KLIMS 2013

Just a week ago, Malaysia had its annual motor show, the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) and I went on the last day of the 2 weeks event. As a frequent visitor to car news related websites, I already had bits of the participants and the cars that would be there in the motor show. This show mainly displays new and current available models that are on sale. Sometimes there are models that are coming soon and the occasional concept cars. My interest this year is non other than the exclusive and rare fully carbon fiber made, Lexus LFA. In my opinion, it is a once in a lifetime chance to be able to see this car in the flesh and I would be hard on myself if I miss this opportunity. This is the first car I saw when I enter the exhibition hall and my god it captivates me. This 4.8L V10 supercar with 555 hp looks fast and aerodynamic even when it is not moving and in my eyes a much more beautiful car than any Lamborghini, Ferrari or even the popular Nissan R35 GT-R. Simply, a masterpiece. 

 After leaving the LFA, I moved on to look for other JDM machines and I found the car that I would definitely like to get my hands on one when I can afford it. It is the 2013 Subaru WRX STI sedan. I have been a fan of the Subaru Impreza since the Version 8 and especially loved the S204 based on the Version 9. Besides dropping the Impreza name, the 2013 models differ from the previous generations with the increase of power and adapting a more luxurious look rather than its rally look. It definitely looks like it is worth its price tag now. This is however, not my first time laying my eyes on this beauty but it is my first time in its seat. Next to the WRX STI, is the new RWD coupe, the Subaru BRZ. Of course, the BRZ is less famous than its sister the Toyota 86 because it was launched later. All the attention were stolen by the Toyota Marketing Campaign. Although a Subaru, I could not say I feel the same about it like how I feel about the WRX STI. Simply, I just like the fact it is a coupe. It has no turbo and no AWD that Subaru is famous for. Lastly, the Subaru booth showcase a transparent shell showing chrome parts of a car.Pretty nice touch.

Besides the LFA, I was also looking forward to take a look at the Ford booth for the Mustang Shelby GT500. The Mustang only available for left hand drive had 1 or 2 that reached our shores and I have only seen the ads but not the actual car on the road.The one they had during the motor show is the modified Shelby GT500. This is the only time a non JDM brand attracted me just because it is a rare sight that I am glad to be able to see it. There have been rumors that the right hand drive model would be sold here around next year but I got a feeling it would not be much of a sale because the engine displacement will be very big and the price tag will be high. Ford also brought in other new models such as the Fiesta ST but the Ford Focus Sport + Graphite Edition caught my eyes. The only car available in the market with an original fitted carbon hood, Recaro full bucket seat, 19 inch wheels and performance suspensions.

Back to the JDM scene, I could not say I am excited about the Honda booth but luckily for me there are somethings to check out while I was there. The Honda CR-Z is very popular since its launching worldwide and I even wrote 2 post (Hybrid Trend, CR-Z Mugen RZ) regarding it and Honda kept developing more limited edition or concept with it. What we have here is the CR-Z RR concept mainly a CR-Z equipped with a wide range of dry carbon body kits. I do love the metallic orange, oversized brakes and large wheels. From the digital spec sheet, the interior is fillef with orange theme and carbon parts too. Have to love the orange and black Recaro seats. Also captured my attention is the full concept, the EV concept. Not much is known about this EV concept but it certainly fit the term concept. The interior looks like a board filled with computer designs stuck on and the brakes are just a photo. 

Making its debut here in Malaysia, Nissan brought in their EV car (Electric Vehicle), the Nissan Leaf. A fully electric car with a huge battery replacing an engine that has no exhaust or waste. Truly the next level of clean, environmental friendly vehicle of the future. Much better green car than a hybrid car because when there is no engine there is no CO2 emission. Cons of this car though is the heavy price and short mileage. I guess it won't sell like hot cakes.

Being a car mod enthusiast, I have been looking for some modded car. I found this Toyota 86 promoting Toyo Tires and the funny thing is it bears the Scion emblem and FR-S emblem on the back making people think it is a Scion. However, with the 86 piston emblem on the fender tell me that it is a Toyota 86 instead of the Scion FR-S. Plus Scion only sells car in the United States. I also manage to spot the Jackie Chan designed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Pretty ugly for me but nevertheless a one of a kind model.

This sums up what is interesting to me during the motor show. It is kind of sad that only these few cars out of the many cars on display are deemed interesting to me. Like I said in the beginning, the KLIMS usually have little to offer but I am happy to be able to see the Lexus LFA and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. I wonder what can I see next year.

The Latest Ride

Hi everyone. It has been a long time since I last post something here. I have been really busy with work and finally have some time to update this blog. First of all, the Celica. Since the demod project, it has been prepared for sale and have been parked at my office's front. There has been one interested person that viewed the car but due to the price and difficulty to secure a loan. Clearly it is going to be a long drag. I have only been starting the engine and it has not been driven for almost 3 months. Every time I look at the Celica I have mixed feelings. On one side I could not face the Celica only remembering how it became a week ride after I demod. Meanwhile on the other side I feel sorry that I have abandoned it. All I can hope for is that it could find its way to a new owner and be completely used like before.

