How much do you spend on modifications on your current daily/project and do you regret it?
Posted by Efficient_Speaker735@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 29 comments
I used to always slam my cars to the ground, put on big wheels, loud exhausts etc but on my current car I only have a tune and some other small stuff to make it fast but nothing cosmetic. I definitely enjoy it more than stock and for me it’s worth the 1000€ or so that I spent on it. Now I am considering a little “stage two” for about 2000€ extra and I wanted to ask this question here before I pulled the trigger.
Smart_History4444@reddit
I don’t regret it, but I did loose a decent amount of money on it. Most mods they don’t add value to anything. If you decide to sell the car the best way is to sell the mods off separately but even then you can’t really ask for what you paid for them so your always going to be taking a loss on it.
My first car I modded was a 335i bmw I spent about $5k in mods on it and it was great fun. But now I’m thinking of selling it and moving it on and I don’t really know if I should because alot of the mods I did are hard to reverse. So I’m kind of stuck with should I just sell it as is or put it back to stock and try and sell the parts.
If it’s worth it to you. Then I guess do it. Just keep in mind that whatever amount you spend don’t expect to get that back.
But my next car I mod I’m going to be careful with it and keep it more oem+ so that if I sell it I can sell those parts easily. Recoup most of my money from it.
ThunderDoom1001@reddit
It's actually worse than that, a lot of people find a modded car to be worth less than a stock example. The exception being if it's an enthusiast car and you out top shelf parts by well known brands - even then people are picky. The assumption is heavily modified = driven like hell.
FindingUsernamesSuck@reddit
I do not track it, and I don't not regret it.
antidavid@reddit
Daily and project budgets are massively different. My daily is on some inexpensive lowering springs and cheap wheels makes it look a little better without standing out. Changed the head unit on it rest has been maintenance. Considering spending about a 1k on injectors and a tune. Currently maybe 500 in mods 😂 I like it it’s inconspicuous but looks a bit nicer.
My project I don’t even know. Well over 20k but it gets put on a trailer to thrash on so just totally different.
But do what makes you happy. If it isn’t putting you in crippling debt or going to make it dangerous and you enjoy it go for it.
J-Rag-@reddit
My daily I haven't modified. But I've got about...let's say 10-12k into my 99 Durango that I mainly use for offroading
Blu_yello_husky@reddit
I don't mod my cars any more than functional modifications. I just spent $120 on an aftermarket temo guage and hardware for my mercury monterey project. Its too dangerous not to have a temp guage on a car with a built engine
oneaccountaday@reddit
Does tricking out my lawn and snow equipment count? If so, I’d rather not think about it.
My street bikes get color matched frame sliders, gold chains, Michelin Pilot 2CTs, flush mount turn signals, and integrated taillights. Might do a Corbin seat and power commander, so like $1500.
My trucks usually get OEM fitted mud flaps, weather tech or similar floor mats, mbrp 4 or 5” on the diesels, go up a couple sizes for the tires, 31s to 33s or so.
Might do some color matching or Escalade door handles on a Silverado or sierra, usually a tonneau cover or topper, a better receiver and/or b&w hidden hitch. Timbrens up front, backup camera if they don’t have it.
So like $5-6k on those.
The jeep is by far above and beyond even worse than the mowers. There’s probably 20k worth of aftermarket crap on that turd, and half the crap is still new in the box. The thing is worth like 10k maybe.
I like them all and get lots of compliments about how they’re “practicality” and “tastefully” modded, which is cool I guess, but I do it mostly for me. I just like to tinker with crap and make it my own.
Rapom613@reddit
I usually only do tune, so about 1k, and I really enjoy that. My current Range Rover however is going to get a lift and some tires, more money but damn it looks good
NoMagician5841@reddit
I put probably close to 20k in 240sx hatch. Got it as a non running project someone else never got around to finishing. Got in way way way over my head lol. Yet in a 2 year period I got that car farther along than anyone in my circle of car heads. And probably learned more in actual hands on experience than if I had spent that money and time in automotive tech school. Spent so much more time building than driving which ultimately left me with a cool car that I didn't really have fun with. Had the buy once cry once attitude with that build, function over form. But still did full body kit, KBD, and paint and everything. Made 378whp/355 torque. On a 2l SR 4 cylinder. Top mount turbo, fully tuneable ECU, digital tablet dash, custom exhaust from header back. I think a really well built 240, when so many are clapped out janky r-titled shitboxes. I was really proud of what i accomplished with the build. Really didn't enjoy driving it at all. I couldn't sell it for 10k cash. I had close to 20k in it. Still don't regret it, but I definitely wouldn't do it again. Got rid of it and got an 07 350z for my fun car. Didn't really build it so much as make it OK to beat on it. Galley gaskets, better clutch, better coil overs, stiffer suspension bushings, oil cooler, welded diff. And man i loved driving that car. Didn't matter if I was going to work or spending the weekend drifting at evergreen. Had A/C, android auto, and a small under seat subwoofer. I could drive it 2.5 hours away to the track, drift all weekend, barely needing to change tires, then drive it home. So much seat time for hardly any money. And sitting in grid, A/C blasting, music bumping watching everyone else fanning their doors trying to cool off was awesome. To this day I don't miss the 240. Everyday I miss the Z. I don't regret any of it, though alot of it I would have done differently if I had known then what I know now.
