San Bernardino monthly Mazda meet and drive.
幹他媽!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 3
From: San Gabriel Valley, CA
same advice either way...
if it's a recession and you are worried about losing your job, then all the more reason not to waste money souping up a honda accord. (what respect do you get from that anyways?)
if it's not a recession and you are working hard and moving up in the world, then all the more reason to save up and get the car that you really want.
just like mom used to say, "taking shortcuts may gratify you temporarily, but you end up paying double the price of what you would've paid had you done the right thing to begin with..."
if it's a recession and you are worried about losing your job, then all the more reason not to waste money souping up a honda accord. (what respect do you get from that anyways?)
if it's not a recession and you are working hard and moving up in the world, then all the more reason to save up and get the car that you really want.
just like mom used to say, "taking shortcuts may gratify you temporarily, but you end up paying double the price of what you would've paid had you done the right thing to begin with..."
127.0.0.1
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
i've calculated an estimate of the total cost for what i would do to my accord (not counting rims wheels if i were to get wheels). and that would come out to be about $1,400 for everything...this is rounding up of course.
lowering the car (this is the most expensive), intake, exhaust, and lights
if i were to get wheels, it'd be another $1,200 or so.
my job is pretty secure at the momment.
lowering the car (this is the most expensive), intake, exhaust, and lights
if i were to get wheels, it'd be another $1,200 or so.
my job is pretty secure at the momment.
the more things change
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 602
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
how does the paint and body look. if the two are
in good shape, then spend your money and get the
look that you want. just don't spend the money on a
car that needs a paint job, and with a shabby body..
in good shape, then spend your money and get the
look that you want. just don't spend the money on a
car that needs a paint job, and with a shabby body..
127.0.0.1
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
i would say that the paint and body are in overall excellent condition for the car being 9yrs. old.
there's a tiny dot...about the size of pea, on the left rear quarter panel that has some chipped paint. i think it's from a rock that had hit the car there, on the right rear quarter panel, there's a bit of a dent that appears to have been removed with dent-less removal process, and the most recent is in the front right corner of the bumper. i managed to scrape off some paint by rubbing the car up against some pottery at my aunts house a few months back. it's all minor stuff that can easily be ignored.
there's a tiny dot...about the size of pea, on the left rear quarter panel that has some chipped paint. i think it's from a rock that had hit the car there, on the right rear quarter panel, there's a bit of a dent that appears to have been removed with dent-less removal process, and the most recent is in the front right corner of the bumper. i managed to scrape off some paint by rubbing the car up against some pottery at my aunts house a few months back. it's all minor stuff that can easily be ignored.
T-29 years and counting
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,062
Likes: 0
From: North Fontana, CA.
TGIF!!
There is a Rancho Cucamonga meet tonight at Farmer Boys at 7
(i will most likely be there early)
There is a San Bernardino meet tomorrow at Pirate City at 9
(i wont be there sicne i have to be hoem when teh new tv/internet is installed)
What is everyone else doing this weekend?
There is a Rancho Cucamonga meet tonight at Farmer Boys at 7
(i will most likely be there early)
There is a San Bernardino meet tomorrow at Pirate City at 9
(i wont be there sicne i have to be hoem when teh new tv/internet is installed)
What is everyone else doing this weekend?
IstanbulNotConstantinople
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Fontana (but in the good part, by Rancho), CA
One ball, corner pocket
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 1
From: Fontucky, right next to Patriotville
xrider....Lowering is not that expensive. I had a Honda civic and had Nuespeed springs on my car. I was happy with them. They offer a subtle or aggressive drop option, and with the subtle drop, you won't need to replace your struts. Don't waste money on struts bars, you're not racing that car and you won't notice a difference on the street.
Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).
I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.
As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.
......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.
The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.
Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.
Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).
I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.
As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.
......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.
The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.
Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.
Last edited by kwescott; Mar 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM.
One ball, corner pocket
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 1
From: Fontucky, right next to Patriotville
Dont let anyone drive you car who is prone to curbing.......
