Just bought my first car. Few questions.

[Adam_SXI]

Hi, I'm new here. I just bought my first car, and although I like the idea of modifying my car, I'm not going to lie. I have absolutely no idea about it at all, and I'm literally a complete newcomer to the whole thing.

I just bought a brand new astra sports hatch. It's only a 1.4, but I'm not really bothered.

It's in black and I'm just waiting on my license coming back to go pick it up.

Couple of things I just wanted to ask.
What size of wheels can you put on it before having to have the car's body modified, like wheel arches stretched and all that?
When i replace the stereo system with my own choice, i know its easy to replace the speakers and stick a new head unit and sub in it, but is it possible for the controls on the steering wheel to still control the non-stock stereo? and
When changing wheels, since my insurance company know ive got alloys anyway, will changing to bigger wheels change my price much? and what about tinting the windows?

Any helps or tips to do with the astra at all would be greatly appreciated.
I hope in a few years im on here with the car fully modded and giving advice to other folk, but im not going to pretend like i know things that i dont. haha.

cheers.

[Rob]

With it being your first car, insurance is going to murder you. The wheels are going to be the trickiest - a lot of places won't allow them so ask first. Some places are not bpthered by them but will only replace for standard alloys if anything happens.

Be very careful with tinting. Make sure you get a professional company to do it - if the police don't like it, you will be told to take it off.

If its a mk4 astra, the steering wheel controls will work on a good choice of makes of headunit. Sony, kenwood, alpine etc all do an interface for them, some even come with an interface to work the MFD (multi-function display)

Good luck. Oh, and welcome to MIG>

[Rob]

P.S. - get yourself into the Scottish forum....

http://www.migweb.co.uk/forums/vauxhall/scotland/

[Adam_SXI]

cheers man. ive got my insurance approved already man with the stock alloys on. its only costing me £1100. Thats why i stuck with the 1400. The 1.6 wouldve killed me insurance-wise, haha. Insurance is with MORETHAN.

I just want to get a different stereo and tint the windows really. But id probably want to change the wheels, exhaust and seats in time.

Ive taken a five-year deal to finance it, but I'll trade it in in three. What do those mods change about the resell value do you know?

cheers again.

[Rob]

It depends. If you keep the standard exhaust, wheels and stereo, the tints can be removed if needed too so if it does affect the resale value, you always have the option of removing them.

[Adam_SXI]

any decent things available to do with the lights? i dont mean lexus lights obviously though, haha.

[Tathan]

GSIs etc had red and black, rather than red, black and tango lights, 10x better if yours doesn't already have them.

If you do nice stuff (like tasteful wheels, v-less grille etc) then it won't affect resale, and will probably make it easier to sell if anything. If you fit neons, paint a giant orange dildo down the side and a couple of NOZ stickers, then... not so good.

You sound like you're going about it the right way so far though

A tip: standard stuff off higher models can look really good, tasteful and probably insurance friendly. Like 17s off a GSI or a Vectra for example, Irmscher back box looks pretty good and technically you don't have to tell the insurers as it was a factory option

[Rob]

^ talking from experience?! lmao

100% correct though. I assume its a mk5 astra? Have a search for 'HID kit' - its a xenon light upgrade that looks good.

[Tathan]

You should know by now that I don't actually leave the house, all my knowledge is made up and/or assimilated from Chip.

[Rob]

Ah, the alter ego.

[Adam_SXI]

I quite like that orange dildo idea actually. i might get the exhaust replaced with a hollowed out orange dildo to match, maybe even twin!

haha. cheers for the help though. i'll check out those lights.

whats everyones opinion on black 18s on the sports hatch?

[Tathan]

Obviously I meant 18s off a GSI earlier

Yeah, nice wheels,