First MOD my Sonic

[Coonberry23]

Just bought a manual 2012 Sonic LT Hatchback three weeks ago. Looking to change some things up on it from its bares bones stock version. What are some of the first view changes you guys did? What would you recommend me starting with?

Thanks!

 

[SouthFLSonic]

Getting rid of all the chrome is a huge help to these cars.

 

[Insanika]

There are several options for getting rid of that chrome for sure.

If your car is manual I'd recommend DDMWorks' shifter bushings. It's a cheap, easy mod that will make a big difference.

Tint, that's another good place to hit.

 

[Coonberry23]

There are several options for getting rid of that chrome for sure.

If your car is manual I'd recommend DDMWorks' shifter bushings. It's a cheap, easy mod that will make a big difference.

Tint, that's another good place to hit.

What is the DDMWorks Shifter Bushing? How much is it?

As far as Tint, I emailed a few places for quotes here in the Eastside of Washington. I got a email that said:

"We offer three different window film lines to fit everyone's needs. Suntek HP film is our traditional film line. It carries a lifetime warranty and is priced at only 199.99 plus tax.

Our Suntek Carbon film line is fully color stable, has exceptional clarity and carries a nationwide lifetime warranty. We also include our premier install with this film. It makes the film look completely factory installed by filing the film off the top edge of your windows that roll up and down. (add 79.99)"

Anyone got any good info on these?

 

[Stew]

Several years ago I had a new Civic tinted at a place on Bel-Red road, I think it was in the same parking lot as the DeLorean dealer. They weren't the cheapest place around but they used 3M tint and did a very nice job.

 

[sonic007]

Yeesh 199 for tint?? Everywhere around here is 80 to 100 bucks all 4 windows, front and rear with a lifetime warranty.

 

[Coonberry23]

Yeesh 199 for tint?? Everywhere around here is 80 to 100 bucks all 4 windows, front and rear with a lifetime warranty.

This is typical for the Seattle area, very expensive

 

[Insanika]

What is the DDMWorks Shifter Bushing? How much is it?



As far as Tint, I emailed a few places for quotes here in the Eastside of Washington. I got a email that said:



"We offer three different window film lines to fit everyone's needs. Suntek HP film is our traditional film line. It carries a lifetime warranty and is priced at only 199.99 plus tax.



Our Suntek Carbon film line is fully color stable, has exceptional clarity and carries a nationwide lifetime warranty. We also include our premier install with this film. It makes the film look completely factory installed by filing the film off the top edge of your windows that roll up and down. (add 79.99)"



Anyone got any good info on these?

I think I paid $160 for my tint all around.

The shifter bushings are aluminum instead of the rubber that comes from the factory. They replace that stick in the mud feeling of your stock manual shifter with a crisp, sure feeling. It's pretty much agreed around here if you have a stick car, you need the bushings.

They are cheap and you can buy them from DDMWorks directly or from other vendors like BNR.

If you're turbo, adding an intake will give you a satisfying sssssssssPSH! Adding to the racecar feel lol.

 

[Coonberry23]

I think I paid $160 for my tint all around.

The shifter bushings are aluminum instead of the rubber that comes from the factory. They replace that stick in the mud feeling of your stock manual shifter with a crisp, sure feeling. It's pretty much agreed around here if you have a stick car, you need the bushings.

They are cheap and you can buy them from DDMWorks directly or from other vendors like BNR.

If you're turbo, adding an intake will give you a satisfying sssssssssPSH! Adding to the racecar feel lol.

Thanks for the reply. How much are the intakes? Heard the bushings are easy to install? I think I'll start here.

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[stever525]

Thanks for the reply. How much are the intakes? Heard the bushings are easy to install? I think I'll start here.

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The intakes generaly run $200+. The bushings are fairly easy to install. The hardest part about it is getting the sound insulation out from around the shifter in one piece. The bushings are $25 from DDM.

 

[Insanika]

I will say, go ahead and get the heat shield for whatever intake you buy. It's worth it not necessarily for the heat-protecting properties, but because trying to mount these under the hood without it is a real pain in the azz. Trust me lol.

 

[barch88]

Congrats. Yeah in WA as well, paid $280 for tint. Great lifetime warranty and awesome quality. I also got a windshield strip. I like my chrome but that's because it goes well with my aftermarket wheels.

Cheap/easy mods:

Black bowties. Skip the plastidip it's a pain in the ass get yourself some precut decals off eBay. I got black carbon fiber ones (set of 4) for 25 bucks.

Shark Fin antenna from badnewsracing.net - $80 and paint match too. Easy to install and looks awesome.

You could get lamin-x film to cover your fog lights if you have them. Umm, I also purchased a bug deflector for my hood. Wasn't too expensive and gives my car a unique look, a bit more aggressive IMO.

The other thing I did was some LED interior and license plate lights rather than the stock ones. Much brighter and come in different colors. I have blue for my license plate and white for inside my car. I think the whole kit was $17 off eBay.

When you start getting into more money you can get a trifecta tune, intake, lower it with springs or coilover kit, after market wheels, etc

Hope that helped. Best of luck


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[Coonberry23]

Congrats. Yeah in WA as well, paid $280 for tint. Great lifetime warranty and awesome quality. I also got a windshield strip. I like my chrome but that's because it goes well with my aftermarket wheels.

Cheap/easy mods:

Black bowties. Skip the plastidip it's a pain in the ass get yourself some precut decals off eBay. I got black carbon fiber ones (set of 4) for 25 bucks.

Shark Fin antenna from badnewsracing.net - $80 and paint match too. Easy to install and looks awesome.

You could get lamin-x film to cover your fog lights if you have them. Umm, I also purchased a bug deflector for my hood. Wasn't too expensive and gives my car a unique look, a bit more aggressive IMO.

The other thing I did was some LED interior and license plate lights rather than the stock ones. Much brighter and come in different colors. I have blue for my license plate and white for inside my car. I think the whole kit was $17 off eBay.

When you start getting into more money you can get a trifecta tune, intake, lower it with springs or coilover kit, after market wheels, etc

Hope that helped. Best of luck


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Thanks! Sounds like all great ideas. Appreciate your input. Think I'll interior lights. You have a link to one's you got? I already ordered black bow tie decal. Does the shark fin do anything different other then look cooler? I just heard about these earlier today.

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[barch88]

Oh and I just bought shifter bushings so idk how they feel yet but everyone seems to like them. They were only 35 shipped.

The shark fin doesn't do anything but change the look from your old antenna.

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[Coonberry23]

Oh and I just bought shifter bushings so idk how they feel yet but everyone seems to like them. They were only 35 shipped.

The shark fin doesn't do anything but change the look from your old antenna.

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Ya I just purchased the bushing. Have my bro n law in stall them, he's a machanic. Pretty easy? Shark fin looks nice. Best part about that car tho, super bowl champion flag

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[barch88]

And eBay item #261390354805 they also sell white ones. That's the kit I bought


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[CjCsonic]

Mod bug catches us all. Like the orange. Getting a tune will b the biggest bang for buck upgrade.

 

[Jewel]

Getting rid of all the chrome is a huge help to these cars.

Getting rid of Chrome on any car is a huge help.

 

[barch88]

Mod bug catches us all. Like the orange. Getting a tune will b the biggest bang for buck upgrade.

Maybe if he has a 1.4 - I honestly feel like my tune was a waste of money on my 1.8 I didn't notice much of any difference


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[Coonberry23]

I have a 2012 1.4t Manual transmission LT hatchback. Running seems like something be I be interested in. Pretty easy?

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