We're all beginners at some point...

[junkyardcactus]

Just curious, do most of you do your mods yourself ( tires, engine parts) or take them places to get done? I'd really like to learn more about my car and taking care of it myself, but I don't have any friends that are knowledgeable about this subject. Where do I start? I guess lots of time researching on the internet, and just going to different shops and talking to people.
How did you learn?
And it seems that everyone has buckets of money to work with. Does it help to have a good chunk of change?
And is there a such thing as too many mods? How do you all define someone like that.
I just don't know where to start. Any help?
Scuze my ignorance....just want some stories from y'all.
I love my 02 p5....its in the shop right now... really missing it!

 

[junkyardcactus]

Oh yeah, just wondering if there are many other females that frequent this forum.

 

[16902]

Just curious, do most of you do your mods yourself ( tires, engine parts) or take them places to get done? I'd really like to learn more about my car and taking care of it myself, but I don't have any friends that are knowledgeable about this subject. Where do I start? I guess lots of time researching on the internet, and just going to different shops and talking to people.
How did you learn?
And it seems that everyone has buckets of money to work with. Does it help to have a good chunk of change?
And is there a such thing as too many mods? How do you all define someone like that.
I just don't know where to start. Any help?
Scuze my ignorance....just want some stories from y'all.
I love my 02 p5....its in the shop right now... really missing it!

Welcome to the forums my pricklypartyard friend. This place is a WEALTH of info. If you are looking for mods for cheap, the "For Sale" forum is a great place to look. Sometimes members sell their cars and sell their parts here for great prices. The "How-to" section will help you learn more about working on your car and small do-it-yourself projects to add that personal touch. Their are also plenty of females on the forums as well. Oh, and you can do everything that you want to your car til the cows come home as long as you are happy with it and don't compromise your cars durablility or your safety. Happy shopping. (drive)

 

[Robot Romeo]

the "How-To" section on this forum is amazing, be sure and check it out. the how-tos will help with everything from installing a header or cold-air intake to painting you headlights and killing you door chime. after a few smaller projects you'll have enough confidence to do bigger stuff. and be sure and ask for help on this forum, there are tons of expirenced people that have been where you are now.

 

[shawnmp5]

I have done every mod myself (including wrecking it, and now im fixing it). The best thing to do is just look through the site looking for what u want to do. As for learning, I've just winged it, basically hoped i did screw anything up to bad, just take your time and have something for reference. The forums will have all answers.

As for money it, boils down to what you want to do. As for my stereo, i bought pieces here and there till i had everything to do it all at once. You should always shop the for sale links as well, thats a gold mind (90% plus of my stuff has come from there)

I think there is such a thing as to many mods, but you will draw your own line. Some as 2 tvs i drew the line at 5, you'll discover what you like and want, just give it time, start simple and go from there, Its really fun.

So whats your car in the shop for already? What mods do you have in mind?

 

[Mike R]

I'll do whatever I can myself-which is just about everything. I don't have tons of money-I save money up and sell stuff constantly to do new mods (or buy another car to mod ) Money is a good thing, but not needed, depending on your plans. Most stuff can be had used for great deals. That's what I like to do.

For any answers, just search and search more. Just about everything has been done already.

 

[DeadGeneration]

Another Newbie like me !

 

[memo79]

The one piece of advice I can give is to take your time.
If you're going to do anything to your car, don't rush it. Take ample time to make sure it's done right. You'll be amazed at the things you can do if you just have enough time.
When you rush things, you get careless, and the resulting disappointment makes you lose confidence in the ability to do things yourself.

 

[65racecoupe]

I help with my mods. I did on my Mustang and on my P5. I did much of the suspension and brakes on my P5. I am going to help with the engine and turbo install.

Too many mods, is that possible? Yes.

When you modify each and every part of your car for no other reason than modifying it.

When you have a bunch of parts on your car that don't make your car faster, you are doing the wrong mods.

