Part of the reason I wish we could ask for more crazy colors for rental cars. I want to stand out so much I can remember what I rented.

If this car had Bright Yellow... it would really stand out. :P

(From my own experience, I don't mod anything until AFTER warranty expires... saves so much headaches)

 

i will mod every car i own until the day i die. whether my next car be an IS-F an M5 or 911 Turbo. it will be modded. maybe it's due to my youth, but this is my current mindset--and i don't see my passion ever really going away. i want to walk into my garage every morning, proud of what i've created. i've grown accustomed to admiration of my car, and i like it. i love the compliments i get, and it only reassures me that i'm doing the right thing.

 

bingo! Although I dont consider porsche in the same realm as the others listed, you see far too many of those around, but yea its the right idea. Lexus doesnt make any high end performance cars.

 

IS high end....no I don't see it. Bently Continental or other cars that are at the HIGH END of the buying spectrum yes.

I think there are people that are satisfied with good enough and there are those of us that always can have and want a little more, leading us to modify. After all why not close up the fender gap, put some tint on, add an exhuast to make it growl a little more, rip out the sound system for something extraordinary? How far you wanna go depends on what you like and how much you can afford.

 

Actually I think the IS350, G35, and BMW 335i are at the right range for mods, because they are the top range for small sedans. It can be argued that people didn't get a GS or a 5 series not because of money, but because there is no need for that size of car. So to me, if you spend your money modding it to your taste, fine.

On the other hand, I question the rationale behind spending a lot of money modifying a cheaper car to the point where you could have gotten a better car... For example, if you spent a few thousand dollars modifying your 250, wouldn't it have been easier to have just gone for the 350, making your car more unique by a 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 ratio? Plus, there are no mods out there that could make a 250 a 350 performance wise.

In the end, I don't want to spend money modifying my 350 because 1) I am cheap. 2) I don't know how. 3) Don't want to risk the warranty 4) I am cheap. 5) Not the image I want to convey. 6) I find most mods make the car look even cheaper than I am...

But I can respect those that mod as a hobby and get to learn about their cars.

 

the IS, its a car that allows the buyer to buy into the luxuray market. Lexus and other car companies like to offer entry level cars so that it can create brand loyalty. As your income grows, they hope you will have created a level of commitment to purchase a higher priced product.

you ask why modify a high end car, i ask why modify a low end car like a neon or civic. Not that thier is anything wrong with modding either or but i see alot of modded Mercedes and Bmw's..... but i dont know if slapping 22's on a 7 series really is modding.

 

high end/entrylvl its all subjective, living in hawaii and buying a 40k car is highend to me, maybe in the mainland with the higher wages and lower cost of living its not, just a matter of perspective.

 

It's a hobby, it's better than gangbanging.

 

that's why you dont see ppl put hydraulics in their Bentley's!

 

i bought my lexus for the sole purpose of not modding it and having a nice reliable daily driver. i modded my eclipse heavily and just ended up getting tired of working on the car's problems and dealing with an uncomfortable ride due to coilovers etc. when my car is like 6 years old i might consider putting some wheels on it, but nothing performance oriented.

 

I think this is a valid question and one people have asked me in person. I do it to make it BETTER (IMO) from a looks and handling persepctive. To personalize it to my needs.

There are those that buy a Lexus, Benz etc and that is that. They are not touching a thing.

I think I would be more hesitent to mod high performance cars where the engineers have spent tons of hours making a car. I would not TOUCH a GT3 for instance.

As I have gotten older, I see the value in a M3/IS-F, Ruf, Gembella, Brabus, etc...these are complete cars and they have done the work for you. Some still mod those cars!!!!

 

It all boils-down to one thing:

Passion

Some people are passionate about shoes or watches or sailing...
Those who choose to modify their cars do it because we love cars.

For the money I've spent on my GS400 and its' modifications I could probably
be driving a stock 7 Series. But that's my point: do you have any idea how
many stock 7 Series are in my neighborhood?

I want something different, something unique... something me.
I've driven all kinds of cars, and my modified Lexus gets WAY more attention
than a stock Porsche or BMW. Do you know how many times I've been stopped at a red light and seen a car full of people next to me eyeballing my ride?
Or the Sheriff that pulled up next to me, motioned for me to roll down my
window, and then said "beautiful car, man... I have to ask, what is it?"
After I told him he said "that's the nicest Lexus I've ever seen... maybe the nicest car I've ever seen. Take care, man!"

Stopping for gas is an event when I'm driving this car.
I have people chase me down in traffic to give me a huge thumbs-up as
they roll by. Just going out for lunch inevitably turns into a five minute
interview from the local office workers finishing lunch at Burger King...
"bro... that your car? Sweeet!"

The attention can be a bit much at times... but the truth is, I love it!

There's something satisfying about building a car exactly how you want it.
If I get bored with it, I change it. Different wheels. New paint. LED tail lights.
There is always something new and exciting to do.

Most people that aren't enthusiastic about cars won't spend too much
time on internet forums dedicated specifically to their vehicle. Most of the
people on here are interested in their cars, to say the least. The BMW
and Porsche crowds are about as loyal and passionate as you can get.

So, I submit that your question is more about understanding what
makes us "tick" than getting a rational answer (there isn't one!)

 

I think it makes more sense to mod a high end car than
a Civic. I have to admit, some of my aero mods did not turn
out 100% the way I wanted them, but I still like the unique
look. For the cash I spent I could easily have bought a GS430
or a GS450h, but they would look stock, which I find dull.

The only car I probably would not mod is the 911 Turbo. Most
mass produced cars and many exotics come with wheels I do
not care for (many Ferrari wheels are grotesque).

Edit : And yes, I would modify the suspension if the Tanabe
coilovers were tested for AWD

 

I do it because it sets my car apart from others. I like the way it looks and enjoy keeping it clean, and working on the car.

 

I think this topic has been covered just as much as the ball joints thread.. LOL