Hey guys
This question is mostly directed towards teens, but i could use advice from any modders who r parents 2.
I'm mostly a troll in the forums b/c i kno how to use the 'search' function :P
I have a problem that I don't think there have been any threads on, tho i doubt very much that it is a unique problem. This may be a bit of an 'elephant in the room' type of problem, but here goes...
I'm 16 years old and my first car is an '03 g35 sedan. My parents payed for half of this and I paid half with money that i had saved up, we bought it about 4 months ago. I'm pretty much working my *** of in school and i don't have time to get a job, so i have absolutely no cash for modding. My birthday just rolled around, so i'm trying to milk that a bit, but my parents don't want to give me more than about $100 for that, which i appreciate, but, as you all kno, wont get u far in terms of modding. I've got two questions: one, any tips on making more money (i do things like help around the house, but dont get paid 4 it). My second, more important question is how to convince my parents to let me mod. As of now, my only mod is a hard-wired after-market bluetooth system and idk how to convince my parents to let me get things like a plenum spacer, good tune, etc. My parents have both driven the g35 and kno that it has power to spare, so they're scared to give me any more. My dad, who primarily controls finances in our house, has spun NSXs and testarossas (under unexpected circumstances, of course) and the only car he's ever had tuned was a '72 F40. The tune ****ed up the whole system and it took him 4 months to fix it. I have no idea how to convince them to let me get any cosmetic or power mods.
Any input is appreciated,
thanks!

 

I am 18 for the record.

You dont really need a tune unless you start really modding your car. WHat do you want to do? Performance stuff? or looks?

I'd start with clear corners, a Z tube and a JWT pop charger.

That should keep you happy for awhile because it sounds sick.

As for making money. Idk man. Try mowing lawns or doing odd jobs for people. Thats what i do. Or get a job this summer. I made over 3k last summer working at Officemax. Then another 2k detailing cars. So, its really in your hands.

 

ask around ur friends to see what they do to make extra money, or if u know someone that works at a resturant u can ask if u can wash dishes or clean up after hours. just lil things here and there will help

 

I'm 16

best way is to just look at jobs wanted on craigslist and pick one that will fit your needs, i made 2k last summer working for a cellphone store

 

I have a lot to say, but will only sum it up in one sentence. I've been modifying cars since 16 years old, I am 21 now.

"Save money for the car's maintenance because you are young and shouldn't be spending money you don't have on modifications."

At your age it's just a waste of money. It's easy to get a job being in high school. A job will give you responsibilities and will not hold you back on starting life/having fun. Once you have a solid job then have fun spending on the car.

 

Kid, you just started driving, and in a car that I couldn't afford until I was 30. My first car was an '87 Ford Escort hatchback with a 4-speed manual transmission and 112 HP. Enjoy what you have now, use your money to take girls out, and **** as many of 'em as you can while it's legal to do so.

Get awesome grades in school, get some college scholarships & grants & siht... college loans are a son of a bicth after you graduate.

Spending what little money you can come by on mods for your car is such a huge waste... I make over $38/hour before taxes now, I can afford any mods I want, but I still kick myself for not ******* more of those high school girls when I had the chance.

 

Your old enough to mod when you dont have to ask permission and its your money imo. I would also save your money because an 03 is going to need a bunch of parts that are worn out. I know cause I have an 03 and the whole first year or so I had my car I was trying to just get it back up to par.

I guess if you want sound you can get an intake for a decent price. There are some factory parts that fit the sedans and they are reasonable. Z springs, Ztube, HR y pipe,Revup airbox, AMSoil or K&N drop in filter, clear corners, etc are all mods under $100 so they are good places to start.

 

^+1, save your money man. if there is one thing you can do it's be meticulous with maintenance. plus, its an 03 model, if your not going FI or a big overhaul its not worth spending the majority of your hard earned money on minimal hp mods.

Jobs: soccer/baseball referee, golf course, anything with tips that you wont pay taxes on (not reporting that income). cutting yards is good i did that in my neighborhood.

 

input appreciated, but i'm still gonna mod
i'll start small, clear corners w/ LEDs and a 5/16" plenum spacer for now (i do have a tiny bit of cash)
for the record, i mostly wanna do performance stuff, but maybe some side sills after a summer of work
pop charger and Z tube r tight, but i think a plenum spacer is a better mod cuz u get a tiny bit of power and not just a sick sound
detailing cars sounds like an excellent source of income, thx wannabe

 

I do everything form make youtube and blip.tv vids make some change form that like 40 bucks a month from Yt and 60 from blip.

I also valet park cars at a casino. Just try to get a summer Job where you can make tips.

Motley Crack heads took all the cut grass rake leaves jobs from me. Cant compete with a guy that charges 5 bucks to cut the grass.

 

Go with some reliable mods at first, such as that plenum spacer. You'll be happy with that.

Also, a '72 F40? I hope you don't mean a Ferrari F40, because that would be about 20 years off.

 

Well I was 18 when I got this car and I just recently started to mod it. My first mod was 8000K HID and LEDs for interior and the license plate. Then since like to listen to my ipod in my car i got an ipod adapter then a navigation bypass module.Then I went on to a AEM cold air intake and soon am going to get a borla cat back exhaust system or a stillen. The best thing is to save up your money and spend it later when you have enough. I started to work when I was 17 so I made quite a bit of cash. My bet is going for some reliable mods such as a plenum spacer, race pipes, headers, or intake.

Hope that helps~

 

I'm 17...record.

Well to start it with the money that you don't have.... performance mods are out of the question. Do things that are free or next to free, usually not the best, but can add some points to your car.
Do stuff like:

Go get some sandpaper and polish parts... intake manifold, Timing Cover, anything thats dull in the engine bay.

That should beat the modding bug out of you real quick!!!

Ok in all seriousness though I feel the same way. Just get a part time job and read and learn. Really spend the time online! Ebay, Craigslist, even the market place here look around daily for those amazing deals. I am pretty sure I am one of the few kids my age with my budget to attempt to paint a car.... so far its coming along nice and I am doing it all for under a grand. So yeah cosmetic > performance. Its a lot more affordable at this point. Just keep that in mind.

//rant.

 

^+1 for online stuff. Check ebay auctions and on here with the marketplace. Some cheap used stuff.

 

ur rite, my b, it was a '92 (he's had a lot of cars, i get 'em confused)