Cost of modding > realized benefit
This is why I dont do any engine modding. 99% of the time, my car never sees anything over 3000 RPM. Now suspension I can justify because I can't life with the horrible body roll and unconfident steering at higher speed. Sway bars, springs/shocks are all I need. No need for bracing and such.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
As others have already said you can take your question and extend it to many other areas with equal validity if all you're looking at is $$ earned/spent/saved.
Me? I don't have the resources to build or buy the car I want to drive. I therefore have to resort to buying a car that is close to what I want and modifying it to get it closer to my ideal. I balance what I spend with what it provides in return but the basic hobby is a money pit.
OTOH... I made most of the changes to my car in the first 2 years and got it close enough to my ideal that I've been enjoying it for the past 4+ years without feeling compelled to throw more and more $$ into it.
It's when I can look at the new M5, S6, E63 and question the value equation in trading in or upgrading that the true benefit of the mods comes into play.
YMMV
Me? I don't have the resources to build or buy the car I want to drive. I therefore have to resort to buying a car that is close to what I want and modifying it to get it closer to my ideal. I balance what I spend with what it provides in return but the basic hobby is a money pit.
OTOH... I made most of the changes to my car in the first 2 years and got it close enough to my ideal that I've been enjoying it for the past 4+ years without feeling compelled to throw more and more $$ into it.
It's when I can look at the new M5, S6, E63 and question the value equation in trading in or upgrading that the true benefit of the mods comes into play.
YMMV
This is why I dont do any engine modding. 99% of the time, my car never sees anything over 3000 RPM. Now suspension I can justify because I can't life with the horrible body roll and unconfident steering at higher speed. Sway bars, springs/shocks are all I need. No need for bracing and such.
If the individual gets enjoyment out of the money spent that is all that matters. Unless that person really can't afford it and is stealing it or using his rent/mortgage money, it really doesn't matter what someone who can afford it spends on the items he wants. Heck, if I had that kind of money I'd be doing the same thing
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Depends I guess. Most of my mods are not visible to the casual observer and really, are peanuts compared to you guys with the rims and suspension bits hehe.
I just add stuff if I think I'll need it. Sure I'd like a nice set of rims or suspension braces but like someone said here, if I had the extra income, I'll do it. As it stands, I don't so I can't.
I just add stuff if I think I'll need it. Sure I'd like a nice set of rims or suspension braces but like someone said here, if I had the extra income, I'll do it. As it stands, I don't so I can't.
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Out of Warranty
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,925
Likes: 13
From: Houston, Republic of Texas
Modding is a hobby like any other. If you go fishing expecting to get your money back, especially after buying a $40K boat and about $10K worth of tackle and accessories, your fish is going to cost you about $50 a pound.
I have to have a solid, reliable car for transportation. After that, I can buy a car for entertainment - one that I can have up on blocks for a couple weeks if need be. These days, performance mods are pretty expensive for minimal return, what with the need to remain street legal and all. I'd sooner BUY my performance, knowing I'm not going to turn a boulevardier into a autocross screamer without some substantial sacrifices.
If you purchase a car with the performance, or at least a reasonable potential for performance built in, I feel you are better off than trying to wring three or four hundred ponies (and about 9 ft-lbs of torque) out of four cylinders. Yes, it can be done, but the result is often an engine with a price tag that will consume a couple year's savings and reward you with the life span of a hand grenade.
Kinda leaves you wondering - like the folks at Campbell's say . . . Gee, I coulda had a V8!
I have to have a solid, reliable car for transportation. After that, I can buy a car for entertainment - one that I can have up on blocks for a couple weeks if need be. These days, performance mods are pretty expensive for minimal return, what with the need to remain street legal and all. I'd sooner BUY my performance, knowing I'm not going to turn a boulevardier into a autocross screamer without some substantial sacrifices.
If you purchase a car with the performance, or at least a reasonable potential for performance built in, I feel you are better off than trying to wring three or four hundred ponies (and about 9 ft-lbs of torque) out of four cylinders. Yes, it can be done, but the result is often an engine with a price tag that will consume a couple year's savings and reward you with the life span of a hand grenade.