Thread Starter
Bigboy in a little car!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 7
From: In So Cal.. out in BFE... but in the good part... but not really by Cesar, Keith or Loren...
xrider....Lowering is not that expensive. I had a Honda civic and had Nuespeed springs on my car. I was happy with them. They offer a subtle or aggressive drop option, and with the subtle drop, you won't need to replace your struts. Don't waste money on struts bars, you're not racing that car and you won't notice a difference on the street.
Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).
I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.
As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.
......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.
The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.
Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.
Intake/exhaust would be just for sound, not performance, so again, this is up to you whether you want to spend money on cosmetics. I had an OBX muffler on my civic. Not a high price brand, but it had the sound that I wanted (and sounds like what you are wanting as well).
I didn't have an intake on my civic....didn't need/want one.
As for rims, you're in luck, as there are plenty of low price options to choose from if you go that route.
......with all of that being said, I would be will Gerry on the idea of not wasting money on a car you're not extremely excited about. I've learned a lot in my experience of putting money into cars...you never get anything out of it in the end, other than personal enjoyment. It doesn't make a car easier to sell, or more in demand. It does draw attention (from cops as well....especially older civics and accords), and if you've done things tastefullly, at times, will bring you respect and positive comments. If not, it would just be rice and you'll get negative attention.
The Mazda 3 is the first car I have not done anything with. It is hard, but feels so good to not have to worry about it as I have always worried with all of my cars in the past. I can just get in and drive it, and I have never had that carefree feeling before. It is nice.
Owning this 3, makes me want to save and put some money away for a better car. Putting money into the 3 would just take away from money I could save for something else. Owning this 3, also makes me realize how much money I was missing by owning the 8. Save money and buy something that really makes you happy.
Thats pretty much a good way of putting it.
I agree in so many ways.I too have had my share of cars that I have put money into. There is nothing wrong with doing stuff to a car that you like. but if your not really into the car, then enjoy the "flying under the radar" effect.
I have had my share of cars.... 17 I know of off the top of my head. (a couple I never did drive though). many of them with mods, a few without. If your into your car then go for it. it gives you something to do, it gives you something to be proud of, and you can learn a lot.
you can tell how much I am into a car by the amount of mods that go into it.
My blue RX-7... well we all know the extremes I took with that car.
the RX-8... lots of mods there. from the little stuff like chrome light bulbs to the nice shocks.
the Miata... whoa, dont get me started. (although I think this car shows more how much I am into autocross and less how much I am into the miata as I dont have any pretty mods, only performance mods)
but there are certain "mods" I like to do that are just for me. I like tinted windows, I like power door locks on a key Fob, I like a bumpin system, I like wheels and to be lowered, all of which I did to the Cobalt that was not the "toy" car. I did those for me.
the escort.... Tint.... .thats it. I'm just not that into that car. (and for good reason... duh)
Keith is right about the saving money. if your not into the Honda, then enjoy flying under the radar ans save the money for something else. or at least something that you can transfer over.... like a stereo.
It all comes down to you. how long do you plan on keeping the car. how much do you like it?
I have been pretty lucky lately.
I have gotten to enjoy many worlds all at the same time. I currently have the wicked track car that gets the bulk of the left over time and money. (miata)
I have the truck that allows me to tow the miata, carry heavy loads from Home Depot, and takes me off the highway when we go shooting.
I also have the daily driver gas saver that lets me get to and from work without attention. (escort)
and for the time being I have another gas saver that allows the gas guzzler truck to be parked when I have the escort and Michelle needs to drive. (cobalt... until it sells)
now if only I could get a cool street car for when we have meets and I feel like having attention on me. (like the RX-8 was)... but thats not going to happen. I just dont have that much money.
he he, anyways, the point being, do what you want. if you are happy with this car, then mod it out. you can even met in the middle and just do the stuff that will make you happy for now. Kinda like I did to the Cobalt. I was perectly happy with the tint, stero, drop and wheels.... I really wanted those, but I also really didnt want to put more time and money into it then that. it was perfect. it looked good, I enjoyed driving it, and it didnt cost me a lot.
speaking of which.... you wana buy a yellow cobalt? I'll even put the drop springs and wheels back on... heck, Ill even put the subs and amp back in.
ok thats enough unnecessary rambling for now.
