New modified Car
Author
Discussion

AlexJBarke

Original Poster:

7 posts

92 months

Wednesday 15th May 2019
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Hey, so I’ve got a 3 grand budget need a fun easyish to work on car going to modify it, lower it, exhaust, “boy racer” it, if you will. I had my heart set on an mx5 lately discovered I’m to tall at 6’ 1” to comfortably daily it, so any advice on that, or car suggestions. Also 18 so insurance is a bum but whatever, the price of fun I guess.

Petrolsmasher

2,452 posts

145 months

Wednesday 15th May 2019
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18 year old with a modified car? good luck.

with all due respect why buy a 3k car youll have to spend a grand on to modifiy then additional grand or more on your insurance. Its not cheap to modify im afraid mate. Id personally just buy a suzuki swift sport, very fun car and good on insurance, can modify it in future if wanted but id wait til you have a years no claims.

RSTurboPaul

13,065 posts

287 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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If you're too tall for the standard seats at 6'1", just get a different (bucket) seat.

drgoatboy

2,027 posts

236 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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Get an mx5 and mod the seats.
I'm 6ft5 and I'm on my 3rd one

Drew106

1,652 posts

174 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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You could look at buying something already modified? A lot cheaper than doing it yourself. I prefer to modify myself as well, but something to consider.

I'm sure you would fit in an MX5 though. Plus you could do the 'foamectomy' mod on the seats or buy some aftermarket buckets.

The Mk1's are dead easy to work on and loads of fun. Mk2's, cheaper but rustier.

AlexJBarke

Original Poster:

7 posts

92 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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All good points, I’ll have a look at seat options I assumed they wouldn’t do much for lowering you but that appears to be an oversite

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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Have you checked to see if someone will insure you on a modified MX5?

mbwoy84

624 posts

141 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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MX-5 is a good choice. I’m 6’3” and have never had an issue with any of them and I’ve driven many from MK1 to the latest model.

Fastpedeller

4,330 posts

175 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
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Apart from the insurance cost implications, why modify? It usually ruins the car, just makes a car with a lot of noise and ruins the handling. Why would you ruin something the manufacturer had spent millions to perfect?

DoubleD

22,154 posts

137 months

Thursday 16th May 2019
quotequote all
Fastpedeller said:
Apart from the insurance cost implications, why modify? It usually ruins the car, just makes a car with a lot of noise and ruins the handling. Why would you ruin something the manufacturer had spent millions to perfect?
As you know this obviously this depends on the modification that you do. Some make a car worse, some make a car better.

RSTurboPaul

13,065 posts

287 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Fastpedeller said:
Apart from the insurance cost implications, why modify? It usually ruins the car, just makes a car with a lot of noise and ruins the handling. Why would you ruin something the manufacturer had spent millions to perfect?
Because personal choice?

I'm with you on 'stance' and that sort of thing that ruins handling, but all cars are developed with some compromises and the aftermarket modifying scene is there to allow people to tailor their cars to exactly what they want - whether we think it's ruining it (or it's actually ruining it) or not. What you want, what the manufacturer wants, and what other people want are all different things.

One could even argue that the modifying scene has been leading manufacturers in developing products. The UK has a strong history in demanding good drivers' cars and modifying vehicles to suit, and manufacturers have responded to that demand, such as Renault producing the Clio Trophy, and it was the modifying scene from the '90s onwards that saw cars being fitted with aftermarket 17", 18", 20"+ wheels and lower suspension setups, which are now pretty much standard manufacturer fitment on many cars, even on 'shopping trolley' hatchbacks.

Edited by RSTurboPaul on Friday 17th May 09:26

Drew106

1,652 posts

174 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Fastpedeller said:
Apart from the insurance cost implications, why modify? It usually ruins the car, just makes a car with a lot of noise and ruins the handling. Why would you ruin something the manufacturer had spent millions to perfect?
In the case of an MX5, I think some mods can improve it dramatically!

But as above, it really depends what it is for.

I would say I've improved the handling and fun in my MX5, but somewhat 'ruined' it if it was for daily driving.

But then the OP is 18. I'm sure comfort & quietness are not a consideration hehe

designforlife

3,742 posts

192 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Fastpedeller said:
Apart from the insurance cost implications, why modify? It usually ruins the car, just makes a car with a lot of noise and ruins the handling. Why would you ruin something the manufacturer had spent millions to perfect?
Oh dear.... modifying cars isn't necessarily about ruining them, sure you can go too far and make them unsuitable for the road/daily use, but there is no reason why a few carefully chosen mods can't enhance the whole vehicle and driving experience.

Ask anyone who drives an FN2 Civic type R about the factory suspension setup laugh

mbwoy84

624 posts

141 months

Friday 17th May 2019
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Exactly. The fact that manufacturers "spend millions" developing a car, it's always about reaching what they think is the best compromise to attract the most customers to buy that car. You can make that same car handle sharper, but possibly ride harder, or vice versa. Modifying is about personal preference. Sure, some people make a hash of it, but each to their own. Also, an expensive suspension or brake set-up would obviously price the car out of the market from new, but if the owner of an individual car wants to spend that much more for their preference, then it's up to them!

Fastpedeller

4,330 posts

175 months

Friday 17th May 2019
quotequote all
mbwoy84 said:
Exactly. The fact that manufacturers "spend millions" developing a car, it's always about reaching what they think is the best compromise to attract the most customers to buy that car. You can make that same car handle sharper, but possibly ride harder, or vice versa. Modifying is about personal preference. Sure, some people make a hash of it, but each to their own. Also, an expensive suspension or brake set-up would obviously price the car out of the market from new, but if the owner of an individual car wants to spend that much more for their preference, then it's up to them!
Well yes....but it may be up to the insurers whether he can then be able to insure it at a price he can afford, or indeed insure it at all.