What should I do?
Adolescents are at the highest risk they will ever be at in their lives to indulge sensation seeking impulses and succumb to peer pressure. Argue with me all you want, but it is true. There is a biological basis for this (well documented Neurological changes occur at around age 10 or so that are not offset by more mature impulses until early 20's). It is considered normal for adolescents to experiment at this age to learn the consequences of their actions (behavioral theory). In fact, studies show that adolescents who have higher propensities to seek risky situations earlier on in adolescence may in fact mature faster than others. So, here is the question: why enable your child, who is predisposed to taking risks, by giving them a car in which more risky situations are likely to occur?
/rant
And, to the OP, get a nice stereo. I can't imagine that your parents would be down with you voiding your warranty by modifying the car. I would stick with handling modifications (easier to justify). New brake pads are an idea. SS brake lines aren't a bad idea, either. If you can find a set of cheap EVO X wheels, get them. Just by changing out the tires, you will notice a large gain in performance (not speed, mind you, but overall performance).
Maybe I just misunderstood what you were trying to say. I thought that you were somehow upset that his parents might be helping to pay for his college. Nevertheless, it isn't bad advice. I think that this thread turned out much better than expected, overall.
With that in mind, the single most cost effective mod is the GST base map tune available on the ralliart engine and tuning forum. Read up on tuning with the tutorials stickied, buy a tactrix cable for $200, and you are good to go for +40whp. Next thing would be a drop in filter and at a minimum new tires, as stock tires are absolute crap and can be unsafe. Wheels and springs are a plus.
And a word to the wise. I myself got my ralliart when I was 18, and use it as a daily driver to university. It has more power than any inexperienced driver needs, however not more than you can handle if you are responsible. Dead seriously. Don't do stupid stunts or try to impress others. It isn't hard to get yourself killed only doing 40mph. If you want to find the cars limits take it to the track and get some good training. As great as the ralliart is, it cannot fix poor driving. Many times have inexperienced drivers accidentally gone into high speed skids and overcorrected, braked improperly, or otherwise failed to act accordingly, wrapping themselves around poles, putting their cars into barriers, killing themselves, and anyone else with them. And before you draw a conclusion that I am just a negative nancy, I can tell you that in the first month that I owned this car, I had nearly gotten myself killed or atleast totalled the car, if it wasnt for some grace of god, and, likely all those years of playing gran turismo that got me out of a very hairy situation....
Please heed this advice and keep yourself and others on the roads safe.
Evolving Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Oakville, ON
If i were in your situation where i have a new car, insurance to pay for, gas to pay for and 3000$ in cash, I wouldn't know really. I believe you need to keep in mind $3000 dollars can be stretched very far. Depending on your current financial situation I would just save it and really think about what to spend it on. Think of all angles. Maybe add a little here and a little down the road.
Personally I would do my homework and invest the money into a stock. Blue chip or medium risk and try to profit from it! But thats me and I'm quite familiar with the market.
Personally I would do my homework and invest the money into a stock. Blue chip or medium risk and try to profit from it! But thats me and I'm quite familiar with the market.
