Essential Motoring 101

Here’s a story of my first love when I got my first job as a salesperson in a company in Puchong. Since I stay in Cheras, travelling daily on bike to Puchong would break my back and numb the balls. I used to own a Suzuki VS125 scooter back in highschool and had sold it in 2003 when I got the job. It sure did served me well since 1996, when I was in Form 4.

I needed a car that was spacious, cheap and used. Not that I have huge cargos to carry but simply about the love for roomy cabins. Back in uni, I had already been drooling at the Nissan AD Resort stationwagon appeared in a local magazine called Kereta. This particular wagon had its suspension system modified to hop and dance! With randy colours and the neat interiors, I fell head over heels at the car.

In December 2003, I quickly grabbed a used unit from a car dealer in Cheras and the rest, as they say, was history.

My special edition Nissan AD Resort in full regalia

The initial look of the car was very standard and in pristine condition. Nothing much need to be replaced except for the tyres. Everything else was stock and in good running condition.

Virgin when I first got my first wife

Pretty neat engine bay on this one

Even the cockpit was untouched

Unfortunately, in the first year of ownership, I got involved in 5 accidents. Yes, five in total. I kissed the butt of a Kenari on the first time and the rest of it was a victim of being banged. Two pick-up trucks smacked the front fenders on both sides by the same make of truck - the Mitsubishi Storm L200! The mishaps happened few months apart.

The other incident of being victimised was in KLCC parking lot. Some bloke didn’t see me at the front, gave me the bump at the rear side, dented my bumper to look like John Travolta’s chin. Now, that does it! I did some prayers for the car and did some ’spiritual cleansing’ there onwards. The ‘protective’ effect lasted until the day I sold my baby.

Big spoilers and huge rims with huge donuts

It took about 2 years after only I managed to gather the funds to do a total make-over on the wagon. I wanted something clean and bright. Styling-wise, I wasn’t into sporty looks but more like the car of an executive, stylish yet sophisticated.

Modification started with a supersized Shonan spoiler sourced from Japan, and modified the rear bumper and added skirtings at the sides, which were made of high-grade fibre custom-made for Nissan Wingroad (not found in Malaysia).

The beginning of its maturity. The bumper was retrofitted

No intentions of doing an engine conversion as the stock GA16DS engine was as good as the ones in our Genting taxis. I never had problems every time I took the car for hill climbing at Genting. The engine was very, very quiet and smooth even with 5 adults in the car! Now I see why those Genting taxis, the Nissan Sentra B13s, were the preferred choice to dominate the hills of the late Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong.

After everything was done. What do you think of my masterpiece?

To date, the stationwagon had been to Penang, Johor Bahru but most of the time in the  Klang Valley.

One of its kind in Malaysia. No, it’s not a Subaru Forester wannabe!

 

Side profile was a head-turner too

 

Proud member of the wagonists club

I also joined a wagon enthusiasts group called ADC Motorsport. Started since 7 years ago, the club had a membership of over 50 owners throughout Malaysia. It was always a hair-raising endeavour whenever we form a convoy and drive along the roads and highways. Other road users would gawk at our cars and the feeling was indescribable but it was like under the limelight all the time.

Most of the members modify their cars be it internally or externally and that’s where I get my inspirations to NOT follow what they had done. I’m a bit kiasu too but it wont hurt to squeeze some creativity juices for my own car, right?

Smoked shelters to deflect wind and shades the sun too

Standard metering but check out the high mileage on this baby

Another rare item - antenna on the fender. Note the lighted Sentra N16 signal lamp.

In 2006, I got a set of 16 inches alloy rims at quite a bargain from a forumer in Zerotohundred. Coloured in white, these rims were quite robust and easy to clean. The low profile tyres gave good grip at corners as the body of the car was prone to rolls.

Here are some external modifications done on the car, before giving it a new coat of paint:

• Front grill of a Sentra wagon from Japan
• Side skirts and rear bumper made of tough fibre, retrofitted
• Crystal signals lamps on fenders courtesy of Nissan Sentra N16
• Perodua MYVI alloy rims
• Big window visors courtesy of Y10 Japan
• Fender-mounted FM electric telescopic antenna
• Illuminated front number plate
• Front bumper courtesy of Nissan Sentra B13 with in-built fog lights
• Honda Stream rear window wiper
• Front bumper lips from Proton Wira SE
• Added power steering

Chromed engine head cover and some cosmetics

 

Cavernous: Aaaaaaaahhh~~ :O

 

A photo before the parting *sniff*

I sold the car because it was too costly for me to upkeep. Maintenance can be quite frequent as it gets older. The feeling of regret strikes occasionally because the car was easy to maintain (parts were easily available). My hands would feel the ‘itch’ as I dont have a car to fiddle anymore.
I put it up for sale at Nissan Motorsport Club forum and Zerotohundred forums. A bloke from Raub responded, paid cash and took it in no time Please take a peek at the car for me when you stumble upon it in Pahang or Kelantan.

It will remain in my memory forever. Thank you for your service!