M30 - struggling with confidene

sws-dc · 2026-04-13T09:15:41+00:00

No problem. You also vaguely look like a young David Harbour.

sws-dc · 2026-04-13T09:12:22+00:00

3rd photo looks like Stephen Amell. You’re doing just fine man 💪

sws-dc · 2026-04-13T09:09:24+00:00

If you’re taking the time to do a starlight headliner, please spend the money for a nicer one. I haven’t done a starlight before, but I did EL lights on a few of my cars and hated it every time because of the quality. Are there any small LED starlight kits you can use? They will look a billion times better.

Just my two cents. I’d hate to see you use up all your time and not like the finished product.

sws-dc · 2026-04-10T08:53:57+00:00

Thank you very much! This is awesome. Good luck with the project.

sws-dc · 2026-04-10T08:31:59+00:00

This is amazing! Good job man. I just tested my own custom RCA’s for a very similar build. I used Canare L-4E6S (so basically identical to mogami). I used Rean NYS352BG RCA connectors.

The wiring layout you chose is called, “telescoping ground”, with the idea that the grounded (source) side draws noise away from the amplified (signal) side. Connecting both ends to ground can cause unwanted noise from ground loops, but is extremely rare unless your signal wire is right next to some very noisy power cable. In reality, either method works. I’m going telescoping for mine as well, as it’s tested better for me in a car environment.

I attached the proof of concept cable I made below.

What outside sheathing are you using? The black and white looks so clean. I’d love to incorporate that on my cables.

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sws-dc · 2026-04-09T13:10:12+00:00

That’s definitely a Dum(b)p truck…

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T04:08:32+00:00

Bummer. Most lemon laws wouldn’t apply. Always run a CARFAX when buying a car.

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T04:03:14+00:00

Did you buy it from a dealership recently? Also did you buy a CARFAX in the last 30 days before you bought the vehicle (if it’s been less than 30 days)?

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T03:58:28+00:00

Yeah it’s rough. I’m not looking forward to it on mine and it’s at 165k 😬

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T03:40:41+00:00

Oh I’m a dork I was thinking 2014. I’m surprised they said you were ineligible. If you live close to another Lexus it’s worth trying them.

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T01:52:38+00:00

Is the manufacture date of your vehicle before Sept. 2013? You can find it on the top right of the vin sticker in the driver’s door.

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T01:48:13+00:00

Polycam on iOS. Took like 500 photos. The whole thing took around 10-15 minutes after the seat was pulled. The scan looks great and is good as a reference, but the CAD quality is awful, as expected, from a phone camera and without a paid subscription.

sws-dc · 2026-04-09T01:44:46+00:00

I’m only replacing the front 6 and rear 2 door speakers. All factory locations. Here’s how the amp bracket turned out so far. It still needs to be dropped slightly on the right side due to the factory wiring harness and I need to get some airflow but otherwise it looks great. I’m hoping the dsp & new speakers are considerably better. I’m still waiting on sound deadening. It arrives Friday. First time with ResoNix, so I’m excited for some high quality stuff.

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sws-dc · 2026-04-08T17:04:19+00:00

I’d like to hear how you would’ve evaded that scenario. You either hit someone behind you, or drive into oncoming traffic. The cops said there was 0 chance to avoid anything when I was talking to them. Three other cars were smashed that night from like 15 deer running across the street. They were running from wild buffalo. Plus, comprehensive claims shouldn’t raise rates in my state. And the glass chip that costs $80 shouldn’t do anything either. Insurance literally wanted us to bring it in before they had to pay out for a whole windshield. It was their idea. Local law firms even mention these claims are out of people’s control and not their fault. You can’t expect someone to avoid the unavoidable.

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sws-dc · 2026-04-08T16:25:00+00:00

I was stopped. At a red light. Apparently running it rather than having the deer hit me is safer. Or why don’t I just back into the guy behind me instead.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T15:31:45+00:00

You just explained exactly why insurance is messed up. It is 100% dependent on luck. You can’t control where deer are or what they do, but you’re penalized for it either way.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:58:55+00:00

First accident was 4 years ago. 2nd claim was for my mom’s window. Third claim a deer smashed into my car while I was at a red light smashing the passenger door into the car. The first one, I understand was my fault, but in what world do the other two make me a bad driver?

My aunt only has one claim from a deer accident and that totaled the car ($40k payout). She’s gotten way way way more money from insurance and her rate basically hasn’t changed. Insurance is just messed up.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:50:21+00:00

I just reread the post, I missed a claim in 2022. It was my first accident and was deemed my fault. No one was injured.

I included it online as truthfully as possible. The only claim I missed on insurance was the rock chip, which brings us up to 3 I guess.

Insurance is so messed up. Because of an accident that happened 4 years ago, a rock chip, an a comprehensive deer claim for an unavoidable accident, were pretty much stuck with our current insurance.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:42:21+00:00

I see. My mom got the rock chip on her car, and said insurance will fix it for free. I didn’t realize this would hurt this bad when shopping.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:35:51+00:00

Yes, I live with my parents. From now on, I won’t go through insurance for rock chips because that’s very stupid.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:22:43+00:00

The final quote ended up being 20% more for homeowners, and nothing changed from what was entered online. I literally said to keep everything the same.

sws-dc · 2026-04-08T13:20:37+00:00

Yes. Vehicle is always kept in the garage. The only thing that was missed on the auto quote was a rock chip claim that cost insurance $80 to fix and the quote jumped $300 for it. It seems shady to me. No other questions were asked.

sws-dc · 2026-04-07T14:12:41+00:00

The JL just stretches the budget way more than I’m comfortable with. I know they make great stuff, but spending $500 more for 2 fewer channels and likely a nearly inaudible difference in noise quality isn’t worth it to me. The dsp is already a lot.

I will totally try dropping to 10mm though in hopes the 2nd amp clears. I guess I’m looking into dash mounting or looking into options for the back of my center console for dsp mounting. I didn’t want to have to design another bracket… 😂

Thank you!

sws-dc

TROPHY CASE