Avneel

So I've just bought my TL 6MT, it's been about a week and like the title says what are some good value mods to do? I'm still currently in highschool going into my senior year this September.

I'm from Canada so auto stuff sometimes isn't as cheap as it is in the USA. Please post your thoughts with the mindset that if you were still in highschool what would be some stuff you would do to your TL.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if i were still in highschool, I wouldnt mod my daily driver.

because, depending on your goals for the car, can reach into the $5k mark, easily.

so, looking back at 18 year old justin who had no money, i'd just drive the shit out of the 6mt TL.


p.s. my first highschool car was a 1989 mx-6.
and it died shortly after i bought it.

so, yeah....be sure to have money saved up for repairs. that will be your number 1 priority in highschool...to take care of the car and keep it in great condition.

you're going to need to have at least $1k saved for repairs.
repairs are costly.
tires are costly.


if you dont have money to replace tires, you shouldnt be modding

Avneel

I do have money, I bought the car myself and I left myself with the cushion of 3 thousand, because of things like insurance and repairs. Plus of course a part time job. The feedback I got from you was extremely helping though and I needed to hear it so I don't go overboard and empty out my bank account...so thanks for that!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

$3k cushion is nice!


keep saving. 2 major repairs will demloish that cushion.


tires are 800-1000 for 4.
etc.

another plus of saving is; you then will be able to buy whatever mods you want and will give you time to research mods.
Please Please dont add random bits to your car thinking you've modded it. this is another reason, why i say to hold off on mods, as time goes on, your taste change....

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

Search the forum for cheap mods. Maintenance over mods.

polobunny

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...thread-814601/

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

lol Evil Virus knows the trouble ive been through with my car.

i'll tell you what, if i was in highschool with a part time job, i wouldnt even be able to afford the TL.


keep saving that coin, kid!

mvp2765

iTrader: (1)

If i were in HS still, i'd probably give the car a full detail & wax and maybe get the windows tinted after making sure all maintenance is good!

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

4 doe = moe hoes

GreenSpades

Absolutely make sure the maintenance is up to date. I have had my 6MT about 6 months now and I haven't even started to mod yet. I am just trying to get it in good operating and cosmetic condition. Which means to me having everything working properly, being up to date with maintenance, having new wear items or a cushion for wear items that are old, and, for me, reasonable appearance reconditioning. I'm not going crazy trying to get like new.

To each their own though. Like Justn is saying you will need to repair things especially if it has a lot of miles. I am going through that right now and if I had blown my wad on an exhaust I would really be kicking myself at the moment.

That said some cheap easy "mods" are:
short shifter
shift bushings or braided lines
SS brake lines
update your brake pads
underdrive pulley
tints
exhaust tips
various exhaust set ups, this can get pricey
pointless intakes
a-spec or type-s body panels etc
better audio components

BigJHouse

If I were you ( I was a few years back) I would plastidip it and drive, tints are cool if your nor worried about cops. If you want more noise I would do a stage exhaust they're cheaper. And for the intake I would do a resonator delete. Then I'd drive it and have fun. Don't forget maintenance.

Hi speed

iTrader: (3)

Look at the blackmarket section ( our parts for sale section ), there are lots of good deals on parts to get you started. The 6 speed is a pretty nice car to start with so any performance mod will be more worthwhile. The GM scyncromesh transmission is a good cheap mod ($40) and will make the car shift better. LEDs are another cheap and easy mod for the interior lights. A used cold air intake or type-s wheels both can be found pretty cheap in the blackmarket section. Look for sellers in Canada selling in the blackmarket to keep shipping cost low. There are many Canadian members selling used parts.

I agree that taking it slow with modding is a good idea, but not that the TL is fragile or requires you to keep a large repair fund.

DeathMetal

iTrader: (2)

An A-Spec kit, proper tints, and a clean car is all most will ever really need. A taillight swap and blacking out the headlights will finish it off.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Like others have said, add the A-Spec lip kit and tint the windows. The car doesn't really need much more than that to look fantastic and stand out

DementiaPhuro

If I was in high school, I wouldn't do anything to the TL. Like the others have stated, repairs can become costly. Routine maintenance is what will also get ya. Tires can get expensive if you plan to drive a whole lot. I'm not much older than you, just off by about 5 years. I bought the TL after saving up a good amount of money. It's reliable but at your age, I would keep sitting on that cushion and build upon it. Maybe after you get a better financial situation going with some stability, then you can start modding the TL.

Some of these key things can make it or break it for some people. I don't want to see you be forced to sell or not be able to drive a car you worked hard to pay for due to improper money management. The mods can wait. Start early now and you will thank the people who gave you this simple advice down the road. You'll be entering adulthood soon after graduating H.S. Do yourself a favor and start now. Be a responsible consumer that makes decisions with their brains, not because of their desires or "needs".