You learn because some of the stuff is just like a puzzle. My coilovers - they went in like the stock ones came out. Stuff like that.

 

[MyZmZm]

You'll find everything on here - complete newbs (another one here!), people who've built cars from the ground up, and everything in between. This goes for the car mods as well; I can say from personal experience that this site is truly a gold mine for information, and if you are stuck on something or having a problem, there are many all-too happy to help out. It just takes a little courage to start the process of working on your car yourself.

Oh yeah, sometimes it is hard to tell, but there are definitely chicks on here - like me!

 

[DeadGeneration]

Oh yeah, sometimes it is hard to tell, but there are definitely chicks on here - like me!

Hahaha, exerpts from my PMs to you. I didn't realize. Sorry! (doh)

Thanks man.

Thanks bro!

 

[MyZmZm]

^^^ LOL Yeah, I saw that. No worries, I forgive you - this time! Next time, I'm not so sure.

 

[rednecks_r_us]

Just curious, do most of you do your mods yourself ( tires, engine parts) or take them places to get done? I'd really like to learn more about my car and taking care of it myself, but I don't have any friends that are knowledgeable about this subject. Where do I start? I guess lots of time researching on the internet, and just going to different shops and talking to people.
How did you learn?
And it seems that everyone has buckets of money to work with. Does it help to have a good chunk of change?
And is there a such thing as too many mods? How do you all define someone like that.
I just don't know where to start. Any help?
Scuze my ignorance....just want some stories from y'all.
I love my 02 p5....its in the shop right now... really missing it!

Everybody has to start someplace. I do most of the work on my car but I do a lot of it with friends from my car club. My daughter is 4 and is already handing me tools. The only down side is if I ask her for a 14 mm sometimes I could get handed a 1/4 inch wrench. She did get the one with a 1 and a 4 on it.

Anyway everybody starts someplace. You can do it.

You could also meet some other MAZDA owners in your area. Check out this link. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=98

Anyway welcome to the MAZDA foums and have fun.

 

[goldstar]

I recommend you get the Factory Service Manual for your car. Expensive, but worth it.

 

[MyZmZm]

http://protege5.ugly.net/ for free!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

check out my site and feel free to send me questions at any time

 

[Pretzellogic]

Welcome to the site!

I would reccomend doing things yourself. You learn a ton of info about your car that way. The board is a great resource, and I'm sure you can find someone in your area that is willing to help you if you need a hand.

I know there have been a couple installs that I was glad I had a personal security blanket

 

[mazgirl235]

I've done almost all my mods with the help of friends. Or I just take it to a good friend of mine who is also a mechanic. My advice is to start small and build your way up to the bigger mods. That is what I am doing.

 

[Action Jackson]

Welcome. Research, start small, be meticulous. Doesn't hurt to have a buddy.

I do most of my own mods except suspension. I don't have the time and recently, they found that I needed some replacement parts which I didn't have on hand.

It would've sucked having my car jacked up and having to use another car to pickup the parts. That's something to consider as well.

Otherwise just look it up, and if you can't find it, then ask. This is a pretty helpful place.

 

[GNO]

I'm only about 2 hours away from you. I'm learning as well, but it's a constant function. I've got a pretty good assortment of tools, since I work on most all my vehicles. I just finished an engine swap. I upgraded my brakes and installed a header in the spring. A suspension update in slated soon. I may install a turbo system sometime in the fall. Maybe you can come out and that the header off my hands at the point I'd be more than happy to assist with any mods or maintenance.

If you're interested in working/learning about mods or maintenance on other vehicles, you're welcome to come out for any of the other projects I'm working on. Over the next few weekends, I'll be installing the drivetrain on my Grand Prix. I'm shooting for low 12's/high 11's on that car, so it may be something worth checking out. I'll be swapping motors in my truck next spring as well. A lot of the stuff carries over to other vehicles, so just because they aren't Proteges doesn't mean you won't learn from it.