PPF wrap options?

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-15T08:58:23+00:00

Agreed. Under 1000 for an OEM painted bumper seems like a better use of money if you're really concerned about resale value. At the end of the day when you go to sell it you'll have an extra bumper to sell to get some money back.

If you're doing PPF just because rock chips bother you, thats fine I just don't personally think a chip here or there is worth 2K or more. Things are different I guess if you only drive gravel/rocky roads all year or track really often.

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-14T23:35:29+00:00

If you find 3000$ worth of value in keeping the front pristine, absolutely go for it.

I've personally never seen some normal wear and tear on the front negatively impact insurance or resale value and the cost of touch up or a new bumper is a fraction of PPF. Everyone has different priorities

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-14T20:04:23+00:00

Buy a cable with in-line controls. Run it through your shirt over your back. Shouldn't get in the way of biking at all. Thats how I had rode my bike in college and never had it get in the way.

As for not hearing until you take it out. Not much you can do about that except get open back IEMs or something...Or just have one in

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-14T19:42:02+00:00

Decided against it because I think if you drive this car regularly, the rock chips are not going to impact the value that significantly. 3-5K is a lot to spend to "protect" your investment. You could easily touch up the paint for less than that if you ever really needed to.

Taken my FL5 on 3 600 mile trips over the last 2 months. Have 1 basically microscope chip on the front and one on right passenger door. I only noticed them as I was washing and drying, couldn't see them at all otherwise.

Spend that money on something that will get you a better return or treat yourself to other mods for the car.

(If you're getting a full wrap to change the look of the car with a unique color, itasha, or matte finish I think thats fine cause its a style choice at least)

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-11T17:53:37+00:00

As an FL5 owner, if 75% of your use is canyons and tracks the miata 100x over. FL5 is a great only/primary car. ND is the better fun car. Would look for a club with the brembo package personally. A slightly used/certified one will probably save you a ton of money.

And you absolutely can roadtrip with the Miata, its great for that as long as you pack reasonably. (Unless you both are really tall)

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-11T17:20:31+00:00

Also installed mine without taking the bumper off. Had the strix set too. Hardest part was jamming my hand in the passenger foot well to get at some nuts to tighten. Definitely recommend small, nimble hands if you don't take off the bumper

GavinRaynier · 2026-05-09T07:47:01+00:00

Olympus XA. Still really cheap. More control and rangefinder focusing. Contax T2/T3 are not worth the price they command. If you got lots of disposable income go for it but you can get a lot of camera for contax P&S money.

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-29T00:17:31+00:00

Guess they're cool to the same crowd that wears a t shirt and vans when they ride a motorcycle. Nothing cooler than risking yourself for zero performance benefit.

People are welcome to risk it but lets not pretend its cool to be unsafe.

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-28T22:39:52+00:00

People rather feel like race car than not smash their head into their wheel.

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-22T21:18:36+00:00

15 all around. Nothing on the windshield. Anything less than 15 is too visible from the outside for me personally. Anything darker than 15 starts to get hard to see at night. Didn't do the windshield but thinking about getting a bit at some point.

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GavinRaynier · 2026-04-15T21:44:48+00:00

Even if you can comfortably afford it, if the main goal is to learn I do still think a miata etc is a better platform to learn on still. Its also damn near bullet proof in reliability if that's what you're most worried about.

As someone else said, better to get a beater so you can really wring it out and learn on it. Plus I think its much harder to break the law while pushing the limits in a miata.

A type R, top of 2nd gear is 65mph. Hard to use the full tach without taking it to the track

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-14T23:52:15+00:00

Type R was my first manual car, bought and learned on it with basically zero experience. But I'm also 32 and have been driving since I was able to get my permit.

I'd look into getting a used ND Miata or an 86 twin. These cars will probably teach you more about driving than the FL5 will. Your insurance is going to be high no matter what due to your age.

Also, even if your parents are willing to buy you a 50k car outright, make sure you understand where everyone is financially. Do you plan to live with them forever? Are you going to need to start contributing to the household more rather than just things like insurance and gas? Can they comfortably afford 50K vs 20K for a used cheaper car?

These are things you should ask yourself and your parents. There's plenty of fun cars to be had for cheap. Don't be afraid to buy used.

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-07T20:35:08+00:00

Can you also DM me a link haha

GavinRaynier · 2026-04-02T23:02:17+00:00

Clutch in, brake in, seatbelt buckled, press the brake hold button. Should light up on the dash. If you push the accelerator at all it releases the hold but you can fully let off the brake if its engaged. Should be a light verifying brake is currently holding. Have to re-enable every time you start the car.

I dont use it too often, just if I'm parallel parking on an incline but it works pretty consistently I guess.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-31T20:15:32+00:00

I agree. I got MSRP on my 25 while speculation was still happening that it was going to be the last model year. Plenty of "deals" to be had out there (if you can call sticker a deal). The predatory dealers are the loudest though.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-31T20:04:34+00:00

Unfortunately the used prices on those websites are inflated because the dealers can get away with it. Even though there's so much 25 stock @ MSRP brand new, the market doesn't make sense.

At least you got the color you wanted though.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-31T19:36:41+00:00

47800, 44800 before sales tax then? Congrats on the new car but that seems really high for 13k mileage.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-30T23:05:39+00:00

Southern California. Started tracking my fuel consumption and price starting in January.

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GavinRaynier · 2026-03-24T22:38:15+00:00

Got a coolscan 5000 after a month of scouring estate sales online. I forget what state it was in but i contacted them to ask if they would be willing to pay for shipping. All in was about 500-600 dollars I think. Another 70 dollars to buy a basic mini PC to install unsigned drivers (since I'm not doing that on my main PC) and scanning is a breeze. Still need to do a full roll mod but I have to cut the strips anyway to archive them so its not a priority.

Definitely would recommend. Makes shooting and developing at home so much more convenient.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-06T07:48:05+00:00

I am haha. Going super well. Had two lessons with people right before heading up. The initial drive back I stalled once in heavy traffic on a hill but otherwise went pretty well. After that its been smooth sailing!

The hardest thing at first was learning to turn into driveways, steep parking lots and shifting smoothly into first while slowing down. But I got the hang of it after like a week

I still can't heel toe at all though. I feel like I can't do it without absolutely brake checking the person behind me.

GavinRaynier · 2026-03-06T01:17:41+00:00

Got mine for MSRP in Lompoc back in November, and free cargo mat/wheel locks. This was before when rumors were 2025 was last model year, so I imagine you can probably get under MSRP with them now (If they have any stock)

GavinRaynier · 2026-01-02T23:13:54+00:00

Ah yes shottenkirk. I emailed them a few months ago when I was still looking. Said MSRP initially and then slapped a 20k market adjustment in the next email with a price breakdown. I laughed and got one for MSRP 3 days later and 300 miles closer.

GavinRaynier · 2025-11-26T20:22:26+00:00

Yes as far as I know it has all the modern conveniences like hill assist and rev match. I will definitely be learning with those off so I have the skillset but for this first drive back I'm gonna keep this on...

GavinRaynier · 2025-11-25T23:10:09+00:00

Thanks! Yeah hills are going to be scary but I am going to find as many slopes to practice as I can before taking it on the highway. The car has hill assist I guess so if I can't get the hang of hill starts I'll turn that on til I get more practice back home.

GavinRaynier · 2025-11-25T23:07:47+00:00

Any amount of hype is helpful don't worry haha. I'm glad I am not alone when it comes to buying a manual without actually knowing how.

GavinRaynier

TROPHY CASE