How can I make her beautiful?

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CptSnicklefrits@reddit

And make it operable, I went to tech school with a guy that had a pretty rad Kia spectra. He had slapped a cheap turbo on it himself and it was definitely a sleeper

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CptSnicklefrits@reddit

I mean obviously he wasn’t going to gap any mustangs and shit, but it was surprising for a spectra.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

for a spectra

aaaaand there’s when you lost me…

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BodisBomas@reddit

C'mon, people can modify normal cars with some power without it being my cup of tea.

Chevys, Hondas, Toyotas, BMWs, Subarus, Kias, ect. are just normal traffic, but a select few take these normal cars and make them special. I can appreciate that even while they aren't my cup of tea.

These people are just as much of an enthusiast as the rest of us.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

gif

The question is not whether or not someone is enthusiastic, it's whether or not they make really, really stupid choices...

This Kia can never and will never be "special". That said, nothing OP has said indicates that they will ever modify anything "for some power", so it's weird as hell that you're so invested in that...

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BodisBomas@reddit

I agree that modifying for power on this car is not a good value, and not a great decision.

To clarify I am pushing back on your notion that some cars just are inherently worthless because they are a "spectra"

This is getting to the actual meat of the issue I have with what you are saying. It is not an objective fact for you to say that "this Kia will never be special." It is not weird to push back on that.

If the reason you are saying these things is truly out of a compassion to keep someone from making a bad financial decision, I implore you to adjust how you are addressing it. Right you are sprinkling in opinion as fact and it's hurting your credibility.

Take care!

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

It's a 100% reasonable statement to say that no matter what OP does, their car will never be special. I haven't heard any argument to the contrary from you except for "yeah but it could". No, it can't. It will never look cool and it will never be a performance car. A 2004 Kia Rio is a platform built for a very specific purpose: incredibly cheap, disposable transportation. Treating it as anything else is a waste of your time and your money.

That being said, it's ridiculous (on your part) to try and separate "this car is not worth your time or your money because it's objectively lame" from "I'm advising you that this is a bad financial decision and you should not do it". It's one in the same. I'm not going to argue with the self-appointed tone police about how I choose to get my point across, though...

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SnooAvocados2598@reddit

“Im not going to argue”… uh huh

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

That’s half of the sentence, now sound out the other half. You’ll get there eventually…

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SnooAvocados2598@reddit

Ok it’s been a week, I got there finally. Had to read all 25 of your other comments throughout this post. This car really bothered you huh?

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

So you came back after a week to say essentially nothing? Cool…

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SnooAvocados2598@reddit

No, it took a week for me to read all your comments obsessing over this person’s car

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

And you came away with nothing. Says more about you than it does about me.

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SnooAvocados2598@reddit

No you

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CommunicationOne8679@reddit

homie its a kia. just keep it running!

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Time_Block_4016@reddit

Swap it for a better car??

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LookAtMyUnderbite@reddit

Drink a bottle of vodka

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lolwhatmufflers@reddit

Take off the scoop and spoiler, wash it, turn the key and drive it. It’s a base model Rio. Enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed. With no fun.

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raccoonsinspace@reddit

(and maybe some reasonably priced wheels as a treat)

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Even the shittiest aftermarket wheels will cost more than the car is worth and look desperate and then OP has to pay someone to mount tires, etc… Hard pass.

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cpl_calamari@reddit

I picked up a set of older cheaper enkeis for $200 off marketplace. Needed tires for my stock wheels anyway so cost to change wasn't a factor.

Not to say many wheels would look fitting on an old Rio, but it doesn't change the fact that it can be done for a reasonable cost.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

I can buy cheap crap, too. Doesn't mean that's an upgrade...

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raccoonsinspace@reddit

driving a car lightly personalized to your own tastes is always better than driving something stock. if you’re trying to gain clout through your choice in wheels (or literally anything else for that matter) you’re Doing This Wrong

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Cheap crap is cheap crap. Just because it’s aftermarket, doesn’t mean it makes my car better in any way, whether I care what other people say or otherwise…

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s4ltydog@reddit

Well I bet ur a blast at parties…..

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

gif

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Spring__Warrior@reddit

U sound like a pathetic nerd bitch rn

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Creeping_python@reddit

Polish the headlights! Or pay someone to do it, makes a crazy difference.

