Why Modify a Car's Appearance?

[Mattitude v1]

What's up, I'm making a book for a design class on why cars are modified. The 2 basic things I'd like to focus on are appearance mods and performance mods. I would greatly appreciate anyone's input as to why one modifies his or her car? Why spend hundreds or thousands on car mods? Does the appearance of a car reflect its driver? I've got my reasons, I'm interested in yours. I could use as much input as possible. Thanks.

 

[MyEclipse5]

Why do women put on make up.

I bet half the guys on here with nice cars love it when people say "Dayam thats a nice car!"

You do it for that, and if you think it looks awesome then you'll love it more.

I dunno, im tired

 

[drew2bm]

I live in a city of about 40,000 people. everytime i go to a party someone says "OH you drive that green eclipse with the blah blah blah..." and they continue to name the mods i have. But the best part about it is when we go outside the party to show off my car, 9 out of 10 of the spactators are girls.

gotta love the attention.

as for performance (i haven't updated my profile yet) it relieves stress to light up a mustang every once in a while. the import to ground pounder ratio in my town is like 6 to 1. I am like a GOD in my town cuz my car is fast n purdy. And yes, i know i am egotistical.

 

[stock1g4g63]

To me, it's all about the natural competitive human instinct. Like sports. You always have to be "better" than everyone else. For example, you work out so you can be bigger, you upgrade your car to be faster, and as far as appearance, it's like driving a benz, but in a different way. For example: he has a blitz kit, but I have a blitz kit, molded on, with a custom widebody kit...yadda yadda i.e. i spent more money and time, therefor I'm better.

 

[ZoomBy]

too me its individuality, i like making my car not look like everyone elses, just like a fingerprint or someones face, they are all different and for good cause, i do believe it reflects the driver as well as through the car you can see the owners style, lambo doors and z3 fenders aint for just anyone, and sometimes they can look tacky, but its when they dont look tacky, its when your cars appearance is modded to the extreme but still looks clean, thats what im all about, and like the guy up there said competitive

 

[rice_into_dsm]

yeah who cares about what your car looks like. its all about the engine. As long as parts aren't falling off your car, then I think you're okay. If I could beat people all day on four doughnuts, then I would do it. I know that maybe you get a sense of individuality and a good feeling that your car looks good, but consider the following: would you want $10k worth of engine mods or appearance mods?

 

[dsmturboawd]

to impress others. thats it.

cars were meant to be driven, not decorated.

 

[FiReBReTHa]

to get the response "ive never seen that before"

and my own reason
"because i can"

 

[JoeZ]

But how often do you race on the street? And how often do you look at other cars on the street? I know my car gets more looks than races...which is why asthetics is important.

Originally posted by dsmturboawd
cars were meant to be driven, not decorated.

 

[ZoomBy]

Originally posted by rice_into_dsm
... would you want $10k worth of engine mods or appearance mods?

3k for a hahn stage 2

7k for the lambo doors, air ride, rims, system, and paint

 

[am00re34]

Originally posted by ZoomBy
3k for a hahn stage 2

7k for the lambo doors, air ride, rims, system, and paint

7k for all those body mods? your talking more like 3k for paint, 1500-2000 for rims, $2000 for air ride+ install, $1000-3000 for system+custom work, and $2000-3000 for lambo doors +install.. that = 11k right there w/o install..

As you can tell i'm about performance mods. People will always say " thats ugly, or my car is better looking", but with speed there isn't any dispute to whos faster.. Race and you will know.

 

[eclipsegsx9797]

when it comes down too it everyone does it for respect and to show off.

i love buying stuf for my car that makes it just that much faster and that much better looking. when i drive down the street and ever single person is looking at my car i just love that feeling. at first i use to be scared because everone was steering at me but i came to realize that there looking at the car . when i use to pull up at the street races to check them out i think everone in the hole area stoped to listen to my car and look at it. i dont think anyone around here knows external dump . and that respect you get from others is just great.

and one other thing when you have older guys comeing up to you saying your car is alsome and fast as hel when then have a 69 camaro,nova, gto ect. thats the best. everytime i take out a v8 i get the peace sign of respect its just feels good

o ya and the girls that just dream all over you car and just want to ride in it .

 

[ZoomBy]

no way

axis super mesh 18's............1120
lambo doors.........................1499
Paint....................................2000
airbagit.com..........................995
system.................................1000
______________________________
6614


got a friend that works at tires + wheels
lambo doors are a DYI
i can do the prep work my self
people down the street will install it for me for a case of beer
and system would be new head unit, allready got the rest

 

[eclipsegsx9797]

it also depends in what u like if you like the body kit look with wings and stuf like that then so be it or if you like a clean but very nice looking car then so be it there are many diffrent types of people out there

 

[ABK]

To dress for tens even though you can't get out of 17s. And to get your ass kicked on the ocasion

 

[eclipsegsx9797]

dress up to me is rims loward and fmic

 

[98RedGs]

I actually fix my car up because I want it to look good and perform well. I think that 90% of the people that actually fix up their cars are doing it for themselves and not for everyone else's opinions.

