Modding a car... Basics?

[Hitman47]

Can anyone point me out the basics to know to mod a car, so that it looks "gorgeous" and/or its enging makes "scary " noises?

Also to keep it in good shape, to you just need to wash it, change oil once a month, and put in good gasoline?

[badatusrnames]

Start with the right car...

[torob]

In other words, you just bought a car ... and you're wondering where to start off to change things to make it faster and look/sound better

What parts should be done first -- what parts matter... make it look better etc.

[Hitman47]

Originally posted by torob
In other words, you just bought a car ... and you're wondering where to start off to change things to make it faster and look/sound better

What parts should be done first -- what parts matter... make it look better etc.

Exactly , and add to that "where to mod it" and "how expensive it is"

[Redlyne_mr2]

Check out the garage section on this forum for build ideas.

[Ukyo8]

Answers will vary greatly depending on what you got.

what did you end up buying?

[gretz]

Originally posted by Hitman47


Exactly , and add to that "where to mod it" and "how expensive it is"

What car and whats your budget?

Answer these and it will be easier for Beyond to start a debate on what you should do lol...

[Hitman47]

Ok thanx guys.

I bought a Civic. I thought mods did not depend too much on the car. (Like if I wanna buy a hood wing, I can install it in any car I want right?)

And my budget is not too high. Like I could spend MAX a couple of grands on it.

[benyl]

Leaving it stock is the ultimate mod.

Add gas, change fluids and replace tires as needed.

[bubbley]

get rims and drop it...done deal!

[Graham_A_M]

^ Dont go stupid modding your car, since you can generally expect to get 20cents on the dollar for everything you invest on it. I bought a car with $20k invested in it for $6k. Thing is, that car without mods would have sold for $3k.

Mod the car to your taste, but keep the money in your back pocket. Keep in mind; the more you mod the car: the smaller the demographic would be of people that would want to buy it if you ever sold it. Not as many people would want a Civic with a $10k stereo, a full Gucci interior redo and a sparkling puke orange paintjob as would somebody that just wants a nice clean civic that was taken care of.
Specialty cars are very hard to sell, so always keep that in mind.

EDIT: And please, do NOT buy a hood wing for your car, or a wing in any fashion. No they do not help your car in anyway, since its a FWD. Adding downforce to the rear wheels is asinine. It looks even worse too.

Rims are transferable, and you can always sell the lowering springs if you want, as they're easy to remove. Just buy some sharp looking wheels, lower it and call it a day. Total cost? $1200 difference in handling and feel? surreal.

[Mitsu3000gt]

I wouldn't recommend putting any money at all into a civic beyond regular maintenance unless you just get some subtle, tasteful, visual modifications like a clean set of rims or something. You aren't likely to see much money back for any additions you make to your car.

[sexualbanana]

- Look at car magazines to see what you like and what you don't like. Keep in mind, a lot of those cars are made for a single purpose, while you will more than likely be driving your car everyday in all kinds of conditions and terrain. 3" front clearance might look awesome, but it makes it hell to get around anywhere without cringing.

- Pricing is just a matter of meeting people and seeing what they're experiences are with certain suppliers. For the most part, it's buyer beware. Don't expect the price one person paid for a service to be the same for you, prices can be different for different people.

- Think about what's important for you. If you like music and audio, then go that route. There's plenty of resources to help you on that. If you want purely aesthetics, then that's fine too. Don't let asshats like us convince you that looks aren't important. And if it's performance, that's perfectly okay too.

- Realize that there's tradeoff whenever you decide to modify something. Audio usually makes you a prime target for theft. Body work can ruin your ride quality and also means you should be more careful about speed bumps, curbs, pothole, etc. Performance usually means you give up a little on reliability.

[Hitman47]

Originally posted by sexualbanana
- Look at car magazines to see what you like and what you don't like. Keep in mind, a lot of those cars are made for a single purpose, while you will more than likely be driving your car everyday in all kinds of conditions and terrain. 3" front clearance might look awesome, but it makes it hell to get around anywhere without cringing.

- Pricing is just a matter of meeting people and seeing what they're experiences are with certain suppliers. For the most part, it's buyer beware. Don't expect the price one person paid for a service to be the same for you, prices can be different for different people.

- Think about what's important for you. If you like music and audio, then go that route. There's plenty of resources to help you on that. If you want purely aesthetics, then that's fine too. Don't let asshats like us convince you that looks aren't important. And if it's performance, that's perfectly okay too.

- Realize that there's tradeoff whenever you decide to modify something. Audio usually makes you a prime target for theft. Body work can ruin your ride quality and also means you should be more careful about speed bumps, curbs, pothole, etc. Performance usually means you give up a little on reliability.

Very nice answer : ).

Am I a shallow person for wanting a car which looks good.
Say like this one?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ207923512

[bubbley]

Originally posted by Hitman47


Very nice answer : ).

Am I a shallow person for wanting a car which looks good.
Say like this one?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ207923512

You must be a young buck..develop a taste first before ricifing your vehicle...remember the phrase 'keep it clean'... also you shallow mofo! jk

[nightfx]

Originally posted by Hitman47


Very nice answer : ).

Am I a shallow person for wanting a car which looks good.
Say like this one?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ207923512

I'd say you're not very shallow at all if you don't mind being seen with that.

[stealth1313]

Originally posted by Hitman47


Very nice answer : ).

Am I a stupid person for wanting a car which looks gay?
Say like this one?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ207923512

fixed

[Skyline_Addict]

Ask yourself what you want out of the car, and what you want out of your money. Use that as an avenue to make compromises (because 99% of us can't afford to do everything we want to our cars, atleast all at once), but never cheap out on things.

Do your research. Get the most out of your money, both intangibly and tangibly. This means taking into consideration how much you'll enjoy your new add-ons and even how much you may get back for them if you choose to sell.

Bolt-on moddifications for a market as saturated as yours is probably a good thing. Selection will be abundant and will be generally easy to sell on the used market. With that being said, look at the used market for options. For my s2000, I've managed to aquire a good quantity of very high quality parts, at the savings that you get from buying used. No used part is perfect, but take your pick of the litter of many parts floating around for the Civic, and you should find a good deal.

My last suggestion is to modify your car slowly, and in phases. This gives you more time to research and get a feel for where you want your car to go. One part at a time. For example you may buy an invader body kit, altezzas, whale-fin wing all at once, and decide you do not like the whole look of your car. Alternatively, if you just got the altezzas first....then realized that maybe you made the wrong choice, then you're not as deep in the hole.

[ryansteg]

1. Canadian Tire offers a great selection of goodies.
2. Stickers add uniqueness.
3. You can lower the car just by cutting the springs.
4. Tint it yourself by using soap and a ruler.

Good luck.

[beyond_ban]

Originally posted by Hitman47


Very nice answer : ).

Am I a shallow person for wanting a car which looks good.
Say like this one?
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ207923512

Please, for the love of God, do not do that to your car. The Fast and the Furious WAS cool, but now styles have changed. Watch this for an idea of what to do to your Honda...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaeHpKgocqc

There are a few different parts to the complete documentary.