New MembeChecking in from Detroit + Several random questions

by **YoungDonDraper** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 3:16 pm

Hey all,

My name's Geoff, I'm 26 and live in Royal Oak, MI a few miles north of the epicenter of the economic collapse - Detroit.

I just purchased a 2006 Solara SE as a replacement for my high mileage 2000 BMW 323i that had basically become a time bomb. I'd been looking at the Altima and Accord coupes, but decided to be fiscally responsible and get something a little older and cheaper. I ended up with the White Solara SE with 53k and leather for $12,000.

I also join the online communities for the cars I own, which brings me to SolaraGuy. I also joined ToyotaNation, but it seems pretty barren over there. Are these two the major sites or are there others I'm missing?

I've been reading through the stickies and whatnot, and will probably be on here quite a bit. I'll post some pics of the car once I do something worthwhile.

Are there any vendors that are on the boards? There were quite a few on E46Fanatics, my BMW board, and I always tried to give them my business as they supported the community.

Tentative Plans:
- Grill: The car came with an upper and lower billet grill. I didn't like it at first, but it's growing on me and I think it'll stay.

- Tint: We have relatively restrictive tint laws in Michigan, but all white cars must have at least some tint. I can do whatever % I want in the back, but I'll need to do the front myself. Is there a factory tint percentage? If so I'll just match that on the front so if I get pulled over I can use the "that's how it came" excuse.

- Stereo: The regular sound package must go. First things first, I need an AUX adapter so I can hook up my iPhone while I'm getting the rest of the system together. Anyone have an old one laying around they want to part with for some $?

In the relatively near future, I'm planning on a 7" DVD (maybe nav), an amp and new speakers all around. I've read a bit on the dash kits, and it seems like everyone things it's best to buy the OEM bracket for the factory navs, is that about right? I've seen Scosche and Metra kits, but they don't seem too popular. I'm assuming there's a DIY guide somewhere on here for this install, if not I'll make one.

- Interior Lights: Me no likey the green lights on the clock, stereo, and climate controls. I'm trying to figure out how to switch this out for a nice blue to match the gauge cluster. Has anyone done this successfully? I searched a bit but didn't find much. I saw somewhere that after 06 the climate control lights may have switched to blue, in which case I'll just buy one.

Is there anything that can be done to the clock/thermometer/multigauge?

- Tail lights - The LED tails are so much better, hopefully I'll be able to get a deal on a pair. For those that have done the swap, where did you get your set?

Sorry for all the questions right off the bat, I'm a conscientious searcher (promise) but they came to mind as I was writing out my plans for the car.

Anyway, hope to see you all on here in the future, make some friends, and hopefully help some people out.

- Geoff (YDD)