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31 Aug 2005, 16:33 (Ref:1395639) | #1 | ||
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Modified cars
what do you think about moded cars?
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31 Aug 2005, 18:29 (Ref:1395723) | #2 | ||
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I think the amount of money they spent on them is stupid. they might as well buy something already powerful,fast and stylish instead of trying to turn a Fiesta or something like that in to something that it should'nt be!
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31 Aug 2005, 18:59 (Ref:1395753) | #3 | ||
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Modded cars, hmmm....
well first of all forget any argument about individuality- modders all put the same stuff on the same cars. There's not much in the way of engineering in the modding scene like there was (still is?) in the custom car scene. I've seen one or two but they are the exeption. Modders make me laugh on several levels- first there's the big wings and body kits, I presume they're not worried about straight line speed? Second- big bore exhausts, not much good by themselves, they'll slow you down unless the engine, carbs/injection etc are worked on as well. third, big alloys shod with rubber bands- forget it unless it's just for circuit use. Then there's what I call the 'Doof-Doof' brigade. Anyone who knows anything about acoustics will know that it's pointless putting a pair of 15" 'subs' in a space as small as a Saxo, you end up with more sound on the outside, or is that the idea? A well known car parts company issues two different catalogues, one full of everything you need for a race or rally car and another for modders with loads of bits, in their words, 'to give your car that 'race car' look..' |
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31 Aug 2005, 19:27 (Ref:1395775) | #4 | |
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Assume you mean the 'Max Power' style.
Take a popular small hatchback, usually a Saxo, Nova or Corsa. 1.1L base model if possible. Add some badly fitting aftermarket bumpers and sideskirts, paying special attention to make sure the panel gaps are big enough. Fit a 1960's Lucas number plate light because the replacement rear bumper means the plate no longer fits in the same place. Don't forget you'll 2 sets of plates, one legal for when the car is being MOT'ed and another in an unreadable script font. Add an enormous rear wing, because your FWD car doesn't have enough rear downforce. If the new front bumper isn't low enough adjust the springs so that the car catches on every speed bump. Fit some cheap aftermarket alloys, the fewer spokes the better. With the rear brakes now clearly visible through the alloys paint the drums a bright colour to highlight that this is started as a poverty spec model. Fit clear lens 'Lexus' rear lights Paint the car a lurid shade of yellow/green, ideally with glitter paint. If possible drive around with the car still partly in primer for a few months. Install an oversized twin- or quad-exhaust, the more pipes the better, ideally at least one per cylinder. Install a substancial ICE system, filling as much of the boot space as possible with amps and bass speakers. Whatever you do don't tell your insurance company about the mods. If you're really good, remove the 1.1 engine and fit a 2.0 litre. No need to upgrade the brakes or suspension as I'm sure they will be up to the job. Again don't tell the DVLA or insurance. Then 12 months later put your 'one off not like any other modified Saxo' on eBay and wonder why you get no bids, before realising that not only is it not worth what you spent on modifying it, it's actually worth less than if you kept the car standard, and that for the £10K you've just wasted on your shopping trolley you could have brought a decent car in the first place. |
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31 Aug 2005, 19:30 (Ref:1395782) | #5 | ||
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That'll teach me for stopping for dinner half way through replying to a thread. Should have guessed Bluebottle would get in first.
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31 Aug 2005, 19:35 (Ref:1395785) | #6 | |||
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31 Aug 2005, 20:58 (Ref:1395870) | #7 | ||
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31 Aug 2005, 21:09 (Ref:1395880) | #8 | ||
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Some predictable responses from us lot so far. Any modders out there like to balance the thread a bit?
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31 Aug 2005, 22:28 (Ref:1395949) | #9 | ||
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I'd love to play..... some wonderfully predictable and stereotypical responses above!
First, I agree that modding is a mug's game, throwing good money after bad. But so is buying a new car, going on a round the world cruise etc etc UNLESS you enjoy those things. "Modders" enjoy creating something with their car, for themself and other people within their scene to appreciate. It might not be to everyone's taste, but a lot of things aren't! One reason for modding is that insurance costs are crippling for anything above base level small hatches that are several years old - one reason Saxo's got so popular with "modders" is that the insurance was free from Citroen for a couple of years from new. Yes, it makes sense to save up what you spend on eggbox bodykits and get a better car in a few years, but today's culture isn't like that - it's here and now that counts. Also everyone is making the assumption that modding is purely visual - it's not, that's just the part that gets most press as it's the gaudy show-off section. I know people with very standard-looking cars that have rather better than standard performance. I find it rather narrow-minded of people to just focus on one section of a past-time and criticise not only the creations as a generalistaion but also the people who do it. If you're not causing a nuisance (and the cruising scene, both legal and not so legal, are very different from modding) then what's the harm? I now wait for the assumption that i'm 17 and own several speakers bigger than my head...... |
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31 Aug 2005, 22:45 (Ref:1395960) | #10 | |||
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31 Aug 2005, 23:01 (Ref:1395967) | #11 | ||
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I used to have a modified vehicle (but not a riced version as described above)
1988 EA GL Falcon 5 Speed Manual and 3.9 MPFI (most powerful factory option) These two options in combination were as rare as hens teeth in the base model car Modification I added Mag Wheels (lattice type, 16" tall and 6.5" wide) with 45 series tyres XR6 spec rebuilt motor (when the head gasket blew, I spent a few extra $) LSD Extractors and a 2 1/2 " exhaust EB GT Falcon Rear Wing and Bumpers Two tone paint job (Original Beige and subtle Black highlights) This made it a nice cheap reliable fast car ! The brakes and suspension were next - then the car was stolen (but that can be read elsewhere) DKGandBH |
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31 Aug 2005, 23:17 (Ref:1395985) | #12 | ||
