Hey CL folks I want to get a general opinion about modding a DD. Unfortunately I have lost two GS's within the past year and a half due to accidents. I'm on my third 2G GS and I would like to mod my car. I know there are some insurance companies that will cover modified vehicles. Between careless drivers and variable environmental factors, I just wanted to see what you all think is a reasonable budget for modding a DD? I know money comes and goes, but I also know that some folks put hours of their time into getting their car right.

 

Ooh, internet stranger financial planning!
Whats your debt to income ratio? Are you putting at least fifteen percent of your gross earnings towards your retirement? How much free cash flow do you have?
Since it will be a hobby with no financial return at all, set aside only a small percentage of your free cash flow for your modifications.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-models-4/ might want to try asking in the GS forums.

 

@babaijebu--I'm just asking a generic question based on what others are doing. It's not really specific to a forum.

I see folks that enter their cars into contests and have thousands of dollars invested, but they only drive/trailer the car to the show. Then there are others that my just do some bolt-ons and call it a day. I know that everyone's threshold is different. For me personally, I would be apprehensive to put more than $7K into modding my dd. I could imagine some jerk running a stop sign or something and totaling my car.

 

as an enthusiast forum, you will get a myriad of responses since we all differ from incomes, and willingness to spend. i personally don't insure any of my vehicles beyond stock (in other words i don't disclose any of my modifications). i have assessed the risk and find that insuring a set of wheels isn't worth it - but that does mean it can't be for you! my rationale is exactly what sdls stated; this is a hobby with no financial return at all - unless it's specific classic cars you fancy! the risk of an accident/total is always on the table so you just have to weight how much is it worth it to you.

i do understand seeing others drop $50k in mods just to win plastic trophies and gain acceptance from others...to each their own. you never know, they could be in heavy credit card debt, don't care of the consequences, and having nothing else in their lives that matter - please balance it well!