Man the ride home was incredible. And that was just boring 275! When I went through the downtown underpass, whoa! I'm flying a spaceship here!

I'm so giddy I am making this worthless post, but I will calm down and come back and add something constructive later.
I've posted on the Tampa forums to say hello there, too.

In the meantime, any tips for a new owner?

By the way I'm this guy:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=675592

for some background on my hunt. I bit on the overpriced 03 because I was running out of time. (long story)

Cheers! Can't wait to read up on this car - I'm an electrical engineer and am itching to put in a kickass radio, and other interior/lighting mods.

By the way, those dolts at carmax didn't see that my right front running amber light is out. Is there a good LED replacement for those bulbs?

 

Congrats!!

Come introduce yourself in the Florida s2ki forum...there is also a Tampa specific forum. We are a very active group with frequent meets.

BTW...if you aren't parking your new baby in a nice secure garage each night, you need to order some seat locks immediately. S2k seats are a very hot item for thieves in Tampa, Orlando and parts south to Miami. Send a PM to Kodokan_4 to order a set of seat locks.

 

Thanks, I'll look into that. That's pretty scary, though! How do they get in? Break a window? cut the top? Man either way is expensive.
I think I'll rent a garage, crap.

 

Congrats! I remember what it feels like...what a rush!

 

and welcome......

 

Welcome and enjoy your ride.

 

Thanks for all the warm welcomes! I have a host of newbie questions - I've read the superFAQ, but I still have some curiosities I hope y'all can help with:

1. Driving Style - Is there a "preferred" shift point? I am looking to drive this thing as nicely as possible until I have to use the power, so where is a good place to shift for daily driving?

2. Driving style - How do y'all use the clutch on this car? Full depression between shifts? no clutch on upshifts? partial depression? So you leave the clutch on the floor when in neutral at a stop light?

3. Lighting - I want to replace nearly all the lights in the car with LED lights. (from the license plate to the map lights and turn signals) is there a good thread with info on the bulbs to use, etc?

4. AP1 to AP2 kit - Are there easy ways to upgrade the look of my 03 to have some of the nicer things that came along later? I'm looking for the LED tail lights, the aluminum or CF radio cover (mine is crummy black), etc.

5. Ride noise. Are there any good ways to quiet the ride and make it a little nicer for longer trips?

6. Am I the only one freaked out by road noise? pavement changes etc make me think there's a car on top of me sometimes. It's an illusion of reflected sound.

7. Cruising at city speed: Let's say you're in a 40MPH doing about 40-45. Do you ride in 4th, 5th, or 6th? (noob question I know)

8. iPhone - Anyone have a good solid solution for mounting the iPhone? I'd love to ideally have it at dash-level, locked down somehow, and getting power and audio out through the dock connector, into a headunit.

9. Valentine 1 mounting - I've seen some kick@$$ stealth mounts on this site, but until I am ready for that kind of a project, what's a good way to mount it for now? Bonus: I notice the V1 does not get hot like in my old charger. Woot!

10. Top usage = I am in Florida and I'll be top-down as much as possible. Is it ok to be putting the top up and down multiple times a day? (like when you park at a store, etc. Or is there a better solution for security?

Ok I think that's plenty for now. Thanks for any input!

 

1. Shift at 3k+rpm, never less...engine drag is not good and no fun
2. Full depression, always full depression...neutral+brakes at stoplights
3. Not sure about lights...use the search feature on the forums
4. AP1 to AP2 conversion threads are a plenty here, use search...
5. Quieter ride using all season tires, can't quiet the engine really...but it's a sportscar, louder is better!
6. Quieter ride using all season tires, but its a sportscar, louder is better!
7. Never 6th unless on interstate. 5th is iffy at 45mph, I vote 4th...or 3rd.
8. Velcro
9. Not my experience, try searching threads
10. Top up/down has never been an issue that I've read or heard. You'll be fine.

Enjoy your new ride. Black/black is the fastest color, especially '03 AP1

 

Thanks Berlinablackie!
Cool to get a response from someone with the same car =]

 

i go top down as much as possible and the top requires a little protection. put patches on the interior (cracks, slits, wear marks). also, the sun kills the blackness of the top and a top cleaner and vinyl protection will prolong the life of the soft top. probably look into acquiring those things as well as the suggested seat locks...