Kinda leaves you wondering - like the folks at Campbell's say . . . Gee, I coulda had a V8!
my answer is simple, and it holds true for everyone and everything:
there is something that each individual has passion on, and he/she will justify the cost of that and think it's worth it. there is no absolute definition of whether it's right or wrong, it could be completely stupid in your eyes but makes total sense in others'. for example i can understand and justify all i spent on cars with no regret. on the other hand i can't justify spending 20k on a watch or 5k on a LV bag. however, i am sure some people (and i do know such people) who think otherwise.
bottom line? this is way too subjective
there is something that each individual has passion on, and he/she will justify the cost of that and think it's worth it. there is no absolute definition of whether it's right or wrong, it could be completely stupid in your eyes but makes total sense in others'. for example i can understand and justify all i spent on cars with no regret. on the other hand i can't justify spending 20k on a watch or 5k on a LV bag. however, i am sure some people (and i do know such people) who think otherwise.
bottom line? this is way too subjective
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans Suburbs
I mod my car because I want to stand out in the crowd. I want my car to look its best like just like I try to keep myself looking good. For example, I had an interview with a guy at UTI (auto college) and he asked to see my car to see what type of condition it was in since they only want people with a passion for cars at there school. Now If I had something that just blended in i'm sure it would of been ok, but insted I had a different car (my subie) with different mods that stood out from the rest.
Also I have a need for speed. I hate going slow. So I mod my car to go faster since I haven't made up my mind to get a bike yet
Also I have a need for speed. I hate going slow. So I mod my car to go faster since I haven't made up my mind to get a bike yet
Modding is a hobby for me. It can be an expensive hobby but I want my car to be different in every aspect performance, looks etc.. I've owned the SC almost 3yrs now and took me this long to get it to where it's at. I already have plans for my next platform which well be my first sedan I've ever modded*cough* VIP
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I think people that ask this question, forget that money is a means, not an end.
Do people really want to make more money then youll need just so you can look at a bank account with big numbers?
Or do you want to use that money as a tool to do the things you want with it?
Do people really want to make more money then youll need just so you can look at a bank account with big numbers?
Or do you want to use that money as a tool to do the things you want with it?
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,001
Likes: 1
From: D2'sville
Its funny but one of these threads surface every few years. Iwould say that for the majority of ClubLexus membes, cars are a major passion. As with anything passion is expensive, just ask anyone that owns a boat, or a home theater system, or even a comic book collection.
Depending upon how passionate you are the level of investment and return varies. I spent alot of money to have coilovers but the ride quality, and fine tuned height adjustment make them worth every red cent. Now for a person thats not as passionate, it may seem stupid to buy 3,000 dollar coilovers when Eibach sells springs for 300.00
A couple years back people thought JP tailights were stupid because they were 1650.00 for a strip of clear, but for those that had the desire to get them, money was not the main issue, it was acquiring a very elusive mod. Now that the VIP scene is heating up, JP tails are the norm, but 2 years ago, people were posting "thats just dumb for a pair of tailights"
You can never look at return on investment for a hobby or passion, its driven more by emotion than financial acumen. As someone else noted, a Toyota Avalon can pretty much fulfill the same basic roles as a ES or GS or even LS for that matter, however we all spend more for the Lexus because of the car lover in us.
Depending upon how passionate you are the level of investment and return varies. I spent alot of money to have coilovers but the ride quality, and fine tuned height adjustment make them worth every red cent. Now for a person thats not as passionate, it may seem stupid to buy 3,000 dollar coilovers when Eibach sells springs for 300.00
A couple years back people thought JP tailights were stupid because they were 1650.00 for a strip of clear, but for those that had the desire to get them, money was not the main issue, it was acquiring a very elusive mod. Now that the VIP scene is heating up, JP tails are the norm, but 2 years ago, people were posting "thats just dumb for a pair of tailights"
You can never look at return on investment for a hobby or passion, its driven more by emotion than financial acumen. As someone else noted, a Toyota Avalon can pretty much fulfill the same basic roles as a ES or GS or even LS for that matter, however we all spend more for the Lexus because of the car lover in us.