For starters, I didn't really know what section to post this under. Was considering "what car" actually, since that was the other choice, but posting here nevertheless.
If you'd rather just help out and not waste time, you can skip the first 2 long winded rambling sections and go straight to the "Plan and What-tos" bit
Background: OHC1.3 (had looked around, drove the Ikon, Accent and decided to stretch the budget and go for this - lovvvved the way it revved and yet felt unstressed) bought in March 2001. 6 years, 2 kids, 50k kilometres and a bunch of scrapes and a couple of major dents later, the car has really aged, cosmetically i.e. People have asked about "why no change yet" but it seems too much of a loss to let her go. The market will pay nothing, and the engine has a lot left in it - feels as smooth as ever. Even the suspension's held up well tho the tyres feel tired and need to be retired.
Options/Decision: New car - big/small/van/diesel/petrol. Whichever way, means shelling out 3-5 more and more insurance costs etc. Limited runs - I use my bike a lot in the city, and the City for the highways - meant the extra paid for a diesel over my current car would never make sense (tho the Verna's driveability reports were mouth watering, and the Safari's space too). Being reasonably broke for the last 2 years, and doing some calculations quickly pointed to a makeover and a bunch of fixes to the current car being the wiser thing to do. It's still a good 90bhp, does a comfortable 120, is a fun car to drive, sounds awesome at 5500+ and fits the family just fine.
Plan and What-tos:- Paint job. She's a dark green, planning to shift to black. Would've loved red but I guess this is a cheaper option. Hoping the door,dash refits will also get the rattles fixed. Cost: 25-30k ?
- Tyres + Alloys : Tubeless ? Wider ? Lower Profile (like better handling, ok with a slightly stiffer ride) ? unsure. 14"ers ? Advice pls. Cost : 30k ?
- Audio: One of the front speakers went missing after a service - could never get that back. Also would want a CD player/changer. So probably need 2 speakers and the HU. Not a major audiophile but like my music - which varies from Simon/Garfunkel (yes i'm that old) to Gulzar stuff to Floyd to Def Leppard/Scorpions. Cost : 18-20k
- Spoiler. How expensive are these. Aftermarket ones survive ? Cost : 10k ??
- Windscreen - no major scratches, but a little fuzzy and lotsa small scratches. Buffing works ? Cost : 1.5k
- Seats : get faux-leather ones ? Recommendations ? Cost : 15k ?
- Bumpers : torn at a couple of places - need replacement. Cost : 15k
- Security system : used to have thorn - the remotes are dead though the rest of it is ok, I suspect. Worth changing ? Would like a remote boot release too. Suggestions ? Cost : 6k
- Misc : new headlamps, ?? Cost : 10k overall
Also, need suggestions on a good/affordable place to get all this stuff done. Honda svc places out because of the nature of work needed (primarily cosmetic) and their costs for the same. I have RAC koramangala in mind, but don't really know about alternatives.
Would love your take on costs for the above - I haven't really checked and this is based on what I've picked up on tbhp itself, as well as from friends. Not even sure if all of the above will happen at one shot - would like to spend not more than maybe 80-90k right away, and do the rest a little later. Would also like to know of what else you could suggest as part of the whole makeover. Did consider K&Ns but not convinced about their long term impact vs benefit so playing safe.
Waiting for inputs from this very informed community, and will post pix when work starts (probably in 2 weeks' time if the finances and choices work out).