If you had finite, but ample, car funds... what would you do?

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori) 07/30/2020 at 21:34 • Filed to: None

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On a drive the other day I was thinking about car improvement budgets and how I hate them. Specifically I hate how I can’t justify a lot of what I want to do to my vehicles because it is cost prohibitive or has a low return on investment (ROI).

So I thought of a game. Well really a thought exercise. What would you do to your cars if money wasn’t super important. I’m not talking fuck-you-put-a-Ferrari-V12-in money but like... reasonable funds that exceed your current capacity?

I’m doing a poor job describing what I’m after here, so I’m just going to start...

Land Rover

The Land Rover is the vehicle to benefit the most from this. Specifically there are a ton of mods and improvements I’d want to do that would cost of fortune but not really improve it much, or might even make it worse.

I think I’d go with...

Hail damage fix - $1000

Repaint roof - $1000

Roof rack - $1500

Front and rear lockers - $4000

Interior spruce up - $500

If I was REALLY going nuts, I’d look into an engine swap to something larger or more efficient, preferably both, but I don’t know where to begin on that...

Saab

The Saab, like the Alfa, will probably get all of these things... one day.

Full body respray - $5000

New interior (headliner, carpets, seats) - $2000

Engine Rebuild - $1000

Someday...

The Alfa

I’m not counting “fix the engine” as that is in this year’s budget.

Hardtop - $1000

Full body strip and repaint - $4000

New interior (dash, seats, carpet) - $1500

Fix AC and heat - $3000

Not sure I’d ever actually like... USE the AC, but I’d like to have it.

The Jaaaaaaag

The Jag is nearly complete but in a perfect world...

Manual swap - $????

Minor body work - $1000

Undercoat - $500

New headlights - $2000

Powder coat wheels - $500

The Volvo

Initially I couldn’t think of much to do here, but the more I think about it the more I think the Volvo deserves some love too... some very ambitious love.

Uprated intercooler - $????

Larger turbo - $????

AWD swap - $????

Minor body work - $1000

Because come on... if you had the money why wouldn’t you try and hit the figures from the Polestar concept?

Alas

A lot of this is fun to think about, but those funds make much more sense being used elsewhere.

The Volvo may eventually get a better intercooler.

The Landy will certainly get the paint and body work and maaaaaaybe a rear locker one day.

The Saab will eventually get what it needs too, as will the Alfa.

The Jag will get... sold.

But hey if anyone wants to cut me a check for $40k it’d make for some great hashtagcontent :-P

What would you do?

CB > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:37

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It’s hard for me to want to modify my daily driver, since the whole “it works without me screwing it up” thing has a large appeal.

However:

Depending how ample ample is, Golf R engine swap too.

Just Jeepin' > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:37

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Replace everything. Rewire everything. That’s all.

atfsgeoff > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:39

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What I would do is actually precisely what I’m doing to my truck: Eaton TrueTrac torsen limited slip diff install. If I had another $2k to burn on it I’d probably have the bed professionally stripped, prepped and sprayed with bedliner. That’s about it.

The TrueTrac itself is already in-hand, I just have to get it to a shop for install (I don’t have the tools and knowledge to confidently install a diff and set backlash, etc).

Spanfeller is a twat > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:39

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Manual on the kia. 

ranwhenparked > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:40

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I have only one car, at the moment. I guess I might powder coat the chrome wheels to something a little subtler, not black, but maybe gunmetal or just matte. Also, maybe recover the seats in tan leather instead of the factory black, and get a set of redline tires. 

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:43

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4Runner:

-manual swap

- 2" OME lift(technically lowering it though), and refinish the dealer option Enkeis I have for it.

-Have the wiring redone on the interior, and have a radio installed

Corvette:

- Double din radio installation.

-2012+ C6 Z06 seats, possibly C7 seats.

-Callaway Honker intake + headers and x-pipe + tune(also changing the fan temps)

-Refinish the wheels

PowderHound > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:46

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Only one car so:

Fix rust/repaint/sedan wide body conversion: $6000? Probably more

Honestly fine with that. Maybe some sway bars at $600

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:47

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Get a pickup and a trailer  to tow the Miata places.

