Just got my first car -1999 Eclipse RS

[DoctorSwole]

Alright guys so I recently got my 1st car its a 1999 Eclipse GS. I have a few modifications in mind but one that I was wondering about was changing the spoiler. Do you know if your able to remove the spoiler on this car? Because it doesn't seem like you can? Need the edges it is like molded and I wasn't sure.
Would I be able to remove it and put a spoiler like this one on?



Also if you can throw me a quick estimate how much do you think a total repaint of the car would cost (different color)?

[nova1313]

you can remove the spoiler. Check under the hatch, you may have to remove some plastic. 6 bolts there maybe.. and then with the patch up you should see screws on the sides of the two side spoiler pices. remove them and pull up on the pieces. The snap rivits should come out. It will have 2 brackets then that you unscrew and remove.

Paint it depends on where you go. I did my own car for about 150 total, with no previous experience. but if you want a professional job find a good shop. You can get a cheap maaco job for around 300, if you want a clear coat look upwards of 1000 even at maaco. At a body shop it may run you about 3 grand. Maaco will give you a discount if you remove all the trim pieces yourself also. So if you can remove everything and tow it there for like 50 bucks you save alot. I recommend any body shop over maaco but if you want to save some cash maaco is the way to go.


oh yes almost forgot congrats.

[david-b]

Nice clean looking car. Is it auto or stick? How many miles?

Spoiler is exactly the same as stated above. I changed my Talon spoiler easily. Make sure the holes get filled in good enough though. I've had 2 fall through and then it leaks.

[DoctorSwole]

Cool thanks a bunch guys. Its a manual ( a pretty fun experience learning to drive it and I really enjoy it now). It has 90k miles and I have a 1000 watt amp and two 18 inch subwoofers in the trunk. I got it for 4500. Everything works well no major flaws. Yeah I'm not sure, I'm not very familiar with Maaco but I'm guessing theyre just a lower quality nation wide body shop? Maybe I'll just keep the same color I have, and paint the parts I get that color. That would be alot cheaper right?

[david-b]

Yeah it will. MAACO sucks. My dad knows someone that took their car there and they didn't even wash it before they painted it. They painted over bird crap. Weird, I know.

Just keep it the same color. I bought my car stick not knowing how to drive stick, and it was so much fun learning how to on this car. So I hear where you're coming from with that. Very exciting little car to drive. The few people besides me to drive mine fell in love instantly, and one is looking to buy one right now.

Just a heads up, if you post questions about wanting to go faster, everyone here will say go turbo. I don't know what your plans are for the car, but I'm like the anti-turbo guy here. LOL. Just a heads up that they will give a hard time sometimes for being N/A.

[DoctorSwole]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna keep it w/o a turbo for insurance cost reasons. I'm 16 and I'm sure it'd be even worse. I plan on doing whatever else I can tho. When I get more experienced and older I'm definately planning on upgrading to a faster car. But yeah I'll stay away from Maaco haha. I'm kind of undecided whether I should keep the stock lights? I'm going to have the center piece of the tail lights painted, Altezzas would prob look good but I'm not sure they are everywhere haha.

[nova1313]

yeah davids the outcast... haha I'm j/k. Their is nothing wrong with n/a cars. I drove one for a while. I also learned stick on my first eclipse. It was an experience. You should love the car..

[gsxeclipse97]

congrats my second car was a rs but it was killed by a buick. looks good i removed the spoiler on my but the ones that are on the side are a bitch to get off so good luck with that man\

currently getting 6-bolt built for car

[Thor06]

I like that color.

Maaco can be ok, just do your own prep work. Thats why they are so cheap, the skimp uber hardcore on that. When (if) I get around to painting my Talon, it'll be done by Maaco with my own prep work. I have heard plenty of horror stories, but I know a plenty of people that are satisfied too.

[gthompson97]

IMO, I would NEVER get a MAACO painjob, even if you do prep it yourself, the paint is a low quality paint that may look nice out of the shop, but will chip, fade, and crack over time. If you want to get a decent paintjob, just get some quotes from different bodyshops in your area, then just suck it up and pay their price. You'll definitely be kicking yourself down the road if you get a MAACO job. Plus then if you want to repaint it, you can't just paint over top of that shit, it has to be sanded all down. Just my

[DragonofBC]

I had an 87 Olds that I got fully painted at Maaco. Before I got it painted, it looked like crap because it basically spent it's whole life out in the sun. The paint job ($700) lasted 2 years and then it was as if it had never been done. I say thumbs down to that.

Congrats on the new car. That's a sweet first car to start with.

[DoctorSwole]

haha thanks for the advice guys. I'm kind of thinking of just improving my driving skills on this and just saving up my money for a nicer ride when I get the money. Like maybe an older Lancer Evo or a 3000GT VR4 or soemthing.

[shibbiy]

Congrats on your first, and new car 8) I myself got mine 2 month ago. I suggest switching those rims asap though.

[cavyboy23]

Nice ride bro yah i learned stick on my talon tsi AWD that was fun hah.

[Talon69]

i did not read all the threads but do not put that wing on your car in that picture of the white one!!!!!!!!! Its fuckin ugly!!! Get a turbo wing and you will love it