AudiOn19s

Anthony I appreciate the effort, but I think it's a different guy. I believe his other car was a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP???...not a WRX though. And he's from Dublin. I just feel aweful and stupid about this whole deal. Andy

Guys I need help. In the 4+ years I've been in business this is the most embarassing situation I've had yet. Could the owner of the Silver Toyota Matrix that purchased a gift certificate from me around Christmas time please call me. For some reason I have completely dropped the ball and do not have your information saved in my customer database. You called me on Moday and I saved your info in my phone because I was in the middle of a detail and the following day my phone was put through the washing machine and I lost everything. I've searched through e-mails but I believe all of our contact was over the phone. Again I'm sorry for the bone head move on my part...please call me and we'll get you scheduled in this week. Andy

well the "E" stands for Economy. In the mid 80's the BMW folks felt it necessary to offer economy versions of the car... The "S" Stands for sport IIRC....so go figure they still made a sport model with the economy motor. Sport consisted of slightly different and more agressive lower front spoiler with fog lamps, wheels, and some decent sport seats in the interior. Still the "e" cars have a 121hp engine that redlines at 4500rpm...probably not the most exciting car in the world to drive. The 325i and 325is cars got the same motor with better head, valvetrain etc that made 168hp and revved to 6500rpm. I suppose if it's a driver and it's cheap the 325es would make an OK car...but it's not going to set the world on fire by any means. Andy

Derek: Congradulations on the promotion.

Nope...wasn't me. If it was the same body as mind and said GT3 on the back it was an imposter...cause we couldn't get the Early body 99-01 GT3's in the US. Although the MkII cars don't look that much different. Andy

I cleaned a 911 a few weeks that had this horrible goop running down the front of the door sills...started at the bottom and worked up couldn't figure out what the heck this stuff was all in the door sills. Finally I look up inside the empty space that's essentially inside the front fender but can be access from the open door sill and on both sides there are HUGE bees hives. Soo large I had to break them to remove them. Luckily they were no longer inhabited as I'm alergic to bees.

What's currently done to the car? Everyone is going to have a different opinion on what you should do to the car. Personally I really like the stock body on the celica and think they look really good lowered with some 18's or 19's on them.

Thanks for all of the compliments guys...I really appreciate them. coltboostin: No club racing. Just enjoy getting on track 5-10 times per year to have some fun. I may try my hand with a Spec car of some sort in a few years when I get a little more time on my hands. I currently work 60+ hours a week. verse: My wife and I both work in IT...and I also operate a small detail business (see banner advertisement up top)....No children and sacrifices along the way have really made a difference. 3 years ago I was driving a rusted out CRX. Dr. ZO6: One ride in the Z06 when it's finished and I may be ready to trade you all 3 of my cars for yours!!! You think I can fit all of my detailig stuff in the 'vette? Mr Blunt 2gnt: Nope...not Nicole. Something like that with a 3 stage polish if I were including interior would go for around $220-260 and take ALL FRICKING DAY!. You can check my website for other packages as well. Most cars really only need 2 stages of polish which is where my standard packages stop.(http://www.andyzainodetail.com) coty061885: I wish it was a real GT3. The 99-01 GT3's never made it to the states becuase of the limited production (750 per year), emissions, etc so Porsche gave us the GT3 body...but not the go-fast bits. So it's a dressed up standard 996 which is why the suspension is a little mushy for me. Andy

Joe: Nelson Ledges has what they call "Fundays" or Test and Tune days. $120 at the gate gets you in for a basic lapping type of structure. Usually 2-3 rungroups, no instruction, basically open lapping. Great way to learn a car or tune on your existing setup. You can see the schedule at http://www.nelsonledges.com I think that the next one after this friday isn't until June 30. All in all they're a good time. While full 2 day schools with most car clubs are only about double the price and will get you an instructor in-car the whole time the fundays can be a good tool as long as you can stay within your own limits. Plan on bringing anything you might need though...nelson has no frills like Mid Ohio...heck they've only had running water for about 5 years now. Andy

I'm going this Friday (5/19) but most of the track addicts guys aren't able to go that day...gives me an excuse to go back in June when they make the trip. Andy

Well...if by performance you mean suspension then yes. Car is currently on stock sport shocks and H&R springs...way too soft for my taste and amazingly it's a rear engine car that has UNDERSTEER at the limit. I plan on doing TRG (the racers group) or similar coilovers and GT3 sway bars , race pads and then lots of track time. Short term I'm putting just the rear GT3 bar on the car until I can get ALOT more spring rate under there. As for HP gains...the 996 is much like the M3...you've got what you've got and you won't get much more unless you go FI. The 996 has headers and mufflers which likely got 10hp or so...I might put an intake on it to make a little more noise but they don't make squat for power... Where this car will shine vs. the M3 is on track where it's 400 lb weight advantage should be fun to observe. My brother and i are going to go drag race them in the near future...I think the M3's a tad quicker though. The harsh reality of it is that both cars will look silly-slow in a straight line vs. most cars on this board. Going to Nelson Ledges Friday to see how they stack up against each other at the track in their current configurations. The M3 has an unfair advantage with coilovers, sways, and camber plates and race pads vs. the 996 basically stock sans the GT3 rear sway. Andy

