Stealth Mode

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley) 09/28/2018 at 19:31 • Filed to: None

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Some updates on my Kia and my job. I think I will call my Kia “Stealth Mode”. It is honestly one of the blandest cars. A high enough average MSRP to not be in the same class as a Versa or Fiesta but not fancy enough to make any bad first impressions.

Bullet hole with Stealth Mode in the background. Photo scrubbed of all identifying info.

One of my first days, I attended a drug fueled attempted murder/rampage. The house was a disaster and my shoes had blood, blueberry juice and glass all over them. I then had to recently attend a greenhouse crop claim where biosecurity is very important. That means, my car has to be easy to disinfect . So I bought Weathertechs for the front, I can take them out and clean them easily.

Given the milage I’m wracki ng up and Vancouver’s terrible drivers, I installed a Garmin dashcam. I thought about hard wiring it in but I didn’t want to spend the money. I didn’t really want to run the cord along the weatherstripping either since pulling trim of a 3 week old car is not my idea of fun.

The trunk is fantastic. I need to put way more gear in it and sometimes evidence but so far it accommodates everything I need it to.

I’ll be buying some Blizzaks for it soon too. Any suggestions for cheap mods to increase livability, durability or utility?

Svend > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:37

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What is it you do? I think I missed the post saying what it was. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:40

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I’m almost getting a sunburn just looking at those non- tint ed windows, but maybe that works in place that isn’t a high- altitude des ert.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Svend 09/28/2018 at 19:44

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I’d have to kill you.

Kidding, I am an insurance adjuster, but I focus on unique losses.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 09/28/2018 at 19:44

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That’s actually a really good idea.  It may help with the no AC situation too

Svend > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:51

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Cool. Everyday a different thing. 

You can kill me now if you wish, that’s fine. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:52

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It would certainly help. I didn’t know it was still possible to buy a new car without A C.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:53

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Does the dashcam have a Mini or Micro USB port on it for power? If so, may I suggest running the USB cable from the camera plug end OVER the stalk for the rear view mirror and then letting it drop down (as I’ve done on my car)...sounds pointless, but it means the strain of the cable handing down isn’t on the bend at the plug but on the cable itself, and the cable is far stronger in the middle then right at the plug, eh?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 09/28/2018 at 19:54

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Everyone says that to me

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/28/2018 at 19:55

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Good idea, I'll go do that right now

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 19:56

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If I said that “stealth mode” reminded me of Krillin from the abridged series of dragonball Z, would you get the reference? Cause I really want your car to be named “Krillin” now.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/28/2018 at 19:57

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I don't get that reference sorry

E90M3 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 20:06

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I’m not sure you can get a new car, at least in the southeast, without AC. 

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 20:24

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Glad to help! :)

I actually prefer NOT hardwiring mine in, or running the cable in a complex manner...that means if I have to or want to take it out for some reason, it’s not hard to do, and a thin cable hanging down isn’t really obscuring your vision at all. Sure, it may not be the nicest LOOKING install method, but there’s something to be said for practicality vs. doing something just because it looks better :)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 20:27

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Ah. I am a nerd. This happens quite often. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/28/2018 at 21:01

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I know you can’t buy a new F-150 without AC. Even the most basic work truck you can spec with vinyl seats and crank windows comes with A/C.

E90M3 > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 09/28/2018 at 21:03

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Really not surprised, AC is extremely ubiquitous these days. 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/28/2018 at 21:19

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It is. I would also guess that is costs too much to design and manufacture a separate HVAC vent system and controls for what would be a minuscule take rate of orders.  Along those same lines, I’m actually a bit surprised they still offer one with manual windows.

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 21:22

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Wireless phone charger

IdleInCA > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/28/2018 at 21:34

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Look at a ceramic tint. They’re apparently more effective at blocking UV ray s and are not as dark, so less attention from VPS or RCMP.

Also consider a ceramic coating on your exterior windows. You can do this yourself. A bottle of ceramic coating is about$40 CDN. Helps discourage ice in the winter, rain at highway speeds. I swear by this.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AestheticsInMotion 09/28/2018 at 21:36

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I have a pixel (soon to be pixel 3 when they come out) and an iPhone 8+.

Neither support it

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > IdleInCA 09/28/2018 at 23:30

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I'll look into it! Thanks!

bhtooefr > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 09/29/2018 at 20:16

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iPhone 8/8+ support it.

(Citation: my work iPhone 8 works on my Prius’s Qi charger.)

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > bhtooefr 09/29/2018 at 20:24

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Hmm

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 10/01/2018 at 12:03

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Definitely run that dash cam cable along the windshield! You dont necessarily have to tuck it into the trim, just mount it right along the edge. On my Subaru, I was able to just tuck it into the gaps in the plastic along the edges so that it doesnt show at all. But in the Miata since there is no fixed roof, there is nothing at all to tuck it into. I just used the little clips that came with the camera to get the cable nice and taught and stuck to the edges. Then when it gets to the dash it runs under the panels and out again at the 12V port. I hate cables hanging lol.

How is your center armrest? I was able to make a 10000x times improvement to mine in the Subaru with this thing. Went from hard plastic crap to nice soft leatherish pad. Great way to improve an economy car interior for $20 !

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GR8J180/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 10/01/2018 at 12:06

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I’ve got ceramics on my STi. 100% worth it for me in Socal. But I would enjoy having it anywhere for sure. It was at least double the price but still worth it.