Need cheap upgrades for beginner

[13adt9]

I'm a noob to upgrading cars (only 17). I have a 08 Mazda 3 hatch, completely stock. What are some inexpensive upgrades for performance and style. Thanks for your time.

[Mitchell3]

I'm a noob to upgrading cars (only 17). I have a 08 Mazda 3 hatch, completely stock. What are some inexpensive upgrades for performance and style. Thanks for your time.

What I started out with and I would have been roughly your age was with eyelids, HIDs, interior bulb swapping, foot well lighting, tail light tinting, caliper paint. There are several little accessories you can do. Intakes don't run you that much, its a good place to start for performance. Even keep an eye open for some stuff on the forum as there are some pretty good deals time to time on otherwise expensive goods.

Anything body related can be done too. For instance you could get a grill and sit on it for a while then get it painted. Spreads out the cost over more time.

Search the forum, there are tons of how to's and lots of information to help you.

:welcome smiley

[13adt9]

What I started out with and I would have been roughly your age was with eyelids, HIDs, interior bulb swapping, foot well lighting, tail light tinting, caliper paint. There are several little accessories you can do. Intakes don't run you that much, its a good place to start for performance. Even keep an eye open for some stuff on the forum as there are some pretty good deals time to time on otherwise expensive goods.

Anything body related can be done too. For instance you could get a grill and sit on it for a while then get it painted. Spreads out the cost over more time.

Search the forum, there are tons of how to's and lots of information to help you.

:welcome smiley

Thanks mate

[Kiyomi]

modding becomes an addiction quick. be warned.

with that being said. try getting a rear sway bar or intake as your first mods. best fun factor for value.

[FD22]

modding becomes an addiction quick. be warned.

+1

Take your time and maybe browse around the members section to see other rides and styles of modding. This way you know what direction you want to go in, and you can focus on that.

Happy modding! :)

[Mitchell3]

Come out to the season opener meets in the spring too. Actually see some of these cars in person. You will get so many ideas :P

My first meet was the last nail in the coffin of my wallet.

And check this out too.
http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=300955

[Kiewan]

Welcome to tm3.
exterior stuff like evil m badges, or plastidipping trim pieces. Keep an eye on the classified section for used parts.
Also Try the cellphone snapshot thread for some ideas on what you like.

[ottoyu34]

Adding on to what others said.

Detailing, nothing beat a nice shiny ride.

[Thrizzl3]

ahhh that mod bug.. don't get bitten by it lol

[marcodude04]

welcome to tm3 !

i have to warn ya but for a 17 year old not many mods are inexpensive trust me on that ;)try plasti dip, tints, hids , and some interior stuff!

[Darkice]

i know it hit you hard!.... i swear you said when you bought your speed your not gonna mod it... lol :chuckle
ahhh that mod bug.. don't get bitten by it lol

[maxewell12]

cheap mods to start off with would be changing all interior lights to led and license plate lights as well.

[CelestSpeed3]

Completely gut the car, it's free and improves performance and fuel economy.

You will learn how to take everything apart, how it works and how put it back together. Very valuable skills for when you get deeper into it you won't have to pay for it.

[McGoldie]

First rule of modding
Don't Mod

[FD22]

Completely gut the car, it's free and improves performance and fuel economy.

You will learn how to take everything apart, how it works and how put it back together. Very valuable skills for when you get deeper into it you won't have to pay for it.

This is actually great advice. If you can afford to have the car unavailable for a few days, this is a great way to familiarize yourself with the car.


First rule of modding
Don't Mod

I think most of us lost at that game :(

[Egyptshun]

2 months with the car and I already spent 700 and am still willing to spend a grand more on it to get it jussst right. That bug bites HARD.

[New New]

Maybe an intake mod first.

[krimsalt]

I'd go with cosmetic mods like those stated above. If you try to enhance performance inexpensively you might cause some damage to the car. Don't worry about "cheap upgrades"

[jab]

spoiler (if you dont already have one), hids/fogs/leds, sharkfin, exhaust tip or muffler, plasti dip different pieces- grille/eyelids/lip/reflectors/badges, lugnuts, decals, horn are all the "cheapest" ones i can think of to enhance the looks of your car.

[Wisecraker]

spoiler (if you dont already have one), hids/fogs/leds, sharkfin, exhaust tip or muffler, plasti dip different pieces- grille/eyelids/lip/reflectors/badges, lugnuts, decals, horn are all the "cheapest" ones i can think of to enhance the looks of your car.

How much is it to buy, paint and install a spoiler? I guess it can be expensive, or it can be cheaper.

[m3gad37h]

Best cheap mode I've ever done was short shifter / weighted knob. Did this when I had my tib and felt like a brand new car. Carried over the knob to the 3 but short shifter is way to expensive for the skyactiv.

[JChap902]

Cosmetic upgrades are usually inexpensive and a good way to spice up the look of your car. There are also some cheap no name or ebay brand short ram intakes that will give you a better sound but not much as far as performance goes. HID kits are also not too expensive (I paid $100) and they will work fine in the Mazda 3 projector housing. It won't blind other drivers like all the Honda Civics that have them in a halogen housing.

[miako]

LED rear reflectors, vinyl wrap on roof and side mirrors, tinting windows headlights, hids, fogs, so on...they will look good :)