Suggestions on a budget?

[Hollow]

Hello,

Soon to be owner of a 99 Solara V6 with 60,000ish miles. I'm wanting this car to perform better than it does now, obviously. My problem here is I'm a full time grad student, so I don't have a lot of funds to throw around. My last car, a 1997 Ford Thunderbird V8, died a violent death at the hands of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, had a cold air intake and a upgraded exhaust and factory sport suspension.

I'm wanting to do the following to the Solara eventually:
1: improve the air intake
2: improve the handling, it looks sportier than it feels.
3: improve brakes when they need replacing due to wear
4: improve exhaust. I do not want it to sound like a rice rocket like some of the college kids around here have, I'd just like to be able to tell the car is running. I like a low sound. also, I miss the look of my Tbird's dual exhaust already, can I get this on the Solara?

Suggestions to the broke guy?

[Midias]

For handling your best bet is a TRD rear sway bar about 150. Stay away from the greddy exhaust if you don't want the large canister look the TRD exhaust is more stock looking and sounds better. Injen is the only good regular intake the eBay versions suck but if you want to spend extra and get a serious power gain go with the CPE intake.

[Anonymouse]

Yeah the gen 1 stock handling IMHO is pretty bad compared to other cars. You're right about it looking far sportier than it handles. Before I installed my Eibachs, taking tight turns in the car was like a fat guy swinging (sloppy, floppy body roll and swaying)

[Akfahad]

All this has been discussed, you really need to take the time and search. There are no real cheap mods for the solara, unlike a civic. Like Midias said, the TRD RSB is the best bang for the buck right now if your on a budget and you want to help handling. Everything else though, start saving your money.

[PXLpainter]

Welcome.

Search and ye shall find. Many hours of interesting reading on here!

[woa_its_j3ff]

TRD Rsb, intake, springs/struts. is what i'd do.

oh to lose some serious weight, i recommend shaving the car .

fyi, none of the mods are really cheap..

[jhenty]

In comparison to a lot of cars these days the solara mods ARE cheap. If you cant afford to mod your car and do it right don't do it. From what your saying you would be happy with a new suspension setup (springs and struts) for about $500 plus install. $150 for the rear sway bar. And a CPE intake at about $450 if they make anymore. So for a little over $1,000 you would have a lot more fun. In terms of car modding this is nothing. I am a student and have still managed to afford all these things over the course of two years. I have a few thousand invested, I just do it myself and the right way over time. Dont rush to mod, do your research and get stuff that really satisfies you.

[Hollow]

I know I plan on improving the air intake system, most likely CPE. My main concern with the TRD springs and struts is that almost everyone reports that it lowers the vehicle. How much does it typically lower it? I live in an area where we do get snow and this will be my daily driver, so ground clearance is helpful. Also, how hard it it to put a dual exhaust system on? Cat back would be fine, I just miss the look.

[Mole]

finish your school then start modding.

[Sebas007]

finish your school then start modding.

best way to go !!

[Hollow]

The bad part about that is that this is year 1 of 4 for my Masters.

[Midias]

finish your school then start modding.

NAW I pay for school and the car mods just work harder anbd I am a year 5 engineering student. (5 yr program at RIT because of required 1 yr of work experience to graduate.)

[facevedo17]

Mods will come lil by lil I just bought a house had my car brand new ...an never did anything but its paid off now so thats a lil extra something to mod ....my advice if your a student save up when u ask for those school loans to pay your classes ask for a few extra to mod ur car if u are serious about school and keeping the car for a while

[facevedo17]

Mods will come lil by lil I just bought a house had my car brand new ...an never did anything but its paid off now so thats a lil extra something to mod ....my advice if your a student save up when u ask for those school loans to pay your classes ask for a few extra to mod ur car if u are serious about school and keeping the car for a while

[facevedo17]

Mods will come lil by lil I just bought a house had my car brand new ...an never did anything but its paid off now so thats a lil extra something to mod ....my advice if your a student save up when u ask for those school loans to pay your classes ask for a few extra to mod ur car if u are serious about school and keeping the car for a while