Welcome to Gaia! ::

OK.. so I FINALLY got around to taking some snaps that are "signed", per the rules.. so here goes. I combined both of my cars into one thread post. Sorry these aren't the best pics. Need to get out the decent camera and take some better pics later.

1] 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback Ralliart, AT, 2.5L I4 - Purchased brand new in 2004, have about 61k miles on it and it runs like it's brand new. This is pretty much my "SUV". Fun to drive but I can haul band equipment in it as well. smile





2] 2005 Mazda RX-8, 6MT, Renesis - Purchased this car about 2 months ago as I wanted something smaller, sportier and more fun to drive. Just turned over to about 40k miles. LOVE this car to bits! Really looking forward to taking it to a track day or two to learn to drive it better!





Anyhow, glad to be part of the guild and I hope that I can participate more and add some useful stuff now and then. smile

Posted a bit already, just haven't really had time for car pics. smile

As for the 8, I already replaced the stock stereo with a Metra kit and a DEH-P7200HD receiver. Sounds WORLDS better then the stock radio. It's the Grand Touring model so it already has the Bose amps and speakers. Not really in any rush to upgrade those for now.

Haven't really decided much about what else to do other then some minor mods that were recommended over at RX8Club (such as mods to make the A/C and engine run cooler). Been thinking of a more free-flowing intake so I'll have to do some research on that. Also, I'd love to get some new wheels but haven't found anything that I like that won't break the bank at the moment. lol

AGH! Cannot.. be.. unseen! gonk

I can see how you would say that. Now I'm going to see it every time I look at the car. Thanks. razz

Oh, definitely not. I bought it because of the little things like heated leather seats, sunroof, and various other creature comforts. The Bose system was the top of the line for the year so that's what I wound up with.


Oh, I agree 110%. I don't buy anything Bose. What was in the car came with the car and using the built-in EQ in the new Pioneer deck, I was able to tune them so they sound decent enough. The bass is still a bit muddy and the mids are typically Bose (ie. not that great) but it sounds more then good enough for me to listen to music on. Never said that I wasn't going to upgrade them, just that it wasn't a priority. smile

Now, getting rid of the factory radio? That was another story. That sounded horrible. Just swapping that out and putting in the Pioneer was a night and day difference.

As far as Klipsch, I have a love/hate relationship with them. I own a few of their speakers and their Image S4 earbuds and I love it for the most part.. I do find the treble a bit shrill at times.

Now, if Kef put out a car audio version of their UNI-Q drivers, I would be in heaven!

In the Lancer, I ripped out the entire audio system when I got it. Replaced the speakers with Infinity speakers, added a Kicker 350x4 amp and a top-end Pioneer head unit with iPod dock. I've been debating getting a sub but, really, I don't think that it would add anything. It's clear as a bell and sounds terrific. I've since replaced the head unit with a newer Pioneer (with HD-Radio and USB) and couldn't be happier. I'd go with Infinity speakers again, no question. I haven't auditioned any Pioneer speakers so I will have to do that as well. I've found that audio is VERY subjective and what sounds good to one person definitely might not to another.


Perhaps, perhaps not. My dad builds loudspeakers as a hobby. I'm sure that I could ask him to help me build something. Still might cost a fortune, though. lol

Well, as figured-out as I can for now. Who knows what will be available when I actually go to upgrade? Maybe Klipsch WILL be doing car audio by then! lol

As far as the Lancer, that's just it. Nobody knew that it came in an estate. 2004 was the only year that it was produced for the US markets -- I'm pretty sure it got an extra year or two in Japan.

I only found out about it when I went to the Mitsubishi dealer to drive the Outlander. I was like.. "Hey, what's that over there!" They weren't selling because they were badly marketed (ie. not at all) and the dealer wanted them off the lot so I got a really good deal on it. They're rare to see driving around. The RalliArt (what I have) is extremely rare in this area. Both are rare enough that I am CONSTANTLY getting "nice car" comments or "hey, I've never seen a Volvo like that before". I swear. I get SO many Volvo comments. Mainly because of the back, though.


(Not my car, just one I found on the internet because I don't have any pics of the back of mine.)

There wasn't much difference between the normal model and the Ralliart. I think the Ralliart added a back spoiler, front strut tie-bar, much stiffer suspension, 16" wheels and different exhaust which added all of 3 extra HP (but does have a nice sound to it), and fog lamps. It might be lowered slightly too.

Anyhow, they re-relased the Sportback in 2010 but it's more like a hatchback then an estate now. I test drove it and I wasn't thrilled enough to give up my 2004. It's really practical. I've hauled all sorts of stuff in it, fun enough to drive, and handles GREAT in the snow. smile

Okay, maybe I'd accept a car that already had Bose speakers. But would I ever buy them to put in a car?

Not in a million years. Perhaps one of the names you mentioned (didn't mention them because I didn't know they existed, and I'm glad I do now), but I would never purchase Bose for anything ever.