I finally caved and made an account. I've been lurking on these boards for quite a while, and can't express how useful you guys have been so far. I'm on here daily keeping up with the new posts and can always get a question answered by searching through old posts. I picked up my G in December as a graduation present (B.S. Computer Engineering w/ minor in Mathematics, Texas Tech University). Sticking around for Grad School and definitely doing it in style.

Believe it or not, it's my first car. I've been babying it ever since I've had it and definitely plan to take tasteful mods into consideration. Not sure if any of you have been to Lubbock, TX, but the roads here are horrible and a nightmare for any lowered car. Bought the car with 38k miles on it and new tires, once these run down I'm looking into bumping up to 19s! (I do really dig those 20" Vossen CV3s, however!)

Don't laugh, but her name is NoKia. I was dead set on getting the new Kia Optima, spent a few hours at the Kia dealership and they were not letting any turbo go for less than $30k. It's a beautiful car and great warranty but I don't see resale value keeping up. I definitely gawk at them every time I see them, but I personally think our interior is much nicer. RWD is definitely an advantage also.

I have not much to offer except some eye candy. She's as stock as it gets, with the exception of:
V-LED License Plate 6k white LEDs
Tint (30% sides, 20% back)
Chunks of foam and felt tape under the rear parcel shelf and backseat (grr rattles!)

For the future:
Black rear valence (Overlay, AutoKits, Plastidip, or Paint?)
OEM Non-Sport Front Lip (Still scared I'm going to bottom out and rip off my bumper w/ it)
White Fog Lights (LED bright enough?)









I look forward to keeping up with y'all and appreciate any and all input on how to improve my baby! Rock on, and happy St. Patty's!

 

Welcome! The Kias are nice- but the G is better!!!

 

Congrats and welcome!

 

The Optima looks pretty nice, too bad its a KIA!! Start modding ASAP!!! And drop ASAP!!

 

Nice looking G, the Optimas/Sonatas look pretty good and modern but not in the same league as the G as far as classy styling and performance. We get over to Lubbock about 5x a year since we live in Roswell, NM and it's worth the 170 mile drive to get away from there often
Roads in Lubbock aren't as bad as our town but there is a lot of construction, but at least they have money to spend on the roads over there
Welcome to the site & enjoy your new G, and go RedRaiders!

 

To be completely honest I like the styling of the Optima better than the stock X. However, once you add some tasteful mods you'll be glad you're driving a G. Besides, apart from styling, the G has the Kia beat in all categories, well except for mpg lol...

 

You will get more attention on a G. Great Choice..

 

Welcome to the site (for letting us know you are here), congratulations for graduating last year and for getting your new G.

Regarding your comment "OEM Non-Sport Front Lip (Still scared I'm going to bottom out and rip off my bumper w/ it)"
This lip will not change your front end ground clearance. It gives the illusion of being a bit lower but when properly installed it has the same clearance as the stock front end.

 

Welcome!




Do you know if that's the case with the sport lip too or just the journey one??

 

No, sorry I don't. I only know of the journey lip because a local forum member had one on his G35X a few years ago.
Here is a great thread on the installation of the Journey/X front chin spoiler/lip.
https://g35driver.com/forums/g35-sed...rt-bumper.html
Pics
Instructions

 

Pay day is this Friday and I'm doing my online shopping
PM'd tunerzstore and Rick.
$300 on tunerzstore website, $354 at infiniti sewell parts, $260 at infinitipartsdepartment.

Haven't even noticed it until the other day when reading some reviews, those optimas have a ridiculous front overhang.

Wonder how those guys can make it up slopes if they drop it.

Excited for my first major mod. Hoping the weather clears up, it's been so rainy the past few days.
Oh, and @blnewt, if you're ever in Lubbock when there's a TTU game, let me know and I'll do my best to score you some tickets! I've been working for athletics since the Mike Leach years!
Here she is in the team tunnel that leads down onto the field!

 

Awesome pic right there, thanks for the offer to see a Tech game, I may be sending you a PM Look forward to seeing the future mods on your G, maybe we can meet up for lunch or a drink when we come through Lubbock

 

welcome and your car looks clean! I got myself some vleds as well! make sure to go with SMD's they are $20 a pair and it's a day and night difference in output rating!

 

congrats and welcome!