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ultradeepbase · (This post was last modified: 06-27-2011 12:53 AM by ultradeepbase.)

Went to the Kia dealer, decided on the SX because of the bigger motor. Told them all I wanted was Leather and a Sunroof. They had two colors in stock: red and titanium. Went with the titanium because I don't want to attract no attention from the man.

First thing I did was get darkest street legal tint I could. In my state it is 25% LTV in front windows, and anything in the back, so I did 5% in the back. They actually had to put 35% in the front because the factory glass has around a 70% tint on it, so if they would have put 25% film on it it would have been less than 20% and I wouldn't pass inspection.

Next thing I did was remove the rear badging for "Forte" and "Koup." Used the heatgun and dental floss method, followed by using paper towels and 'Oops' from Sherwin Williams. Only advice I would give is don't over heat, and if you break your dental floss a few times as you are doing it you are probably doing it right. Next bit of advice I would say is try to remove all the adhesive and backing with your fingers before you use the Oops. IF you don't do that, then the Oops will sort of dissolve the bigger chunks and you will just spread it around and make more of a mess. Whatever you do don't use anything metal and don't use any stronger solvent than Oops or Goo-gone, you don't want to ruin the paint.

My next mod is to have Pep Boys install the Eibach lowering springs and then I will put in a Cold Air Intake. Should be getting these done in the next month or so. In the next year I want to install a high-flow Cat-back exhaust and then after I pay off my car loan in 3 or 4 years I am leaning towards going turbo. But for now its my daily driver and I don't want to do turbo until the engine has 40,000 miles or so in case something breaks it will be fixed under warranty, and I don't want to owe money on my car before putting an expensive turbo in it, want to pay it off first.

I didn't know the rims on these are all painted titanium, even if the car is red. In this way I am pretty pleased that I got the titanium car because the matching wheels look pretty custom as it is.

I think this is the best Koup forum on the net, and I look forward to seeing more members post pics of their sweet rides. Peace.

[Edit: The dealer put on pin stripes, which I was going to peel off. Only problem was they are painted actually so I couldn't peel them. But, they are hardly noticeable so I am not going to worry about them. Also, the spoiler was added at the factory. It looks okay, but I really like some of the aftermarket spoilers a little more, but I am not going to worry about this either. No sense in spending gas money to change the spoiler. And one other thing, I plan to paint the brake calipers with hi-temp engine block enamel. Picked up two cans of yellow engine paint at AutoZone today, and hopefully over the 4th of July I can tackle this. Maybe I'll post a how-to to this forum. With the 4 wheel disc brakes and the see-through wheels I really want to paint those calipers so it looks a little sportier. Don't want to upgrade the brakes as I think they have plenty of stopping power.]

Ratdaddy · (This post was last modified: 06-28-2011 12:23 AM by Ratdaddy.)

Good choice man that thing looks sick..Best color they have. I wish i would have goten the gray wheels,they really set it off...

KOUPKRAZY · 06-28-2011, 11:13 PM

Congrats and welcome =]

ultradeepbase · (This post was last modified: 06-29-2011 12:28 AM by ultradeepbase.)

(06-28-2011 12:19 AM)Ratdaddy Wrote: Good choice man that thing looks sick..Best color they have. I wish i would have goten the gray wheels,they really set it off...

Thanks for the reply. The funny thing is I have always been a Subaru guy. I have owned 3 of them, and when I was in the market for a new car I was bummed because I really wanted a two door. Nothing against 4 doors but I have a Subaru Outback so I got the grocery getter down. Wanted two doors and really liked the Forte Koup when they came out in '09. Anyhow, the point is that I think your car looks pretty bad-ass, too, and I think your bumper and front fascia actually have a little more attitude than the Koup's. I really don't know much about the Kia lineup, but now that I got the Koup I have seen some great looking 5 doors, like yours. Thanks again for the reply.

(06-28-2011 11:13 PM)KOUPKRAZY Wrote: Congrats and welcome =]

Thanks man. I like this forum because of it's ease of use. That other one has so many ads it is a pain to go to. I look forward to this forum being more popular as more people buy Fortes.