Charlotte's Progress Log
Charlotte's Progress Log
Name: Charlotte
Father: Ben
Born: 2003
Gender: Neon SXT 2.0 4Cyl
Attributes: 132 HP, 130 lb-ft Torque, Automatic Transaxle
==========================
Thanks goes out to iThane for inspiring me...did I say inspiring? I should have said pestering ...to build this log. So here it goes!
Just today I chose to name her Charlotte. Many car enthusiasts might question why the hell would I choose that name? Well, you see, the story of when Charlotte came into my life began the summer of 2003 when she was bought brand new by my sister, Kelly. Kelly owned her until December, 2009 when the big bad mean state people called her basically "salvaged goods."
Kelly was driving one early morning before sunrise on a dark, back country road when a deer jumped out of nowhere. Instead of Charlotte getting to meet and play with Mr. Deer, Kelly over-steered to the right and Charlotte got introduced to Mr. Guardrail instead!
For a year, Charlotte stayed sick in the Garage E.R's bed not getting any better. Her sister Audina, however, was having a blast with Kelly's brother Ben (me) Only, Audina was the very needy child - so Ben sold her for adoption (LOL).
Ben's love & desire towards Charlotte grew as he cared for her each day - getting her well.
Slowly, but surely, Charlotte started feeling like her old self...
So today, Charlotte is a happy go-lucky gal again, out playing around on the (pot-holy) roads of SW Pennsylvania. If only, as her father, I could get her to stop flirting with all those damn Ram boys! GRRR
So now, to answer your question as to "Why, Charlotte?" Here's why:
When I took a gigantic hit on the Audi (selling it, that is...) and ended up getting the Neon fixed and road-legal again...I was sooo tired of investing money into a damn car ($25k on the Audi - $9k in repairs/maintenance alone w/ me doing 95% of the labor!) I wanted to scream. I swore to myself that I was just going to fix the Neon back to factory specs and leave her the hell alone!
Well folks...take a guess of what didn't end up happening... lol Yep...you guessed it! I couldn't leave her alone...could I!? Slowly but surely, she is like a spider building a web, in which I am getting more and more sucked into. Hence her new name, Charlotte!!
Now, for the fun part of the log... Onto the pics!
January 28, 2011:
20% Window Tint x5 Windows
April 23, 2011:
Order a bunch of OEM Silver SRT-4 Parts
-- (1) OEM Silver SRT-4 Spoiler
-- (1) OEM Silver Set (x4) SRT-4 Side Skirts / Door Trim Panels
-- (1) SRT-4 Catback Exhaust
-- (1) Mopar Silver Lip Kit (Front / Rear) Fascia
April 25, 2011:
Side Molding Removal (SRT-4) & Trunk Debadge:
April 26, 2011:
Pick up SRT-4 Catback Exhaust from Ryan (sidepipe87) and install:
Install VVME 6000K HID Conversion Kit & Aimed Properly:
April 27, 2011:
Touch-Up The Off Centered Rear Cutouts For The SRT-4 Exhaust:
--Doesn't look wonderful, but much better than it did! It will do at least until the lip kit arrives in just a couple days!
Order Brand New All-Chrome Lug Nuts
Install Cross-Drilled Rotors (R1Concepts) & Ceramic Pads / Paint Calibers Silver To Match The Rear Drums:
Pretty
Yucky!:
Driver Side:
Thanks for reading y'all! That's all I've done for now - quite a bit for only owning her for 4 months, eh? lol I will keep you updated with pics as I do more.
[/i]
Father: Ben
Born: 2003
Gender: Neon SXT 2.0 4Cyl
Attributes: 132 HP, 130 lb-ft Torque, Automatic Transaxle
==========================
Thanks goes out to iThane for inspiring me...did I say inspiring? I should have said pestering ...to build this log. So here it goes!