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mondaymoderate@reddit

Just buy new ones it’s like $75 for a pair of them

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cGrimy@reddit

Yeah get $75 dollar headlights … then in 90 days you can have 2 cloudy sets 🤣🤣

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No-Excitement-395@reddit

I dont think you realize how cheap headlights are for a car nobody wants…

Have a chevy cobalt? New headlights are like $50

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DragonfruitFamiliar4@reddit

Pretty sure if you spray paint them with clear coat of uv protection paint they won't

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cGrimy@reddit

$50 headlights are going to fog up 100%

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No-Excitement-395@reddit

Not for a car like a 2004 chevy cobalt or a 2004 kia rio… if it was for a 2008 bmw 335 then i would say yes they will obviously fog up.

When i tell you literally nobody buys parts for these cars and they have literally trucks full just sitting there i mean it

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DragonfruitFamiliar4@reddit

I did this on an 05 Dodge neon and before they were like an orange color and now it's like 5x better

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curtass7@reddit

The hood scoop and spoiler came stock on some of those models oddly enough.

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s4ltydog@reddit

The best way to modify a car with little to no aftermarket support is to repair any damage, clean up the paint and remove any obnoxious non stock bits like the hood scoop. Next I’d polish the lights and go back through the trim pieces and either clean up or replace any fading or damaged moldings. Finally I’d tint the windows, pick up a basic set of clean design aftermarket wheels and lower it a little JUST to get it sitting right.

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CableMartini@reddit

honestly with the hood kinda looks like a bugeye wrx a little. could be cool with some bronze wheels, really go for the 90s rally look. really depends what you wanna do, im building an old mustang, some people build old trucks, some people builds hondas. everyone has a different taste when building these cars, just know this isnt small potatoes, car moding isnt cheap, so you either decide if you *actually* wanna modify this seemingly innocent daily, putting thousands of dollars into it, or if you wanna learn on it, do some basic maintenance, and save for a car youd actually wanna modify. im not ur dad, and unlike some of the people here, im not gonna tell you not do do it, you just absolutely positively need to know what your getting in to. think of it like kids, not nessessarily bad things, but can really shock you if you arent prepared. if you are prepared, it can be a blast.

words of wisdom from someone whos been burned by the project car scene allll to much lol, happy wrenching

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CameronsTheName@reddit

Nice ride !

You want to be careful to not spend too much money on this car. It's money you'll never see back. Everything I've listed here can be done for cheap DIY at home with basic tools.

Some modifications you can do on a budget that make a massive difference to the looks are aftermarket wheels, lowering springs and window tint.

Aftermarket wheels 1-2 inches bigger will make the car look newer and more premium. You can often find rims second hand for a couple hundred dollars. Just make sure to research your vehicles stud pattern and offset. You want to find rims that are 1-2-3 inches taller, but are the same offset and stud pattern.

Lowering springs will lower the car, about 2 inches (5cm) is usually the sweet spot.

Window tint can be DIY'd. The side windows are fairly easy, the big back window can be difficult.

To make the car feel more premium you could buy some Amazon Basics sound deadener.

Remove the headliner, boot carpet on the floor and sides. Apply the sound deadening in A4 sized patches, then reattach the roof liner and boot carpets. This will reduce vibrations, wind and road noise. Putting sound deadener in the doors will make them feel heavier giving a more premium feeling.

If you want it to be a more sporty sounding you could pay an exhaust shop to remove the muffler (refered to as a muffler delete), or they could put a sports muffler on it so that it's got a good note but not very loud.

All of these can probably be done for under $1500 USD.

For the rest of the car. Just basic upkeep. Get the engine and gearbox serviced on time. Get the paint fade on the bumper fixed up. Give the interior a very good clean, replace things that you touch all the time if they are worn.

Here's an idea of what it could look like

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punkassjim@reddit

Aftermarket wheels 1-2 inches bigger will make the car look newer and more premium. You can often find rims second hand for a couple hundred dollars. Just make sure to research your vehicles stud pattern and offset. You want to find rims that are 1-2-3 inches taller, but are the same offset and stud pattern.

All of these can probably be done for under $1500 USD.

That’s IF the aftermarket wheels come with good tires that are the appropriate size/circumference for the vehicle they’re going on. If they’re not, the speedometer and odometer will be thrown off, and the tires could rub/damage the fenders.

