Blue Ford at 9k

Last weekend my pretty little Blue Ford Focus passed 9,000 miles. I did my usual wash and wax touch ups, and since it was a good time to do so, changed the oil and got it inspected. Since it's a 2005 all they do is slap a new sticker in the windshield, essentially and collect $10. BTW: I put in about 4.5 - 5 quarts in at the last oil change, and took out more than four. That's pretty good. It is a new car, so I would hope the engine, especially the rings would be pretty tight. But manufacturers design the engines to allow for a little more blow-by to reduce the compression and make it more friendly to use the lower octanes. That's all crap to me. I find my cars run better consistently on higher octanes.

Since my last mention, I installed SVT pedals. Also a "dead pedal" was installed so I don't wear a spot out next to the clutch pedal where my foot comes to rest. Vitz Vent Shades are on the car now too. I can park the car in the heat of the day with a sunblocker in the windshield and the windows opened a couple inches all day and worry about the heat in the car or if rain can get it. However, yesterday I got in to find a Jersey mosquito the size of a hummingbird seated in the passenger seat.

I don't really have any plans for any other "improvements" for now. I would like to get a reasonably priced cold air induction system to allow the car to breath better which will yield better gas mileage and a couple extra horses. I won't touch the exhaust until after the warranty is up, not that I'm planning on disabling the cat or anything. I want it to run like stock, just with better breathing. No cams. No laughing gas. Nothing stupid.

I have found a sweet deal on tires and rims. Some guy had 17" SVT rims with ZR rated tires on the cheap. It's very tempting. They could be my fair weather tires and I can use my current ones for fall and winter.