I split these posts from the thread regarding Tail Lights since this has pretty much spawned it own topic...


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"spend no money" mods usually are not worth doing on this level of car...don't spend so much time thinking of "free" stuff you can do to your car...instead, think of ways to make money to buy the GOOD stuff for your car...

 

not necciserily true. alot of the free mods are a must. for example. clear corners,

 

LIke I said, they're "usually" not worth doing...true, clear corning is a free mod but honestly, it's like listing "Tint" as a mod...

When I talk about mods, I mean REAL mods...Suspension, Big Brakes, Wheels, Body kit, Engine Mods, HID Swap or Upgrade, etc...those are real mods...pinstriping, tint, clear corners, colored lug nuts, "HID-Like" bulbs, painted stock calipers, stickers, air fresheners, etc are not.....

 

so anything costing less than 500 dollar is not a mod to you?

 

Hey, if you can get good coilovers for $300, then that's great...but realistically, it's the TYPE/LEVEL of mod (not just the cost). For example, you can do a $3000 AP Racing Big Brake kit...that's a hell of a mod...but then again, so is the $2200 StopTech Kit. Equally a killer mod. Even a $900 Supra TT kit is a great mod.

Even a $200 shifter (that's worth a damn, not that Nepolex crap) is a mod and under $500.

If someone gave you a free 2JZ-GTE with a 6 speed Getrag tranny and you installed it yourself (and it actually ran) that is mod and a free one to boot!

Tint is TECHNICALLY a mod but come on, what lamer would list that in their "mods" list? Would they also list "HIDish-sorta-not-really" bulbs too? Or how about "GBX2000 WinterFresh Air Freshener" as a mod? That's as bad as adding "GReddy Sticker" on your mod list (especially if you don't even have a single GReddy product on your car! )

Those things that civic owners point out as mods ("Dual wiper blades, Chrome Hub Caps That Look Like Rims with a Big Brake Kit, Chrome Tire Valve Covers, Chrome Door Trim, Chrome Air Freshener, Racing Red Painted crappy stock calipers")...why? Because they don't have a thing that's worth a shat...

Clear corners are valid (I'll give you that) but now a days, they are about as special as tint (like "altezza" lights...who doesn't have 'em?). I'm just say, to do worthy mods. Not mods that you do simply for the sake of doing something (anything) to your car. (like making your own "Z3" vents using a utility knife)

 

At least it is agreed that any deviation from stock is technically a modification, but Manaray is saying that our cars demand another factor in the equation: "cheapness" of the mod, and he's not talking about price. I think it is true. The mod has to match the car. Example: Pep-boy plastic 14inch wheel covers would be considered a modification to a Tercel or Pontiac, but definately not on our cars. Similarly with tint, it would be a mod on other cars, but depending on the color of the Lexus, it is mandatory. The same is true with painted calipers, it is mandatory on our cars, otherwise, rusted calipers would degrade the look of our cars (kind of like wearing tennis shoes with a tuxedo).

So, both of you (Jmai22 and Manary) are correct. The point is to have fun with our cars. The point is to take care of our cars and to make improvements wherever possible.

 

I understand what a mod is. lets get back on topic

 

just remember you guys, it's your car and nobody cares but you!
who cares what others might say regarding this or that, if you're happy with any mod you can think of on yr car, then do it!!

 

indy - that's true....but sometimes, people get so caught up in "modding" their cars they don't think about the type and quality of mods that they're doing. They caught up is doing "something/anything" that they do stupid mods (plus these type of people can't wait to do the right mod...they'd rather mickey mouse it so they can "show it off" rather than doing it right)

Don't get me wrong guys, you guys know I love the JZS147 GS's. It's a great car and I would love to own one (but I don't have the garage space for 3+ cars)...I just want to see you guys do up the cars well...I understand that most of you don't have a crazy budgets but don't forget, the GS is a luxury car (even if you bought it used for $10K) and there is a certain "level" that it should be fixed up to. If you can't do it right, don't do it! Work on a Civic, work on a 300Z, work on a AE-86...all of which are much cheaper to mod and when done right, they are as respectable as any other car to true car enthusiasts (I would LOVE a clean AE-86)...now if you're just tryin' to "pimp" and show off to Jr. High School girls with your "Lexo on dubzzzzz" then you're on your own...

Think of NYWIZARD. He thinks his car is the shiznit and we all know it's a POS. But he's so caught up in his own lameness that he doesn't how ugly his car really is. Every time you think of doing a mod, think of NYWIZARD. Are you doing this mod because you're so DESPERATE to have a mod on your car or are you modding because it really is worth doing?

