Assets, Addictions, and Accessories

[gqstunning]

I have recently joined this thread and I have realized that TM3 has been the most addictive website for me. Since I got my car have been looking up mods and figuring out what and when to do stuff to my car. I have a few questions for you guys. What do you guys do or what techniques do you guys use to prevent yourselves from spending everything you have on your car? And what big sacrifices have you made for buying and modding your cars? Also, what was the most spontaneous or foolish purchase you made on your car and what was the result? This thread should be good!:pop

[3GFX]

I set aside money (very little) just for the car. I save bit by bit and do mods one by one. Rims were all i ever wanted, it ended up being like the 5th thing I've done! :p

But then again I've done some stuff that wasn't worth the trouble :p.....

When I reversed the polarization on my stock radio display not only did cut my finger and destroy the stock polarizer, I had to order a new polarizer from an optics company which wasn't exactly cheap. Worst part is that no one usually recognizes the differance :p

Some times you just get the itch, just make sure the rest of your life is in order first then scratch it to your hearts consent. That's how I go about it.

[dj_chinaman2097]

At first I planned on changing just the interior LEDs as mentioned in the forum. Then I read about the throttle body ground and ended up with a Buddy Club Condensor. Now look at my mod list...

Thing is, I buy what I want whenever I want because I can afford it. The sponsors and ebay are great. But, do you really want to mod your car? Can you afford it?

You just have to read up on all the mods you have interest in to learn the pros and cons. I've decided not to install an aftermarket intake, exhaust or front lip after reading up on them here and at the mazda3fourms. Aftermarket stereo components and LED taillights don't interest me either.

But I haven't decided on whether to get new rims or if I should install the Pro-kit I have sitting the garage...decisions, decisions.

[Tokic_o]

Install the pro kits come spring man! Thats what I'm waiting for. I hate seeing them sitting there lol

[dentinger]

you want to know how addicted i am??

i was originally going to do the subs and rims this year, lower it next year, and then just do small mods in between and such.

i lowered my car about 2 months after i got my rims!!! and now im getting a set of coil overs to replace my springs!
i tihnk i've spend close to ~$5k on my car in about 10 months.

pretty much, most of my money goes to my car, altho right now its mostly insurance and gas.

anyways,
1) to make myself feel not so guilty, i opened a saving account, and i deposit $50 every paycheck, sure, its not much, but it grows fast, and if i have extra money kicking around, it goes in the savings.
2) im have pretty much $300 to my name right now. all thanks to my car.
i had close to $6000 just over a year ago, and i spent most of that on a pos civic.
every since that, i've had a hard time pass the $1000 mark.
3)i tihnk my most spontaneous mod was my underglow. i blew up the first kit (not literally, but the computer fried). i got a new kit (warranty) 2 months later, and 2 months after that, its on the fritz again.

a little tip for moddin tho. cut up your credit cards. you tihnk you will only use it once in a while, for online purchases and stuff, but it goes downhill. FAST!! lol

oh, and a little fact about how i paid for my rims.
i worked in a kitchen for 2.5 years. and i finally found out 2 years in that you have to ask for your vacation pay. it ended up being about $900. and my $400 paycheck.
those to checks pretty much paid for my rims. it was a pretty sweet deal if i do say so myself.

[crazycanuck]

oh bro, I'm so glad I wasn't the only one.

You just gotta learn to control yourself, and really think what are the pros and cons like chinaman said.

I'm a recent grad in the high pay scale, but I live at home. So disposable income isn't my worry, I had real trouble in the beginning when I bought my car. I wanted to do everything to my car, but after you sleep on it every time you get that urge; you realize it's just a hobby that can wait while your money can go to better things...

Also, I find it's a very distinct hobby to have. My g/f, brother in law, family, friends all think it's a waste of money. So when you're alone on something like this, you tend to back off a little on the spending.

[mEtH]

I setup my car to handle with some wide rims, stiff suspension, sways etc. Just pulled it all off recently and am going to give my lease back and pick up an 08 hatch, auto for the wife and I. It'll be the car for the both of us, i'll mod it a bit... I just wont be able to afford two cars with the plans we have ahead. Figured now is my opportunity to change it up and eventually I'll get my 5spd back when we can afford two cars.