SactoSolara wrote:Before I say anything else, I just want to say that I don't mean to offend anyone, because everyone has done a really good job on their cars, at least from what I have read and seen in pictures on this site...
So with that said...
I was just thinking about this earlier today. People spend thousands of dollars on their cars, just to make it better than it was when it rolled off the assembly line. People spend all their money to make their car equivelant to a car that they could have purchased in the first place, when you put into account the price for the car plus all the money for modifications.
I totally agree with Rave Boi.
I mean I bought this car because it was big, comfortable, and it got better gas mileage than the Montero Sport I used to drive. I can understand putting some money into the car to change it asthetically, but to modify it to the point where it isn't even considered a Solara anymore just doesn't make any sense.
Why not go and buy a Kia or a Hyundai and supe that up. They are cheap in regards to quality and price. I think if someone were to invest a bunch of money into one of those models, and have it competing against higher end automobiles, that would be something to give priase for.
-Alan
Although your post seem to have implicated it, you didn't mention INSURANCE. People love modding not only because that's how the tuner culture is, it's also because it does not increase the premium assuming you can accommodate the changes you made. Plus you learn something in the process.
Why do people still crave for a project 69 camero ss, mustang, buick with 400, etc? They are exempt from a smog check (in CA), insurance premiums are low if you're comparing to C6 and 2005 stang, and best of all, there's a crapload of support parts from independent companies to OEM manufactures. Plus country girls LOVE it!
Having a M3, Supra, or chipped A4 is not a the best option either. As with anything that is difficult to master, you want to start small. Remember that M3 on fire accident and the WRX backroad accident? Those are examples of failing to understand that physics does not bend.
If tuning is all about reputation or finding rare parts, then you're probably correct. We love bragging - that's part of our instinct.