I am writing this to understand why some people buy cars and spend a ton of money and hook up their cars to make them look better when instead they could have just bought a better car in the first place. I can understand why you would want rims, and tint, but really all that engine junk really doesn't make the car that much faster. Headers, intake, exhaust, they are all really crap when it comes down to it and by far not worth the money. I have really thought this all over with my new CL type S cause i used to have a accord, and I lowered it and had rims and the only thing that came out of that was a busted CV boot, blown struts and at least 2 sets of four new tires, and in the end i just raised my car back up and was so happy i didn't waste money on engine performance parts. I could see why a supercharger or turbocharger would be worth it but you can't just buy those alone, cause they tend to stress the rest of the stock parts to much and then you have to buy other parts, bigger throat body, and other performance parts. Believe me i love nice cars, and like mine to look nice too but instead of buying a car and fixing it up i would rather buy a nicer car and not do anything to it. Now don't get all worked up and think i'm bashing you cause you lowered your car, bought rims and low pro tires, sway bar, headers, exhaust, and intake. I just want to understand why you would want to spend all that money in the long run when you know its going to be hard to sell that car after all is said and done, and it just stress's other components to the car anyways. Speak your mind i'm just sparking a topic.
Thanks

 

Well, personally I have no intentions of selling my car ever. I mod my car because it's part of your personality. A car is a man's second largest investment. People mod also because they do not have all the money at once.

Personally I would have liked an M3, but I would have modded that also. A M3 is a very common car, I see at least 10 a day. Modding makes the car unique.

 

A car is a personal investment, but financially speaking, it's a wasting asset. I modded my CL because I wanted better handling and rims/tires make a CL look so much nicer than the stocks!!!

 

for me...its a hobby and its therapy. Every time i'm pissed off or i need to think i do something to my car...its an expensive hobby but its fun. I dont pay to have anything done, its all self installed....i even help my friends on their cars...its what we enjoy doing. I just changed motor mounts on my friends 2000 jetta last night from 730-11 at night and it helped think a lotta shit out...it all depends on the person...some think its a waste of money, others like it

 

Yep, I bought my CLS because it was big enough for me (I'm tall, not fat) and it was comfortable and had some amenities that I wanted.. A few extra bells and whistles that I didn't need, but it was my treat to myself for graduating college. But after that, no way am I putting money towards aesthetics. I understand many of you guys do, but I just cna't justify spending money on a car that's already worth a few thousand less than I paid for it (Granted I've driven 20,000 miles on it).

I'm saving my money to go out and have fun with my friends and to buy a house when the time comes. I'll obviously spend money on the up-keep of the car, but not on how it looks.

 

I do it so I don’t see myself in the mirror when I’m driving down the road.
I like my car to look different then something everyone else can easily buy.
I always buy below my budget and allow money for mods.

Sure I could have bought a Bimmer for 40K and left it stock, but it would look just like all the ones I see every day.
STOCK & BORING.

And I CAN feel a difference in the handling and performance of the car since I spent money on the engine and suspension.
Maybe this car is just more responsive to those changes then yours was.
Most of those changes are what I call “FIXES” for Acura’s mistakes.
If stuff like headers, sways, performance springs & such were available from the factory maybe they would have sold more CL’s.

Shawn S

 

Its all about being UNIQUE, I want my car to be noticed. After all a car tells alot about the driver.

If you had so many problems out of your accord because you lowered it, then it sounds like you did something wrong. I have many freinds who have lowered cars and have had no problems at all

 

I've spent a hair less than $35,000 (including t,t,t) for my TL-S with larger wheels, headers, intake, suspension, etc...I didn't do it to invest, I did it because I wanted a semi-luxury vehicle with decent handling that had great acceleration, and a great warranty. I couldn't get a stock G35 sedan for that price, let alone one that would do what my TL-S does modded. Saying bolt-on mods don't make a difference is simply stupid, they do. Secondly, most everything is Comptech. It's warrantied. I have not bought new tires, I'm not blowing my suspension--nothing of the sort is true at all.
Maybe if I heated my springs to create a lowered effect, or bought cheap tires and skipped the rotation/alignment maintenance issues or had bought a Tornado would I be in the same boat as you...

