Newbie here, got me a Pas red TA lounge about 3 weeks ago. And now I'm wondering how to make it look even sweeter.
It was already specced for me and so it only has the 15inch multi (which is a shame cos I would have so picked the 16inch multi or 'O's). Anyone got a recommendation on whether I should upgrade and where is a good place to buy?
Also thinking about chrome stuff (which I know divides opinion!).
Should I do the bonnet strip?
Should I do the A bar?
Should I do the Italian wing badges?
Am most convinced on the Italian wing badges.
The extra chrome I swing from thinking it's a good idea to feeling a little worried I could ruin my car!
I realise style is personal and all that but I'd still appreciate thoughts!
Cheers
Hi Daveyboydanger. Judging by your name - you sound like a bit of a boy racer. Now - we don't encourage anything like that on this forum
. Driving with care is the order of the day
. Some will advise you if you plan to spend some money it is best to spend it on an advanced drivers course
(This I would highly recommended) plus it should reduce your insurance costs
.
That said - again it's just my opinion - I would go for the boyracer look -this would have been 'designed' by a forum member's 11 year old.
https://www.fiatforum.com/500/196010-fiat-500-designed-eleven-year-old-2.html
For staters I would get rid of the 15 inch lounge wheels. This is for the missus's car. They can be demoted to winter wheels but it would be much cooler if the winter tyres were steelies. Do a swop with some gal with a POP and take her steelies.
Source the 5 o-spoke wheels - these are the real mccoy and the ones fitted on the Ferrari courtesy car. I
had these wheels and they really man the car up. Be warned - they are a curse to refurbish with the mix of the chrome and the alloy finish lacquer - they come up regularily on ebay because some owners cannot live with the scratchs £250. From a distance you wouldn't notice. With the 'soft suspension' and I'd imagine the lack of ESR on a demo - the 16inchs will make the car more surefooted. An alternative is to get the Abarth 16 inch wheels - you could get a set brand new with tyres £300 from an esseesse upgrade. Red ringed centers (not abarth ones !) and paint the front calipers - don't do the rear drums - it will look stupid. £20 paint & £20 ebay
I would then de-chrome the bumpers. There's a seperate thread on this. £100.
From a previous thread you plan on keeping the car for 3 years. Well if you end up like Maxi planning to keep his car for 10 years and you could look at upgrading the suspension with some decent shocks (the standard shocks will probably have had its day at 3 years).
Now this is a little controversal. I would put in standard Abarth seats - you can pick up a pair cheaply but you would have to take them out when you're selling the car. These will look the business and hold you in the seat given that the TA can be a little roly poly €150-€250.
I'd leave the engine alone but I would probably slip in a ITG panel filter £30 but take it out before the service. I'd change the oil every 6 months and given the cheapness of the plugs put new standard NGKs (iridium plugs are not worth the money and will compromise the warranty) £6 in midway through the service interval to keep things sharp.
In 3 years time a car speced like this would have a good market once the passodola paintwork is kept pristine - the red paint known to be a little soft.
And the badges - that's a no brainer. £35 but again controversal I would put the Ferrari badges off the courtesy car on in its place if your went the 5os route.
And the stripes across the bonnet and the car - for the '11 year old' look. £100. Make sure you heavily wax the car beforehand so they can come off easily if you wish to remove them. The paint might have faded a bit.
And budget for a 20% loading on your insurance - but it will be worth it.