» Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder
» Wheels: Konig 18-inch Again 4 wheels with Nitto tires
» Performance: Eibach Sportline lowering springs, Stillen full cat-back exhaust, Stillen hi-flow intake
» Exterior: Stillen front lip, debadged, blacked-out taillights, 30 percent tint, 8000K HID headlights, matching fog lights, license plate illuminators, blacked-out grill, red brake calipers
In World War II, public service organizations regularly encouraged citizens in the United States to study the underbellies of planes so they could make identifications if perchance an enemy plane entered domestic airspace.
Had Stacey Acevero lived in that time, her ability to recognize cars may have well proved her to be an excellent spotter. At age 10, she confesses to being able to identify most cars on the road, and made a game out of naming vehicles at night with only their headlights and taillights to cut through the darkness.
By 18 years of age, Acevero was done making identifications and was ready to claim a car of her own. After debating between a Nissan Altima and Subaru STi, she eventually turned to a 2007 Nissan Sentra. Around the same time, Acevero became involved in modeling at car shows. Both opportunities became pivotal in her decision to take a rather ordinary car and make something unique on a shoestring budget.
The first decision was to transform the black Sentra to blackout status. She started by tinting the windows. The taillights were also tinted to replace the harsh factory red plastic. Since the ’07 Sentra already sports a stylish body, there was no need to spend an extra two grand on a body kit. By dropping the suspension a couple of inches, Acevero achieved a modified look on the stock body. New wheels opened up the bulky stock rim and revealed the brake drum behind. After a cold air intake was added, the engine was able to pull in more air from the outside while the aftermarket exhaust sends it chirping out the back.
Part of the problem for Acevero was finding product support for her vehicle. Despite its being a product of a large Japanese automaker, the lack of parts requires that many things have to be custom-built. And for a college student who is rubbing pennies together to make ends meet, that kind of financial toll is impractical.
Part of the problem for Acevero was finding product support for her vehicle. Despite its being a product of a large Japanese automaker, the lack of parts requires that many things have to be custom-built. And for a college student who is rubbing pennies together to make ends meet, that kind of financial toll is impractical.
On New Year’s Eve, all the hard work nearly became an insurance claim, when Acevero pulled up to a spot thinking the man collecting her keys was a legitimate valet. It turns out the imposter was stealing cars. Thanks to her anti-theft and tracking system, the car was eventually located hidden in an alleyway, waiting to be transported away, and best of all, untouched and in perfect condition.
These days both car and driver continue to make successful strides. Acevero recently won the title of Enjuku girl of the year for 2009, and she continues to find new ways to trick out her ride.
What do you drive? A 2007 Nissan Sentra.
What makes this car so special? Nothing really. It is just a regular Sentra with some modifications. But it is special to me because I did everything to it myself and treat it like my child.
What is your most memorable driving experience? When I first bought the car, a few weeks later I took it on its first road trip to Ocean City. It was the most fantastic drive of my life!
What was the first vehicle you owned? A 2002 Suzuki Aerio. It was green and looked like a Sprite can.
What music are you currently listening to in your vehicle? Godsmack.
And your first ticket? What was it for? Speeding. Doing 100 mph on Route 50. Ouch!
