications that all LS3’s usually ended up with; exhaust and intake. This example should still make for a great highway cruiser and real bruiser on test and tune night with a few more key mods.

    Check out those tips.

    The seller is asking $4800 for the car, which has 140K miles on the odometer. Assuming this car has no lights on in the dash and it drives decent, I’d say that’s not a bad price for what could be a reliable daily driver that could put a smile on a drab commute. With the included creature comforts of heated seats and an 11 speaker premium audio system, this is one fine automobile.

  • Celsior Project: Adventures With “The Most Reliable Car Ever Built”, Part Two

    My freshly imported 1991 Toyota Celsior

    TOP TEXT
    My previous post got a few questions regarding the cost breakdown of the importing process. Some of you wanted to know if importing a Toyota Celsior is more cost effective than buying a low mileage Lexus LS400 stateside, so I’ll try and keep a running total of what this endeavor has cost.
    Just running some quick numbers in my head, I can already tell the final result is going to depress me, but we car guys don’t do it for the money, we do it because we love cars…right? G-guys?
    First and foremost is the cost of getting the vehicle to the United States: Galveston, TX to be specific. I won the car at auction for roughly $2,300, and shipping/auction fees/taxes totaled to an additional $3,100, bringing the total to roughly $5,400. After it arrived in Texas, I paid a broker $900 and that took care of US import taxes, as well as shipping the car from Galveston to El Paso. If you are interested in importing yourself, this is where money can easily be saved. Add in another roughly $500 for Texas registration/taxes/inspection, and $170 for tune up parts, my cost at that point was about $6,970. That number would soon change.

    Where we last left off, I was recovering from a tune-up gone awry (admittedly, by my own hand). I was now happily LARPing as a 1990s Japanese salaryman (サラリーマン), driving to and from work in my imported, right hand drive executive sedan.  Winter had now set in, and the heater worked just as well as the air conditioning, thankfully, although my Celsior does, unfortunately, lack seat heaters. 
    The arrival of cold weather brought with it an issue that I still have not resolved: on very cold mornings, my ABS and traction control lights illuminate.  I haven’t really delved into this one, because the issue is fairly intermittent, and when it does occur, turning the car off and on again fixes it.  I would say it’s a quirk, but Doug ruined that word for all of us.  Will I have to address it in the future?  I don’t know.  Probably not.  I hope not.  Please no, please.

    Winter in El Paso can get pretty cold, but it’s usually mild.  In the tail end of winter it’s basically nice, sunny days, and it was during this time last year that I decided to turn on the A/C during my drive home. 
    When I pulled into my driveway, I got out of the car to open my garage using the keypad, as I lost my remote opener the moment I bought my house.  As I stepped out, I noticed a noise.  It was a fast, metallic rattle, and let me tell you, it didn’t sound nice.  With the wind taken from my sails, I popped the long hood that kept my 1UZ-FE sheltered from the elements.  I poked around for a minute, and after discovering the sound changed with engine speed, I was a little less sad after narrowing it down to my A/C compressor.  I returned the driver’s seat, and sure enough, the A/C button on my dash now acted as an on/off switch for a godawful racket.  Losing the garage door opener was now a strategic effort on my part, as I would never have heard the compressor rattle inside my plush cocoon of velour, metal, and glass.  The Celsior insulated me from its shame.

    Now, when I did the tune-up, I had made a note of the location of the A/C compressor, and how it seemed like a bitch.  That mental note was now brought front and center, as I ordered a new compressor, drier, and expansion valve from Rock Auto and weighed my options.  I know I said I usually tackle most jobs, but after a quick cost/benefit analysis, I decided to leave this one to a local mechanic that I do my inspections with.  The vehicle was also still filled with R-12 refrigerant, and I didn’t want to be the person to vent that shit to atmosphere. 
    This shop is usually very busy, and I told them the job was no rush, as I have other cars I could drive.  They were very liberal with this statement, and about a month later I was called to pick up my R-134a converted, new compressor Celsior.  During the wait time, like a good caretaker, I was thinking ahead to the next maintenance that needed to be done, and the timing belt was at the top.  I had already ordered the timing kit, water pump, and serpentine belt, and told the mechanic after I paid that the timing belt would be next (is this what they call foreshadowing?) and got a quote, and told them I would bring the car back next month.  I took a happy trip home with cold A/C, and parked the Celsior in my driveway, ready to relive my salaryman fantasy the next morning. 

