de-base model-ing 1996 aspire

[Andrew]

Okay kids... 96 Aspire base model

So far, I've added:

Cargo light
Radio (cd player with Sirius in fact)
Fog Lights
Heated Back Glass

My car was originally a base model.

What else am I missing? Air conditioning might be something to think about later as I've seen the kits for it... Is ABS add-able?

Which brings me to my next point, on a wrecked Aspire I saw a little white plastic box with a circuit board inside, it was attached to a factory looking harness. I couldn't tell much from the car, but could that have possibly been an ABS controller? It was in the driver side near the floor by the door jamb. I think I broke the plastic thing trying to open it but I could fab up a new one. I wish I knew what it was, I might pop over to pick-n-pull to grab it anyway.

I've got an SE instrument panel that I'm going to put in. I have a clock spring with the combo switches that has a position for the INT wipers... I really did want a rear hatch with the wiper and spoiler, but to be honest I've never seen an aspire with the wiper, ever in my life. I've only seen one with a spoiler and it was white, so my chances of getting hold of one of those are about nil.

I'd like to eventually remove the various dents and dings and replace the rear right quarter panel that i trashed in my accident, and the bumper covers are both shot.

Eventually a new metallic red paint job. Body kit maybe if I can ever get my hands on one or learn enough about fiberglassing.

Maybe, someday once I get another car as my daily driver I'll try a b6 swap

I'm working on the ram air thing.

Is there anything else?

[ericsmith32]

Hmm I know they have a options list for the Festiva but I don't think there's one for the aspire. I never seen an aspire with a rear wiper also, but somewhere they must of had one. Anybody bored enough to make the list??

[ericsmith32]

ABS wouldn't be easy to add, probably not worth it. I was looking at the Australia side of ebay and a couple of aspires, or festivas as they call em, that had rear wipers

[aithanmier]

the only aspires that came with rear wipers were the sport model. prolly why you have never seen one. try http://www.car-part.com they have a few of em listed.

[Safety Guy]

Andrew, FYI I have all four years of Aspire brochures, plus an "accessories" brochure.

What are you doing Saturday morning? Send me a PM or email.

Karl

[krustyguitar]

Options

I think i have pretty good options on my car, performance wise. Rear wiper & defrost, INT front wipers, the nice seats and its a 4 door. NO AC or PS. and its a 5 speed.

[Andrew]

Re: Options

I think i have pretty good options on my car, performance wise. Rear wiper & defrost, INT front wipers, the nice seats and its a 4 door. NO AC or PS. and its a 5 speed.

aw lucky. I have my rear defog in now (thanks to safelite) but not the wiper.

Any idea how the int works? Is it just a matter of having the switch or do I need to add a relay or something?

Also how does your rear wiper work? Are the controls on the stalk? I still really would like to get a hatch with the wiper but I think it would be a rather difficult thing to rig up.

[krustyguitar]

Rear Wiper

Yeah the rear wiper controls are on the stalk, I didn't realize that my car was so special.

[PaulLehr]

If I remember right the SE and maybe some other models had factory fog lights. You could try to dig up a set of factory alloy wheels as well

[aithanmier]

yours is on the stalk? i'v only seen the rear wiper control on the dash panel next to the rear defrost button.

[festivaWES]

aw lucky. I have my rear defog in now (thanks to safelite) but not the wiper

Yeah leave it to safelite to order the wrong part lmao.....what a bunch of clowns

[Safety Guy]

I have an Aspire rear wiper assembly, but to mount it you need special hatch glass with a hole in place. The wiper mounts directly to the glass.

Special glass needed for the rear spoiler, too. I just found an SE with the special glass, but no rear window defrost or wiper mount hole on it!

Arrrggghhhh!

I have an Aspire rear spoiler for sale, but I don't think it will sell unless I find someone with a broken spoiler, someone who wants an extra one, or I find a decent hatch to mount mine on (I'd want RWD and preferably, the wiper mount hole).

Karl

[aithanmier]

isn't the rear window tempered? if so don't even attempt to drill it, you'll just shatter the whole thing as soon as the drill breaks the surface. maybe just ordering a new read window would be the best bet

[darkdan]

isn't the rear window tempered? if so don't even attempt to drill it, you'll just shatter the whole thing as soon as the drill breaks the surface. maybe just ordering a new read window would be the best bet

Almost all windows on a car are tempered.

The windshields aren't. They're laminated annealed safety glass. Nowadays, some high end cars are getting laminated side and rear windows, but otherwise, all tempered.

[occupant]

Let's see...Aspire accessories and options...you'll want a tach cluster from an SE...remote trunk release cable and lever...fog lights...alloy wheels...hatch with the defogger and rear wiper and spoiler...

I guess you're about halfway there...