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why on earth would anyone want to have a 1ltr sazo that has been isiously assualted by a tupperware tub. I suspect that the motorsport community would not be half as scathing of these 'modders' if they didnt drive like a bunch of complete ar$eholes on congested roads in the middle of cities. eg Kingsway in Swansea
Personally I would rather modify my car to be something unique and of better performance rather than something that looks like an 80's sc-fi prop. The insurance on my fully declared comp car is half that of my diesel estate road car! this also negates the cheap insurance quotes. Perhaps most of the problem is that these kids dont seem to go to the specialist brokers... |
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1 Sep 2005, 07:56 (Ref:1396146) | #13 | |||
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1 Sep 2005, 08:54 (Ref:1396195) | #14 | |||
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I've fitted lowered suspension and louder exhausts on many of my cars, but it was all done very subtlely and wouldn't have got any of the cars a second look in McDonalds' car park. I've even modified my current diesel Volvo. |
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1 Sep 2005, 10:53 (Ref:1396274) | #15 | ||||
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I'd be interested to see the statistics you have on declaration of mods, although I totally agree that not declaring them to the insurers, or engine changes to the DVLA, is wrong. There are also running costs to consider - an Evo or similar might be great fun even as standard, but when the service intervals are so regular and routinely crippling it doesn't always make sense to get a car like that when a lesser car can be improved and retain the lower running costs. Quote:
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1 Sep 2005, 12:14 (Ref:1396326) | #16 | ||
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Modding is fine if done in moderation, I've seen a mk2 Fiesta with an Escort Cosworth whale tail spoiler - that's just plain wrong. Some cars look good with kits attached but it's always the subtle changes that look best. Engine mods I don't have a problem with provided the rest of the car is able to handle the extra power - brakes, suspension, gearbox, wheels - everything needs looking at.
Ridiculous thudding bass - NO |
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1 Sep 2005, 12:34 (Ref:1396347) | #17 | ||
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I'm old and mature and everything these days, so I don't go in for modded cars myself. I would go for the odd performance modification if it wasn't for the fact I've been crucified on insurance premiums in the recent past (admittedly that was on an Impreza, but an extra £100 pa for a Prodrive backbox & tailpipe?!?!).
Being a generation older, you can probably appreciate I don't go in for the heavily Max Powered Corsas and Saxos. They do nothing for me. And I am convinced that the majority of them have not declared their mods on their insurance, which means there are herds of 17 year old boy racers chugging round colliding into things who are not insured. If I was a traffic cop I'd stop every single one and give them a producer, on that basis alone. There are, however, a minority of truly great modified cars out there, from Saxos upwards, that are relatively original, expertly done and a credit to their owners. It's not my scene, but I appreciate a job well done by a dedicated and conscientious owner. |
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1 Sep 2005, 12:43 (Ref:1396364) | #18 | ||
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Pick any modified car with an engine swap and check the details on DVLA or RAC website. I recon you'll have a better than evens chance that the details will not show the increased cc. |
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1 Sep 2005, 13:37 (Ref:1396425) | #19 | ||
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Engine, suspension and brake mods I like, bodykits, clear taillights, general useless **** I don't like
my project involves a car looking like it did from the factory, it will just go alot harder, engine bay will look factory too, I plan to scare many of the above stereotypes...with the stereos :P |
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1 Sep 2005, 13:47 (Ref:1396435) | #20 | ||
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Our rally car started out as a tweaked road car (it's a mk2 Escort), eventually it got to the point where my mate decided that he might as well go all the way and do it properly, get the car sorted for competition use then get out there I got the job of co-driving because I weigh less than air
The amount people spend on modding a 1 litre shopping cart they could probably go racing in stock hatch for the same amount. |
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1 Sep 2005, 22:02 (Ref:1396837) | #21 | |||
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Garcon - re: stopping everyone with a modified car - you'd have no time to do anyrhing else! Luckily the police don't have as much time on their hands (and aren't quite that draconian), and i've never been stopped in any of my "modified" cars - however knowing i'd be an easy target in them makes me drive more sensibly and take extra care. |
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1 Sep 2005, 22:32 (Ref:1396858) | #22 | ||
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All the mods for my car were declared... This resulted in refusal of insurance from most, increaste premiums from others, and nary a twitch from the chosen insurer...
I rebuilt the original engine to avoid having to change the details everywhere, this is also why I kept the color standard (mostly) Some of the reasons why the car was knocked back for insurance... Lowered Extractors Wheels wider than factory Tyres wider than Factory Body Kit even though all these modifications were within the legal requirements for registration, and most of them were within factory specs for other models in the range... DKGandBH |
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2 Sep 2005, 00:21 (Ref:1396902) | #23 | ||
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Once I was looking at buying a car with an engine swap (it had all been done legally not to mention very well), it was interesting though, just imagine ringing insurance companies though and saying the car now had a 7.5L V8…
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2 Sep 2005, 17:46 (Ref:1397485) | #24 | ||
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As I said earlier if we are talking about sensible power, braking and handling mods (for example building a track-day weapon) then I don't have a problem with that. |
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2 Sep 2005, 20:20 (Ref:1397563) | #25 | |
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The ones who fill the boot with a massive amp are hilarious when they stall at traffic lights and don't realise, because they can't hear the engine over the BOOM BOOM BOOM.
***** the lot of them! |
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