New Member - Craig from Caloundra

[Lancer1993]

Real first name: Craig
Location: Caloundra
Model: CJ VRX 2009
Colour: Black
General interests: Photography
Current mods: Wheels & Exhaust
Planned mods: Not sure yet
How you found out about ClubCJ: Been here before just never had a CJ.

So a brief Lancer history, owned a 93' CC coupe since new (yes new) owned it for 21 years and recently done some rust repairs and mods including exhaust, power windows/mirrors from an M21 Proton, also from brakes from said M21 and other bits but a couple of weeks ago the head gasket decided to blow. Now I have the engine from the M21 but I just don't have the time/space or expertise to do a swap at this point, still planing on that but it could be a 6 month project.

So I went out with a goal to get a VRX sedan in white, ended up finding a black one but its manual and looks good, low kms on the clock and an after market exhaust by the sounds it made. It also have chrome rims which I don't like but I can live with them and maybe sell them off for something better when I can afford to do it, or just paint black them?

Hopefully signing for the CJ Monday arvo.

Here is my current CC with leaking head gasket.

It still runs but leaks oil really bad at this point, time to swap out the 4G93 for a 4G93p. Sometime in the new year.

Here is the CJ.


I'll add some photos more of the CJ later... when I sign for it.

Mods it came with:
- Deep dish G2 Chrome wheels I plan to paint with PlasticDip
- And an after market axle back exhaust, sound good but looks like carp, done on the cheap I think. I but will chuck some black paint on the muffler asap and on the tip which is rusty, not stainless. I might get a new tip when I have the cash as current one is just to big, some 80x100mm oval shape.

Mods/Changes so far:
- Dash Mat
- Garmin GPS and Dash Cam
- Genuine Lancer fitted floor mats
- Paint exhaust/muffler

Future Mods/Fixes: (Generally this list is in no particular order but the cheaper stuff is at the top)
- PlasticDip the wheels, saving to get new ones
- New exhaust tip, would love a Ralliart style exhaust with twin pipe and under tray when I have the cash.
- Mat black the bit behind the number plate
- Fix Dent in Drivers Door Window Surround
- Boot Protector, and Bumper Protection.
- Foot well lights
- Door Sill Scuff Plates
- Headlights with DRLs and angel eyes
- Colored Instrument Cluster
- LED tail lights
- Diffuser on the roof
- Carbon fiber trim inside and maybe the bonnet
- Full size spare, maybe not sold on this yet?
- Ralliart bonnet
- Better sound system with screen and built in GPS, also sub in the boot.

[VRX_08]

Welcome!

[Lancer1993]

Thanks, it will be a BIG step up from the CC with next to no modern safety features to the CJ with it's high crash rating... not that I plan to crash it.

[Mystique]

Welcome and grats on the purchase!

[bc1978]

welcome craig

[D]

[himynameisdaniel]

welcome to the club

[Lancer1993]

I do have one question, the previous owner put on chrome wheels and I don't like them.


First what are they worth as I'm thinking of selling them for some stock ones or something (anything) else. Or paint them black but I don't want to wreck their value.

Next they put on 225/40 rubber is there any real advantage over the 215/45?

Off the wheels I will only be doing minor mods until I can get the CC fixed and see it gets a good home, painting the brakes yellow (like on the CC) maybe doing something around the front number plate. I would like to put in a touch screen audio system but that could be out of my budget for now. This has the standard audio, no sub in the boot which I'd also love to add at some point.

[Mystique]

The Chrome definitely needs to go, I never understand why people put chrome rims on their car :L It looks kinda tacky

[Lancer1993]

I think some plasti dip spray paint will be the first order of business to hide the chrome and allow easy removal for better resale later.

Chrome may work on some 4x4 or a truck but keep it off my Lancer!

[Lancer1993]

Should have asked this sooner but I'm signing for the car tomorrow but when I took the test drive I noticed a few things.

First mechanically it felt fine, as I said only have a 10 min drive and didn't really get to press all the buttons.

That said I notice a couple of dents, came up again when I was sorting the insurance, should I get the dealer to fix them or cut the price? There was also a chip or small crack in the windscreen, hard to see but it could spread and I'd be up for a new one which I hear are expensive in the CJ. That said my insurance should cover it as I ticked that box years ago.

Inside was clean but there are some marks on the roof lining and some water in the cup holders, the sales guy said it was from the seat shampoo, sounded fishy.

If I find anything else not working, how long do I normally have to report it?

[Seffy]

The Chrome definitely needs to go, I never understand why people put chrome rims on their car :L It looks kinda tacky

Because they think they got DUB-spec cars that you see in America.. idk haha.

[blinklight]

Welcome Craig, and congrats on your purchase

[Lancer1993]

Thanks

I was looking at this VRX, also 09' with low mileage but someone beat me to it.
Shame as it's got an EVO bonnet and twin exhaust the previous owner has installed and better none standard wheels.


So how much are those chrome wheels worth?

Would anyone be interested in a swap or something, even for some stock VRX ones.

And why do they put 225/40 rubber on which is a couple of % smaller than the 215/45? Would you really gain that much grip?

[Lancer1993]

Its official I'm a CJ driver!

Signed, Sealed and Delivered!



Now a 2 Lancer garage


See I bought a Ralliart


Those wheels must go, any idea on what they are worth?


Close up shot, need a fish-eye lens for my DSLR!


And the dent, told maybe $200 to fix. Will get to it in the new year. By rights the dealer should have done it.


I did get a bonus the previous owner left 6 CDs in the system, including the latest Katy Perry one!
Not the best job at cleaning the interior, some 'stuff' left in on door pocket and bits in the center one.
Also I asked them last week about the drive belt recall and they said it would have been done, I've got the car booked in on the Dec 22.

So right now I have plans but little cash so changes will take time but here is my list in no particular order.

- Wheels, paint the with Plasti-dip ASAP, I'm thinking fluro green
- Stereo, would love a touch screen system at some point and a sub in the boot.
- Lower spring... long time off.
- Diffuser on the rear and twin exhaust pipes out the back.

Thats about it for now, I'll probably have loads of questions but I'll get to them later.