New Guy From West Virginia

Hey guys,

I'm Ben/TheBetterMethod.  I live in WV and go to college in Ohio, getting degrees in Automotive Tech., and Diesel Truck Systems.  My car is a 1999 Toyota Solara.  I know it isn't a true VIP car, and I don't try to pretend it is.  I have been modding my car for a few years, but never really did major (expensive) stuff.  I'm lowered on Eibach springs and Tokico struts, but want K Sport COs in the future.  Until recently I've been mainly focussing on trying to go faster.  However I have come to the conclusion that I don't need to go fast and I could spend money on things that would make the car look better instead.  That's why I'm here.  I love the VIP look, the fitment and attention to detail especially.  I'm going to take ideas from the cars and guys on here and see if I can come up with something of my own.  Also, I do all the work to my car myself...minus some body work.

I'm also a frequent user of the site solaraguy.com  If there are any of you that are past or current members here, a special Hello to you.

Glad to be here,

Ben, TheBetterMethod

Welcome to the boards ..pick and plans please !

Hey King Pin, thanks for the welcome.

I know it's not much in these pics, but they'll have to do for now I guess.  This pic is from the beginning of last summer.  The car looks a lot different now.  The 4x4 gap is gone for the most part and I have a set of 18s now.  No VIP fitment yet, but one day it'll be there.  I've blacked out the front lights and the tails, not completely black, just dark enough that I like it.  I plan to get a TRD lip kit this summer and a repaint sometime.  Window tint will be before the paint.  I will replace the entire exhaust so it looks nice out back, and isn't rusty underneath.  Also a drop on some K Sports, perhaps some air.  I like the idea of being able to ride on air, switches would be helpful here.  Then on to the interior, I'll do a suede and leather combo with nice clean look and maybe change from tan to black.  That is a couple years off probably.  

As far as fitment goes, the factory wheels are a joke, but the rear has plenty of room for a decent offset and width.  The front is almost flush with the 18s I've already got.  The reason for no updated pics is due to my photographer (brother Steven) is away at the University and only come in every few weeks.  I got the wheels last Oct.-Nov. so they were only on for a week and a half before I removed them to avoid snow.  They'll probably be back on in a couple weeks.  The car has to go to the body shop soon.

Anyway this post is kinda long so, I'll stop now.  Please feel free to give your input.  Any and all opinions you have are more than welcome.

Do you think it could be a high-class ride? Here are the pictures:


[IMG]http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/BlackSandBen/P1090564.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss302/BlackSandBen/P1090566.jpg[/IMG]

Welcome to the site. Im originally from Charles Town WV. Anyway the car has some potential you just need to apply the VIP styling to it. Good luck with your modds.

Thanks Chancellor for the welcome.  I think there is some hidden potential for this car.  I really like it so I'm gonna hang on to it for a long time regardless.  I know it can be done.  Hopefully it won't take me forever to source parts.  I'll try to get recent pics up in the next week or two.  It's cool that you are originally from WV too.  I was surprised at how many guys from the east are on this site.