mick0082

Thanks for your feedback guys, Just to inform: I am not worried about my competence in cutting a bracket, I just dont want to go cutting a brand new car up. This is why I am after a bolt-on, bolt-off solution. This is why I will be going for the AEM CAI! Thank you both Blue_Rolla and Zeerolla for your input, the more the merrier.

Just to add to all this, a dealer should act on any reported rattles provided the dealer is notified before or at the 1000km service. Also, I was hearing a rattle down near the coin holder etc in mine on most surfaces. After studying closely while driving (a girlfriend held the wheel) I found that it was only the keyring. So look for these sneaky ones first. Also keep in mind that any cars that have had thier windows tinted have obviously had their door trims removed. I have 2 small rattles behind my front door trims which i suspect may have been cause by the tinters not putting something back properly. They also left my drivers side rear power window switch unplugged. Just some food for thought.

I had two fogged headlights after washing the car for the first time. One was totally fogged the other was only a little fogged in one of the corners. After approx 1 day the condensation was gone and has not occurred since. However I am constantly checking them after each wash or driving in the rain. So far so good. But as others have mentioned here if you have a re-occurring problem you should definately take the car in and have the light(s) replaced. It will will help tremendously if they are fogged at the time. Let us know how you go.

Blue_Stivo, Just wondering if you can answer some questions seeing as though you've recently purchased an installed: Where did you get the AEM CAI? How much was it ($AUD)? Have you noticed much of a performance gain or mainly just increased induction noise? Does it fit perfectly without the need to cut brackets etc? I was going to get a TRD but I have read in previous posts that some brackets need to be cut. I want to avoid that if possible. Thanks in advance.

A test light is also a handy piece of equipment!

Yeah get that oil out of there Adrian. They cant void your warranty over it because they dont specify to change it. Its easy enough to change the oil yourself if you have a set of ramps. Just make sure you use a genuine oil filter. My dealer told me they have no problem with me changing the oil between their scheduled services as long as I use a genuine oil filter. Hope this helps.

Awesome! Enjoy your new ride man.

Which batch does your car belong to? May build, June compliance?

I'm not even going to begin to get into the oil debate. Many people here have vastly different views on what oil should be used. As for your 1000km service: Read your servicing manual, changing the oil at 1000km is not listed as one of the "to do's" at this service. The original oil isn't scheduled to be changed until 10,000km! I hear everyone shouting "Bullsh!t" and I couldnt agree more. Just make sure you stress to the dealer that you want it changed, take your own oil if you can come to a decision.

I'm interested in one of these boxes also but would like to confirm a few things. Does this box hinder assess to the storage compartment in the floor? (maybe thats a stupid question) Can it be made so that the seats will still recline? Can something matching be made for the other side to flush mount an amp in (this would require a build specific to the individual amp) Would these items be removeable without much fuss for access to tail lights etc? Thanks guys.

How does this unit work KT? Do you hard wire the GPS unit into the car in a hidden location and it syncs whenever the bluetooth device (PDA etc) is in range? Or is it a removeable item that you have to take in and out of the car like the PDA. To me carrying all this equipment around would be a pain. Sure you can leave portable stuff in the car if you like, but I hate stuff lying round where it can be seen and also move about when driving. If this unit could be hidden under the dash or seat and hardwired into the car that would be ideal. Then whenever you turn the car on it fires up and syncs with your PDA if you've brought it on board.

What colour you get Kelvin33? Whats the factory "defect" ???

Interesting topic. I'd like to see the Pearl white that the Prado Grande is available in. I would have ordered it! Wouldnt mind seeing a purple, similar to Fords "Phantom" Another couple of nice Ford Colours would be the Blueprint (now discontinued) or the flat Royal Blue Also, mazda's winning blue would be nice but we wouldnt want to go looking like our opponents now would we. Finally I like the idea of a Gunmetal grey as ic3 man mentioned earlier.

Heres a pic of mine

I wouldnt really bother with the Sportivo springs. I have king lows and the look is only just passable, but the ride is still great. As for pricing its really up to you. Supply and fit should always include 1 wheel alignment on the day and another 1000km down the track. This is because the springs will settle and may put the alignment out slightly. Furthermore, its important that the guy doing the alignment knows what hes doing, I've had alot of reports from people using quickfit etc that they drive away with worse alignment then when they arrived. So be careful who you leave your car with.

I have a 2005 model as do many members here. I havent updated my Garage so I have no pics up at the moment. There are many people that do so feel free to have a look through.

This is true. FWD and turbo is really not a great combo. In Motor magazines "Bang for your Buck" last year (or was it the year before?) the Astra turbo was let down by its high levels of wheelspin when exiting corners and also torque steer. Both of which can be bad enough in a Stivo.

HIROLA, I was in your exact position a couple of weeks ago. Alot of the members on here gave input all with varying outcomes. Its true, changing to lower springs without changing your shocks will kill them faster but that all depends on how you drive it. I wanted the look of king superlows but didnt want the scraping, rubbing and crashing of the suspension. I've gone with King lows and standard shocks for the time being (as funds were low after actually purchasing the car plus the rims). The lows give me a decent look without deteriorating the ride too much, I'm not sure how the ride will go as the shocks weaken but I realised this when I started the whole lowering adventure. When the time comes I will probably replace the shocks with koni's but until then the ride is quite ok and its giving me time to save money. I'll post some pics up of the car lowered in the next couple of days, my avatar hasnt been updated yet, its still in monster truck mode

A white casualty :( There isnt enough of us as it is! I only noticed last weekend how the white attracts the flies. Another obvious one for the black and blue teams is that their cars attract more heat in the summer. But yes it is the driver that attracts the women. Big rims, exhausts, CAI's and shiny paint help attract the initial attention but from there your on your own! If you've got it, flaunt it!

I would check behind the kickpanels and see if there is much space there. Thats where i'b be putting my crossovers as long as they fit. Of course this would mean pushing 2 sets of speaker wire through the wiring run in the door jambs but at least your crossovers are much better protected!

Evo, I too was in a similar position as yourself a couple of months ago. I'd been reading the forums here and really doubting the Sportivo as so many owners were having issues. I too was going toward the SP23 but wasnt overly impressed by its performance which Mazda goes on and on about. It is definately a nice car, but at nearly 33k on road, it didnt really sizzle as suggested. The sportivo enticed me with the precision built engine and long list of standard features (i'm a sucker for leather) As for handling, a set of 18's with sticky rubber and lower ride height has improved mine 100%. With all the extras (tint, mats, pedals, boot mat, dash mat, 18's, springs) its cost me around 30k. Not bad for a package that is comfortable, somewhat luxurious, turns heads and outperforms alot of the more expensive options. But as others have said, do your homework, drive them all on the same day and then make the choice that best suits you, your lifestyle and your pocket.

I havent had much experience with these either but very interested to see any advice or recommendations here as i'm also looking at purchasing one myself.

I guess all this depends on how fussy you are and how content you are to wait. When I went to pick mine up I checked all sorts of things before handing over the money, its a well known fact that once you drive away you rarely get the service you got when you were the potential buyer. Simply put: if everything wasnt in order I kept the money and it remains their car. I know a few will object to this attitude but thats just how I am.

I'm one of the 809 buyers from May! Waited for the May build shipment.

C-ROLLA & SILVABULLIT, Thanks for the advice. I think it will be ok on the lows. Your right about the superlows though, with 18's it will be like a go-kart. I didnt spend all that money on a new car so shoot my ride to s#!t. I'm getting the job done tomorrow afternoon, i'll be sure to post up some pics over the weekend! Thanks again guys.