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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Leased an appliance-what to change and what to leave alone?

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April 12, 2011 10:50 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

Some background: I'm an 18 year ASE master tech working at a dealership, so alignments , tire changes and other labor is free. I've sold my turbo brick to concentrate on my house and V8 Miata project. For a winter/DD I leased a 2010 Honda Fit. its wrong-wheel drive, autotragic, and white with steel wheels. Its also reliable, gets good mileage, and I can walk away in 3 years with no regrets. My commute is 5 miles and I'll be driving the Miata every sunny day so mileage shouldn't be an issue. What is an issue is driving such a boring car. I leased so I wouldn't be tempted to mod it and make another project. I've had it 4 hours and already I have the itch! Tinted windows is a given...would you want to be seen in this turd? A wheel and tire package was always in the cards too. I figure I'll either get alloys in the stock size and transfer the stock tires or just use the stockers in the winter and get a package for summer. This means I'll have great tread on whatever gets turned in at lease end right?

The problem I have is whether to lower it. It will look soooo much better and is cheap but it means UN-lowering it in 3 years. Contemplating grabbing some complete used struts and swapping as a unit just because it would be eaisier. Am I insane? Other than maybe a remote starter and a USB adapter thats really all I need. I have a Miata for fun so no other suspension mods, intake, or exhaust. Just want it lower with better wheels for looks. I'm just worried even that is too much, even if I sell the add-ons when the lease is up. What say you o wise GRM forum?
April 12, 2011 10:52 p.m. Travis_K Dork

Good tires, leave the rest stock.
April 12, 2011 10:58 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

Travis_K wrote:

Good tires, leave the rest stock.

Pics later, but steelies with hub caps are FUGLY!

Does anyone know if i can cheat the offset so I have extra alloys for the Miata when I'm done?
April 12, 2011 11:01 p.m. aussiesmg SuperDork

Travis_K wrote:

Good tires, leave the rest stock.

quoted for truth
April 12, 2011 11:07 p.m. oldtin Dork

I kinda think of fixing up a lease in the same ballpark as renovating an apartment you're renting. Spend the money on your toys, not the bank's. Tires maybe since they're wear items you could get dinged for on the return. Or only stuff you can remove and get your money back - but that's me.
April 12, 2011 11:12 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

oldtin wrote:

only stuff you can remove and get your money back - but that's me.

Hence the problem. I can do that with ANYTHING! Aside from the tint anything I do will be removable.

I really like the idea of having extra wheels for the Miata. Any ideas where to find offset info for both cars?
April 13, 2011 6:43 a.m. mmosbey New Reader

Yeah, I like the wisdom here. If you can't use that expenditure anywhere else, don't spend it.

I would make an exception for strictly functional accessories, and accessories that could help you at lease end. You mention a USB adapter. Depending on what you're adapting, that's probably smart, because it probably charges your phone/plays tunes. Some floor mats to protect the stuff you're giving back in three years.
April 13, 2011 6:58 a.m. failboat Reader

bolt pattern is the same for both the miata and fit, and the offset stock is so close that it wont make a difference. Miata is +45 stock, I think the fit may be +55 or something. Buy a set to fit one car and it will fit the other. be careful with center bore diameters. most aftermarket wheels have a larger bore so they fit anything though. I dont know what the fit is but the miata is 54.1 mm centerbore.

i had zero experience working on suspension and was able to install a set of lowering springs on my accent in 3 hours flat at home in my garage. I could uninstall and put in the stock springs even quicker now I am sure. pretty sure its the exact same setup as the fit (macpherson strut front, torsion beam rear). Sounds like you probably have access to better working space.

If you want to do springs I would just buy a set used, then you may actually be able to break even in a few years.
April 13, 2011 7:09 a.m. spitfirebill SuperDork

I would leave the car alone and buy a mask to wear as you drive to work. That way nobody would recognize you in such a boring car.
April 13, 2011 7:56 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

Leave it alone!