If the wheels don’t come with good tires, that’s another thousand bucks right there. And low-profile tires generally cost more than economy tires, so it’s an ongoing increase in consumable expense.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

The shorter sidewalls are also going to trash whatever compliance the suspension has in it…

Oh, and you’re going to lower it TWO FUCKING INCHES, too? Welcome to driving a rolling tin can full of rocks (even more than it started, that is)

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punkassjim@reddit

Ehh. Depends on the car, the components you put on it, and the quality of work. I drive a nearly-20yo VW that’s slammed on coilovers, 19” wheels with 35-series tires, poly bushings on every suspension component front and rear, and uprated sway bars. And while, yes, it’s a bit stiff on bumps compared to stock vehicles, there’s very little added NVH to speak of. Still a great daily driver. It’s just more important to avoid potholes.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

It’s a Kia and the components a high school student can afford are complete fucking crap. End of discussion…

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punkassjim@reddit

I must’ve missed the part where she said she’s a high school student.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Try and keep up

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punkassjim@reddit

Oh cool, so go ahead and point to the super obvious place in this post that makes that fact clear enough that it gives you any right to act superior. I look forward to your sixteenth comment on this ever-important topic, person who clearly has great purpose in life!

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BodisBomas@reddit

This person has been terrible. They think their car is gods-gift to the road and everything else is a cancer. They have replied to every comment chain in this post expressing this.

Has some okay points sprinkled in here and there, but its not useful due to their lack of awareness of other people having a differing starting point in their enthusiast journey. 99% of what they are saying is just opinion portrayed as fact.

I have a controversial car that objectively is a great platform for modification, yet I still wont put someone down for wanting to do something fun with their KIA just because its a KIA.

Enthusiasts shouldn't be gatekeeping like this.

Their comments here indicate a personality that's rotten.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

lol, why are you so emotionally invested in giving OP bad advice and using ad hominems to try and make my extremely reasonable advice about putting any money or time into a sub-economy shitbox fit into your fuzzy idea of what's a good idea and what's not...?

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BodisBomas@reddit

Man, I disengaged a while ago, this comment was made before our conversation earlier. I was attacking your attitude, not you specifically. I never had an issue with the general idea you portray. That isn't the issue and never was the issue here. You had some good advice, but you break credibility when you shoehorn in subjective ideas as fact around objective facts.

Instead of just saying "This is not a great decision because this car has a bad return on investment" you say "This Kia can never and will never be "special"" That is not an objective fact, this Kia is special to OP.

We already settled that this is an issue with how you are presenting your advice. I have been clear on this many times but you just wont accept it. Someone else has to be wrong, so you misconstrue my intention as "emotionally invested" in something I don't have an issue with. Something I have clearly stated isn't the issue.

I am emotionally invested in how people treated, you are insulting OPs car and positioning it as fact when in reality you are saying your opinion. Your advice is fine, its how you are saying it. Again, I have made that clear multiple times.

My goal is to help a newcomer to the community to feel welcomed even if they don't have the most ideal starting point. That is how communities grow, by welcoming in newcomers and gently guiding them. I realize now that unfortunately there is no getting through to you, and any more conversation on this topic will be just a messy argument. This is all I will say on the matter. Take care!

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Looks like ass. Is that 15% tint on the windshield? Might as well put the handcuffs on yourself at that point…

And no, there are no decent lowering springs for this model, no, there aren’t decent “sports mufflers” for this model and no, you do NOT want to lower this car or cut off the muffler… 🤦

The problem with suggesting bigger wheels (nice chromiez, btw, l o fucking l) is addressed by the other commenter here…

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lolwhatmufflers@reddit

Looks like a car from Saints Row 2!

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panelbeater352@reddit

Autozone has a bunch of plastic mods with 2 sided tape. Go nuts

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Softpretzelsandrose@reddit

Not overdoing it is going to be the key. Keep it clean. Subtle wheels of your choice. Call it a day.

For inspiration take a look at some autocross /autox cars. (And look into doing it yourself!) A LOT of those are just driveway budget builds and this is a perfect candidate

(Or if you want a little crazier, budget rally cars)

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BodisBomas@reddit

This here, there is a line that must not be crossed, otherwise do what makes you happy!

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Keep it clean.