Just today I chose to name her Charlotte. Many car enthusiasts might question why the hell would I choose that name? Well, you see, the story of when Charlotte came into my life began the summer of 2003 when she was bought brand new by my sister, Kelly. Kelly owned her until December, 2009 when the big bad mean state people called her basically "salvaged goods."
Kelly was driving one early morning before sunrise on a dark, back country road when a deer jumped out of nowhere. Instead of Charlotte getting to meet and play with Mr. Deer, Kelly over-steered to the right and Charlotte got introduced to Mr. Guardrail instead!
For a year, Charlotte stayed sick in the Garage E.R's bed not getting any better. Her sister Audina, however, was having a blast with Kelly's brother Ben (me) Only, Audina was the very needy child - so Ben sold her for adoption (LOL).
Ben's love & desire towards Charlotte grew as he cared for her each day - getting her well.
Slowly, but surely, Charlotte started feeling like her old self...
So today, Charlotte is a happy go-lucky gal again, out playing around on the (pot-holy) roads of SW Pennsylvania. If only, as her father, I could get her to stop flirting with all those damn Ram boys! GRRR
So now, to answer your question as to "Why, Charlotte?" Here's why:
When I took a gigantic hit on the Audi (selling it, that is...) and ended up getting the Neon fixed and road-legal again...I was sooo tired of investing money into a damn car ($25k on the Audi - $9k in repairs/maintenance alone w/ me doing 95% of the labor!) I wanted to scream. I swore to myself that I was just going to fix the Neon back to factory specs and leave her the hell alone!
Well folks...take a guess of what didn't end up happening... lol Yep...you guessed it! I couldn't leave her alone...could I!? Slowly but surely, she is like a spider building a web, in which I am getting more and more sucked into. Hence her new name, Charlotte!!
Now, for the fun part of the log... Onto the pics!
January 28, 2011:
20% Window Tint x5 Windows
April 23, 2011:
Order a bunch of OEM Silver SRT-4 Parts
-- (1) OEM Silver SRT-4 Spoiler
-- (1) OEM Silver Set (x4) SRT-4 Side Skirts / Door Trim Panels
-- (1) SRT-4 Catback Exhaust
-- (1) Mopar Silver Lip Kit (Front / Rear) Fascia
April 25, 2011:
Side Molding Removal (SRT-4) & Trunk Debadge:
April 26, 2011:
Pick up SRT-4 Catback Exhaust from Ryan (sidepipe87) and install:
Install VVME 6000K HID Conversion Kit & Aimed Properly:
April 27, 2011:
Touch-Up The Off Centered Rear Cutouts For The SRT-4 Exhaust:
--Doesn't look wonderful, but much better than it did! It will do at least until the lip kit arrives in just a couple days!
Order Brand New All-Chrome Lug Nuts
Install Cross-Drilled Rotors (R1Concepts) & Ceramic Pads / Paint Calibers Silver To Match The Rear Drums:
Pretty
Yucky!:
Driver Side:
Thanks for reading y'all! That's all I've done for now - quite a bit for only owning her for 4 months, eh? lol I will keep you updated with pics as I do more.
[/i]
Last edited by 03SXTGUY on Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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LOL Thanks Mo! That was my aim To tell it like a funny kid's story
Random1: thanks man!
-----------------
Shipping update as of right now:
Side skirts: Estimated delivery tomorrow ( 4/28 )
Spoiler: No estimated delivery available but shipped w/ the side skirts so should be tomorrow
20 new chrome lug nuts status: Arrived at USPS today
Mopar Lip Kit Order Status: Cross Shipped From Depot 1-4 DAYS
Random1: thanks man!
-----------------
Shipping update as of right now:
Side skirts: Estimated delivery tomorrow ( 4/28 )
Spoiler: No estimated delivery available but shipped w/ the side skirts so should be tomorrow
20 new chrome lug nuts status: Arrived at USPS today
Mopar Lip Kit Order Status: Cross Shipped From Depot 1-4 DAYS
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hahaha thanks! It just came to me this morning when I was fixing my cut outs on the bumper...the funny part is, the name came first - the concept/rationale came second!
