The problem with being a modded car enthusiast.

"Frosted" (frostedbuns) 02/19/2014 at 10:28 • Filed to: None

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I love modifying cars. I always have. Ever since I was a kid, tuning cars to look better and go faster has always been a thing I was into. It started with me helping my brother wrench his first car, a Honda Civic EX, right into a 13 second 1/4 mile, rebuilding a twin turbo 300zx and then, sigh, stancing an RSX (although back then stancing wasn't adding hella camber, it was finding the right wheels and a good ride height). And now I have cars of my own to modify. My first car, a Scion xB got a new exhaust and some engine gibbens to bring the power up to 130. My v40 was "stanced" but not "hella stanced" and now I want to build my XC70 up to 350 AWHP. But parts aren't cheap. And cops don't like it. But those aren't the problems I want to talk about.

Oh no, the problem is with the community. Everyone seems to have an idea of how they would build every car ever made. And if you deviate from the path that they've outlined in their heads? Well then you're a ricer and a disgrace. Some examples - my wheels give my car a sportier look, and most people say good things. Others are telling me they "don't fit the XC theme that Volvo worked so hard to make perfect".

I've got a buddy with an 855 NA. He slapped R stickers all over the engine bay for shits and giggles. He's now getting weekly messages about how he's a shame to the Volvo community.

And I've seen this happen with the Scion and Mitsubishi communities too. It's ridiculous. People want to modify their own cars in their own way and that's great. I don't get why others have to harass others to the point where some just leave the community and do their own thing. Maybe that's for the best? It's not quite fair to say that since car communities can provide a lot of help and support and knowledge about pretty much any car make and model. It's sad that a few sour apples try really hard to ruin it for people who don't share their views on a build.

"I'd rather lose by a mile because I built my own car than win by an inch because someone else built it for me."

offroadkarter > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:30

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The XC is a V70 with some body cladding, its not that big a deal lol

I saw one guy on the volvo board, I think it was swedespeed, who was doing a full XC70R build, he dropped in a VR/SR I5 into his XC70, it was actually really cool.

505Turbeaux > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:32

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don't fit the XC theme that Volvo worked so hard to make perfect

who the hell cares? It is played out anyways. Outback, Allroad, XC. Props to you for going for it. BTW I have a friend with a 450hp 6 speed allroad. It is nasty and doesnt turn a single cops head like it is anything but normal.

Frosted > 505Turbeaux 02/19/2014 at 10:36

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That's what I thought as well. I really want to do something different with this, the obvious route would be a lift kit and bigger tires. It looks cool but everyone who mods their XC seems to do it. I just want to do a ten second quarter mile.

And that Allroad sounds awesome. Pics? Cops don't seem to care about modded Euros as much as they do some Japanese and American cars.

Frosted > offroadkarter 02/19/2014 at 10:38

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That's awesome.

And yea, same engine and basic shape, most parts are shared but the minute you put sportier wheels on an XC and talk about increasing the power, all I hear is "oh why didn't you just buy an R"

jariten1781 > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:41

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This is when you build a troll car. Muffler delete, obnoxious wrap, stick on vents, chrome window trim, etc. Then post all over the place like you really appreciate it and defend all criticism. It's good times.

André - Volvo4Life > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:42

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I drive a Honda Civic Si EP3, I feel your pain, people judge you on your cars so often it hurts.

offroadkarter > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:42

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I hope to pick up an S60R, I know if you throw a tune at a T5 you can get it to stock R power levels but its the whole package I'm after.

Frosted > jariten1781 02/19/2014 at 10:42

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I really want to do this. But I'd need a 2nd car because I couldn't daily something like that.

505Turbeaux > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:43

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I looked around and didnt have any pics. Just looks like a stock black 03 allroad. sounds real nice though. I will look later on

Lekker > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:45

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I'm a little surprised about the Scion community. I have a TC and was part of the forums and all, they seemed actually quite proffessional and caring. Even though I made silly choices for the car, peeps seem to show interest rather than hate. And my 370z has been the same experience. The forum is actually super cool, and I've met most of the people around my area that are part of it.

I think if anything we need to have temporary amnesia when it comes to this stuff. My dad once taught me, "Whatever you do, do it for you. Not because your neighbor did, or because your co-workers/school-mates can't. Do it for you." Through this I've realized nothing really matters other than how I feel about what I do, and of course my loved ones.

What is that saying anyway? Opinions are like arse holes, everybody has one. And some are quite nasty.

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:48

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Oooooh, pics of your XC70? I remember a guy on Swedespeed who was building a ridiculous one.

Frosted > rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist 02/19/2014 at 10:50

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That's mine so far.

There are a couple of builds that are so ridiculous and cool that no one can hate on them. There's one on Volvospeed of a late 90s v70XC with 500AWHP.

jariten1781 > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:50

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My little brother DDrove his troll Plymouth Voyager all through high school. It was awesome. Also took it to all the MOPAR meets within driving distance. I'd say about 80% of people realized he was just having fun, but man, the 20% who took it seriously were absolutely hysterical.

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:51

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Looks mean. Are you planning on paint-matching the body cladding?

All this Volvo talk makes me miss my 04 S60R. Simply couldn't afford to maintain it.