Get an aftermarket ECU for the Miata and have it tuned. Fix the paint spot. Pay someone to install the suspension bits I have in boxes.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:48

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I love this idea. Okay, here’s what I’ve got.

The 2012 Cruze. My only car.

Medium quality repaint in current color because the paint is mostly rock chips- $2500

New windshield would be nice - $250

Manual swap because its automatic is not known for being very durable - $800 (????)

Full professional detail on the interior to get rid of some stubborn stains- $150 (??)

Some decent wheels, maybe used, with new all season tires - $6 00

I can’t think of anything else really.

lone_liberal > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:49

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The Camaro would get a full aftermarket subframe and suspension, a good 383 stroker motor and the interior and body done professionally but back to basically stock. 

MM54 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:50

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Chevelle:

Finish it (remaining bodywork, rear end replacement, fix the seat, paint )

RX7:

Rebuild/reseal engine with mild porting

Replace all sun-damaged interior bits

Paint

4Runner

Remove all rust

Add factory-option (but not optioned) rear locker

124

Set of light weight wheels with very sticky tires

Set of cheap wheels with snow tires (this needs to happen in the next couple months)

Oh and a few other projects that I want to do but don’t have time/money for at this point that I won’t get into the details of here

SmugAardvark > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:50

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I just want to get a supercharger setup for the C5. Then I can say I have two supercharged RWD cars, and nod accordingly.

PatBateman > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:56

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2011 Ford Expedition Limited, 5.4 V8

Replace Triton engine with bullet-proofed version + Whipple supercharger

Transmission replacement

Carbon fiber driveshaft

Lightweight rims/285 A/T tires

Full interior leather upgrade (GIMME THAT STAMPED SADDLE LEATHER)

Full stereo/AC control swap to a “Tesla” screen-style Control stack

Borla exhaust

Just some minor things. 

AkursedX > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 21:58

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Rx-8: I’d be completing my STX autocross build.

Full cooling system service with larger radiator and better fans- $1100

OS Giken rear diff- $1500

Lightweight seats that I fit in with resistors wired into the seat harness to keep the airbag lights off $600-$2000

Lightweight pullies $250

Another set of 17x9 rpf1's to have a set of michelin sport 4s for rain and switch to yoko A052's $2500

Have a spare Mazda reman engine so I can keep downtime at a minimum when my engine goes $4800

My STI

Reliability mods and some light suspension work as it’s my daily.

Killer-B elh header, oilpan, pickup, and windage tray $2500

Perrin oil cooler $750

Cobb Air oil sepa rator $500

Cobb protune with the same boost levels I’m at but clean up the fueling a bit. $400

RCE coilovers $1800

Finish adding MLV to the floor and foam to the ceiling to quiet it down more $350

A head unit that will actually stay connected to my phone $700

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:01

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My sticking point with spending on cars is that you just don’t know how much time they have left. It would be devastating to spend thousands on fixing up a 20+yo car only to have some catastrophic failure happen a few months later that sends it to the junkyard.

dogisbadob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:04

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I’d buy a real car :p

For 30k I’d get a clearance TourX or a Corolla hatchback manual with a Webasto sunroof

For four digits, I’d get a 2003 Matrix XRS or Vibe GT with the 2ZZ, a Mazda6 hatch if I could find one, or perhaps a Saturn Astra (big sunroof)

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:04

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Jankwagen gets a V8 swap, TR6060 trans, Ford 8.8 rear, fix the rust, full body respray, gut the interior and Dynamat it, and reupholster it and redo the stereo. Basically everything I have planned anyways.

OmerCarrothers333 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:06

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1. Pay off the GTI.

2. Get the body-work on GTI straightened out.

3. Some of the interior bits would get spruced up, seats re-covered, window tint, and new stereo.

4. New wheels, or the originals would get spruced up.

5. Maybe some go-fast bits. Definitely getting the engine checked out.

The Snowman > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:07

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I’d pick up this and a new coyote/6speed combo.