Jmai, I know you know what a mod is, but I still don't think you understand where I'm coming from...I just want to see you guys rollin' around in dope *** JZS147's...not mickey moused "civic ricer style" ones...

 

oh man that blue car is sweet. i love the 10 foot ***** thats holding up the screen. lol. and those pads for the belt. lol. j/k. how can you even COMPARE us to NYWIZARD. thats like straight up dissing us man. you shouldn't even mention that name and us in the same line.

 

Yeah, you like them mods, don't ya! I'm not comparing you guys to NYWIZARD (that WOULD be dissing!), what I'm saying is THINK of that moron when you do mods.

Indy, you know I have nothing against you and I would only like to see your GS come out dope, but honestly, the neonish green/yellow wierd color stock brakes are something that NYWIZARD would give props on...why? Because they stick out like a sore thumb and they're highlighting a part that doesn't need highlighting (and shouldn't be highlighted)...black or silver or get a real big brake kit if you really want people to "notice" the brakes...what's the point of noticing a part that EVERY SINGLE SC has?

Gotta love his blue wire loom to his "entertainment" system or his seat belt pads (at least get a 4 or 5 point racing harness if you're going to do pads!)..."Powered by Lexus"....gee, I would have never guessed that a Lexus car is powered by "Lexus" of all things!

NYWIZARD IS PROOF that "just do what you like" isn't necessarily a good thing to do....and the way I look at it, I'd rather say something to a fellow Lexus owner then just sit there and laugh behind their backs...yeah, I don't make a lot of friends this way but the last time I check, this wasn't www.match.com

 

Whoa, something in the database is messed up...Mischievious's post should come before Jmai's post and then it should be my post replying to Mischievious's post and then Jmai's post...then it should be my second post replying to Jmai's post and then this post...weird...

Looks like the time stamp thing got jacked...I just noticed that Mischievious's post and my reply to his post are time stamped 17:00 hours or so...it's only 10:40 right now...damn timezones always causin' problems!

BTW, NYWIZARD is my POSTER CHILD on the fight against CHROME...

 

just for personal reference...here are a few pics of what Manaray means...in case you haven't seen this guys pics by now .





and heres the kicker...

 

Man...that guy makes us ALL look bad...this is how it started for the Civic guys...that's why civics get no respect...too many "NYWIZARDS" fixed up civics and now look where their market is...don't let it happen to us! FIGHT BACK! FIGHT RICE!!

Lovely "patched in" Z3 vents

I could spend at least a hour tearing this car apart but a car crusher would be better....

 

bah...and i thought it was just me and my silly time zone out in hawaii causing me problems on posting .

anyways...i agree with Manaray to a certain extent. i admit that when i first bought my car, all i knew was what i wanted it to look like. i knew nothing about the quality of things. coming from a lowriding background, most things are done to attract attention to your car. which would explain my style toward chrome...because everyone knows how "lowriders" love their chrome (ie: chrome engine, chrome a-arms, chrome undercarriage..etc) .
when i first bought mods for my car, i didn't really do extensive research on things. all i saw was the veilside kit (which a genuine veilside is $2500+) and then the erebuni knockoff (which is a little over $1000) . then there was the Aerogear kit (which i didn't know was a copy of the Admiration Kit until a few months after i put it on) . i didn't even realize that japan had about 10+ companies making kits for our cars. if i did, i would have probably went with the Classy, Intercepter, or the Egoist kits.
same thing with my rims...when i first was in the market for rims, i knew nothing of quality...i just saw the price tag. basically i saw the lowenhart LD-1's and loved it. then i saw the same style rim from a company called Diablo which looked exactly alike, but for $2000 less. knowing nothing about quality and seeing as they were almost identical...i went with the diablo's. after a few months on the forums...i learned the difference between the quality and make between the two. a little wiser now, i'm looking into buying some Weds...and getting rid of these rubbish rims from a rubbish company (btw: DON'T BUY DIABLOS...RIMS SUCK...CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS) . i learned the hard way, but at least i learned .
most of us here are just starting out, coming over from a ricer/lowriding background and moving into a luxury car. its all about imagination, but manaray is right...there are certain things that just don't match a luxury car. but ultimately, its your car. beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and it seems that NYWIZ is blind as a bat...but hey...he seems to like it (so does J. Lo it seems ) .
lesson be, take some time to do some research. there is so much info out there, and especially with CL, there are alot of people out there that can help you make good decisions.

disclaimer - if it seems like im rambling and make no sense...don't mind me. i'm @ work, bored, going on 2 xenadrine, a double energy drink, and 24oz of coffee...all within 2 hours...ehhehehe