Frosted > Lekker 02/19/2014 at 10:52

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Back when I was in the Scion thing (a good 5-6 years ago) Scion life was a great place but when it came to the individual car clubs, there was a lot of "oh your build reflects our group poorly blahblahblah". Being 17, that bullshit intimidated me enough to get rid of my car/out of that game.

Frosted > rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist 02/19/2014 at 10:55

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Yup, dunno if I want to have it all white or paint the whole thing black. Might go with plastidip first to help me make a more permanent decision.

Also, the maintenance cost of an R is what steered me away from it. This XC hasn't cost me any more to maintain than all my other cars. If you can, go for an S60 AWD and just tune it up to R power.

Lekker > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 10:56

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I'm with you on that. I never did Scion life. My forum was dedicated to TC's, perhaps that is why? I was into it about 2/3 years ago.

Question, how is that XC70? I had never really heard of someone adding power to one of those, but then again until Oppo I did not know the large amount of people who love Volvos. What mods do you plan to do to get more powah?

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:00

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I had the car for about a year and it was an amusing experience. I bought it when I was 18 and didn't know how to drive a stick at all. Dunno if you've driven an R before but it turns out they are the WORST cars to learn how to drive stick on.

Then the front axles started going. Kept up with those, but by the time I sold it to a used car lot I was pretty sure the angle gear had gone too and it was just too much money to fix.

Buying it was a dumb decision but I guess my thought was "Oh wow, a sub-10k STi! What could possibly go wrong?"

Frosted > Lekker 02/19/2014 at 11:00

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It's good. It's comfy. A bit sluggish off the line until the turbo spools. There's not a lot of people who mod Volvos, especially post 2000 era models. I plan to get a downpipe, intake, ECU chip, bigger turbo, front mount intercooler. We'll see where that leaves me, should be close to 350 though. Once I hit that, I plan to take out the auto tranny and source a spaceball M66. Then bump the power some more.

Lekker > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:03

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With those mods you will be able to walk past me, AND go drive in the snow after. That is awesome. Do you plan to track it?

Frosted > rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist 02/19/2014 at 11:03

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Sub-10k? A good R is worth about 15 :P

And those angle gears are my biggest fear. They seem to like to just break for no reason.

I'll be a heretic here and say I never learned how to drive stick. I plan on learning but as it stands, I haven't a clue. I do know that Volvo spaceball manual is awful though.

Pixel > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:04

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I stopped hanging out in the scion communities online because there were a few 'big deal' people there who it seemed most everyone else fawned over. And if you did something the 'big deal' person didn't think was cool, or didn't like, their horde of fans would descend to back them up and diss you.

I had this happen to me every time the subject of towing with an xB came up. People would ask if it was possible, or what hitch was recommended, or whatnot. A few of us who have towed with our xBs would give relevant advice. Then one particular guy would leap in to say the manual says no towing so you'll ruin your xB if you tow at all. And he and a group of other people who have never even tried towing with their xBs would pretty much drown out any chance of the discussion continuing. The fact that I'd been using my xB to tow on and off for over 100K miles with no ill effects was irrelevant in the face of his know-it-all attitude and the willingness of the community to fall in line behind him.

These days I have nothing to do with any online car communities except oppo and one forum for my truck. It isn't worth the hassle if you happen to like doing stuff different than the 'norm'.

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:10

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Has their value gone back up? I paid I think 8500 for it with 113k miles and a bunch of recent work done (timing belt, water pump, AC compressor, new tires) in April 2012. It was a relatively undesirable black with Gobi interior and 17" wheels, no sport kit car though. At least it was 6MT:)

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:16

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Wanted to make a different comment to address the stance movement — my car is stanced (though not as much as some cars are) and the vitriol you get from 'purists' is kind of astounding. I feel sorry for people with bagged E46 M3s and the like; at least I drive a FWD automatic Mazda.

It's just funny how much people judge each other for modifying their own property to make them happy.

PNW20v > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 11:22

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In my quick generalizing opinion, the Volvo crowd consists of a lot of middle aged guys and guys with middle aged minds. Not to say all the middle aged guys are boring, but I definitely know what you mean about the guys that dont deviate from the "standard". Dipping my wheels red? Trust me, I've been told thats a no no many times to my face. Pretty fun, but hey; F*** them its your wagon.

Frosted > rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist 02/19/2014 at 17:51

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Oh yea, their value is way up, especially with manuals. That car would be worth 10-11k today.

Frosted > offroadkarter 02/19/2014 at 17:52

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Just keep in mind that an R costs quite a bit more to maintain than other Volvos. That's why I didn't go for an R.

offroadkarter > Frosted 02/19/2014 at 18:54

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I've been following them for almost 2 years now. My body is ready.

fink stinger > Pixel 02/21/2014 at 09:42

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Nice job securing that load. Every time (literally, EVERY time) we are picking something up that my wife decided she can't live without, we get into a debate about securing the load. Me, the engineer with decades of towing experience (race cars, motorcycles, car parts...) likes to make sure that the stuff is secured so that I don't have to constantly worry about something unexpected happening back there while I drive at a reasonable speed.

She, with no towing experience whatsoever, gets irritated that it's taking me 5 minutes to get everything tied up...without exception, tells me to "make sure you go slow so that something doesn't fall out" once we get rolling. Explaining the physics of something not falling out of the back of a pickup bed just because you are going 10 mph faster is met with even more resistance. It's usually easier to go get things by myself.

Keep towing smart and ignore the assholes.