The Snowman > The Snowman 07/30/2020 at 22:08

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SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:12

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I’d swap the driveline in our VW Transporter sync ro dual cab for either:

a ) RWD driveline from a Porsche Boxter; or b) full electric AWD conversion. And a rebuild of the seating.

Forester would get an engine rebuild along with a new clutch.

Nissan Patrol would get some tubeless 16" steel wheels to replace the split rims and a second battery.

sony1492 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:14

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Scion iM: Rims with a better offset , firmer dampers, and stiffer springs that ride .75" lower. $ 2-3k

The S cottsdale: New Mud tires, rebuild the transmission since it leaks and is very crunchy, strip and rebuild t he body because of the incredible amount of rust, performance Cam, headers, elderbrock carb, front and rear tow hitch, and fog lamps. Basically $6k into a shovel.

Locost: Rims & Tires, passenger seat, tube bender, English wheel, shrinker pedal, and then literally everything you’d need to have a functional car. Still waffling about if making a full metal body is feasible but itll cost a fortune either way.

Dr.Jeckyl > CB 07/30/2020 at 22:18

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YES, 100% yes! Needs the graphics as well.

notsomethingstructural > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:18

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I put a litigator on retainer who’s getting ready to file a lawsuit, and we’re expecting (hoping?) for a speedy settlement because the defendant could get brought in on some serious real estate fraud criminal charges if the complaint hits public record . So I’ve already been daydreaming, and if it pans out I STG ima yolo yeet that shit on an R8. 4.2 vs 5.2 I’ll wait to see how the settlement is looking.

But yeah it’s basically hitting the lottery and  that shit is going straight to a car while I can still “ “ “ afford””” a dream car that runs on gasoline. Live the dream and all that.

Under_Score > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:20

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I could technically afford this, but sub-$10K hybrid or compact vehicle in a fun color for “business purposes.” Food delivery, rent it on Turo, use it for rideshare, put one of those advertisement things on the side or the roof (Uber OOH).

There’s a pale green 2008 Camry Hybrid with a sunroof, the keyless access, and an aftermarket screen/backup camera for sale near me that’s very tempting. I also looked at orange c.2017 Chevy Sonics.

For Sweden > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:24

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Buy a large ultrasonic parts washer and put my engine in it.

LastFirstMI is my name > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:25

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IS350-

It’s my daily, so nothing crazy.

F-sport exhaust

F-sport springs to lower juuusstt a smidge

Light tint on the windows

Summer tires- Pilot sports maybe?

One of those fancy phone mounts that fit in the cup holder

Land Cruiser-

Bronze wheels

2” lift

OME bumper sticker (no products, I don’t really do any serious off-roading, I just want to act like I do)

Reupholster front seats

Decent subwoofer (the stock one is turrible)

FJ Cruiser-

Hitch-mounted Bike rack and ski rack (The 2” lift is a pain when trying to put stuff on the roof rack!)

TRD exhaust

Jack in the Box bobble head for the antenna

And now for my secret fetish fantasy.....

Crosstour-

Roof rack with jerry cans, lights and two spares

Downsize to 15” steel wheels

K02 tires

Steel Mesh headlight protectors

Skid plate

Box of beef jerky and a sleeping bag

Rand NcNally paper map of Alaska

I’ve thought about this last one way too much.....

Captain of the Enterprise > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:32

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For my 2011 Camry Le 2.5I-4 I’d do

1. new struts on all 4 corners which may happen eventually as they are all leaking a little bit

2. New windshield (it’s not cracked but has putting and scratches in it which is a minor annoyance.

3. An aftermarket head unit with CarPlay you replace my current aftermarket unit which has Bluetooth But not CarPlay.

4. Maybe replace the steel wheels and hubcaps with the alloy oem wheels that were an option. But I like the steel ones being cheap to replace with how bad Michigan’s roads are

5. New headlight housings, I refinished mine but am not to happy with how they turned out. Not as clear as I was hoping and I coated with clearcoat but it dried a little oddly.