Smooth_Limit_1500@reddit
So if you used to slam cars to the ground, but don’t know that tells me that you realize there are functional compromises with a lowered car.
Any mods are a compromise: financial, fuel economy, drivability, sound, ride quality etc.
Build a car that fits what you can afford and how you want to use it. And research ! ! !
My car has nice tires and wheels and a nice stance. I’m most proud of the fact that the tires don’t rub and it doesn’t ride like shit. That was the hard part !
nrk97@reddit
I bought a car that did what I wanted for my daily, sure there’s a handful of this I want to do, but realistically none of it will make a massive difference to the car. If I want to mod something crazy, I’ll sell my daily, buy a shitbox and then the car I want to mod.
I daily a 2021 ecoboost mustang (not crazy fast, and decent on gas) if I add power, the fuel economy drops and at that point I should have gone gt, and if I do handling it won’t make much difference to me because I just do some spirited driving on twisty roads around me and the car can already handle those roads faster than I should be going on them.
For me it would be cosmetic mods or reliability mods, and I think the car looks great, and it’s been reliable for 11 months (except when my wife hit a lamp and cooked the transmission)
For me it doesn’t make much sense to mod, but you do what you want to your car, I’m just some dickhead on the internet
NotBondNow@reddit
Hmm, which car?
Aston, wrap, custom wheels, CarPlay and built in radar detector/jammer. All in about $20k.
Bentley, custom wheels, CarPlay. All in about $6k.
Range Rover, $0
Mini Cooper, $0
Yukon, head unit, upgraded brakes. All in about $4300
Triumph 3R, CarPlay, headsets/mics, tank bag. All in about $1k.
StarsandMaple@reddit
Currently ? None.
Want? A lot.
Daily is a 4M Q7 with CREC, I want a tune, intake, pulley clutch delete, stage 2 pulley, and exhaust. Totality with some while I’m in there’s is like 5k. This’ll most likely never happen, but would be great to have a 500hp Q7.
Project I’m so back and forth on everything, from a nuts and bolts tear down and rebuild to fresh new customized the way I want… to a basic tune, coils/springs, wheels, big brake kit and go find some auto cross or open days at the track. The cars also vary from typical ‘tuner’ cars to random sub compact that would be funny to see all done up.
Once I’m settled where I just recently moved it’ll probably be 5-600$ a mo till I get the base all done.
NarniaMouse@reddit
Spend the amount that makes YOU happy.
Not trying to be snarky. If my answer is that I spend 20k on my daily, in upgrades/mods...and someone else answers they spend $0 on their daily.... neither of these answers matter, because it's your car, your wallet.
Jxckolantern@reddit
People are always just seeking validation and want to meet people that do the same as them, to make sure theyre not nuts
Usually why posts like this get made
2WheelTinker-@reddit
I almost responded with how much I have sunk into projects and then had the same thought as you and happened to see your comment.
Folks should do whatever they want to their stuff. No one else cares.
OP wants to do a “stage 2” (anyone saying stage anything is a dead giveaway how new green they are 😂). No one cares if it’s a stage 2 or a stage 69. Just another car on the road to 99.9% of people.
Efficient_Speaker735@reddit (OP)
Got me there. I am my own mechanic and I do all my maintenance but I am a newbie when it comes to fabrication and modification
brandon_c207@reddit
My daily is a 2020 Hyundai Veloster Turbo and my project car is a 1990 Mazda Miata. I have spent more on mods for the Miata (have owned it for 3 more years than the Veloster as well) than I have on the Veloster. I've also gotten a lot more parts for the money with the Miata mods. However, this is greatly due to the quality and availability of the mods between the vehicles.
For the Veloster, it has only been bolt-on mods like an intake, exhaust (muffler delete that I have since removed for reasons I won't get into on this original comment), and gauge pods. These have been more expensive due to the availability of parts for this car, the intake being carbon fiber, and going quality, ready to install parts that don't need excessive modification to the car. Do I need a carbon fiber intake for a 1.6T daily driver? Not at all. Do I like seeing it whenever I open my hood? 100%. Do I need gauge pods on a non-tuned car? Nope. Did I want them? Yup. Do I regret spending the money I have on this car? Not at all.
For the Miata, it's bagged (bought it with them pre-installed from the previous owner), has an exhaust (headers back), roll bar, etc. With the exception of the roll bar (due to it being a safety item), I have been picking and choosing what I want to spend more on (bought a nice compressor for the air ride system when the original finally gave out) or spend less on (like cheap underglow or raceland headers for the car). Again, do I regret spending money on this car? Not really, no.
Useful-ldiot@reddit
Spend whatever you want. It's your paycheck, not mine 😂
That being said, I've put about $12k into my RS3.
Efficient_Speaker735@reddit (OP)
Trying to decide if I want it or not. Did your 12k make your car 12k-worth more fun?