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I didnt seriously mod until the car was paid off.

I did however; replace parts that went out with aftermarket parts.
like motor mounts and such

that might be a plan for you, OP!
as things wear out, replace them with aftermarket parts!
so, you're killing two birds with one stone!

TacoBello

If I were you, I'd drop that 3k on making sure every single thing on your car is in pristine condition. I think it's a lot more "baller like" to have a mint 10 year old car, rather than a car with some flaws and some mods done to it. Anyone can mod. Not everyone can have a pristine 10 year old car.

While the 6MT is no rocket ship, it is still plenty for what it is. I likely would have written the car off if I was 18, lol.

The only mod I would do if I were in your shoes is lower the car a little. It's cheap enough to do and does plenty for aesthetics. Just don't slam the car!! Otherwise, enjoy it for what it is. It's a nice and fun car!!

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Drive around and look for bitches to pick up.

Pffft, my first car was an 83 Plymouth Reliant. Brown. I've had shit come out of my ass faster than that car could reach 60mph.

polobunny

That good old Reliant K. Seats for "6".

TacoBello

My first "official" car was a 1990 Cavalier Station wagon. At least it had the 3.1L V6 in it doe

Girls were lining up around the block to get a ride in that beast.

DementiaPhuro

My first car was a 91' Legend. Gee do I miss that car.. So advanced in technology at that time period and was a solid quality built car. That C32A motor. Drove that thing to school, everyone knew me as the guy with "The Legend". Beast lasted me 5 years before the notorious blown head gasket took effect at 125k miles. Then I ended up buying the TL 2 weeks after all the constant searching.

Oh the memories.. RIP to my Legend.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Comes down to how you want to personalize your car, do you want looks/power/audio...

If your looking for power, check out the EndLess catback and j pipe:

acura tl exhaust

ACURA TL exhaust J pipe

thoiboi

96 grand caravan.





You know how many bitches I could pick up in that thing?!!!!!?



OP maintain, and keep that money. I didn't bother modding cars in HS and college because I knew other idiot students would ding it all up.

GreenSpades

My first car was a cavalier too. Mine was a 1995 base though. No tach, no power anything, 3 speed auto, speedo went to 105 I think. Blew the head gasket, probably because I floored it just to keep up.

b15

^ Agree. I've had my TL for a month now, bought it as my second/winter car. I have spent almost every weekend doing some sort of maintenance or repair to get it to a condition I'm happy with and ready for winter. If you're good with your hands you'll save a lot in labor costs, but parts can still add up. I just looked over my credit card bill for August and it added up quicker than I thought.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

My first car (and only) car in high school (class of 92) was a 1988 Integra special edition. I loved that car. I added some cheesy "ACURA" letters to the front top part of the windshield. The car was white with SE white wheels....so I thought of adding matching white windshield wipers

As soon as I got to Gainesville for school, I quickly removed that crap and had it for a couple of years in college until the car died on me one day (tranny) on the highway back home. Got a new 95 S10 4wd and modded the crap out of it....jacked it up, brush guard, fender flares, dual exhaust and side nerf bars. I was trying to emulate the ZR2. Loved that truck.

csmeance

Cheapest

Chrome strips on the lower grilles
Remove the key hole (shaved keyhole mod)
Debadge
Roof spoiler
Trunk lip spoiler
Vinyl Decal the roof
Detailing

A bit more money:
Tint
A-Spec Kit
Shocks/Springs

Power:
J-pipe
Intake
exhaust
MDX intake manifold spacer

But before you do any of those, do the maintenance first!

Acura93

Same boat buddy, I'm in HS too. I was planing a lot of things before I got my car, for me the V6 come with the car is enough for me, so I just go to mod for the look.

I just got new wheels and tires, because it will give the car a aggressive look than the A-spec lip kit.

My next mod is A-spec lip kit, then headlights and tail lights!

I think with 3K you can get new wheels,tires, and A-spec kit. However, as people said above, I did make my car in great condition before start to mod! I did detail 2 times and body work all around too!

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

modding during high school is pretty worrisome.
you become more attached to the car after modding it, at least i did.

been there, done that.
I really wish i bought a dash cam back then but they were all over 300$.
no matter how far i parked away, i was always worried.
i was the kid that did a full walk around of the car before getting in.

i would pick up the a-spec kit, its a hefty price, but it transforms the car so much, and they're being discontinued. it still is the most expensive mod i've done, so im glad i got it out of the way first.

Avneel

what a inspirational thing to say

Avneel

Everyone is really giving me a ton of feedback, and I honestly agree with what everyone is saying. As for lowering the car, one simply does not lower anything in Edmonton, Alberta lol.

TacoBello

I'm of the same mindset, however, I bought my TL slightly lowered and it's actually been problem free. Just gotta be a bit cautious, is all.