That said I may be selling it anyway in the next couple of years. I’m looking at 4Runners of similar age for fun right now, that could be a very nice upgrade for me. Everything is on hold until after I graduate after the fall semester and hopefully a good job out of school. If I decide to keep it I’ll probably do struts and the head unit and drive it into the ground which could take a while as it’s only at 156,000 miles . Or I’ll do nothing and sell it and get something else.

Just Jeepin' > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2020 at 22:32

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My dilemma every few months.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:53

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Oooh Boy, money to fix and improve all three of the cars in my family fleet. Where to start? Well, might as well get to my car first.

The Focus: My car. It’s 14 years old wit h 205K miles , and pretty tired. So, here we go.

Complete suspension rebuild. Front struts and lower control arms. Rear upper, lower and middle control arms and springs. All fluids changed. Rear brake drums adjusted, and ABS restored to working order. Valve cover gasket replaced and timing chain and tensioner checked/replaced. A/C recharged and instrument panel lights repaired. Thermostat replaced.

The Explorer: Wife’s car. It’s 18 years old with 180K miles, and not too bad.

New front and rear struts, rear sway bar links. All new brake rotors/pads/fluid. Timing chain tensioners. Rear limited slip differential (It’s RWD). Switch out leather seating for cloth seats front and rear. New fluids throughout as well. Fix gas gauge so it reads reliably. Upgrade audio system to a modern head unit. Install cold air intake, headers and exhaust upgrade just for fucks sake.

The Nissan 200SX: Son’s car. It’s 25 years old with 105K miles, needs a few things to be 90's awesome.

New headliner and sunroof cover, as the headliner sags a bit, and the cloth covering of the sunroof cover is long gone, with only the metal shade left. A few dents and scrapes repaired/repainted, along with the rear wing repainted. The tachometer needs repaired, as it works occasionally. Probably a new alternator. New fluids and a good tune up. Radio needs replacing, with speaker upgrades.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2020 at 22:58

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Few failures are catastrophic if you’re willing to put in the time and money. Pretty much only extensive body damage, flood, or fire seem like unrecoverable losses.  But yeah, I get it for sure.

Beefchips > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 22:59

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Hmm, well, gotta say I’m pretty happy with my vehicles at the moment. BUT! just for fun,

WRX — add a roof rack and buy studded tires on separate wheels. That would probably   be like 3k total. But t hen I’d have a cool ski car rather than just borrowing my wife’s Escape.

KLR — replace the cheapo phone mount and cheapo USB charger wired to the battery with a good ones that actually work well. That’s probably less than $100. Yeah, you know what, maybe I should just do that this weekend!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > LastFirstMI is my name 07/30/2020 at 23:01

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I ’ve thought about this last o ne way too much.....

Meeeeee tooooo

Beefchips > MM54 07/30/2020 at 23:02

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C an you get an aftermarket hard top for the new 124? I’m pretty tempted to buy one cause I think they look incredible, but I live in Oregon and soft tops don’t really hold up all that well here ...

Kiltedpadre > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 23:05

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Given my current fleet the only one with real options to do much with is my 2006 Silverado. Given free reign to go wild I’d probably have some fun with it though.

-Functional air intake hood, they make one that looks like the 70 442 dual snorkel hood that’s about $700

-Repaint adding some stripe work $5000 as a guess.

-complete front suspension rebuild $600 in parts

-big brake upgrade $900

-turbo kit $2200

-new headlights $250

I’m trolling Craigslist for a later body style bumper with the integrated side steps to see if it could be mounted on my truck, but since it may not fit it would need to be cheap enough to be throw away money.

Of the others can  you guess which two it might actually get in it’s life?

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 23:15

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If I had my druthers I’d probably get a c6 or c7 vette, with a manual. If I really had it going a FD RX7 with an LS swap, also manual. Or maybe a Camaro so my wife and son can both be terrified at the same time.

zipfuel > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 23:18

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Jetta Wagon

Adequate funds: fix all the rust, upgraded brakes and pads, short shift kit, adjustable coilover suspension, bronze Enkei wheels, sticky tires, intake upgrade and tune, maybe a better head unit.

