Evox787
Senior Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I’m starting this after owning my car since July 2024, and I think I’ve been on this forum ever since. A little backstory: I’ve always been a Honda/Toyota guy since I started driving—those are the two brands I’ve always owned. Like most car enthusiasts, I’ve had my list of dream cars: the R33 GTR, Lancer Evolution, Honda S660, and so on. My ultimate dream car would be a Porsche GT4 RS, but like a lot of things in life, that feels out of reach.
Over the years, I’ve owned some fun cars. My last pride and joy was a Lancer Evolution X, which in my opinion is the best one in terms of comfort and tunability. I really wanted an R33 GTR, but then I learned about the 25-year import rule. When the R32s started hitting the U.S. market, they were already $50k and up. I knew that meant the R33 would be even more expensive. I found a couple in Japan, but I didn’t understand the import process or paperwork back then, so I gave up. When they finally became legal here, the prices jumped to $80k and above—it felt like a stab to the heart.
I kept enjoying my Evo until the transfer case blew. At the time, I had just bought a house and my first kid was born, so I couldn’t afford to fix it. I parked it in the garage, telling myself I’d get to it later. Three years passed, and eventually, I sold it. I was mad at myself and sad because I kept putting it off—but family came first.
Being a car guy, I couldn’t stay away forever. I started looking for something to replace my Evo but couldn’t make a decision—that’s a problem I always have
. I told myself I’d go back to Honda and started hunting for an FK8, especially the 2017 Aegean Blue. The problem was, they were hard to find unless I traveled out of state, and I couldn’t just drop everything to do that. Then 2020 hit, the “end of the world” , and prices got crazy again. I gave up on my car dreams for a while.
When the new model was announced, I liked it a lot, but my heart was still with the FK8. Then, like all married folks hear eventually, I got the little voice: “If you’re going to get another car, it has to be brand new. I’ll be really mad if you buy used.” So I waited, and eventually, I found an FL5 Rally Red just an hour from me. I contacted the dealer, but they were shady about the price. I went anyway, and the salesman hit me with a $15k markup. I was so frustrated and started regretting ever selling my Evo.
I kept looking and finally found the car I own now. I didn’t pay a markup, but I did pay $2k for window tint, plastic floor mats, and a wheel lock. I bought it anyway because my son loves blue—so that’s how I ended up with my FL5. The dealership experience was awful, from sales to service.
I have strong opinions on mods and prices. I can’t justify paying crazy amounts for some parts. Instead, I focus on maintenance every 5k miles with Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20 and a 002 oil filter. So far, it’s worked fine.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Spoon Sports magnetic drain plug, oil cap, and radiator cap
Brake reservoir sock
PRL coolant reservoir
Acuity shifter cable bushings and reverse flow coolant hoses
Verus Engineering master cylinder brace and AOS with the coolant add-on
Seatbelt protector, rear air vents, Honda first aid kit, JDM flare
OEM back seat protector, FK8 VTEC Turbo decal, Alplus aero guard
OEM rear window curtain, Accord rearview mirror with HomeLink
Amazon special front lip
Rear motor mount insert (Powerflex Yellow)
Unlocked ECU with Hondata
I’ve daily-driven the car to 30k miles with zero issues so far, doing about 600 miles a week. I don’t feel the suspension is harsh, especially in Comfort mode, and the other modes are fantastic for the roads where I live.
Future plans:
H&R lowering springs
Hybrid Racing or Revel USA (Tanabe) parts
A few carbon fiber pieces (back burner for now)
Spoon drop-in filter (thanks @Clark_Kent!)
Custom tune from Jester’s—whatever horsepower it makes will be plenty for my grocery runs and school drop-offs
Wheels: ideally CE28 19”, but I might go with Gramlights 57CR or 57DR
For now, I’m just enjoying the car like I always wanted.
Sorry for the long rant/nagging, but I just wanted to share my experience!.
Over the years, I’ve owned some fun cars. My last pride and joy was a Lancer Evolution X, which in my opinion is the best one in terms of comfort and tunability. I really wanted an R33 GTR, but then I learned about the 25-year import rule. When the R32s started hitting the U.S. market, they were already $50k and up. I knew that meant the R33 would be even more expensive. I found a couple in Japan, but I didn’t understand the import process or paperwork back then, so I gave up. When they finally became legal here, the prices jumped to $80k and above—it felt like a stab to the heart.
I kept enjoying my Evo until the transfer case blew. At the time, I had just bought a house and my first kid was born, so I couldn’t afford to fix it. I parked it in the garage, telling myself I’d get to it later. Three years passed, and eventually, I sold it. I was mad at myself and sad because I kept putting it off—but family came first.
Being a car guy, I couldn’t stay away forever. I started looking for something to replace my Evo but couldn’t make a decision—that’s a problem I always have
. I told myself I’d go back to Honda and started hunting for an FK8, especially the 2017 Aegean Blue. The problem was, they were hard to find unless I traveled out of state, and I couldn’t just drop everything to do that. Then 2020 hit, the “end of the world” , and prices got crazy again. I gave up on my car dreams for a while.When the new model was announced, I liked it a lot, but my heart was still with the FK8. Then, like all married folks hear eventually, I got the little voice: “If you’re going to get another car, it has to be brand new. I’ll be really mad if you buy used.” So I waited, and eventually, I found an FL5 Rally Red just an hour from me. I contacted the dealer, but they were shady about the price. I went anyway, and the salesman hit me with a $15k markup. I was so frustrated and started regretting ever selling my Evo.
I kept looking and finally found the car I own now. I didn’t pay a markup, but I did pay $2k for window tint, plastic floor mats, and a wheel lock. I bought it anyway because my son loves blue—so that’s how I ended up with my FL5. The dealership experience was awful, from sales to service.
I have strong opinions on mods and prices. I can’t justify paying crazy amounts for some parts. Instead, I focus on maintenance every 5k miles with Amsoil Signature Series 5W-20 and a 002 oil filter. So far, it’s worked fine.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
Spoon Sports magnetic drain plug, oil cap, and radiator cap
Brake reservoir sock
PRL coolant reservoir
Acuity shifter cable bushings and reverse flow coolant hoses
Verus Engineering master cylinder brace and AOS with the coolant add-on
Seatbelt protector, rear air vents, Honda first aid kit, JDM flare
OEM back seat protector, FK8 VTEC Turbo decal, Alplus aero guard
OEM rear window curtain, Accord rearview mirror with HomeLink
Amazon special front lip
Rear motor mount insert (Powerflex Yellow)
Unlocked ECU with Hondata
I’ve daily-driven the car to 30k miles with zero issues so far, doing about 600 miles a week. I don’t feel the suspension is harsh, especially in Comfort mode, and the other modes are fantastic for the roads where I live.
Future plans:
H&R lowering springs
Hybrid Racing or Revel USA (Tanabe) parts
A few carbon fiber pieces (back burner for now)
Spoon drop-in filter (thanks @Clark_Kent!)
Custom tune from Jester’s—whatever horsepower it makes will be plenty for my grocery runs and school drop-offs
Wheels: ideally CE28 19”, but I might go with Gramlights 57CR or 57DR
For now, I’m just enjoying the car like I always wanted.
Sorry for the long rant/nagging
, but I just wanted to share my experience!.
!
