Today was too much money...

"Kat Callahan" (kyosuke)
08/01/2014 at 04:28 • Filed to: honda logo, jdm

Today I spent far too much money, rather unexpectedly. Last time I ordered a part (the used GA3 rail for the RHD DC5 Recaro) I didn't pay until I picked it up. Today I ordered a new rail (vs the old one) and a used set of Tanabe lowering springs—I had to pay up front for both. And the difference in rail cost was huge, used $40... New $215 from Recaro. OUCH!

This is on top of the $300 I spent for the LHP Recaro and $10 I spent on some of that haze cleaning stuff for the headlights. More about that in a bit. So, I picked up the LHP seat, and it was absolutely filthy. I mean it had pitchblack areas. But, I knew how to clean it, since I cleaned the other one. And while the darker areas seem to still show up in the picture, that's because they're still wet. When it dries it should be pretty clean.

So, I didn't expect a whole lot of a $10 "headlight cleaning system." But I thought why the hell not, and holy shit does this stuff work! Before:

Left finished, right not done for comparison:

Both done:

The right is still a bit yellower than the left, but I did it an extra time and it didn't change, so...

And then as I was working on this post, my fucking MacBook power adaptor wire snapped. This is the second one that has done this, too. I ordered another one off of Amazon and got prime expedited shipping on it so it shows up tomorrow. But that was money I did not intend to spend.

Once I put in the LHP Recaro and get the lowering springs put on, that's it for at least two months, I think. Probably ate heavily in my other leisure activities funding, too. My budget is tapped.

DISCUSSION (16)

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 04:35

Im not a honda performance guy. But Damn, that logo looks good. BTW By honda performance I meant it as a nice way of saying ricer, I'm more of a V8 Muscle car type of guy. I genuinely do like the looks of your logo, handsome little car.

Rory > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 04:48

I need to get some Recaro's but they are just far too expensive here. I may settle for type S seats or something a bit more bolstered. I noticed my left lens has gotten very discoloured lately. Its confusing that its just one oddly enough.

You can slightly see the haze on the left. All this will have to wait until I can save up enough to get some pretty new wheels !

Abject_Penitent > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 05:36

Thats crazy how much the rail was (vs. used) but the seat looks really good!

Kat Callahan > Abject_Penitent
08/01/2014 at 05:38

Yeah, I was expecting more like $100. Sticker shock, seriously.

Abject_Penitent > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 05:46

When do you think you will be able to get the seats and the springs in?

Kat Callahan > Abject_Penitent
08/01/2014 at 05:57

Oh, the seat can go in as soon as I get the rail. The springs are a bit more complicated. Strictly speaking, I'm not allowed to do major work on my car in my apartment's parking lot. Putting a new seat in is relatively quick and doesn't look all that major. Replacing springs isn't terribly hard, but it does require jacking up the car, removing wheels, and it can look major to busy body neighbors. That said, the shop where I ordered them offered to put them in for $200... They were only $80, since they're used, and they cost around $200 new, so basically that's only $100 for installation... But strictly speaking, I just don't have $200 right now. I basically just dropped $2K between the car, the seats, the rails, tools, and cleaning supplies.

That's fine. I needed a car, and I want one that's nice and comfortable that I plan to keep for years and year, and I need to know how to work on it (thankfully, it's so much like my EK, it looks and feel so familiar), but like I said, I'm done for now. Next step after getting the springs installed will definitely, definitely be paintjob.

Abject_Penitent > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 06:21

That is laaaaame about the apartment facility. Maybe drive the car to a friend's place? I know the feeling of having a list of desires but not having the money for it, it's also lame. Good luck with the spring situation, I hope to see it after they're in.

Kat Callahan > Abject_Penitent
08/01/2014 at 06:51

Yeah I think there might be a place I can do it. Don't know how quickly though.

Dusty Ventures > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 07:41

Ugh, Apple power adapters. I swear I seem to go through about four per MacBook

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 07:41

Silly rules. My buddy isn't even allowed to WASH his car in the main lot of his condo complex. Oil changes and tire swaps are right out!

Kat Callahan > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
08/01/2014 at 07:48

It's not quite that bad here, the problem is you have to run your own hose out of your front door. I'm pretty lucky because I'm close to the back of the building, my immediate neighborhood is the very last apartment, so it's was on him. He washes his car here all the time.

davedave1111 > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 08:10

"I'm not allowed to do major work on my car in my apartment's parking lot. "

I don't know how Japanese law works, but if that was the UK I'd say just drive to any random parking lot a short distance from where you live, and do it there. What are they going to do about it, except perhaps complain? As long as you don't get in anyone's way, do any damage, or leave any mess, who's going to bother even doing that?

For what it's worth, the last time I did any major work on my car was just after I bought it, and it was up on jackstands in the driveway of the block I live in for a couple of days - most of the time with me under it. Thing is, no-one said a word, even though they'd never seen the car before, because when you see someone working on their car like that you just assume they live there.

The Compromiser > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 08:14

My Mother In Law showed up with one of those Meguiar's Cleaning Powerball jobbies and the lens stuff one day. I thought the lenses on my car were a little hazed but not that bad. a few minutes with the drill and religious exclamation regarding excrement, they were amazing!!!!

I almost can't wait for my new car to go bad so I can do it to those ones. It's kind of sad really....

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 08:39

Lights look so much better. Also i wish i could get springs for $215! *movin to japan*

Kat Callahan > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
08/01/2014 at 09:04

The springs were $80. They were used. However, the new rail for the seat was $215.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Kat Callahan
08/01/2014 at 19:44

oh I misread, I was in the Pub celebrating International beer day. $80 is even better!

I might look on yahoo japan and see if Import monster can get me some TRD springs rather than the Eibachs