Thread Starter
Bigboy in a little car!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 7
From: In So Cal.. out in BFE... but in the good part... but not really by Cesar, Keith or Loren...
yeah... thanks alot!
I dont remember if I told the RX-8club or not. but there are big changes in store for the miata tomorrow.
AEM 30-1900 Engine Managment http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=63
AEM 30-2900-72 72" wire harness with fuses and relays. http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=65
AEM Inlet Ait Temp Sensor http://bisimoto.net/store/index.php?...roducts_id=310 Got to meet Bisi, so that was really cool. nice guy.
Bosch Wide band O2
SR Motorsports / Indigo pulleys http://www.srmotorsports.com/srmiataCooling.html
99 Valve cover
99 Cam angle sensor
99 Crank angle sensor & trigger wheel
99 MAP sensor
99 throttle body (larger) with liniar TPS (vs my on/off switch for a TPS
Manual rack (will loose 21 pounds)
93 LE / 94 R tie rods. (longer tie rods that fix bump steer on lowered miatas) http://www.949racing.com/index.asp?P...ROD&ProdID=128
front main seal
... I think that about does it.
I dont remember if I told the RX-8club or not. but there are big changes in store for the miata tomorrow.
AEM 30-1900 Engine Managment http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=63
AEM 30-2900-72 72" wire harness with fuses and relays. http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=65
AEM Inlet Ait Temp Sensor http://bisimoto.net/store/index.php?...roducts_id=310 Got to meet Bisi, so that was really cool. nice guy.
Bosch Wide band O2
SR Motorsports / Indigo pulleys http://www.srmotorsports.com/srmiataCooling.html
99 Valve cover
99 Cam angle sensor
99 Crank angle sensor & trigger wheel
99 MAP sensor
99 throttle body (larger) with liniar TPS (vs my on/off switch for a TPS
Manual rack (will loose 21 pounds)
93 LE / 94 R tie rods. (longer tie rods that fix bump steer on lowered miatas) http://www.949racing.com/index.asp?P...ROD&ProdID=128
front main seal
... I think that about does it.
IstanbulNotConstantinople
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Fontana (but in the good part, by Rancho), CA
127.0.0.1
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, California
@ keith and casey: thanks for putting things into perspective. with what you two guys have said, particularly casey, i'll probably meet somewhere in the middle. i do like my accord enough to put some spare money into it, but not enough to make it stick out like a sore thumb. things for me.
i already have the stereo in it, and even got the fix-it ticket for my tint...which i put back on two days after getting my car checked off with the CHP, lol.
now, just a few other things to make me content with my car. springs, and exhaust (for how it sounds, not for performance)...and maybe an el-cheapo intake off eBay for $30 
.
i already have the stereo in it, and even got the fix-it ticket for my tint...which i put back on two days after getting my car checked off with the CHP, lol.
now, just a few other things to make me content with my car. springs, and exhaust (for how it sounds, not for performance
)...and maybe an el-cheapo intake off eBay for $30 .
One ball, corner pocket
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 1
From: Fontucky, right next to Patriotville
I know it can be hard jonathan, coming from an RX8 that looked great from the time you bought it...the previous owner did a good job in picking out the interior, grill, wheels and drop. I know how hard it would be to drive a stock Accord, after having the 8.
Don't get burned on a suspension install (It is not that hard, just time intensive)....I'm sure Casey and I would be willing to help you out at a fraction of the cost, as we are always looking for ways to add money to the miata fund.
Don't get burned on a suspension install (It is not that hard, just time intensive)....I'm sure Casey and I would be willing to help you out at a fraction of the cost, as we are always looking for ways to add money to the miata fund.
One ball, corner pocket
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 1
From: Fontucky, right next to Patriotville
did I miss something?