Ample funds: RS3/TTRS engine swap - then fix all the subsequent shit that the extra power breaks.

glemon > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 23:43

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Now that is a fun one:

2002 IS300

Rear Bumper reskin and respray-the has been repainted a couple times and has a crease in it $400

Heated Memory front seats, an option I don’t have, but would like, especially the heated part $300($)

Maybe a manual swap and limited slip diff (I am getting old and lazy and kind of used to the automatic) $3500

Fix minor A/C leak rather than put in refrigerant every year or two $300(??)

2007 Honda Fit

Paintless dent removal various door dings $300

New carpet $300

Fix minor A/C leak rather than add refrigerant every year or two ($300??)

97 Ranger

ABS fix ($200????, I think it is just a wire, but hard to get to wire)

CEL fix, code is fuel tank vent issue, Google says solenoid or something, I don’t care, but if I have money to burn $100

1968 Triumph TR250

New Ratco Frame $6000

Aluminum front and rear engine plates $300

Large bore single pipe exhaust (I currently have dual pipe, looks cool, but weighs more and according to tuner books single big bore is more better $600

Head ported, polished and shaved $2000 (current head is shaved, I want to bump compression and help breathing)

Paintless dent removal (1 dent $75?)

Oh yeah, and a convertible top with zip out rear window to replace the one I got that doesn't have a zip out rear window even though I ordered with, but the vendor screwed me, an almost forgotten grievance

That is it that I can think of right now.

glemon > dogisbadob 07/30/2020 at 23:48

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Star for Saturn Astra, saw one the other day, my first thought was, hey, that is kind of a cool little car, my second was, what the hell is it? My third was Saturn Astra, huh, fuzzy memory that maybe I was aware this was a thing, they must have sold by the dozens over here.

TheDutchTexan > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/30/2020 at 23:52

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2005 Mustang GT
- Suspension
- Supercharger

2018 Passat GT
- Suspension
- Golf R Brakes
- Exhaust
 
2012 Focus
- Get rid of the damn thing and get my wife into a Prius.

Saracen > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 00:00

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Well, for this scenario, I will assume I didn’t sell my 997, since I sold it because I didn’t want to spend money to maintain a garage queen I wasn’t driving much..

997 Carrera 4S:

DSC Sport controller. $1200

Factory short shift kit with alcantara boot and shift knob in Sea Blue. $600

991.2 GT-Sport steering wheel retrofit, in Sea Blue. ~$1200

Spacers: $100?

GT3 Rear Seat delete kit ~$900

Dump PCM for a nice Sony CarPlay unit: $600

Ducktail-style spoiler. $1200

Aero front bumper. $1500

997.2 GT3 rear bumper. $1500

Custom rear muffler section with center exit tips. $1000-1500

7.3 Super Duty SuperCab Long Bed:

4" lift front leafs

4" lift rear leafs with air helper springs

Fresh coat of paint, maybe a color change to Forest Green.

35" BFG K02's on black 18" Method Racing wheels

4R100 valve body upgrade, upgraded injectors, 4" MBRP exhaust, upgraded turbo wheel

finish insulating the interior, upgrade the sound system a little bit more

Find a nice FWC Grandby pop-up camper.

Acura MDX:

Sell it and get a Macan.

Jim Spanfeller > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 00:07

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‘66 Thunder bird-

I would focus on mods that make it a better daily driver, because, well, that’s what it needs to be.

EFI to replace the fussy carburetor, improve mileage, and maybe gain a bit more power.

New wiring harness. There are a few minor electrical gremlins, and while they aren’t causing any serious problems yet (as far as I know), I’d prefer if they weren’t there. Plus, if I upgrade to modern stuff maybe my headlights will work better.

A bit of upholstery work... It’s perfectly usable as-is, and surprisingly intact for being 54 years old and original, but there are a couple tears in the seats, a rip in the back of the headliner, a cracked dash, and all sorts of wonky ness in the door cards.

New radio... the current one barely works, only gets one radio station, and sounds like crap. I want at least a working period-correct AM/FM radio, but a newer one that looks period-appropriate would be nice. I want my tunes!