To keep it clean, it has to be clean first…

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OneMoistMan@reddit

Lower and tint. That’s about it for Kia’s

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Downside190@reddit

This but only lower like 30mm at most so you don't lose all ride quality while still looking better

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SuKharjo@reddit

Lowering completely destroys ride quality, and always looks stupid. Tint and flush fitting wheels will do just fine.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

Who the fuck lowers a Rio?

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Ghost17088@reddit

I will throw out the caveat that modifying suspension is a 3 way tug of war between comfort/practicality, aesthetics, and performance. So before you lower it, ask yourself if you are ok with a car that may be a bit less comfortable to drive, and if speed bumps/steep driveways are going to be an issue.

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G-T-R-F-R-E-A-K-1-7@reddit

First and foremost reduce its weaknesses, like the rough paint areas - the rest of the body looks good so repainting those rough areas will immediately make the whole car look better. Doesn't have to be perfect, just better than it currently is - could be done at home after watching DIY videos from YouTube, Mighty Car Mods have a few about painting your car in the driveway.

After paint I'd go for window tint and a dash mat - both will reduce heat and protect the interior. Restore the headlights too.

Your car doesn't need much to be cool already, just being a survivor in such good condition is sweet. Just look after it and have fun!

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

A dash mat will “reduce heat”??? lol… no, it’s just a carpet you use to hide cracks in your dash…

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G-T-R-F-R-E-A-K-1-7@reddit

Those cracks get there because of the heat so yes, a dash mat does absorb and diffuse the lights heat.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

lol.....NOPE. try again.

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modsguzzlehivekum@reddit

A vinyl wrap is relatively inexpensive if you diy. I’ve never wrapped anything until I wrapped my sportbike (most professionals won’t even touch them). Matte metallic charcoal with some 17” bronze wheels and lowered a bit and your ride is looking pretty sick. Those headlights will polish up nicely with a $15 kit.

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

lol, which exceeds the value of this car by at least $500 and also decreases the value of this car by at least $500…

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modsguzzlehivekum@reddit

It’s not going to look quite this good and they won’t get most of their money back from it but in my experience, when someone wants to mod their car, they’re going to mod their car. May as well point them in the right direction

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

In my experience, when someone with no money or skills wants to mod their car, they take one look at prices and give the fuck up…

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modsguzzlehivekum@reddit

Sooo, I still helped?

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

No, because OP is never going to do ANY of that.

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modsguzzlehivekum@reddit

Yup but the wheels can come off and be sold when they’re done or they can just buy used. If they really want to do something impactful, that’s the single best option. I would t do it but if someone is dead set on it, this is the best option. They’ll learn to wrap in the process

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NoseResponsible3874@reddit

The difference is, you’re going to pay full price for wheels that fit a Kia (because you can’t buy them used because nobody is that stupid), then nobody wants your shitty reps when you’re done with them…

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basicKitsch@reddit

Brotato...

Just drive her

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mw2strategy@reddit

Polish the headlamps, maybe fix up some of the paint. Ditch the hood scoop (my opinion), but keep the spoiler. It's kinda cool. Clean up the engine bay a little, I know you didn't include pictures but give things a dusting.

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illigal@reddit

Upgrade what you touch. Put in a CarPlay/Android touchscreen radio that will get you music and navigation at the touch of a button. Put a nice, thick leather wrap on your steering wheel to make it feel premium. Tint the windows a bit. And if you’re up for a little effort, put in sound deadening in the doors, roof, floor.

It’s crazy how much a solid closing door, lack of rattles and a pleasant to touch steering wheel change a car.

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DevelopmentGreedy623@reddit

Drink 16 beers

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NYCBYB@reddit

Get a pillowcase and fill it with doorknobs.

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162630594@reddit

The best way to make an uncool car look cool is to keep it as clean and stock as possible. Most 04 kia rios are completely trashed and destroyed. If I saw one that looked like it just came off the assembly line, I would take notice

Something like a paint correction job and thorough deatiling would really improve the look of it. Along with polishing the headlights and possibly attempting to fix the fading paint, but thats a big step for a total beginner.

The thing about aftermarket mods is that you really have to go all or nothing to make it work. If you just throw a couple of random cosmetic mods on the car, it ends up looking kinda cheesy or stupid (at least in my opinion).

But if you go all out with custom bumpers, lowering, quality wheels, tint, headlights and taillights, etc, then it would look like someone really put effort into the car and customized it to their liking. Not saying you should do that though, you would just be throwing your money away.

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