You're already leasing the car, don't throw away more money modding it.
April 13, 2011 8:03 a.m. Raze Dork

nothing, don't touch a leased car with anything, not even tints, use it like a bicycle, ride it, leave it, don't even piss your money and time into washing it, remember you don't own it. It's a rental which you have to pay for incidentals so in other words, don't drive it like a rental, just treat it thusly when making monetary choices regarding what goes into it...
April 13, 2011 8:38 a.m. GrantMLS New Reader

yeah i won't put any money in it..it's just a rent-a-car...
April 13, 2011 8:47 a.m. NOHOME Reader

I switched to driving a toaster 8 years ago and have to tell you it is the most automotively liberating thing I have done. I have never washed the car or cleaned the i interior, park where I want and consider the rev limiter to be the shift indicator.

The thing is so boring it flies under the radar in most situations.

Got a set of alloy rims, Azenisand greenstuff pads and if I want acceleration I use either the steering wheel or the brakes; two out of three axis ain't bad.

For fun I have a restored MGB Gt and a Bugeye project up on the workbench.
April 13, 2011 8:54 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

I hear what you're saying, but what if the "mod" is free? Car looks 100% better and didn't spend a dime-the frame was on my last parts car.

Before:

After:
April 13, 2011 9:08 p.m. White_and_Nerdy Reader

Due to their smaller centerbore, Miata wheels will not fit on a Honda. But Honda wheels will fit on a Miata.

I also have problems leaving appliances alone, but I usually buy a 15-20 year old one and do whatever I want with it. I doubt they'd look kindly on a 1" hole in the roof for a ham radio antenna on a car I leased.
April 13, 2011 9:13 p.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork

I'd just put a nice stereo in. Otherwise, leave it. Take the stereo out when you get rid of it. Keep all the factory stuff in a closet to put back in.
April 13, 2011 9:17 p.m. Woody SuperDork

White_and_Nerdy wrote:

Due to their smaller centerbore, Miata wheels will not fit on a Honda. But Honda wheels will fit on a Miata.

Get a set of cheap (or free) Miata Daisies, bore the centers a little bigger, add some sticky tires and skip the center caps.
April 13, 2011 9:17 p.m. plance1 Dork

Your commute is only 5 miles, why don't you walk? Geez.
April 13, 2011 9:20 p.m. 2002maniac HalfDork

100 shot wet kit. Hoon the E36 M3 out of it.
April 13, 2011 9:21 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

fast_eddie_72 wrote:

I'd just put a nice stereo in. Otherwise, leave it. Take the stereo out when you get rid of it. Keep all the factory stuff in a closet to put back in.

I'm not an audiophile so honestly the stock stereo is fine with me. It has an aux input and I can add a USB to the glovebox to hide my ipod. It also reads MP3s and WMAs so I won't hurt for tunes.
April 13, 2011 9:21 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

NOHOME wrote:

I switched to driving a toaster 8 years ago and have to tell you it is the most automotively liberating thing I have done. I have never washed the car or cleaned the i interior, park where I want and consider the rev limiter to be the shift indicator.

Note to self..never buy a car coming off lease.

Hell, I wonder if that's why my daughter's Sonata (bought "almost new" at CarMax because the ex & ex's mom insisted she have something "reliable") is having so many problems now..

EDIT: Your comment would be a great "Say What?"
April 13, 2011 9:37 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

White_and_Nerdy wrote:

Due to their smaller centerbore, Miata wheels will not fit on a Honda. But Honda wheels will fit on a Miata.

I know, I had a 90 Miata and 91 CRX Si at the same time.

If only they would fit, I'd rock my current Miata wheels until my diff. swap is done.
April 13, 2011 11:07 p.m. 92dxman HalfDork

How about a rear sway bar? Thats my first mod to my 07 Fit..
April 14, 2011 6:57 a.m. Maroon92 SuperDork

UMMM....Forced Induction! Duh!
April 14, 2011 8:21 a.m. pres589 Dork

I would have never gotten into the thing.

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