 

It depends on the person. Some people just don't have the cash on hand to buy a betta. Usually people buy the best they can at their period in time. Not everybody can afford a 2003 Type S or to a porsche. Not everybody on this board that has a CL mods it every month (extra money for higher loan) and many stop at a certain points. Maybe people like their car a lot and basically want to keep the car forever or until it dies 10-15 years down the line.

Even people with high end cars still mod it. I have seen plenty of 80k + cars with body kits and turbo enhancements, etc. It just goes on and on forever. There will always be people looking to make what they got betta and different. And with that it kinda fun to mod it. That probably Y a lot of people try to do the mods themsleves.

 

I think it comes down to what you want. This is all individual. I have been to the extreme with a modded Vette and now I have the CL which fits my dog (greyhound) in the rear seats very nicely, but I still mod - only much more selectivly. I need a daily driver, but I want it to have and reflect my personality and individuality.

David

 

To spend money on something that you enjoy is the best point in my opinion to do anything. I'm sticking with my CL and hopefully put another $2000 on top of $5,000 I already spent.

Its all about Customizing and making it look different in my book.

 

"If they have to explain it to you, you'd never really understand" - unknown quote

Mines still stock It is my higher priced car too.

 

I also do it as a Hobby and to make the car "different" and unique.
Thats why i chose a CLS in the first place. It can be considered a rare car.

 

And to add to what everyone else has posted, If you like cars and you have some mechanical ability, AND you buy a car you like, it's natural to want to tinker with it if only to really know your car - what's behind the sheet metal, what makes it tick. And it is a hobby in itself to see how you can squeeze more horsepower out of a stock engine - wether the result is significant or not.

 

I think everyone should do what they want, it's their money, who cares? It's a hobby, to each his own. I'm not a heavy modder, (too cheap and I prefer to stay close to stock) but I would like to improve the handling some, springs or sways. I didn't like the 03 rims so I got the 01 rims. Tinted the glass. I switched out most of the yellow bulbs, added the 01 roadlamps. I plan to add a flush type spoiler too. I got the alum door sills but I haven't installed them, I think they may end up looking cheap and bent. So I'm a tweaker, more than a modder, maybe.

What I think is stupid is buying a cheapie, low quality car and then adding lots of $ to mod it. that seems dumber.

I agree, most of the expensive mods would not be worth it, to me, that is. I'm pretty happy with my CL as it came, fast, reliable, lots of features. And the best mod came stock, the 6 Speed!

 

this is the nicest "Why the fuck do you mod?" threads I've ever read ...

but yeah, I didn't plan on modding this car but it just sorta happened later on. You buy a car with certain needs in mind and as your needs change you upgarde. If I had any car I'd end up modding it eventually.

 

personality, everyone want's to make it their own.

 

I'm happy to see that you all took part in this section of the forum and just want to say thanks. I was reading thru this and someone said something like if you have to ask you don't understand. Believe me that is not that case cause with my old accord i decided to do all the mods myself and pay the price in the long run. Overall what I was saying is that yea its great to mod and release stress, and make your car look better then the one next to yours but at the same time, some one else wrote they plan on spending another 2K on top of the 5k they already spent. First of all, if i spent another 5K and two on top if definitly would have been towards a new car, and I assume most of you would agree, cause that would mean instead of paying more for those performance parts you could have actually bought a better car which had those parts on it in the first place. You can make your car as unique as you want but in the end there is always something more you want. I just want to say in the long run, i really learned something about my old accord, that first of all if you don't do it right, shit will definitly go wrong. So don't just buy springs and expect your car to be that much better. Buy shocks, springs and a camber kit. There is just so much that needs to be done when modifying a car. I would rather just buy the fast, good handling sports car in the first place even if it costs more. Cause then you'll truely be happy. I don't remember which member wrote this but it was an excellent point. Don't buy a cheap car and fix it up when you can just spend the money and buy a nicer car. The only thing i can really justify buying are rims, maybe some 18's, you really can't go wrong there other then really expensive tires! But hell i blew out one of my stock tires and that cost me 200. Once again thanks for all your replies! By the way for those of you still reading, wouldn't this be nice, well for those of you with Navi. Shouldn't the Navi screen be more funcional? I mean there are so many things that little screen can do, like show tire pressure, show gas mileage, stuff like that. Or maybe even have some sort of screen saver or something when the music plays, its so lame when it just shows nothing. OH well i think thats long enough

