to mod or not mod
to mod or not mod
I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.
Kracka - those mods, even thought they are minimal, raise some flags:
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop.
shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop
.shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
Kracka - those mods, even thought they are minimal, raise some flags:
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop.
shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop
.shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
/thread
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 4
From: PA
I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
Whatever you choose to do to the car, you'll learn to live with and choose your mods for that purpose.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
Conservative tuning and driving and meticulous maintanence can help achieve that but like all cars, things break time to time. You just have to expect it.
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
Hook up with the local evo scene in your area. You'll meet a lot of guys that know how to do many things. If that fails, drive to Philly area and we'll help you.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
Don't get into an accident
. Seriously, strip what you can before insurance takes it. Also, I think you can insure your performance parts....not totally sure on that.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted.
Anybody will but being a perfectionist you should be more worried about how the driveability of the car will change when you mod it. I'm talking about more noises and harsher driving experience.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
Whatever you choose to do to the car, you'll learn to live with and choose your mods for that purpose.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
Conservative tuning and driving and meticulous maintanence can help achieve that but like all cars, things break time to time. You just have to expect it.
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
Hook up with the local evo scene in your area. You'll meet a lot of guys that know how to do many things. If that fails, drive to Philly area and we'll help you.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
Don't get into an accident
. Seriously, strip what you can before insurance takes it. Also, I think you can insure your performance parts....not totally sure on that.- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Anybody will but being a perfectionist you should be more worried about how the driveability of the car will change when you mod it. I'm talking about more noises and harsher driving experience.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.Kracka - those mods, even thought they are minimal, raise some flags:
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
No, it won't be that much sooner unless your struts are already worn badly. And something breaking gives you an excuse to upgrade it.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop.
Exactly. Exhaust and intake will lead you to IC pipes and then something else. It's a good but expensive disease.
shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
um.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
A tune is the best thing you could do for it. If you plan to do bolt on's then a tune will make a world of difference.
Screw your warranty. Go see how helpful your warranty is by taking your stock car in for a valid issue and having nothing done.
Learn, optimize and enjoy the car. Evos really have the best aftermarket out there. I've never owned a car where I owned it and got tired of it and was able to turn it into a completely different car for a few hundred bucks.
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
lowering springs: cause more wear on the struts/shocks and down the road I'll need to buy struts/shocks sooner.
No, it won't be that much sooner unless your struts are already worn badly. And something breaking gives you an excuse to upgrade it.
exhaust/intake: those are minimal but that opens me up to going nuts with other mods. Once you pop, you can't stop
.Exactly. Exhaust and intake will lead you to IC pipes and then something else. It's a good but expensive disease.
shifter bushings: eh, i guess, but now that the shifter is getting broken in, I'm used to the stock shifter function.
um.
tune: don't want the Dealer to discover it and void my warranty. Then if there is a major malfunction at 30,000miles and I need it replaced, I'll be up **** creek paying 5000 to repair it (I understand this is a worst case scenario though).
A tune is the best thing you could do for it. If you plan to do bolt on's then a tune will make a world of difference.
Screw your warranty. Go see how helpful your warranty is by taking your stock car in for a valid issue and having nothing done.
Learn, optimize and enjoy the car. Evos really have the best aftermarket out there. I've never owned a car where I owned it and got tired of it and was able to turn it into a completely different car for a few hundred bucks.
Perhaps I'm too practical minded, but someone's gotta be
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh
I agree if you are going to mod it come up with a goal and stick to it. Evos already look good so dont worry about looks for now and that way later down the road you could do some exterior mods to hold you over. I definetly would not mess with the suspension if you are under warranty.
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 4
From: PA
I agree if you are going to mod it come up with a goal and stick to it. Evos already look good so dont worry about looks for now and that way later down the road you could do some exterior mods to hold you over. I definetly would not mess with the suspension if you are under warranty.
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: kennewick wa
Given your situation leave it alone and enjoy your car the way it is. Someday you can grow into the mods, at the very least you need somewhere to keep your car and enough money to fix it if you f... it up. To many f... up evo's around already with owners giving them up to the bank because they broke and they didnt have the money to fix them. Some day you will have the one of the only bone stock evo's out there and believe it or not it will be worth alot more because of it.
I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.I spend A LOT of time reading on this forum about what people do with their cars, and was just wondering how people deal with these issues:
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted.
Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it.
- I use my evo as a DD, and I don't have $$ or the space for a spare 'beater' car.
- I want to keep the car for the long haul (ie 10+ years), and don't want possible problems to develop down the road. (such as "I modded part X which caused part A,B and C to wear out quicker and will cost 2000 to repair").
- I don't have a garage or tools, and I park on the side of a main street. I have to take the car to mechanics in my area even for basic oil changes, and because mitsubishi is such a minority brand, I don't want complications from them not understanding how the car works with all the aftermarket parts added.
- If I get in an accident, the insurance company won't reimburse the aftermarket parts, and all the money spent getting a shop to install the part will go down the drain too.
- I have a perfectionist/OCD tendency with things and if I start modding, I fear I may become addicted
. Granted, this is my first 'serious' car. I drove bland ordinary cars (Ford sedans like the contour, taurus) most of my life without giving thought to them, but now I'm in my late 20s and am getting more into cars. Most of the people on here seem like real pros, so please no bashing, I'm a newbie and I admit it
.