March, 2023

Chris Keith // 31 // Irondale, AL // @platinumfc3

My previous car, a 2007 Honda Accord EX-L, was a great car but pretty boring to drive. I was looking for something more and was really wanting a manual transmission. WIth the list of cars that offer a manual getting smaller every year, I decided that now was the time. I have always had Honda cars in my family and it wasn't long after looking at the current models that I decided I wanted a Civic Si -- they were fun, good looking, only in a manual, and a good price. When deciding between the Coupe and Sedan, I really had no need for the extra doors and did not like the rear end of the Sedan, so Coupe it was.

 

I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and fixing my previous cars, but I wanted to do more. Shortly after I bought it I started looking at what other owners had to say about their cars and what modifications they recommended. Within the first 1,000 miles decided to wake the car up with a Hondata FlashPro and haven’t looked back.I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and fixing my previous cars but I wanted to do more. Shortly after I bought it I started looking at what other owners had to say about their cars and what modifications they recommended. Within the first 1,000 miles decided to wake the car up with a Hondata FlashPro and haven’t looked back.This car brings me joy every single day. I love the body lines and look from the outside; starting it up makes me excited. I love listening to it talk to me as the engine speed rises and falls begging me to take the next corner hard or jump into the passing lane. Unfortunately nothing is perfect. The radio system freezes up sometimes and has to be rebooted, the front A pillars and something in the headliner rattle from time to time.

 

Enkei TS-10 18x9.5 +35

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 265/35ZR18

Jets Vinyl Chrome Delete, Side Marker and DRL Tint

Unity Performance Sequential Side Markers

Carbon Fiber V roof spoiler

Custom Rockford Fosgate audio system with sound dampening material

 

Choosing a favorite modification is hard but I would have to say that having a big turbo brings a lot of extra smiles and happy noises. With all of my modifications, I have two directions that I could go. More visuals or upgraded engine internals and fuel system to make more power. I'm debating on which direction the build will go next. I do the modifications myself. I find half the joy of getting a new car is tearing into the car; taking off clips, screws, and bolts until I get the new piece perfectly installed and reassembled. Other than an alignment, I have done all the maintenance and upgrade work since the car was new. I can't say that I have a specific favorite memory, but every time I finish a good driving session, I think of all the hours I have spent building it, driving it, and making it mine; that's a great feeling. Least favorite memory? Less than 36 hours after I installed my first set of aftermarket wheels, I was pulling up against a curb and heard a loud, grinding scrape. I had barely touched the curb and shaved off 75% of the face of one wheel. About 6 months into ownership, I missed my parking space backing in one night and sandwiched the drivers rear quarter panel and bumper against a big SUV. I pushed in some metal and scraped some paint on the bumper. Knock on wood, everything has been great!

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