You might wonder what have I been driving if I have not touched the Celica for almost 3 months and the answer is non other than my new ride. It is exactly as reported here on the blog and introducing for the first time on this blog, my latest ride, the Mazda 6. It is a 2.5L version of the large sedan equipped with many gadgets and 19 inch rims. It has to be the biggest among its JDM rival.As usual when I am driving a new car, I have been comparing everything regarding the Mazda 6 and the Celica from the handling to the fuel efficiency. After 3 months of driving the Mazda 6, I obviously realized the pros and cons of the new Mazda 6 and how it fares against my Celica. If compared to the modded Celica, it would definitely be a something hard to follow for the Mazda 6.

Many of my friends ask me which is better and all (beside other Celica and sports car owner) expected me to say the Mazda to be a better car. All that is because most of them thinks that the 2014 model will be much better in terms of technology and being a D-Segment large sedan it is very comfortable but they fail to remember that I used to drive a sports car. So, my priority is not how comfortable the seats and suspension are and definitely not how high tech it is. I can say the Mazda 6 belongs to a sporty sedan category instead of your usual comfortable sedan but still not quite the sports car. However, at the stock stage the Celica, it really have its cons and that is the reason I only drive the Mazda 6 now. I will put up a comparison of the Mazda 6 next as soon as I get some time to write about it.

First Chip

With Celica Front

With Celica Rear

Demod Part 2

During part 1 of the demod process, most of my precious mod have already been removed, leaving only a few left. So, I took another day off and head to my friend's place. What I removed this time was the sun visor which is supposedly quite rare, a little small matter and the main purpose my precious RECARO SR-6 semi bucket seat. It came with the car when I bought the Celica and I think the main reason I could drive fast through straights and corners is all thanks to this seat. I love it very much and this is why I decided to remove it before selling the car. Before I got the Celica, I had only read about RECARO and how many production sports car from Japan have it as standard seats. I also heard that it is very uncomfortable to sit on it for a long drive. At first I was very skeptical about having it as my seat after all those complain but I did not expect that I would love it to this extent. The alcantara fabric is very comfortable and it gives me a sense of safety with its large shoulder, side and thigh padding. It feels like someone is hugging me and keeping me focus throughout high speed. There are minimum body roll and I do not feel the danger at all. It really is a good experience but the down side is, now only semi bucket seat could satisfy me. There are many more comfortable seats such as leather, fully automated seats but I could not have the sense of safety to do high speed anymore. I will definitely miss it.

There is more to do than just remove my RECARO seat. My Celica falls under the Superstrut spec which means the original seats are black in color with fabric on the sides and alcantara on the center with harder paddings. My friend has a few original seats laying in his storeroom but sadly there is no Superstrut seats for the driver side and I can not have different color seats. So, I had to remove both seats and put in a non-Superstrut pair of seats inside. Now it has red and black, full fabric seats with a softer padding. The good thing is an average buyer would not know the difference. I have never drive with original seats before and I was a bit reluctant. The main differences are the height and wrapping ability. The RECARO sits lower and closer to the chassis floor and the original seat have no extra padding. So, driver have a better visibility of the front of the car but higher body roll. Nevertheless it still does its job for the average driver. Now you might ask what plans do I have for the seat. Many might think I would use the seat in my future car, the Mazda 6 but that would not be the plan.You see, the Mazda 6 comes with electric seats and it would be a hassle to do away with the electronics and put the RECARO there. Don't mention the waste of it. For now, the RECARO will most probably be turned into a chair that I would use in my room. It sure will bring back the memories of me and my Celica. Maybe I will turn the RECARO into a racing simulator seat with a PS3. Not a bad idea.

Red MacPherson Fabric Seat

Black Superstrut Alcantara-Fabric Seat

The rims of the car have also finally been replaced.It is really hard to find rims with PCD 100, 5 holes 7.5" width and offset of 42 and below. Especially since the new trend is using rims with PCD 114.3. I had to stick to this spec because I planned to use the remaining tires I had before the accident. Since I am going to sell the car there is no reason to splurge on Japanese made rim that would cost a bomb even in used condition.It took me a while but I finally one with the same exact spec made in Taiwan. It is a copy of the famous SSR Type S rims in black. I personally do not like this design but it will have to do. I hope the new owner would enjoy it more than I do. The front looks much more different form what I remember or am used to. Now that the massive 4 pot is removed there is no use for a spacer and thus the front wheel is behind the fenders. I prefer the all out look and maybe I should have gone with a 8" width rim. Now I hope I can sell the car soon and the mods too.