You have $1500. What would you do to my stock ride?

[D4ng3r]

As the title says, I (as of yesterday morning) am the proud new owner of a 2004 Mazda3. I want to put about $1500 into the car in aftermarket modifications, to truly make it 'MY' car. What are your thoughts for the best bang-for-your-buck modifications?

Performance isn't a HUGE necessity for me, mostly because most performance mods are extremely expensive, and I won't be putting this car on any track, nor will I be street racing off of lights or anything like that.

Here are some things that I know I for-sure want:

-Window Tint ($250)
-Rims (with tires, roughly $800 for a decent 18" set, right?)

Now, that gives me some money to play with. These were other options I was thinking of:

EXTERIOR

-fix a small crack in the front bumper (quoted $350... ?! its a 4" crack!)
-install a sleek bodykit (I'm not touching my suspension, so this will give my car an aggressive look) ($700+? painted)
-Headlights (halo LED) and tail lights (LED) ($250)

PERFORMANCE

-CAI/SRI ($200)
-Springs/lowering kit/etc ($500-$1000? please correct me)
-stability bar (the one that bolts to the top of your struts to increase chassy stiffness) ($150)
-Exhaust (catback?) ($500) <-- I would only want this if it gave me HP gains with the CAI

INTERIOR

Sound system ($500)


What would you guys do? My thoughts:

(A) Performance
$250 tint
$200 CAI
$800 Rims
$500 Exhaust (purely for the benefits, coupled with a CAI)
------
$1750

(B) Looks
$250 Tint
$200 CAI
$800 Rims
$250 Headlights/Taillights
------
$1500

(C) Clean Look
$250 Tint
$800 Rims
$550 Fix the bumper/ professionally get rid of all minor rust spots/ maybe front lip
------
$1400

(D) All Around Performance with looks.
$250 Tint
$200 CAI
$800 Rims
$150 Stability bar (sorry! forgot the name!) in engine bay
$250 Headlights/Taillights
------
$1650

Thanks for the help guys! All suggestions, comments, concerns, price fixes, etc glady accepted!

[D4ng3r]

Sorry, can't edit the thread it seems. It is a standard 2.0L if that makes a difference..

[bman13]

First off...take your time

Second, I'd start off with what you got planned...tint/rims and take a look at what people have done, what you like and go from there. Already allocating money towards mods will lead to you spending more then $1500.

Third, congrats and welcome to tm3.

[Kevin@nextmod]

Just go with the flow. You just got your car so just get used to the car first then you will slowly realize what you want/need. Right now you might think you want this and that but it might change down the road when you start to get used to the car. Check out the Nextmod forums and see whats on special so you can save a few bucks here and there.

Good luck with the modding and enjoy the car. !

[Hyperion]

Thankfully, most of your list prices are higher than what most people spend per item, so you should be set. Personally, id do (prices given that I paid)
Sri $85 or cai - up to you
Lowering $360 installed
Tints $160-200 (wait for a sale at audio heaven to save some money)
Strut bar is only $55
HID's - sale on until March 31st at garage 16 for $65!
Rims

[The Wolf]

I lowered on pro kits for 250 installed. I like the prokit springs because the drop is mild enough to not really neccessitate a change in your driving style (speed bumps are no problem), and you don't need camber links to save your tires. If you take your time you can find some great deals in the classifieds here. I'd do these mods in this order:

-HID's (for the cleanest look stay between 4300k and 6000k)
-tints
-lowering springs
-rims

These mods will make your car look pure class

[Jackal]

As for rims and tires, you could probably get a used set for $800 but most likely not new. Try the Eibach prokits or sportlines to lower your car and you'd be looking at under $300. Try Audio Heaven for tints as Hyperion mentioned $160-200. Think about protecting your interior with some Weathertech digital fit floorliners. Check out NextMod for springs
and other stuff that you mentioned. Check out our classifieds section for used rims and tires. If you want new try our Sponsors section. PM sponsors for prices. Welcome to TM3!!!

[6strings]

Good that you have a budget set.
Take your time, research and have a blast!
But plan A isnt too bad looking.

[SilentJay]

Besides the items that you "know you want", you might want to come out to some of our meets and see other cars with those options installed. It may sway your decision!

[aris]

Just drive your car as you see things you like you buy it.

I heavily modded my truck in my younger days and I said to my self when I bought this car I am not touching it ... Fast forward 3 years lowered, rims, stereo that installed a while ago and now I am in the process building a whole you system.

Just take your time and you will see over time your car will be modded.

