To Mod, Or Not To Mod

[Gareth]

Dont know if this has been done before, but i was wondering what peoples views were on modifying? Which is better? Modified or Standard? I have just given up the modified game and have started to go for decent standard motors with all the looks and goodies supplied already. To modify a car and insure it properly can be a major pain in the arse, and even if you notify your insurance company of everything there is always the feeling of they could wangle their way out of paying up somehow, this is why ive decided to go standard. Along with the fact that the amount of money, time and effort put into making such cars is never recieved when it comes time to move on, and often lots of money is lost as people arent prepared to pay for what you have added or done.

Gaz 2130

 

[adiclio16v]

mod defo u need to put your own mark on your car

that way you will never lose it in a car park or see the same car as you coming the other way (unless u own a saxo cos they all look the same modded )

if theres two cars the same nxt to each other the one modifyed usually looks better BUT as long as its tasteful cos some look worse

i think a car with a set of rims that suit the car and lowered suspension always looks better than standard

adi

 

[Captain Slarty]

only YOU can answer that... you spend lots of dosh on things that please you.. women, beer, holidays etc... you have nothing to show bt memories usually. you dont spend the dosh as a reclaimable comodoty..

its the same with cars, stop thinking of it in terms of resale etc, think of it in terms of pleasure enjoyment satisfaction or whatever you want to call it.

Write it off as a normal enjoyment expense..

then all you are left with is the question... did I have fun and was it worth it for the dosh (try comparing it to beer and hangovers lol)

If you are trying to please others, then that needs factoring into your costs, if its for you only, then it doesnt....

 

[Gareth]

thats very true, but the way the world of modifying is going you are made to feel that anything below 17s are small and there always seems to be big competiton to get BUG rims, and this often comprimises ride quality and performance, not only this, but modified cars often attract unwanted attention and are quite open to vadalism and theft (or theft from), its good to make your car unique and as you put it (make your own mark) , but this often makes the car more attractive to theives etc, and surely if the car is good enough to begin with it makes you wonder if it is best to leave the car as is.

(not saying your comments are wrong, just trying to create a different point of view).

 

[Gareth]

*** BIG rims sorry ***

 

[adiclio16v]

i lost loads on my last car with mods and lots of things wore out quicker because of the mods

also had the jealous vandals, ride was awful (handling was good though)

but as the cap put it i had lots of fun with it and in hindsight would have done it all again

adi

 

[Captain Slarty]

Quote: Originally posted by Gaz2130 on 05 November 2002


thats very true, but the way the world of modifying is going you are made to feel that anything below 17s are small and there always seems to be big competiton to get BUG rims, and this often comprimises ride quality and performance, not only this, but modified cars often attract unwanted attention and are quite open to vadalism and theft (or theft from), its good to make your car unique and as you put it (make your own mark) , but this often makes the car more attractive to theives etc, and surely if the car is good enough to begin with it makes you wonder if it is best to leave the car as is.

(not saying your comments are wrong, just trying to create a different point of view).

Intersting reply m8.

It would seem to infer that you not only want to please YOU, but also others.. (nothing wrong in that if it pulls yer chain - and for a heck of a lot, it does !)

Its either conformoty or individuality, or conforming in an individual way lol (ie - just stretching accepted practice enough to be different)

Often that is the source of the pleasure for some.

Again, I will say that the answer lies in your own head... unless you are exploring the concept of acceptable unacceptableness lol...

 

[Gareth]

i know what you mean, the ride on mine was absoloutely awful, but it looked great and got a lot of praise from complete strangers and really turned heads, i was lucky enough to never have anything vandalised or stolen (i think this is because i looked after it and didnt park it in stupid places though), i did enjoy myself immensly with the car and have got a lot of fond memories (as with my car before), i honestly never thought i would give the game up, but now i am at an older and hopefully more mature period of life its as if i have just clicked, and just really dont want to modify anymore and just want a hassle free decent car, i cant quite believe it, one minute i was driving around in a car with 17s, lowered, exhaust, tints, bla bla bla, and then i just flipped and it was almost as if i couldnt wait to get rid of it.

 

[Ben H]

Im literally in the process of swapping my 16" aftermarket wheels for the original Phase 2 rims on my Clio 16v. I just think that time is unkind to cultish cars like the 205 GTi/Golf GTi which dont look very original. The 16v is one of those cars that looked good out of the box (like the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo or Clio V6) - although there are some cars that desperately need a little moding like the 106 GTis tiny rims.

Dont get me wrong: I think a full-on wide arch kit with some well co-ordinated wheels rarely goes wrong. But most medium body modifications date very, very quickly. Think Impreza scoops, three-spokes, Venoms etc.

I used to have a pretty moded Clio, but now I just want the original look as my 16v gets older.

So if youve got a Clio 16v, Id keep the mods under the bonnet...

