So about 2 months ago I finally went and sold old car and after wanting one since they first came out, bought a TSX.
So here lies the question... with monthly payments due and only getting paid bi-weekly, I've saved up just a little over $600 (thats burning a whole in my pocket). I just want some opinions on what I should do. keep in mind my car as of right now is bone stoke, so you guys think I should wait it out and save up for my first mood to be big like suspension or rims, or should I just buy some minor stuff right now and start up slowly on the car?
any feedback is welcome guys. Thanks.

 

i would say don't mod, and juss focus on paying for the car

 

well the payments arent the problem, i get paid more then enough for just that. I bought a used 2004 so they arent alot of money.

 

slam it!!!

 

mod your car slowly. that way you wont get tired of it so quickly. when i first bought the a-spec body kit, i was always feeling giddy going out for a drive. couple months later, it got old. then i converted the interior lights to LED, including the license plates, and felt giddy again driving at night. got tired of that so i bought lip spoiler and debadge, and same feeling. and so on and so on. my car is 10 months old and i still get eagered driving it cause i just installed ambient lighting. but you know what? those arent even engine mods. imagine how i would feel if i was to get headers or CAI, but im saving it down the road whenever i need that giddy feeling

 

you gonna need that $600 for gas

 

1) Always be one payment in advance. It can do wonders for your credit score by helping to ensure that you are never late with a payment (one day late makes you LATE).

2) Invest about $60 in a Zano Brothers kit; clay bar, wash, polish and gloss enhancer.

3) Any extra money, hold for at least 6 months before you start buying anything other than essentials. Nbr. 2, or equivalent, is essential.

 

Modding you car isn't a race. I would definitely recommend you to take your time and slowly build up your car.

Start with something small but best bang for the buck.

- Progress RSB
- CAI
- Pulley

 

btw, since $600 isn't a lot, try BM section for any used parts that you might be intersted in.

There is nothing wrong w/ buying used parts.

 

I say put the money in the savings account. Unless you either have a great secure job, or mommy and daddy are supporting you and they both have great jobs.

I dont think right now is a good time to be blowing money on car mod's......my two cents

 

Since it's a used car and bone stock (great start), I would hold off on modding and focus on keeping the car in good working condition first. The first thing I would buy is a Helms service manual and learn how to perform maintenance yourself. The money you save is the money you earn, which means additional money available for other things. Believe me, there's plenty to do and learn by simply performing maintenance.

Use the service manual and learn as much as you can about your car. Then make a list of things that you want done in the future. In the mean time, save your money and research on this site on the DIY projects. Try to learn from other people's expericences instead of making the wrong decision. By the time you are ready, you will have the resources to make the purchases wisely and do the job correctly.

 

I agreed with JTso. Do your planning first. This is a long term project.

 

thanks for all the input guys, you guys all gave some real good advice so far.

 

600? Perfect get Hondata tomorrow..

 

lol that's close to my monthly payment...sigh only 55 or so months left...

 

dude damn, mines not even close $600 a month with insurance.

 

simple...

pay the car off first!
you're paying tons of interest every month.
which in my mind is stupid and should only be done if 100% necessary.

so pay the car off.
I didn't even replace a single bulb in my car till it was paid off.
use the interest money you saved to mod the car.
don't be dumb and pay a full term of interest, put every single dollar you
can into the car and pay it off.

if it seems impossible to pay it off, in my opinion, you spent way
too much money that you don't have.
typical American, I know, but not too smart. Interest is not good.

 

If you already have some emergency funds on the side and $600 is just extra money lying around then I would just do what JTSo and Jim said. Buy a helms manual and a Zaino wax and clay bar kit.

I think it's better to do one mod at a time so you can enjoy each mod. I think it's more fun that way.

 

That is true about the pay-off. Your paying interest every month. This money isnt going to pay off the car, its to the dealer. I would use the money to pay off the car quicker. In the end you would save your self more money and then use that for mods. But you can mod some little stuff and keep it exciting if you get bored. But nothing feels like making that last payment and shes all yours!

 

maybe buy an extended warranty

 

wow the helm manuals are expensive

 

My sentiments exactly. Great advice.

Just remember that a car is a depreciating asset. Every month you let that interest accrue, you're paying above and beyond than what you initially paid for the car. Auto loan's interest are generally not tax deductible (unless you file for a business/corporate expense) so you have every advantage to pay that interest off early.

The money you save paying off that interest is more $$ in your pocket...

 

I'd save it to cover a future deductable if you need to.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43829

 

I would save the money. But, if you're going to spend it on upgrades, I'd go with the Hondata reflash first.

 

In my opinion, it is only worthwhile to pay off a car really quick is if you are either: a. upside-down on the loan, or b. you are financing at a high rate. Otherwise, I don't see a reason for sinking a lot of your extra money into something that depreciates. True, the quicker you pay it off, the less money you end up spending in the long run, but what's also true is that instead of investing that extra money into something that appreciates in value, you end up sinking it into something that will be worth 1/2 of current values in a few years time.

I think if your rate is low, just pay off the loan as intended, and use your extra cash for actual investments.

That's my

 

 

The first thing I did when I had a little money to spent was tinted windows then I went to the LED interior and exterior lights it just makes me feel like I even drive a nicer car. Then I got was a sway bar and CAI.
If you want to do something with the engine try a CAI or the icebox
or if you want to be taking corners quicker without the roll take the sway bar.

Personally I wouldn't spend that 600$ for a hondata since that would be pretty much all the money you have to spend.