The Memorable First Car (Part One)

Getting the keys to your very first car, especially after obtaining your driving license, is a very exciting and unforgettable experience for many I believe. Thoughts be running through your mind at that particular moment: for the average motorists, the keys to the car signify one's new-found freedom; for the motoring and motorsports enthusiasts, you will probably be thinking of two things in mind, speed and modification. No longer having to contend with the long wait for the crowded bus or waiting by the roadside for the cab only to see it being taken by the inconsiderate passenger in front of you, your first car has probably taken you to places you have always wanted to visit but has never done so due to the hassle and inconvenience of the public transport.

I have first taken ownership of my first car back in 2006, a humble blue Toyota Vios whose jobscope was to ferry family members and friends from Point A to B. Being the motoring nuts I was, I wasn't contend to having this car fulfil its factory-default jobscope. This was definitely the first forray in the world of car modification. Being the so-called noob with plenty of enthusiasm and none of the knowledge, I was led on by the colorful advertisements found on car magazines on products that would increase torque, horsepower and lower fuel consumption. How naive I was to have even co-relate increment in power and drop in fuel efficiency! Well 4 years down the road I am still seeing first-time car owners being led on by this grayish co-relation.

The first modification to made to my humble car is that of the Simota Air Charger which replaces the original stock airbox and promises increase in engine response. I was most certainly looking forward to hearing my car sounds different, those kind of vroom vroom sound from the sports car (thinking back now I do feel darn stupid). The product certainly does not change the way the car sounded, and increment in performance was slight but what I was looking for. The only consolation was that the product added a tinge of outlook sophiscation with its carbon-fibre body!

Not contended with this noiseless upgrade, I searched the internet and forum in search of a sound producing device. My search led to me the Simota Aerofoam upgrade, an intake system that promises improvement to the car's high-end power and aural orchestry. Upon the initial installation, the 'helicopter' intake sound does add a more resounding dimension to the car. However over the next few months I just could not bear the extensive loss of the car's low-end and decided to look into my next project for the car! After two unsatisfactory 'upgrades', I have decided - it may be better for me to look towards the Land of the Rising Sun, the birth place of famous car tuners brand such as Blitz, HKS, Greddy and Apexi. From the infamous mushroom design from HKS to the polished steel intake of the Blitz Suspower, I have tried it all. My preference, judging from the physical outlook of each, I am definitely in favor of the HKS Super Power Flow mushroom intake!