Finally...my factory aero 996 arrives after a 40 day wait...I won't even get started on the shipping delays. On the truck http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival1.jpg http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival2.jpg http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival3.jpg So I sign all of the paperwork and come out...my wife is already strapped in and pulling out of the drive...soo much for getting the first drive. http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival41.jpg OK...Down to business. Even though it rained on and off all day the car really needed some TLC. The previous owner used it as his daily driver and the car was as could be expected...actually i was thinking it might be a bit worse if anything. Process: Wash Clay (about 2 hours worth due to LOTS of contaminants) SSR3 via Rotary and orange cutting pad @ 1500rpm Menzerna Intensive Polish and white polishing pad on PC @ speed 6 Menzerna PO85RD SRC polish and white pad on PC @ speed 5 Zaino Z2 (x2) Pinnacle Soveran will be applied today when I get home after giving the sealant some time to cure. Before Hood. http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival6.jpg Front Fender was my test pannel. As you can see the fender has been polished with all 3 steps and the door is untouched. http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival7.jpg Afters. - no protection yet just polished. http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival8.jpg http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival9.jpg And a couple in it's new home. (I really need to paint the walls!!!) http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival10.jpg http://autopia.org/gallery/data/500/arrival11.jpg Andy

You have a good eye my friend. Still waiting on it's arrival from Seattle...should be here next week then I'll post pictures. It's nothing special really in the grand scheme of things...but a car I've wanted for some time and after 5 months of searching I finally found the right one. Andy

Nope...but I may have to become a man whore as a 3rd job!!! Audi's paid for which makes the new purchase easier to justify. Andy

I too have seen the new surface in person but have yet to make it on there...that will all change soon. I've heard conflicting reports about grip though...many have stated that they're slighly slower this year but logic would make you think that the track should be faster. Then again the reports I got were from BMW guys that were on track April 8-9 a whopping 3 days after they finished the surface. What I do know is that the inside curbs (white and red) are now MONSTEROUS and to be avoided where before you could use them pretty easily in most spots. Curbs on turn exit (yellow) are still very usable. Hope to get some first hand experience very soon to report back. Andy

Chris, I think that what you're seeing is the traits of the Pinnacle Soveran. Soveran has properties that will sheet water rather than cause tight beads as many other products will. As stated earlier beading isn't necessarily an indicator of protection on the surface for all products. That said, on a car that's outside a good bit of it's life caranuba products are best re-applied every 6-8 weeks. If you have any concerns at all with my work please call me and I'll make things right. Andy 614-747-0002

Thanks for the compliments John. I look forward to giving the Z06 some attention as well. My work is rumor'd to be worth 2mph on the big end. Andy

I'll give a nod to them. I've seen a good bit of their work come through a local shop and it's all well done. Andy

Chris, If that section around the chips needs a little clay / buffer-love after you're finished with it give me a call and I'll take care of it for you and re-apply protection. shouldn't be more than a 20 minute ordeal if you want to stop over one night. Andy

Hal: tough call man....if you weren't 18 it might be easier to tell you to keep the 330i. side note: The control arms aren't as bad as you might be lead to believe. The bushings are cheap (<$100) and usually the only thing that needs replaced...the dealer will usually try to sell you the whole darn arm becuase it's a money maker for them. The lolli-pop bushings are cheap and easy to replace but you MAY require an allignment when they're done. I'm assuming your car is out of warranty so call Auto Assets and they should set you up in the event you decide to fix it. Other than that the 330 is a low maintenance motor...throw oil at it regularly and plugs every once in awhile and it should run forever. No timing belts or chains to replace, no valves to adjust, no nada...just drive it and do regular fluid changes. Heck sometimes I wish we still had our old 325ci...I really miss that car is it was the perfect daily driver....not really fast..but a great car. Andy

John, What type of car are you shipping and how much does it mean to you. Does DAS even offer enclosed transport, and do they use the conventional style car haulers...because if so there are many risks involved to cars that most of us enthusiests would own. If it's an unmodified SUV or standard sedan then maybe it's a different story. I currently have a car in Seattle that I just purchased awaiting pickup from Intercity Lines. If you've got a couple of weeks I'll let you know all of the details when my car arrives. They're not the cheapest on the market but they use Pro Race team style haulers with flip down gates and fully inclosed transport. I checked with all of the top of the line carriers (Horseless carriage, Fedex, etc) and Intercity ended up being slightly cheaper and came very hignly recommended by other car enthusiests. If you really want to do it on the cheap look into rail carriers. With current fuel prices it's not a cheap time to ship any vehicle though. Andy

Derek: Where is the building located and how much are you thinking for storage per month. This would be for next winter probably 3-4 months. Andy

Byers or MAG...although you would have thought that Hatfield would give you the best trade on a Honda? Never know until you try.

Does it have: 18's or 19's? Navigation? Park Distance Control? Adjustable Lumbar? Andy

I really don't know the specifics other than it's sitting in the Showroom at Auto Assets right now. I don't think that they own the car, seller information in on the window though. Could be a cosignment car as they've got the proper customer demographic to attract a quicker sale? I'm sure Matt or Chip would field any questions you have if you're interested. Andy