 

You like that, its the nicest "why the fuck do i mod" page, i mean shit we are all CL owners or at least Acura owners here so why get worked up. I mean i wasn't saying anything bad cause i modified my car once. But don't plan on doing anything to this car. I'm happy enough, until I get something new, then i'll move up and get something better (faster, sportier).

 

reddly9007: it's just a good sign of how our board is. We don't trample on ppl who come on unlike others I've seen.

 

the cl-s comes way to high from the dealer, so i drop it
have u heard a cl-s w/ a CAI?? that would explain why mostly everybody on this board has one

buy some headers for your cl-s and you'll see why they are worth the money....

 

This is probably one of the best replies on here, and the one I agree with most.

Anyway, modding is about being different and improving on an already good product. I haven't spent a lot of money on my car... but enough so that it is faster and handles better. It serves its purpose for now and it makes me happy. It's sort of a hobby for me, as I'm sure it is for most on here... so as long as it makes me happy... I'll continue to do it....

 

I use to think the same as you Reddly9007...but after reading the posts on this board, it's more than just blowing money. A lot of the folks here really do put their effort and time in making a ride that they enjoy and to make it unique. Everyone has their own reasons....for me, my car has been stock for almost 1 year now. I want to do some subtle suspension mods and will probably not do any engine mods because I feel that I can't take advantage of the extra horses on daily driving. But as long as you choose the right parts and install correctly, you should be okay in not stressing the car out too much.

 

Some mods have Pro and Con:

Let us start:
Anti-Sway bars:
Pro: The stock are weak, CT Sways are the best mod for the CLS. This is the way the CLS should be from Factory.
Con: None.

Light weight rims ( 17x7.5 oe 18x7.5) and 235s tires:
Pro: Just do it and you will see the difference!
Con: The need for winter tires setup.

Brakes:
Pro: Stock brakes are so so, big brakes kit or at least better pads are recommended. better safety.
Con: More $$$ to spend, less life span on the pads/rotors. May be noisy dusty.
CAI:
Pro: few HP more, nicer intake sound. Easy to do it yourself
Con: Cost per HP is not good. For some it sounds ricey.

Headers:
Pro: Best engine mod for the CLS. 20-25 WHP more after 5000 rpms. Lowest $$/HP too!
Con: Just make sure you do not have the "drone noise"

Exhaust:
Pro: Look nice
Con: Expensive, no HP gain, loud for some.

Pulleys:
Pro: Good HP all across rpms.
Con: HIgh $$/HP, and the belts may squeak like they do on my CLS.

Supercharger/ Turbo:
Pro: The most REAL HP gain from engine mod for the CLS.
Con: Very high $$$/HP.


Anything else, Ah... cosmetics mods are like your wife's makeup

Nashua

 

The way I look at it is....I took out a loan for 5 years, which probably means I'll have the car for 5 years. I just made my 38th payment, and I still like the way my car looks....not stock, modded. It will probabaly be paid off in a year at the latest, then I'll probably keep it and buy a toy....or upgrade to a CLK...or M3....it depends on when I get a raise...and buy a townhouse....but REGUARDLESS of what I drive, it will never be stock. Anyone that takes the time to go a website dedicated to a car has the bug in thier system

 