Body work. It’s pretty good for 54 years old and original, but there’s a very noticeable dent in the passenger side door as well as a few other dings and smaller dents here and there plus a weird wavy panel under the bumper that shouldn’t be wavy.

New paint. It had a respray at some point, but it wasn’t done very well and it shows. Plus, there are a number of rock chips and places where the paint is cracking, especially near the door dent. I’d repaint it the same color it is now, but I’d like it to actually be done right this time.

Styled steel wheels from a ‘66 Mustang. Same bolt pattern, excellent style, and I wouldn’t have to worry about hub caps falling off ever again!

A new transmission. The one it has currently is perfectly usable, but... It’s a three-speed slushbox automatic. It’s very slow. And horribly inefficient. And it shifts gears with all the smoothness of a brick in a washing machine. As is, the car has decent horsepower (theoretically somewhere in the 300 range, possibly more if it had EFI) and isn’t insanely heavy by sixties muscle car standards, and I get the feeling that the only thing really stopping it from having classic musc le car-like per formance is the bleh transmission.

Oh, and maybe a decent exhaust, nothing too loud but loud enough that I can hear the burble. It’s a good burble.

And a 427 for good measure ;)

AestheticsInMotion > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 00:11

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Ohlins fork and rear shock. Custom seat. Cruise control. 16k service... 

BeaterGT > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 00:49

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I’m a simple man. STI powertrain swap into the Legacy GT.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 01:56

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Own:

1985 Jaguar XJ6

1998 SAAB 900 convertible

Easy, fix rust and manual swap all the things.

If funds permit, I think it would be fun to put a better intake, less wheezy cams and modernize the ECU on the Jag. Surely that 4.2 DOHC 6cyl  could be so much more!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 07:48

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1) Parts cannon my truck to stop the front end noises/brake issues, and also disc swap the rears

2) Restomod a squarebody S10

i86hotdogs > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 07:57

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Transit Connect:

fabricate a legitimate exhaust system that isn’t made with cannibalized exhaust pipe and held up with JB weld and Autozone exhaust clamps-$1500ish

Legitimate rally-spec suspension system (reached out to a company that makes custom kits)-$2900+

KC Rally Lights mounted on a solid part of the van compared to my original plan of mounting them to the front bumper that’s half on-$500

Do something to give the van 60-80 additional horsepower; 168 is just a hair below my liking-$????

Chrysler 200:

Fix the rear bumper and exhaust; was rear ended a few years ago, broke the muffler mounts and dented in the rear bumper; cheaply fixed with Autozone muffler hangers and metal zip ties; bumper is strictly cosmetic-$500

Honda Ruckus:

GY6 swap it properly, harnesses, mounts, and all ; bumping the cc from 49 to a re spectable 150cc. Now I can hit more than 45 on the roads-$2300ish

nerd_racing > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 08:13

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I’d swap out the 2014 Mazda CX-5 for a Diesel variant (more tow rating, hopefully less mpg drop when camping)

Paint the 1995 Ford Aspire Grabber Blue (just bought and awaiting delivery from Georgia, have an escort GT DOHC 1.8L and turbo stuff to go in it)

Paint the 1993 Autozam AZ-1 Blue, add the Monster Motorsports tune and turbo/fueling upgrade kit, and that’s it.

nerd_racing > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/31/2020 at 08:15

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This always hangs in the back of my head when I drive the AZ-1.  Someone could easily not see me and back over me, or the windshield could get damaged (no longer available).  But that is why I have insurance I guess.  I’d hate to lose the car, but I’m properly compensated if I do.  

nerd_racing > AkursedX 07/31/2020 at 08:20

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Have you considered Lotus Elise seats?  I have a pair that are going into the AZ-1 if you ever wanted to test them out for fitment. From what I remember you don’t live too far from me (I’m an hour south of Downtown Buffalo). 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 08:39

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I have me eye on a cheap XJS V12 on the marketplace . 10/10 would daily. Definitely need those funds to keep it moving, under its own power.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 09:45

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This is a dangerous game.

I could very easily spend $10-20k on both the M3 & Tacoma, and have the perfect street/track machine and the perfect overlanding rig.