    Trinkets and good luck from the motherland

    The next day as I left for work, I appreciated once more how smooth and comfortable the Celsior’s ride was compared to my Land Cruiser, which I’d been commuting in for the past month. The difference was night and day.  It was a rather warm morning, and I went to turn the A/C on, but was disappointed to discover it not cooling as well as the day before. To add insult to injury, the passenger side vents were much cooler than the driver’s.  I surmised there must be a refrigerant leak: no big deal, I’ll stop by the mechanic shop on the way home.  I depressed the accelerator deep into the carpet and the Celsior happily, and oh, so smoothly, sped up the mountain pass I take to work.  At the top of the pass, I felt a hiccup.  Small, so small I wondered if it was my imagination.  No way.  No, I didn’t feel anything, I’m being paranoid…right? 

  • Found on the Feed: 1990 Mazda Miata

    The Mazda Miata is the best sports car of all time. This is almost universally known by enthusiasts. But for the uninformed, here are some quick facts for you: When the NA (first generation) was introduced to North America, it had a 50/50 weight distribution. It was also very affordable allowing the vehicle to catch on like wildfire as the amateur racers choice and the weekender’s toy.

    All Original

    The Miata came with a 1.6L I4. Which would be replaced in later generations with a 1.8L. It could be had with either an automatic or manual 5 speed, like today’s example. Typically, these motors were pretty reliable with the timing belt seeming to be the only major part that needs service. The seller notes that this example has had its timing belt replaced already. However, this roadster is noticeably unmodified otherwise.

    Freshly Detailed

    The ad for the vehicle states that this is a one-owner car that has been garaged in the winter, which wouldn’t be hard to verify in person. However, it is tough to discern with the pictures provided. This vehicle also has the optional Daisy wheels and newer radials. I don’t think the $5800 asking price is worth the one owner, optional wheels it claims. With the mileage over 109k, under $5000 seems to be more reasonable. Why not check the Mazda section of today’s Feed and find your own?

  • Building an Off-Road Rig: A Beginner’s Guide, Part One

    From lifted jeeps to pre-runner minitrucks, from SEMA-spec mall crawlers to home-built truggies, to the extensive aftermarket for trucks and (especially) Jeeps: the world of off-road has never been bigger or more confusing. I’ve been in the off-road community since the internet was in the model-specific forum days, and the time has never been better (or for you or your wallet) to get out to your local ORV park and begin your own adventure.
    In this article and the following series, I’m going to walk you through the process of which questions to ask yourself, and provide advice on which direction to take your build.

    Whether you are building it yourself or having someone do the work for you, there are a few questions you will need to ask yourself before deciding on any vehicle.
    The first, and most important question: what kind of fun do I want to have? The off-road spectrum is wide and contains things like Baja 1000-style pre-running to Ultra-4 Truggy rock crawling. On a more sensible and practical scale, these are two main categories I’d like to focus on in the beginning: pre-running and rock crawling.

    Now before we jump right into it, there’s something I’m specifically not going to talk about: Cost. Any project car will cost you something. It’s probably cheaper and more fun to just buy a Brazzer’s subscription than to buy a project car, but for the sake of this article, we’re gonna leave cost out of it and you can fit it to your budget.

    Pre-Running

    Photo coursey of Larry Chen

    So you wanna go fast? And jump things? And jump things fast? Then a pre-runner build might be for you. Pre-running is historically the designation given to vehicles that take to a racecourse prior to the race to spot and re-route the course around any danger that could be encountered. Often these vehicles have to be light, robust, built with parts that can easily be found for repairs and be able to carry plenty of supplies.

    Source: OffRoad Xtreme

    Pre-runners typically have some sort of independent front suspension or I-beam front suspension, allowing the springs to have a massive amount of travel, providing better on-road performance. Typically, the I beam suspension is considered the stronger option as it is able to handle the repeated blows the suspension takes when landing a jump.

