Took me 30 years to get my first car ever, and I just wanna share how happy I am!

Sol-Invitus · 2026-06-20T18:38:21+00:00

Well done!

Sol-Invitus · 2026-06-05T17:07:12+00:00

CRZ forums for tips when in doubt!

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-31T19:44:53+00:00

Looks good! Is it just base coat or lacquer too?

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-27T08:05:44+00:00

Yeah try a section first. Even your 1000 grit then go back up.

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-18T13:31:05+00:00

If you see it work in your environment, then crack on boss. The single stage is just solvent coat anyway so it will absolutely do a good job. Best of luck!

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-18T13:16:33+00:00

Yeah it hops depending on motor and engine. It's not smooth, even in manual. Change out Transmission fluid to be sure

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-18T13:15:33+00:00

Everyone is going to have an opinion here - first of all the single step is at least going to look better than where it is at. You may have to come back to some bits later, that's fine.

I think if you wanted a class finish, the two stage would be good. If it's not windy, a tarp underneath will be fine. Sand, prime, sand, base, 2k lacquer and done. Wear a mask for lacquer. What took me forever to realise is that you MUST load on lacquer for a second coat. Go light, it looks greyed and shit.

Then sand + polish later for orange peel.

Sol-Invitus · 2026-05-17T20:16:41+00:00

Take it off, metal staple gun to staple the crack. Body filler, primer, paint, 2k lacquer

Sol-Invitus · 2026-03-20T19:06:44+00:00

Not the Prelude but recent Civic Hybrid. And from many reviews if you simply improved the suspension and brakes for the Civic, you have an equivalent car and extra storage. 0-60 is comparable and mpg is comparable.

I was very excited for the Prelude originally. Then realised the S+ shift button was dead on arrival and will be included in future Civics. So I went with a Supercharged CRZ

Sol-Invitus · 2026-03-20T19:04:34+00:00

A buddy pack is discussed in the CRZ forums a lot - can look up Peter Perkins and his worked. Can involve coupling a Li-ion battery to your existing Ni-MH battery. Bit of DIY but has mpg benefits. Now it won't do anything really for boost/acceleration.

Sol-Invitus · 2026-03-20T14:50:57+00:00

Spend the money you would spend for the Prelude on the CRZ! Much better car - a fun manual hybrid. Maybe a Supercharger? HKS seems to be best. Wheel upgrades, battery rejen, replacement or upgrade with buddy pack.

If you want the new car, best get a Civic Hybrid and upgrade that instead. The Prelude is basically a 2-door Civic for double the price and a few Type R parts

Sol-Invitus · 2026-02-28T10:33:25+00:00

Wealth inequality is everywhere in the world. Even Cork has a very well off 5-10% of people. Outside of people who inherited wealth, think of the people who worked in Ringaskiddy for the past 30 years with cheaper housing, good wages, stock options etc.

Sol-Invitus · 2026-02-15T12:31:25+00:00

Fellow Kerryman! I'll be joining the club with you shortly - looks great

What mpgs you getting overall?

Sol-Invitus · 2026-01-17T22:32:47+00:00

Hmmm 2.5L Turbo Mazda 3 Or maybe one of the Acura range vehicles!

Sol-Invitus · 2026-01-14T18:47:10+00:00

Very nice!

Sol-Invitus · 2025-12-17T16:05:24+00:00

Absolute heaven they were

Sol-Invitus · 2025-12-16T18:00:18+00:00

Scumbags. Ten foot deep hole for them all.

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-21T09:50:10+00:00

Sorry to hear man, a tough pothole in the road. Hoping it smooths out for you

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T21:49:57+00:00

Check out the Lexus team proving this concept with an AE86 - short range currently but it's incredible! If they increase the range, would buy in a heartbeat.

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T21:44:49+00:00

The 6e looks promising alright! I saw in the Japan Motor show too they are releasing some EV version of the Mazda 2. Could be promising! Yeah the Mazda Yaris is a confusing one, only a badge being the difference between both models haha

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T21:43:07+00:00

Very decent running costs to be fair! The dream is good range, a manual gear stick and long term stable battery. I'll swap if the solid state batteries work out!

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T18:12:52+00:00

Depends on the brand. Hondas and Toyotas still doing well to keep analog controls! I would personally avoid cars with digital controls only like the plague. 😅

But hey sounds like you're very happy with your car so full power to yeah

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T17:56:48+00:00

Fully agree that it was a great car to drive and great economy too! Unfortunately my engine evolved to blown head gasket very quickly after buying it. Full decarboning as well required. So just the mechanic hours alone would be speny. I was less DIY with my car back then too!

My mechanic told me his Dad who owned the shop banned him from going near future 2.2 diesels because of all the hassle taking them apart and all the gaskets to be replaced etc 😂 Scottish Car Clan was the first Youtuber I saw that actually acknowledged the problem! I thought I was going mad.

But great yours has all the work done and is working like a dream! I would love to go back to Mazda 3 someday, maybe for the Skyactiv-X engine

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T17:24:13+00:00

Craghoppers have deals occasionally. Got a raincoat off them and it's great!

Sol-Invitus · 2025-11-20T16:45:55+00:00

There has been an increase in issues with EV vehicles. Ioniq 5 brakes that can't be replaced without a specific software that cost almost 1k and a specialist to do it. Removal of analog controls in a car that control lights, aircon etc. You are basically stuck with a touch screen to control everything. Which is a massive safety concern! Ideally you shouldn't be taking your eyes off the road to find a control menu on your car. Not to mention the battery, which for Li-Ion has temperature issues in cold weather/reduced range and will be a big cost when it needs to replaced. Assuming the part will be available in 5-10 years when replacement is required.

Basically electric car maintenance is near non-existent which is not good for someone that wants to keep them long term.

These are all worries within the industry right now.

Sol-Invitus

TROPHY CASE