how much money in your speed3?

[ElGaspo]

The pleasure is in finding a decent car and making it truly yours

Respectfully disagree. To me, at least, pleasure is derived from getting a good deal & saving money, not spending it. I would get a lot more pleasure in doing exhaustive homework & research and finding the car that comes from the factory as near as I would want my 'perfect' car to be. Granted, that is never going to be 100% applicable, but I really don't 'get' ppl who buy a car for x and right away spend 50% MORE to make it 'theirs.'

As i posted earlier, if we have a car like the MS3 that goes for ~$24k and you 'invest' $13k in it, to me it is not an investment, or $ well spent, because there are many, many cars that retail for $37k that are far superior to the MS3...which is exactly the way it should be.

In other words, you're always going to get more of your $'s worth from the factory as opposed to you buying mods. For 1 thing, a manufacturer's superior buying power affords them the opportunity to buy parts at near-cost, whereas if you're the single individual, you're buying at retail, and we all know aftermarket parts cos. that love to charge exhorbitant prices in the futile hope that you'll gain a 1/2 sec at the track.

Yet another reason to buy your 'perfect' car from the factory is that it came engineered that way by some pretty smart folks, instead of you playing shade-tree mechanic and erroneously thinking your engineering skills are far superior to university-and-factory trained ppl who do this for a living, and better be good at it or they would be eliminated.

When I was in the market for a new car, I spent nearly 6 mos. after the introduction of the MS3 to read reviews and real-life stories of the car in action. I realized I could gain ~20 hp w/ a CAI and that a ss+bushings would be mandatory to improve the feel and action of the gearbox...but that was IT. The car isn't 100% perfect, but throwing $500 into it is not the end of the world. I would NEVER have bought if i thought i'd have to spend 1/2 as much as the MSRP to make it 'mine.' That's just not economically intelligent.

But, as the saying goes: 'whatever flips your switch' or in our case 'whatever turns your wrench'...

 

[Kain]

elgaspo1, while I agree with you from a purely fiscal standpoint, by that same rationale an artist should stop wasting money on supplies because one could just buy a superior painting from the get-go. Swampy's point is still valid because for him, the emotional high of buying parts, turning a wrench and customizing his car to his own spec is worth the price of admission. Yes, he could've got an STi for the same money, but to him it's the process, not the end result. He would have no involvement in the final product aside from signing a check.

 

[ElGaspo]

Kain, i think that you're one of the smartest guys on the board, and i couldn't ever criticize someone who uses a Spinal Tap icon.
I guess i'm just wired differently, partly bc I was raised by the most penurious, cheapskate Dad in the world...who, w/ this modus operandi, managed to become a multimillionaire w/ only a 5th grade education, all this while working for other ppl and not starting his own businesses, which is the usual way to sock away that much dinero.

For my $, a good car is one that can be bought at a good price, outperforms others in its class and has great reliability...w/o being modded to beat the band. i understand the thrill of making a car 'yours' but not if it's going to cost 50% more than MSRP. that's where i draw the line, for good or bad.

the emotional high of buying parts

if done again, and again...and again would turn out to be a downer, not a high, in my book. When a hobby turns into a habit the fun stops mighty quick, and instead of a recreational user, one becomes an addict. There's always going to be some co. offering the latest gadget. At some point, lines have to be drawn and sanity must return.

But as a remembered line from a forgotten movie goes: "I may disagree w/ you, but I'll defend to the death your right to express your opinion." That's what makes this board, and this country, great. (usa)

 

[Speed3ForMe]

People that spend upwards of 13k or whatever amount are labeled "Tuners." They try to get the most of whatever they've purchase by tuning their cars to their liking, including a horrendous amount on aftermarket parts.

People that spend the 37k off the bat to get a "perfect car," which by no means exist, are content with their purchase and don't participant much in the hobby of tuning.

Totally different types of people.