Basically, everyone modifies their cars because they want them to look good and turn peoples heads. But when they get to driving it and lineup against someone they dont want heads to turn, they want necks to pop!



Well... Maybe thats me...

A good launch in an awd car definately puts a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

 

[13secGST]

Well, hmm....why do I mod my car.

As you can tell, my car is very clean, very stock...I like that look the 97+ Eclipse looks incredible...I laugh everytime somebody asks me..."nice body kit"...I say...nope not a body kit..."what about the wing"...thats stock too.

So apperance wise all I have done are Rims(not just appearance), Drop(not just appearance), and FMIC(not really for appearance...but it looks sweet). The only appearance mods I want to do to my car is a CF hood, for less weight, RMDSM CF lip...looks sweet, and HID's. Other than that...I like stock look.

Performance is what I mod for, I do it for everytime I get in the car, everytime I step on the gas pedal, everytime I feel 300 ft/lbs (not a lot/enough) of torque pushing me back in my seat. Everytime some cocky guy wants to race and I treat him with respect and say sure and don't act cocky back...then I SMOKE him and they start to act all respectful/afraid/sad/mad/...its funny to watch people change so quickly after they thought they could beat you.

I modify my car because it is part of who I am...my car isn't only a reflection of myself, it is part of me. I don't really do it for the respect, because you don't get it anyway, people will always diss, they will always find something wrong. I also LOVE racing...not street racing, but autoX, road racing, even sometime drag(not soo much love, but its fun) and having the car modified and beating a Lotus Elise, Porsche 911 N/T, C5, M3, and other cars is really fun.

 

[13secGST]

ohh...

and the girls like it too...it looks really pretty...and they just about wet themselves when you/I get on the freeway.

 

[eclipsegsx9797]

from this thread i realized how much i love my car , ill post pics soon of my most recent, black rims white hood, big fmic

 

[9D9 MITSU RS]

1)To get my mind off the daily BS.
2)To meet new people- at car shows, girls dig it, etc.
3)I guess I feel like I'm learning and I'm good at what I do?
4)I just wanted to do a little and it got addictive and turned into thousands of dollars and a lot of time.

I'd stick with #4 as the most likely.

 

[fanman487]

For me, my car is simply an extention o f myself. I put my blood, sweat and tears into my car. Granted, it may not be the fastest out here, or in the best physical condition, but there is nothing I enjoy more than cleaning my car. When my car looks clean, it makes me feel good about myself and helps my self-esteem. I can honestly say that I have busted my ass for since I have had my license to get a car like this, and now that I finally have one, I am going to cherish every second of it. Seeing people do a double-take when they see my car is like watching a hot ass girl stare look me up and down. My car is the best way I can represent my personality and everything else that makes up who I am.


-Jeff

 

[eclipsed95]

Everything I've done to my car has been for myself. Sure, it gets people's attention between the way it looks and the way it sounds, but that's just a bonus for me being happy with my car. If you do anything on your ride only to get attention of others or impress, you have self confidence issues

 

[TSiGoesPsSsSst]

Originally posted by fanman487
For me, my car is simply an extention o f myself. I put my blood, sweat and tears into my car. Granted, it may not be the fastest out here, or in the best physical condition, but there is nothing I enjoy more than cleaning my car. When my car looks clean, it makes me feel good about myself and helps my self-esteem. I can honestly say that I have busted my ass for since I have had my license to get a car like this, and now that I finally have one, I am going to cherish every second of it. Seeing people do a double-take when they see my car is like watching a hot ass girl stare look me up and down. My car is the best way I can represent my personality and everything else that makes up who I am.


-Jeff

Those are my EXACT thoughts

 

[chriw21_2000]

Here is how it works:
carbon fiber hood 350
Z-3 fenders 200
body kit- 500
wheels and tires- 1500
Huge wing-375
euro taillights-100
projector headlights-250
hood pins 4 hood-25
lowering springs-200
power slot brakes-300
bill at bodyshop-1200
2nd bodyshop bill (repair/improve)- 1800
Racing seats-450
harnesses-120
guages-100
2000w amp-1500
2-15" subs-650
cd player-450
tv-150
paint for interior-50
headliner-50
extra battery for system-200
strut bar-25
momo pedal covers-50
ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE B/C THE ECLIPSE IS NO LONGER PRACTICAL-25,000 (SRT-4)
carbon fiber peices-??
tons of time, sweat, blood, tears-??

A tricked out car that everyone stops, stares, and ask about.-priceless

No, really the only reason we do all this crap is to show off and pick up chicks..
Having a eclipse that no one else has is cool. Its your own creation. You build it to your suiting. You dont care what it cost. Its your car.

Laterz