New Reflet owner

[xstheknight]

Hi folks,

I just got a 5-door '97 reflet which I'll be using for errands around Malta. I am more of a motorbike rider but I could use a small economical car for transportation which is really known for having a great enduring engine. It is 1.5 Diesel, AT.

I'll be honest with you - after seeing pictures in this forum I got interested in pimping the exterior and interior looks on a budget. A list of stuff which needs to be revamped:

1. Grey plastic bumbers - I want to spray them white like the rest of the car (dunno how easy it is as a cheap DIY)

2. Seat covers - need a complete upholstery

3. Gear shift - the default huge AT shift stick is ugly as sin. Need to replace it with a cheapo good one from ebay. Should I look for a specific dimension?

4. Applying tinting on the rear windows.

5. Painting the rims black (or get cheapo 14"/15" alloys)

6. Replace dash lights with blue LEDs (but I was reading here that T5's get blown in a short time..?!)

7. Fit a Glanza spoiler/complete rear door (will probably be my most expensive mod)

8. Fit sideskirts and frontlips (dunno...but would it would look ok with just sideskirts?!)

9. Replace intake air filter with a sports one.

10. Replace exhaust box with a sports one.

11. Replace seat belts (they are all worn off, including the buckle unit - are they easy to replace / find aftermarket ones which match?)

I would be very grateful if someone took time to read my thread and even cooler if he can shed some tips!

Edited February 5, 2014 by xstheknight

[Starlet-Joshy]

Welcome to UKSO,

[dangeestarlet]

Welcome. get some pictures up of the beast !

[JLF88]

Some items you may need;

1: you'll need to check your paint code, http://www.ukstarletowners.com/topic/58975-list-of-starlet-color-codes/

Get matching paint, might as well just spray it. And get some clear lacquer for the top coat. Removing these from the car is a nightmare, do not bend them, they will break. Best thing is to cut through the adhesive with something like a plastic card (any sharp edges may scratch paint, could always sand the edges slightly).

2. Strip it off and take it to an upholsterer, or buy some fabric, peel the stitching from your current, lay it flat, trace round, and cut, it's actually really easy to do.

3.Pretty much any one will fit, it's a universal part of most cars. Depends what you like the look of.

Lots of people tend to have this one;

http://bit.ly/1b1JAjA

4. Bit of a mare to get perfect but on a budget it can't be beat;

http://bit.ly/1bqHkwY

Most tend to come with a cutting blade and application card

5. Might as well just try and find some cheap 14's/15's. Just keep looking, I for one found 4 14's in great condition, and 4 good tyres for £30

6. I replaced my festoon and dials with these and they work great, try and get ones with around 4-6 LEDs on it as single ones are a bit dull. And had no issues at all. Can also change the ones in the heater control.

7. The glanza door looks better, but you can get a spoiler and just get the glanza reg plate surround. Depends what's available and the cost.

8. Front will look too high up with skirts, get a Renault Laguna lip and fit that.

9. get a better panel filter (hks/blitz etc.) should improve throttle response.

10. One a budget I'd find a cheap one going, weld some hangers on it, and cut and weld it to your original back box pipe, or use a clamp or two. As most the specific ones I've seen are expensive.

11. This is one thing I've never really looked at, but I don't see why you wouldn't be able to find any belt and accompanying clip and fit them both.

Hope you get more advice and help from others.

Welcome by the way

[ro55ifumi]

Welcome to UKSO and good advice ^^

John