Hate on your $5000 civic with $12,000 worth invested? My mazda was $20,000 brand new with $6500 invested? lets see my car still cost more than yours brand new.
Congratulations, you spent more money on a car that still didn't win you anything...You got me there...I didn't but the car to enter in shows. I bought something that would be easy to fix up, so i wouldn't have to get "custom" parts for it. Custom is just another way of saying "They don't make s*** for my car, so I made it myself". As far as how much I've spent on my car, it's not nearly what you think....It's called hook-ups. You spend a little time doing little things for shops, and they return the favor.
I buy cars and fix them up as a HOBBY. I'm not a racer, and I don't enter shows. Your buddy's car is clean looking, but thats about it, it's not even an EX. I've got a friend with a 7th gen also. And it's a lot nicer looking that your friends IN MY OPINION. Big deal, thats not the argument. Your car only stands out because it has bright ass yellow paint. WOW, thats original!!