    Rock Crawling

    Like to go slow? Climb over things? Climb over things slowly? Then a Rock crawler might be for you. Typically, most home-built and entry-level rigs will do this well. The history of Rock crawling is a bit difficult to piece together. It seems to have always been there as something to do with your truck. In a more professional sense, Ultra 4 and things like the Easter Safari (Jeep’s major MOAB trip) fall into this category, which is a great jumping-off point for off-roading as a hobby. Mostly, vehicles with sheet metal bodies (as opposed to fiberglass bodies of most pre-runners) are preferred as they take a walloping.

    Source: The Engine Block

    Most rock crawling rigs will have a solid axle front suspension and there are plenty of vehicles out there that came with one from the factory (some of them aren’t even jeeps). However, a common theme among rock crawlers is taking a Dana front solid axle, either in the 30, 44, or the coveted 60 series and swapping it into your own vehicle. Additionally, you can have it in either leaf spring or coilover configuration, both offering their own sets of pros and cons.

    Over the next few articles, I’ll take a more in-depth look at each of these platforms, recommend some suggested vehicles to start with (that can all be found here, on The Feed) and point out some of the vital things you need in order to choose, build and enjoy your own off-road vehicle.

  • Found on the Feed: 2003 BMW (E46) M3

    Picture this: It’s 2005 and you just got home from School. You just picked up your copy of the newly released video game: Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Adorning its cover is the iconic white and blue E46 M3 GTR that was the pinnacle car in the story of the game. Today’s Found on the Feed can help you relive those dreams and bring you back the thrills of those childhood afternoons that you spent daydreaming of owning your own M3.

    Everything’s there.

    BMW has been making M cars longer than most of us here at the feed have been alive and it’s one thing they do well. Many other OEM’s benchmark the M3 as the two-door performance sedan to beat. On paper, that’s no easy feat. M3s have an S54 with ITBS (Individual Throttle bodies) that put out a capable 338hp mated to either a manual or automatic five-speed.

    Those three Colors mean business.

    Today’s example looks to be almost time-capsule status. With only 49K miles on the odometer, that’s practically only driving it to church on Sunday’s for 15 years. Furthermore, you can see that the interior is quite clean and the M specific wheels still have that shine. The seller mentions the car has always been maintained at a specialty BMW shop. They also mention that the car is 100% stock.

    Loaded and Leather. (Title of your sex tape)

    Overall at $19975, You can chalk this one up to BMW’s holding their value well. There are cheaper alternatives out there if you have to be in an M3. I doubt you will find a cheaper alternative with as little modifications as this. At the end of the day, nobody will have a bad time in an M3, even if the car is 17 years old. Maybe then, only for a second, can you relive the moment you win your car back from Razor.

    Want to find your own? Collector Car Feed publishes daily lists of interesting cars for sale, including plenty of BMWs just like this one.

    1997 M3 Sedan 5 Speed
    115000 miles
    $10000         		2001 M3 2Dr Coupe 6speed 98k Original Miles
    98237 miles
    $8250         		2002 M3 Coupe 2D
    41000 miles
    $24000

    Editors note: I know the NFS: MW car was an M3 GTR. however, they only ever made 10 GTRs

  • Found on The Feed: 1984 Pontiac Fiero 4×4

    What do you get when you cross an 80s mid engine sports car with a K5 Blazer?
    A car the previous owner bought as a joke: “One of our clients who has way more money than he needs… bought this car to cruise the strip in Las Vegas. …our client has a wife who for some reason did not think the car was as funny as he did.”

    Note the side pipe location source: eBay

    Topped off with some Ferrari 348-inspired graphics, this Fiero is ready to score boomer points at Cars and Coffee or mildly amuse, for the first five minutes or so, any onlookers at the local dunes.

    source: eBay

    The “Fierrari” is front engine, powered by a small block Chevy 350 v8. Unfortunately there are no pictures of the engine bay or trunk.
    This auction is live on eBay at the time of writing; the current price is $3950 with three days to go. If you’ve been looking for a creative way to piss off your wife, this lifted Fiero is a tried and true method.

    source: eBay

    Be sure to check out all of The Feed’s newest daily listings. We list hundreds of interesting cars daily!

  • Found on the Feed: 1993 Nissan Maxima GXE

    Yes, this is the best picture of the car in the ad

    The Maxima is Nissan’s mid-size car that started life as the Datsun 810, and while it might not invoke the feelings of driving passion or speed, it’s actually quite the nimble family carrier and can be equipped with a fairly potent V6. The sheer amount of Maximas produced ensures that parts will be plentiful for years to come, and making a sleeper out of one isn’t to tall an order.