I really doubt I'll do lowering springs...the hills and potholes around Pittsburgh are BRUTAL to any car that sits lower than a raised Ram 2500 Cummins Ryan will back me up on that one.
Wheels were not on the agenda, either - as I'm trying to stay as stock as possible - but more along the route of SRT stock just b/c I've really grown to love the look of a silver SRT. I did see Exubus having his Sport Edition 5 spokes up for trade on DF and I contacted him about it...I think they would look really nice -- I love the look of 'em!
but then he & his wifey decided to keep 'em as summer wheels & found cheap oem 15's in a junk yard for winter use; which I can completely understand. If he does decide to sell, however, I'm the first one he's contacting hehe
Like this silver SRT - I'm in love w/ the look...So clean & sexxy!
I really doubt I'll do lowering springs...the hills and potholes around Pittsburgh are BRUTAL to any car that sits lower than a raised Ram 2500 Cummins Ryan will back me up on that one.
Wheels were not on the agenda, either - as I'm trying to stay as stock as possible - but more along the route of SRT stock just b/c I've really grown to love the look of a silver SRT. I did see Exubus having his Sport Edition 5 spokes up for trade on DF and I contacted him about it...I think they would look really nice -- I love the look of 'em!
but then he & his wifey decided to keep 'em as summer wheels & found cheap oem 15's in a junk yard for winter use; which I can completely understand. If he does decide to sell, however, I'm the first one he's contacting hehe
Like this silver SRT - I'm in love w/ the look...So clean & sexxy!
Last edited by 03SXTGUY on Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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I definitely loved the story as well.
But am I the first to notice that:
I am definitely not raggin on ya, since I don't necessarily like the high-rise SRT-4 spoiler/wing, but just wanted to point that out... that it's an SXT wing, not SRT-4 wing
It all looks good man! Where'd you get the rotors from?
*EDIT*
So I was lookin through again, and noticed you had the SXT wing from the git-go... I'm assuming you haven't put the SRT-4 wing on yet?... I feel like a 'tard haha... anyhow...
But am I the first to notice that:
Yet it's not?..03SXTGUY wrote:(1) OEM Silver SRT-4 Spoiler
I am definitely not raggin on ya, since I don't necessarily like the high-rise SRT-4 spoiler/wing, but just wanted to point that out... that it's an SXT wing, not SRT-4 wing
It all looks good man! Where'd you get the rotors from?
*EDIT*
So I was lookin through again, and noticed you had the SXT wing from the git-go... I'm assuming you haven't put the SRT-4 wing on yet?... I feel like a 'tard haha... anyhow...
Last edited by 2005.Neon.SXT on Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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You are the only one to notice it... because he said he's ordering that, haha.2005.Neon.SXT wrote:I definitely loved the story as well.
But am I the first to notice that:Yet it's not?..03SXTGUY wrote:(1) OEM Silver SRT-4 Spoiler
I am definitely not raggin on ya, since I don't necessarily like the high-rise SRT-4 spoiler/wing, but just wanted to point that out... that it's an SXT wing, not SRT-4 wing
It all looks good man! Where'd you get the rotors from?
03SXTGUY wrote:
April 23, 2011:
Order a bunch of OEM Silver SRT-4 Parts
-- (1) OEM Silver SRT-4 Spoiler
-- (1) OEM Silver Set (x4) SRT-4 Side Skirts / Door Trim Panels
-- (1) SRT-4 Catback Exhaust
-- (1) Mopar Silver Lip Kit (Front / Rear) Fascia
Danteneon wrote:You doing this swap with your tech level is like asking a squirrel to land a 747.