 

[Captain Slarty]

yep, agreed Ben.

It often is an age thing... not really atrribuatable to maturity, but easy to confuse...

its often a case of... I saw something I liked I wanna do it... then you do it, then you think.. ah !.. ok, been there, done that.. move on

It aint just cars.... its all walks of life...

what then happens is you look back years later after trying all different buzzes, and you fondly remember certain ones.. like hte car phase lol.. then you go back and do it again, in a more- subtle- way... as attracting unanted attention is not always good.

If you lived on a deserted island, with pertrol aplenty etc.. but no onlookers to speak of, what would you do to the car ???....

me ??.. I would still turbo the crap out of it , cos I aint interested in what others think of MY car..., just ME....

Joe...

 

[Ben H]

Likewise Squire. Ive always liked the attention my car gets me with the dark wheels, but it just isnt really my style. Im not a bad-boy. I couldnt decide for ages whether I loved the dark wheels or not (they came with the car) - and thats whats important: my taste.

I happen to think that there are very few things you can do to improve the 16v/Willys looks. Just look at the bright green 306 in Performance GTi this month - the wide arches make it look like a 16v, especially at the back!! Thats why Im happy to leave my car alone!

 

[DTWD]

I understand where you are comming from GAZ. I am in the process of saving up some money to get me a Valver. I want to try and get an unmodded one. You odviosly dont have to do anything to it. But with additions of 2 things (well actually 5) you get a completely different look. For a starter replace the wheels. And think about a zaust. A nice bit of chrome sticking out of your cars bum always looks nice. Then its your choice to lower or not. With me (although i havent lowerd myself (car not me) ) I think most cars need to be lowered a small bit, but nowhere near the amount that some people do. I prefer being able to see the wheel (tyre and rim) and a bit of air then the bodywork. But thats my point. Its everyones personal likes and dislikes. I think cars look stupid slammed to the floor with half of the wheel covered up. But as engine mods go, apart from sound none of it is really noticible from outside the car. The only thing it will do, is in theory, make it quicker. Which has to be something you want. If you got a quick car already then why do you need to make it go faster? If you want to race someone thats why. Every edge you can get is going to improve your chances. But it also improves your chances of getting buggered by the insurance companys. Its all upto you. But in the end, as most people have said, make sure you have fun.



Paul

 

[miltage2]

MOD IT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daz]

MOD!

 

[Nic M]

I think im echoing most of you i dont know but i think Mod definately every time, but yeah keep it relatively subtle.unless you buy a proper sports car then itll look better lowered a little bit and slightly bigger rims on just dont go stupid 18s on a 60mm drop or sh*t like that.

Even if you keep stock ride height and get after market rims of the same size as stock but just a bit diffrent then your still being a bit individual.

 

[SoLow]

Im kinda in the same position. I have alwasy modified my cars (wheels suspension and lots of ICE) however, recently I have noticed all of the hassle it seem sto cause me. This manifests mainly in the way the Police percieve modified cars AND the people who drive them. It seems that my enjoyment is being stifled by the way in which I am treated becasue of it. I also drive a very boring Astra 1.7Dti (and ITS AWFUL!!!) but Im starting to use it more and more because I have less hassle.

And yes, I would like to be able to park my car anywhere without the added fear that I was about to loose 2Ks worth of ice, but I do like it when Im listening to it.

On the other side of the coin when Im out in the countyside where no one is around, enjoying the fact that my car stuicks to the road like glue but still remains comfortable (a mere 30mm drop on my current car) I fall in love with it all again.

I will admit that only last week I removed the 17s and put the origional 15s back on, mainly to keep the alloys in tip top condition for next year, but, as soon as I got back in the car I HATED the drive, it was awful, the car wallowed round bends, it looked repulsive, whatever made me buy it looking like that I will never know!

I think its more that as Im getting older Im starting to see the value in an easy life (I still like to cut loose every once in a while, thats when the small but HELPFUL mods come in handy). Dont think I could ever just go and buy a car and never bother modding it, would be nice to have a car I didnt want to play with, but, until someone offers me a Zonda S it looks like Im gonna keep modding --- anyone got a spare £300,000 to aid me in my purchase of a Zonda? (worth a try!)

 

[ak_uk]

Mod it but be low key.....

 

[Nick Read]

Mod it however you want, whether its for power, handling or looks, youre the only one who can decide. I know what you mean about going without the hassles of a modded car, Ive always meant to get another car that was just fast as standard, then run my modded Clio and my fast standard car whatever it is. Either way Id never sell my Clio anyway.

 

[simonf]

It depends what you are modding for. If its foir looks - then its upto you.

If its for performance - you need to ask yourself whether you are getting enough out of the car or not - its all down to the driver really so investing in some driver training might be the way forward. People think power = faster, but that is far from it

You will never get your money back on mods - but it is the enjoyment that is the main thing