I see your point on all those pro's and con's but at the same time this is a FWD car. The more horsepower the more wheel spin off the line, which does not equal out to faster times on the track or on the road. If you read about the comptech supercharged CL type S and all the stuff they did to it you see that its not really that much faster. Most people see more horsepower as a good thing but its not always the case. Some times it means less gas mileage, more tire spinning, and more noise. Sport luxury cars weren't made to have loud exhausts for that reason, to limit the noise i would assume. I mean if you want to performance car in that sense why wouldn't you just buy one (A EVO III, STI, or the god forsaken SRT neon). TELL ME THIS HOW WOULD YOU FEEL LOSING A STREET RACE TO A FREAKIN DODGE NEON!? Even so i actually had a deposit down on a STI, i was number 2 and was getting it but took back my deposit cause the car isn't good for everyday driving, and thats what i do. Sometimes what you want isn't always good, but you have to make the right choices. I didn't want to drive a freakin subaru that didn't have a stock stereo, had bad interior sound, and loud road noise. Why pay 30k for that!

 

I hear what your saying Nick Pass, but at the same time why would you really want to alter a M3, i could see why you would change a CLK, unless you get the amg or 430 maybe, but if you get a cheaper one then you there is room for improvement

 

One reason i mod my car is to keep it exciting. I get the new car bug very quickly and always want something new. That's not very practical, and I can't afford to do that, so I throw a new mod on here and there and every time I do I get excited about my car again. So if I can put a little money into my car and be happy with it again, then it's worth it for me.

 

I decorate my car the same reason I decorate my christmas tree every decemeber.

 

yea but if a car is a depreciating asset in the first place, then why keep putting money into it?

 

See, I don't view my car as a depreciating asset because I don't plan on ever selling it. I know a lot of people say the car is the worst investment you can get, but my point in buying a car is not for investment. I plan on driving this baby to the ground...so because of this, I want a car that I find very comfortable in and something that will keep me excited and happy each time I drive it. Because of this, I wouldn't mind plunking down a little bit of cash to upgrade certain things with the car...in my case, hopefully some suspension mods.

I'm putting these things on for my enjoyment and not necessarily for others. I guess for some, it's just a fun hobby to tinker with their car too.

I think I can live with the way my CLS is stock...but I'd drop it a little and put the sways on so the turning can be a bit more stable. I just want better handling...and for under $1000, springs and sways are a relatively cheap upgrade.

 

to go along with everyone else, modding is done to make your car "yours' , not like every other one on the road. and even though it does put a major dent in the wallet, its worth it....i dont plan on ever selling mine, so im' not gonna lose all kinda money on a trade-in or selling it. a whole section of my garage is nothing but stock parts, its crazy how many things you can switch out. in the end its all about personal preference.

 

Danny25 is right on the money! Every Spring and Summer........I get the new car bug. Doing little "alterations" keep me from getting into deeper debt. $200 here.....$400 there....is alot better than 2-4 years more of $200-$400 per month!!!

 

A lot of people buy cars then find out there are parts for it. I think most times, people like how their cars look and want to make it look better. Last, sometimes you buy your car, then a NEW better car comes out, and you just got to stay still.

Modding you car=kicking butt.

 

it's like asking why do you bother breathing?

i <3 modding cars.

 

If cars are your passion then why not right? If you have the extra cash that is to say. Me, I dont have the extra cause LA is expensive as hell to live and I like to do other things then just blow everything on my car.

But if i did have the extra scrap id be out modding my car. Everyone is right, if i started modding my car i would quench my urge to want to always get new cars...well sorta, maybe surpress a little bit...nah, there would always be something else id want to buy

 

I mod my car because I can. It keeps me sane.

 

Lucky you, In flushing Queens New York City, CLs and TLs are all over the damn place. I think I see about 5-7 first and + generations of CL per day driving on the street. I usually park in a lot with 1 - 2 other ones. I was surprised they had poor sales because I seen them all over the place here.

 

Well, you tell me where I can find a car that has this already, an I will buy it off the show room floor:











It's an extension of your personality. I like being differnet. And let me tell you who would turn heads at a light between my car and any stock car under 50k....

 

And this:


stolen from Aaron