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LOL y'all are cracking me up and I'm supposed to be working on my systems analysis report! *shakes finger*
Yes - I have an SXT thus currently I have an SXT spoiler. I just happened to come across an already silver SRT-4 spoiler for a great price so I had to grab it. I'll throw it on and see if I like it being that high - if not I'll put the SXT one back on and resell the SRT one...see - game plan - all figured out haha
akirony: nice ride man. I think my two favorite colored neons are Silver and that Electric Blue - both are pretty sharp looking! One color I've never been fond of is the sunburt orange *scrunches face* It seems to be a very popular color in Pittsburgh...at least...on Cobalts, Sunfires, Neons & Grand AMs. haha What part of Dallas are you from? I'm actually looking at houses in Frisco (1st choice) & Irving - plan on moving down in 2 years!!
Yes - I have an SXT thus currently I have an SXT spoiler. I just happened to come across an already silver SRT-4 spoiler for a great price so I had to grab it. I'll throw it on and see if I like it being that high - if not I'll put the SXT one back on and resell the SRT one...see - game plan - all figured out haha
akirony: nice ride man. I think my two favorite colored neons are Silver and that Electric Blue - both are pretty sharp looking! One color I've never been fond of is the sunburt orange *scrunches face* It seems to be a very popular color in Pittsburgh...at least...on Cobalts, Sunfires, Neons & Grand AMs. haha What part of Dallas are you from? I'm actually looking at houses in Frisco (1st choice) & Irving - plan on moving down in 2 years!!
Im from south dallas and I work in arlington. The only neons around here are stock ones and the handful of srt4s that come out once a month. Everything else is modded like the westcoast though.
Frisco and irving are both great places to live but law enforcement is pretty strict. Plano even has a noise ordinance. It be nice to have a fellow 2gn'er closer than houston.
Frisco and irving are both great places to live but law enforcement is pretty strict. Plano even has a noise ordinance. It be nice to have a fellow 2gn'er closer than houston.
Have car-have car problems. Have srt4-have speed problems
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Definitely good to know, Crystal - Thanks!
I guess the next thing to do is decide on clear ones or tinted ones - any opinions? The silver SRT I posted above has the clear ones...I sort of like that route too - very clean looking - so I'm having trouble deciding
Thanks for the compliments Midnight & Dante - I'll try to keep y'all entertained haha I was once told my a middle school teacher that I should consider writing children's novels
I guess the next thing to do is decide on clear ones or tinted ones - any opinions? The silver SRT I posted above has the clear ones...I sort of like that route too - very clean looking - so I'm having trouble deciding
Thanks for the compliments Midnight & Dante - I'll try to keep y'all entertained haha I was once told my a middle school teacher that I should consider writing children's novels
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Sorry for the O/T.
I'm only 2.5 hrs East, in Abilene.akirony wrote: It be nice to have a fellow 2gn'er closer than houston.
I do all of the above.TheRandom1 wrote:But do you have a gunrack in the back of your pickup and wear a huge belt buckle, cowboy hat and boots? (jk, I know Texas isn't all like that)
Amazing recovery of the neon and a few nice mods! I would have to say
i like the srt rims better than the aftermarket 5 spokes you showed us
though. The neon looks really clean and virtually flawless too
i like the srt rims better than the aftermarket 5 spokes you showed us
though. The neon looks really clean and virtually flawless too
My Progress Log
Official "I'm Going to Drive My Neon till it Dies" Club #000104
Thanks Thane I'm a fan of the SRT wheels too - esp. because my car is silver the alloy just looks clean and purty hehe However, it seems hard to find anyone in the PA/OH/WV/VA area looking to trade 'em. Wheels aren't really top priority to me so I would have to find wheels and tires w/ good tread for a good price before I'd consider getting them - I just am not hopeful it'll happen lol If it does...than MAN did my luck change going from the Audi to the Dodge
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Crystal... I have NiteShaded orange sidemarkers and they're not pink... If anything, they're a red-ish color, but I did tint the heck out of them
And to answer your question:
And to answer your question:
I've had mine wired up like that for a few years now and have never had an issue. There's a how-to for it here: CLICK ME03SXTGUY wrote:Also, has anyone wired the markers up to their turn signal, so it actually served a functionality? haha
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