Useful-ldiot@reddit
For me? Absolutely. It's a missile but is still a comfortable DD. The noises are better, it's much faster but I didn't compromise on ride quality or comfort, which was a priority.
I will caveat that the money wasn't an issue tho. There isn't a "right" amount to spend. I'd always recommend going in baby steps and that it's really easy to push the power too far and ruin the comfort.
NarniaMouse@reddit
"Did your 12k make your car 12k-worth more fun?"
This is still going to be 100% subjective. If they answer yes, it doesn't mean you spending more money on your car will make it more fun in equal amounts to what you spent. And if they answer no, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you want to your car.
Efficient_Speaker735@reddit (OP)
Subjective is what I want to know about. From a logical or financial standpoint it is stupid, but it’s something I want and I wanted to see if other people who’d done it regret it or not
BurningFarm@reddit
I have spent probably about $14000 on my car, including the purchase price. It's damn near perfect (for me) now, so going forward, I think it will only be occasional consumables like tires and brakes, eventually a new convertible top. This was my covid project with my dad, and we have really re-bonded over cars. I do save the receipts but the money is not counted. I'll probably never sell it.
run_uz@reddit
Put an easy $25k USD in my 93GT in the early 2000s. Stroker, AFR aluminum heads, Ed Curtis custom cam, Fidanza aluminum flywheel, Romac balancer, JBA headers, Corbeau seats. T56, 3.55s then to 3.73s, Maximum Motorsports suspension catalog, Brembo brakes, 03 Cobras, subframe connectors, infloor subframe connectors & a bunch of other stuff I'm forgetting. I put early 200k mi on that motor, daily driving, drag strip, AutoX, HPDE weekends, road trips from San Diego to Seattle then Vancouver BC & back, San Diego to Omaha & back. Vegas, Disneyland.... Ton of fun & made a few lifelong friends. Absolutely do it again, & would do it better if time could be rewound.
Daily drive a 99 GS400 now. Eibach springs & adjustable front upper control arms. It'll never see any power mods. Maybe exhaust when the cats die & it's time to redo it all.
Emperor_of_All@reddit
I think I am close to 6 or 7k on my project excluding the cost of the car, I only regret it when it doesn't run.
SkylineFTW97@reddit
Depends on what you want.
My daily is my 2015 Honda Fit LX 6 speed. It's already fun to drive as is and it's been entirely free of major problems, so I don't have any reason to do major mods. The few minor ones I've done were for personal taste and/or quality of life. I did the following:
Replaced the shifter cable and base bushings with aftermarket upgrade ones (Acuity). Feels considerably better than stock and allows for faster shifts to be more precise.
Replaced the brake and clutch hoses with braided stainless steel hoses (Goodridge) for better brake and clutch feel. I also upgraded the brake and clutch fluids to high temp DOT 4 (Motul RBF 600) and got a kit to bypass the clutch delay valve in the master cylinder (Honed Developments). That also improves quick shifting and the fluid is now suitable for light competition use since I do amateur racing in it as well.
Added a rear sway bar (Progress) to improve handling and reduce the understeer inherent to FWD.
Replaced all the speakers with upgrades (Kenwood). Even with the stock head unit, the new speakers are a noticeable upgrade in sound quality.
Replaced the rear muffler (HKS Silent Hi Power) and the intake (Takeda AFE Cold air intake) to improve engine sound for my personal taste. It's still quiet at low speeds, but sounds better at high RPM without being obnoxious.
Made a couple cosmetic mods from the JDM GK5. Used the RS badge (the USDM version is only offered with the most powerful engine, and the LX like mine is the lightest version we have) and got the JDM hazard switch because I prefer its design.
And while it was the previous owner who did this, the factory 15" steelies were replaced with 16" alloys (Sparco Terra 16x7s in black with white lettering). Lighter while looking better.
I also purchased the HFP spoiler for mine from Honda and will likely get the HFP suspension kit as well. The former is for appearance and the latter improves driving dynamics without being harsh like a set of cheap coilovers. Good coilovers are $1000+ and the HFP kit is an upgrade from Honda themselves.
None of what I did or plan to do requires permanently altering the car in ways that are irreversible or hinder its ability to still be a solid daily. Most of what I upgraded was to improve road feel rather than upgrade performance directly. It is still my daily and will continue to be even though I also use it for fun.
Brainfewd@reddit
Project car? Yes money. It’s a 24v swapped e30 wagon. Although for now it’s mostly done. Next stage is turbo, but I want to work any other kinks out first NA for a bit.
Daily? I just thought a ‘23 F150. A few really tiny aesthetic things, but that’s probably it. Maybe a spray in bed liner, some flaps to keep salt down, stubby antenna, and maybe ceramic tint. I’d like to do wheels but can’t justify the price on a daily tbh.
VTEC168@reddit
Like you I skipped over the cosmetic stuff and only did a few minor mods to make it faster on track. When I used to go to more car meets I spent a lot more on cosmetics but now I rather save that money and use it for track days and autocross. More fun to race cars than to look at them