PSquare's boring commuter build.

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psquare75

Member
So my daily driver for over 11 years was a 93 Cavalier. Still have it in the garage. When my wife got a new car for work (Chevy Spark) I took over her rotbox E36 BMW. Nice car, when it worked. I have a 70 mile daily commute, and I'd rather play with my project cars then fix a daily.

After getting fed up with the BMW costs and issues, I went back to GM.

Bought this new LT 1.8 5spd sedan July of '15. Didn't want a hatch.
I settled though.
I wanted green. At the time it was a limited color. I didn't care about a backup camera, but I have one. Wasn't too too interested in the turbo because:
- I'd want to mod the hell out of it.
- Less to go wrong. :rolleyes:

I avg 39 MPG in summer with it last year. This past winter on snows was more like 34 MPG.

 
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psquare75

Member
Things done in no particular order.
Shifter Bushings - These actually made a difference. A+
GM pedal covers - Bling
GM rubber floor mats - Carpet ones never last up here with salt, and they are easier to clean IMO.
Also did the 'sticky traction pad' from Harbor Freight for a dead pedal

 
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psquare75

Member
Any HitchHiker's guide fans here?



Also bought the Ebay Thai taillight covers. For the price, I approve. They leave 1/16 1/32 of visible light around the edges though.



I did some carbon blue overlay on the bowties, as I think car bowties should be blue, not yellow. :D
 
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psquare75

Member
By this time I was offroading with Winterforces on the OEM 15" wheels. These will be my winter wheels.

Never had a problem with Winterforces on a FWD car, and the Sonic was no exception.



Also bought some cheap door handle covers. For $20 shipped they are fine. Worst thing is they added a small lip to the handle on the inside when you grasp it.
 
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psquare75

Member
More Thai things.. I bought the trunk liner avail on eBay.



If I slide it forward as far as it can go, I get a small gap.



I hear the OEM rubber mat is even worse.

I do junkyard runs and that kind of thing, so this is a lot easier to clean than the carpet.
 
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psquare75

Member
More boring stuff.

I actually bought the rubber inserts for the cubby holes. I guess LTZ and RS come with them but LT does not. No more change rattling

Also got a cell phone mount, that I read about here. You put a magnet in your phone case and it holds the phone to this mount.

A+!

 
Qlix

Qlix

New member
Ive been looking at those tail light covers for a long time. Cant pull the trigger though. I dont like buying things from over seas, too much of a PITA if something isnt right.
 
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psquare75

Member
Grill added 10 horse.

Pretty easy install. Instructions mention pulling the top shield of the front bumper under the hood. No need.

Thread the toggle bolts on the grill, feed them through the OEM grill by placing the overlay, then tighten them, while holding the toggles in place with a longgg flathead against them.

Had to trim the plate holder as well.

 
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psquare75

Member
Spring has sprung*

New wheels, 17" LTZs

225 45 17 Firehawk summers

ZZP rear sway bar.

Eibachs.

Moog 'shorter' endlinks.

All went together nicely. Car drives completely different now. A+


 
Stew

Stew

Sedans Rule!
I think this is the first time I've seen your build thread, you've done some work to it, looks good! Did you take it to the dealer to have the BCM reprogrammed so your fog lights work through the factory headlight switch or did you wire them separately?
 
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psquare75

Member
Ain't nobody got time (or $) for that.

I have a generic Toyota style fog light switch coming that I'm going to mount alongside the headlight switch. Should look factory enough for me... and I saved $250 between BCM programming and GM light kit costs.
 
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