Do I also get to buy free time to go to the track and go exploring? 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/31/2020 at 09:46

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This is the killer. Putting money in that you know you’ll never get back out. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > SmugAardvark 07/31/2020 at 09:48

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The smugness would have no limits. 

B_dol > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 10:25

1

Z4MC

Fender lines (ripped up from track usage)

Engine splash shield

Coilover tweak - switch to a more street oriented setup??

VANOS / rod bearing overhaul YIKES

Paint correction

3 Series Wagon

New struts

GTI

NADA!!!!

MM54 > Beefchips 07/31/2020 at 12:03

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I think I have seen them out there, not sure what’s involved in installing one though since there aren’t exactly mounting points at the back. I’d consider it for winter around here, since that’s half the year.

Dr_Watson > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/31/2020 at 12:27

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There’s always a roll of the dice though. Last summer I put $1200 worth of performance tires on my last car and a couple weeks later it was destroyed by a Chevy pickup smashing into it at 40mph while street parked. *poof* good by money. 

Dr_Watson > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 12:35

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I would do what I plan to do over the next 2 years just all at once and a few unnecessary expensive extras like Forged lightweight track wheels .

TT RS plan:

Track rotors and pads F/R

Yokohama A052 rubber on my winter wheels

034 motorsport c amber plates

Unitronic Stage 1+ ECU/TCU tune

Downpipe

Intercooler

expensive nice-to-haves :

Carbon Intake + bigger turbo inlet

AWE switchpath exhaust

MSS Springs

BBS forged 19" track wheels + 265 tires

Dr_Watson > MM54 07/31/2020 at 12:39

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I’ve got some 16x7 4x100/108 Koenig Lace wheels I could let you have for cheap. They may look cool on the Fiata.

MM54 > Dr_Watson 07/31/2020 at 12:43

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With the way people have trouble getting wheels to clear the B rembo brakes on these (and NDs) that’d be a gamble on fitment. I actually have a set of winter wheels/tires in-cart on tirerack that I’m probably going to order later today.

Dr_Watson > MM54 07/31/2020 at 12:48

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Cool. Back to my original craigslist plan for those.

Too bad the ND went back to 4-bolt. I also still have to resell my NC2 miata winter package. Those i think are 17's so they would have no fitment issues. (i need to stop hoarding wheels)

MM54 > Dr_Watson 07/31/2020 at 12:51

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The issue that comes up with these isn’t diameter (there ar e 16s that will fit, in fact I’m going with 16s for winter because roads ) but the bulkiness of the fixed caliper - the face of the caliper tends to hit the spokes on a lot of wheels.

MM54 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/31/2020 at 12:53

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Big crash, fire, or being stolen is about the only thing that can’t be fixed with even more money and some dedication ;)

MM54 > nerd_racing 07/31/2020 at 13:00

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What ever became of putting that 13b in an NA? I know the roof project was lost to nature & gravity but I don’t remember if that was to be the same car

nerd_racing > MM54 07/31/2020 at 13:08

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It was supposed to be the same car.  I still have the S5 13B with relatively low miles.  Trans too.  I was considering adapting it to a front wheel drive mazda trans and running it off a gutted nikki carb.  Slap it in a Festiva or an Aspire.  I actually have the alignment dowels laid out in a piece of 5/16" steel.  I just need to make the hole in the adapter larger to clear the modified miata flywheel. 

Dr_Watson > MM54 07/31/2020 at 13:22

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That being the case these would probably be an issue. They are almost the right offset at ET40 but they are ‘dished’ a bit where the spokes aren’t flush with the outside of the rim, they bend in about a cm.

They do look the business on blue cars though. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 07/31/2020 at 14:28

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So if you spin a bearing and an engine rebuild/swap costs more than the car is worth?

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/31/2020 at 14:33

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Depends on how you define a vehicle’s worth and what your pain threshold is?

But I do get your point.  It would suck to pour a bunch of cash you’ll never get back out, especially on an insurance claim, into a car only to have a texting soccer mom t-bone you and have all that money and work go poof.