 

[specvspeedfreak]

SU mount and bushing: 130
bulbs for interior/ext: 40
rims/tires: 950
custom exhaust work: 150
injen intake: 230
SW catless DP: 320
h&R springs: 217
Koni yellows: 550
tint: 110
CS Mid pipe: gift
catch can: gift
2 greddy BOV(knock off):25 (adapter was a gift LOL)
tail lights (my fault) 170
misc: 50

items sold
oem rims and tires: -700
oem struts/springs: -170
CS mid pipe: -75

TOTAL: 1997

 

[specvspeedfreak]

I agree with kain to an extent. yes i understand with the journey part cause i am one of those people. BUT there needs to be a limit. not just cause of money's sake but cause (in our case) the stock platform and engine limits. I think any more than 5K is too much for this car

 

[DaleNixon]

5k is probably where I will stop. In my case it really is the journey. Me getting the MS3 started out as my wife thinking it was a bad idea and a dumb investment (truth!), but it turned into me getting the MS3 and her getting a Civic Si and us spending lots of time together working on our cars.

It's actually brought us closer together. Modding saved my marriage!

 

[iguanaboy]

5k is probably where I will stop. In my case it really is the journey. Me getting the MS3 started out as my wife thinking it was a bad idea and a dumb investment (truth!), but it turned into me getting the MS3 and her getting a Civic Si and us spending lots of time together working on our cars.

It's actually brought us closer together. Modding saved my marriage!

Lucky you, my wife puts up with it cause it makes me happy. If I have "extra" money I spend on the car if not I don't. And I don't care to know how much I've spent, ignorance is bliss.

 

[bykeryder4life]

Intake,bov,coilovers,camber links,fmic, dp/rp,sts, rear trans mount, dashhawk,tires, new wheel,control arms, and rear brake hub/rotor assembly from accident, tow plate on order and fuel pump internals coming soon.....about $4,500 to 5k in my car right now.

 

[15min5k]

Having the whole Mazdaspeed package would've been pretty cool if it wasn't for that sorry ass CAI.

 

[H3br3w_Ham3r]

Cobb SRI: 70
Forge BPV: 70
SU Shifter bushings, MM, Black out emblems: 200
Wheels and tires: 700
Dashhawk: 240

1280 isn't bad right?

 

[bykeryder4life]

Having the whole Mazdaspeed package would've been pretty cool if it wasn't for that sorry ass CAI.

I dont get what you mean, besides lacking an air straightener, which is a $7 plastic part, it is a flawless piece that allows people to get cold air and keep warranty if needed. hell it is even carb certified.

 

[madvillian]

You can't look at it like OMG $13K! It's the journey there. It's the anticipation of getting the parts in, installing them (or having them installed) and driving your "new" car.

It's kinda like motorcycle riding. It's not the destination, it's the ride.

i agree 100%. i clip coupons before going to the grocery store and refrain from eating out and buying clothes that i dont need so that i can have money set aside for my car, and when you install that part and go for a test drive in your $5 t-shirt and $15 jeans, it all makes sense. yes, i am overly simplifying things, but i hope you guys get my point.

 

[DaleNixon]

I hear you dude. I brown bag it to work and watch coworkers go out to lunch every day and spend $20+. I save a ton of cash for mods right there.

 

[Kain]

I hear you dude. I brown bag it to work and watch coworkers go out to lunch every day and spend $20+. I save a ton of cash for mods right there.

Regardless of whether you're saving the money for mods, going out for lunch everyday is a dumb idea anyway. Y'know, Sam Walton used to get $5 haircuts and drive a rickety-old pickup to work.

Just sayin'.

 

[DaleNixon]

Yea but what did Sam Walton ever accomplish? Oh, right.

 

[15min5k]

Regardless of whether you're saving the money for mods, going out for lunch everyday is a dumb idea anyway. Y'know, Sam Walton used to get $5 haircuts and drive a rickety-old pickup to work.

Just sayin'.

Sam Walton was a douche.

 

[Kain]

Sam Walton was a billionaire douche.

Fixed.

 

[DaleNixon]

Sam Walton was a good guy. His kids were the ones who ****** it all up the day he died.

 

[oaklandopen]

Sam Walton was a douche.

yea....and i bet his kids don't mod their cars even with all that money. a$$holes