[jova87]

Arent you on omc?

i say go with your clean look first, and see how you feel after that...

as for performance mods, theres plenty that can be done, but its gonna cost you. stick with your handling(best bang for the buck over power mods)

if you want hp gains, sell your car and get a factory turbo..lol as ive learned and others, its a losing battle unless you go all out IMO.


anyways thats just me,
got any pics of the car?

[Pereira11]

Rims and tires, lowering springs, tint, and fix the crack in the bumper (dont want all these mods done and still have an ugly bumper)

[jova87]

lol i have a cracked bumper.. but then again not very many mods on my cars exterior(grill tails hids)

[jonjon72]

Take it slow and think about what your priorities are. Even small mods can make a difference. Also be open to used items that are on sale here at TM3 market place or even kijiji/craigslist.

Good luck!

[n00bMeiSter]

Before you do anything to your car, drive it for at least a month or two and see how the car feels, get used to it. This will give you time to really think about what you like and dislike and what you really want to change. Trust me, your thoughts will change somewhat after having driven it as is for a bit. Take your time modding, don't rush into things. Think about what you might want to change, check out the cars (IRL, not just pics) of people who have made that change so you can see if you really like it. If you've got an idea, it doesn't hurt to ask other people for their thoughts / opinions (maybe it will end up being more expensive than you thought, or just not possible). Plan things out, and try to find the best deals you can. Just be patient, especially in the winter months.

Auto Links and Audio Heaven are the best places to get your tints done. Contact both places for a price before getting them done. Find out about the different types of tints that each has to offer.

I would start with an SRI first instead of a CAI. An SRI will cost you $80 (clicky).

For rims, look around for deals, and different styles, and come to a few meets so you can see different styles on cars in person before buying something.

You said you don't want performance because you're not tracking your car, but you've listed all this stuff about performance gains. Make up your mind on that first. If you truly don't want performance gains, don't even bother wasting your time and money on a strut bar. Put that money to use elsewhere.

You want Angel Eyes and LED Tails. Last I looked that's going to run you way more than $250 for both. Angel Eyes are roughly $200 just for the install, plus another $100 ish for the parts (IIRCC). LED Tails will run you $200-$350 ($350 for the OEM LED tails, less than that for aftermarket).

Check out our Sponsors section and Classifieds section for deals and parts.


Welcome to TM3! Don't forget to post up some pics of your car!

[Iceman_F1]

Starting off, I'd go with the clean look.

Tints are pretty minor but as suggested, call around to see the different materials used and pick which you want. Fixing the crack is a good idea. Rims are the tough one. Some rims don't look too bad unlowered, some don't. Search to find what you like the look of and see if it would work stock height or not.

With those, the car will already stand out a bit and fix current issues. Beyond that, n00bMeiSter had the good advise of drive it around before modding to see what you like and what you'd want to change.

[DumpInfo]

Look at all that feedback!! $1500 doesn't take you very far so really think it through. Prioritize your mods, if your aiming for performance then go that route. If it's an exterior thing then rims, tint, prokits are an option. Good luck on what you decide and post some pics

[biggiesmalls]

id start off with leaving the car alone. Get some nice clothes and hit the club!! pop bottles

[Default User]

first things first - FIX ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED and get a full tank of gas.
after that, I would get a bunch of detailing products because it can run you up over $100-200, but will last all year if not more.

Enjoy your car for a year then start modding it, or wait till the off season and then start buying parts.

But I know what you mean about making it "MY" car.
most people start with Tints, and HID's.

my main bit of advise when it comes to modding on a budget.... do your research and "Do it right the first time."

[Mazdy]

U mentioned tint ($250?)...thats kinda expensive for tint...i go mine tinted for 150$ and its a premium already..

For the rims with tires for $800 and its 18"...if your looking for brand new tires then you wont...brand new tires for 18" is already $600+ per set....if your budget it $800 u can get a nice set of 18" rims with no tires..

But for $800 for a decent set of 18" with tires already...u can still find just keep looking..but the tread of the tires are not as much

[shu5892001]

1500 = intake + header + exhaust

[Default User]

1500 = intake + header + exhaust

not including install

[mazdabetty]

(B) Looks
$250 Tint
$200 CAI
$800 Rims
$250 Headlights/Taillights
------
$1500

(C) Clean Look
$250 Tint
$800 Rims
$550 Fix the bumper/ professionally get rid of all minor rust spots/ maybe front lip
------
$1400

Either of these Those LED tails are a must

[n00bMeiSter]

not including install

You can get a borla stainless steel for 800, installed.

[mazdabetty]

You can get a borla stainless steel for 800, installed.

Stop always posting at the EXACT same time as me!!!! lol