    The 4DSC decal that proclaims that this, in fact, is a 4-Door Sports Car

    This 1993 Maxima GXE may not have the venerable VQ35DE that graces the engine bay of it’s better equipped younger siblings, but what it lacks in oomph, it makes up for in chutzpah. In 1989, Nissan redesigned the Maxima and set out to create sporty sedan, and they were so proud of the result that they emblazoned the rear windows of the 1989-1994 Maximas with the 4DSC moniker, which stood for 4-Door Sports Car. The SE models received a DOHC 3.0L (VG30DE) that was good for 190hp, while the lower trim like this GXE made due with a SOHC 3.0L (VG30E) making 160hp, still not bad for the early 90s.

    Minimal number of farts in driver’s seat, an often overlooked metric

    One thing to take away from this ad is that it’s almost a lesson on how NOT to sell a car. The pictures are terrible, and very little effort overall has been put into the description. “Still has the owners manual :)”, gee thanks Karen. However, this ad is also a great example of how to score a diamond in the rough, because this car is low miles and appears to be in great condition, inside and out. The paint still has gloss, and the close up of the roof shows superficial scratches that a weekend and a buffer will easily remedy. It’s very low miles for the age, and would make a unique daily driver for somebody looking for some ’90s nostalgia in their life.

    Shit’ll buff out

    The asking price of $5,000 is, admittedly, a little on the high side, but that’s what negotiations are for. People aren’t exactly breaking down doors for early Maximas; coupled with the effort put into the for sale ad, that’s a recipe for $1-1.5k off that asking price. I just wish I lived closer to Kentucky.

  • Found on the Feed: 1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four

    The Toyota Celica is unquestionably a rare car. During the height of the JDM influence in the American market, this often-overlooked model had quite a few desirable performance variants. North America saw a few trim levels of the Celica on our shores, most notably the All-Trac, (Fifth generation) GT (Sixth Generation) and GTS (Seventh Generation) but quite a few more were overseas only. While today’s example never arrived officially, It has been imported legally.

    uniquely JDM

    The listing for this example claims to be (and checks out to be) very rare. With original Tri-Spoke wheels, only 62k Miles, this was not only a rare find in Japan but a very solid import into America. The GT-Four featured the 3S-GTE engine, which is shared with the MR2 Turbo of its time, it’s a proven solid drivetrain that can be built into an in JDM legend or used as a reliable showpiece.

    Mostly Orginal, Untouched goodness.

    As with any build, it’s nice to start with a generally unmodified platform. The listing states this car has very minimal, yet tasteful (above pictured Strut Tower Bar) aftermarket parts. I’d make the exception here though, with the GT-Four being such a rare vehicle that its value should only increase as we see the wave of JDM imports hitting American shores. That being said, the importer is asking $17,995 for this Celica GT-Four. It’s a tall price to pay for a unique JDM legend, but this piece of history is sure to stand out at any Radwood you plan to visit.

  • Found on the Feed: 1999 Honda Prelude

    The Honda Prelude is an often overlooked JDM classic. Available worldwide in a variety of trims, the Prelude could be configured a plethora of ways with either an F22 or the more sought after H22. These motors were similar to the coveted K series but more affordable and easily built. The Prelude is often a unique foray into the JDM market, instead of the all too common Honda Civic.

    Looking relatively clean and stock.

    This 2001 Honda Prelude example appears to be perfect for your first foray into building a streetable JDM classic. Particularly clean as the below picture shows, this body has 176k miles with a replacement clutch. while initially, that seems to be a lot of miles, this car is rife with Ebay Build potential. The H22 Motor that comes with this example is a great first motor to work on, as things tend to be a bit more simple.

    Just as clean on the inside.

    Overall, this is still a Honda and it will be a very reliable car even without the motor work. However I believe any expert will agree, you should always start your build with a stock, clean example so you know what you’re getting into. With this vehicle being a California car, you can rest assured that rust won’t be the biggest issue you will run into during your build. With a price of $4000, you’d have to wheel and deal a bit to make this a great deal.