Performance Parts, etc... help?

[openSkies]

Hey everyone,

Just got a 2006 Saturn Ion Sedan yesterday. Looking to upgrade it a little.

I don't want it to be tacky (aka no carbon fiber, no ground lighting, no lowering the suspension, no rims). Eye-candy, not eye-sore.

At this point I have had no luck whatsoever. I can't find anything worth getting except the body kit ($1,400... ouch) or a spoiler (eh).

Anyone know a good place to look for this kind of stuff?

[mountainman]

A good-looking babe in the passenger seat might be a nice addition.

Their not hard to find, but some can be a little pricey so remember .... Cavet Emptor.

[openSkies]

Haha, thanks for that uh... help? =]

[openSkies]

I would actually prefer body changes than interior changes.

Maybe changing out the headlight bulbs with some bright-whites, changing the roof accent rails, finding maybe a mesh cover for the grill... stuff like that.

Nice site, seems to have some good stuff. Thanks for the link =]

[openSkies]

Nothing that I saw.

I just switched out the headlight bulbs. I hate that yellow-ish tint that the stock halogens give off. Now it's a cool-blue color.

From SPS I'm getting the Ion shifter knob. I'm also getting some chrome door pillars from eBay. (I don't really like chrome, but for one it goes nicely with the dark grey of the car, and two the grill/headlight assembly/etc are all chrome).

I'd like to get a nice chrome exhaust tip but for some freakin reason they've hidden the exhaust up under the body. Can't see it unless you get on your knees and look under the rear bumper. The only reason I'd get a new exhaust is to get rid of the whiny 4-cylinder sound. Any tips on that?

[openSkies]

CAR:
Mine is a dark grey, however (Storm Grey if you want to see).


CHANGES (COMPLETE/IN-PROGRESS):

Lights
Installed 'cool blue' lights, replacing the yellow-ish halogen stocks.
http://www.sylvania.com/content/display.scfx?id=003679395

Decal
Gotta put SOMETHING on the car! Ecotec 2.2 engine.


Pillar
Trim of car is chrome, so should be the pillars.


Shifter
Replaces stock shifter with a more stylish/sporty version.


CHANGES (NEEDED):

Gauge Face
Replaces the standard black gauge face with white, also changing font to something more modern. Will install white LED lighting, not blue.



LED Lighting
Just an example. I plan on installing minimal interior lighting, and lighting behind the grill. Again, will be white, not blue.
http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/7882/cat/646/perpage/24

Exhaust:
Will install Flowmaster thermal dual-tip exhaust. Change the sound from the whimpy 4-cylinder whine to something a bit more... well, powerful sounding. More powerful does not mean louder. I hate loud exhausts.




You guys got any more ideas, or things I should change above?

[bama_girl]

i have children to spend all my money on....so this conversation is completely foreign to me as long as my car is running and can get them to where they need to be chaufeured to, all is right in the world.

[openSkies]

Well, I don't plan on spending $3,000 on this thing like some people. All of the above would only cost $400, max. More like $250.

And I don't plan on buying it right now. Most of this stuff is for after I get my check from CFP in January-ish haha =]

[Spence]

Usually kits for new models have to be purchased through the factory. Unless the body style isn't brand new. After market kits usually take six months to a year to hit the market.

I'm with Bama girl on the car thing. I don't care as long as it is reliable and holds what I want. I had my last truck since 1985. My wife's Odyssey is an '02. I get a new company car every 3 or 4 years, but that is mostly due to high mileage, then reliability. Still at 20, it is something that I would have done. These are the fun years so go for it.

[bama_girl]

that's right, do it whaile ya can!
and also TRAVEL!!!

TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL TRAVEL!!!!!!!!

can't say that enough

[mountainman]

i have children to spend all my money on....

I've experienced that.

[openSkies]

133,000 miles on my last car in 4 years.

I think I took plenty of road trips =]

[Spence]

I drive around 51,000 miles a year on business, but my last personal vehicle had 65,000 miles on it (sold last year) and it was an '85. My wife puts on about 15,000 per year.