2012 Kona 1 year review

Good Moring all, after about 6 months of searching I purchased a 2012 Premium GT with what ever package includes the seat heaters and back up sensors with the saddle interior. The car had about 20,000 when I purchased it. One year and 10,000 miles latter here is my review.

AWESOME car! I always wanted a 5.0 and my dream was realized about 20 years after I noticed the first 5.0 badge when I was 16. I kept the car stock for about 2 months and decided that 412 or 420 whatever you believe was more than enough and that I needed to focus on handling. The 5.0 is faster than my ex S5 and S4 but didn’t handle nearly as well. First mod were K springs, Koni yellows, GTt500 mounts, J&M pan hard bar, and eibach camber bolts.

WHAT a transformation with the adjustability of the Konis (don’t know why some don’t like them on here; I’ve used yellows on various projects over 20 years with ZERO issues). I was happy to see that these versions of yellows adjust from the top not the bottom of the rears like back in the day. With K springs and yellows you seriously have just about stock comfort at zero turns, to track day warrior full stiff. I don’t go full stiff in the rear because the yellows have too much rebound for the rear k springs, feels bouncy. Track days and summer driving set up is 2 full turns front, one turn rear.

My ford dealer couldn’t get the front end in spec with the camber bolts. The Nero’s didn’t seem to burn up any faster but it wasn’t in spec.

The first exterior mod was the CS/Boss front fascia, this is how ALL Gt 2010-2012 should come, a lot meaner, looks like a track rat, better when lowered.

A month ago I purchased Brembo Wheels (love the look) with tires that should last me until Spring. I am going to get the Michelin Super Sports.

Most recent mod were J&M Camber Plates, they rock. The alignment shop got me back into spec. Car handles great and bump steer is greatly reduced. Shouldn’t have an effect on that, but they did. I added a Ford strut tower brace that comes on all models with 19" wheels. I didn’t notice any difference in steering feel; these cars are already pretty stiff.

Future mods: need to get relocation brackets and control arms for the rear, steeda sway bars, and the boss/cs rear diffuser, than a shifter, maybe a blower. I don’t use a CC so this is a slow project, but it is a fun one!!