What is the most amazing thing I saw at the auto show?  Crank windows in a 2008 model.  Specifically, in a 2008 Toyota Yaris.

Well, it was 19° and snowy outside, I just bought some WRX wagon springs, so why not install them? The rear of the Impreza was sagging form the skid plate, receiver hitch and rack. The two options I had were to raise the rear with Forester springs or lower the front with WRX springs. So, I found some WRX wagon springs for $60:

The stock Outback Sport spring is the dirty one.

Stock springs

No springs

WRX front and Outback Sport rear springs — The result was about a 1/2″ drop in the front. While not a big change, the ride height is much improved. Not bad for $60, huh?*

*- Plus $11.99 for a spring compressor from Harbor Freight.

What do I like buying more than bike parts?  Tires.  The Accord, having reached 40,000 miles and four year of age, just got some new tires.  I decided to go with some Bridgestone Potenza G009 H-rated pseudo-performance tires.  Surprisingly, I found these tires cheaper in town than from Tirerack.  Mr. Tire, with a buy three and get one free special (can’t we just call it 25% off???), was open today and had the correct size in stock.

You get what you pay for.  Mr. Tire installed the tires without damaging anything, but left a lot to be desired.  First, the tech didn’t torque the lug nuts to the correct (or even consistent) torque.   I loosened and re-torqued the lug nuts when I got home.  No big deal, but improperly torqued lug nuts could have warped the brake rotors (especially on Hondas with paper-thin vented rotors).  Second, the tires were under inflated.  I checked the pressures hot, and all four tires were 3-4 psi under the recommend cold inflation pressures.  75¢ at the gas station fixed that, but it was annoying, and not to mention unsafe.  If you care, I’ve been keeping the tires inflated to 40/38 psi (F/R) instead of the 32/30 psi recommended pressures.  Third problem:  The salesman charged me $65 for road hazard coverage that I didn’t want or ask for.  I got my money back for that one.   On the bright side, the free coffee was acceptable and the couch in the waiting room was comfortable.  Nevertheless, I think I’ll look elsewhere the next time I need tires.

I cross-shopped the Bridgestone G009s and the Yokohama Avid V4/H4s.  Ultimately, I chose the G009s because in the 205/60R16 size they have a 1″ wider tread than the Yokohamas.  Normally this wouldn’t be an issue, but the Accord had serious traction problems putting 240hp through the relatively skinny Michelins.  I considered 225/55R16 tires, but that is probably overkill.  The G009s seem to perform well, and are an improvement over the well worn OE Michelin MXV4s.  Having only put 15 miles on the tires, I cannot comment too much, but I think they will work out fine.  Now to kill the crappy RE92s on the Subaru…