What's a logical amount of money to spend modding?

[El_bigote_AJ]

Yup... its really just about what you want to spend and can actually afford. the whole argument that if you spend XXX amount of dollars on said mods you should have just got another "class" of car really doesn't accurately apply to the lot of us who waste lots of money on this hobby, as most of us if bought a car that was say an S3, would still want to mod it to the same crazy levels past stock... and in the end you would even spend more money - lol.


In regards to what other say about modding on credit cards, i fully agree unless it a 0% situation its clear you shouldn't be modding the car and another items to always plan for is to have the pot $$ on hand for is something goes wrong with the car due to your need to double the cars output, lol.

 

[JerseyDrew77]

There's a logical amount?

 

[DiscusInferno]

I ask this question as I debate doing some more expensive mods.

I am currently rocking a 2019 GLI 35th edition. (I'm a former mk7 gti owner too)

I got my GLI for 24k. I've spent about $1200 to 1500 on it and am currently debating dropping up to 3 grand into it. I wonder what the logical limit is in spending on a $24k car?

One way I look at it is; I got the car for 5k under window sticker price, so I could spend 5k and still just be at msrp. Or, maybe spending more than 10 to 15% is too much? On the other hand, I bought my GLI for 24, when the Golf R sitting next to it at the dealer was 41, so i could dump 10k into it and still be many thousands less than an R.

How do you rationalize your spending?

It's whatever you and/or your significant other is comfortable with doing.

 

[Navi]

logical is what you can afford. Credit isn't being able to afford.

 

[mk7_bk]

I'm struggling with the same thing, which rabbit hole do I choose??? Car, truck, boat, guns, kayak, camper, house, yard, shedl, tools, vacations??? I feel you.

this is literally me, just got back from home depot for house stuff, another 100$

 

[mk7_bk]

logical is what you can afford. Credit isn't being able to afford.

use credit card for rewards, pay it right off... free money

 

[Gptuners]

logical is what you can afford. Credit isn't being able to afford.

use credit card for rewards, pay it right off... free money

I'm going to play mind reader and say that's not what Navi meant. There's a difference between deferring payment because you can, and deferring payment because you want instant gratification, but can't afford to pay for it in full.

 

[Strange Mud]

if you have to ask it's too much.



Mud

Edit: If you spend more $ than me you're wasteful, if you spend less you're a cheapskate (props to George Carlin)

 

[8055WAGEN]

I bought my golf new because I thought it was the best bang for buck on a new car. Original purchase + everything I've done to it is less than retail of a base GTI, and I'm nearly as fast as an R. That's how I justify mine.

 

[Ridebjj]

It's more than just having a faster/nicer ride, at least to me.
Part of the hobby is the DIY aspect.
DIY'ing saves a big pile of money and is half the fun of the final product - that feeling of did-it-myselfness.

Not sure how intersted i'd be in doing any mods if I also had to cough up the dough for install. That would probably double the amount of money spent, wouldn't it?

 

[launchd]

Don't mod your car, sell it and buy a bicycle.

 

[staying_tuned]

It depends why you are modifying the car. If you like working with your hands, are somewhat mechanically inclined and have an appreciation for creative problem solving the whole experience rewards in a much different way. A way that you don't really have to put a cap on it because it doesn't matter if it's a beater that you rescued from the scrap-yard or a supercar. At that point it becomes more about discipline and honest awareness of the opportunity cost on the project. Don't rob from your quality of life (or those around you) to pursue the journey.

If you literally want to take your existing car and make it faster with as little involvement as possible, then I'd agree with the 10% cap to prevent out-classing or even better, buy a faster car. I have a friend whose just as much a car nut as me but he's an entirely different breed. He feels its preposterous to jeopardize a warranty, risk breaking something by DIY etc. etc. I'm old now but if I'm being entirely honest, over the course of a few decades, if we were to simply go on the end-game of this bug, his approach is FAR less fraught with risk, heartache and financial setback. He doesn't have the experience of the journey but he uses the time I use for the journey to travel the world and do other incredible things. I used to knock people that "bought" speed and laugh at those who took their cars to a shop for everything. How ignorant I was.

I agree on the above re credit. Unless you pay your balance every single month, avoid it at all costs. I see kids with 40k into their 20k cars along with a mound of student and/or CC debt. It's sad because they aren't aware that they are paying such a devastating price for a sliver of fun that, in many cases, shapes them into accepting being "car poor" as a way of life. They are a bent rod away from utter financial collapse.

I commend you for asking such a question.

 

[sterkrazzy]

It's logical right up until the point where you're ready to get rid of it. Then you think to yourself, wtf did I do all that for?

 

[staying_tuned]

It's logical right up until the point where you're ready to get rid of it. Then you think to yourself, wtf did I do all that for?

Followed by a resolute commitment to never let that happen again after selling it... Fast forward a month into the new car, maybe just a tune though...

 

[Chogokin]

I've been down the rabbit hole of spending way too much on cars. I no longer want to go down that hole. I try to keep the mods "practical". I know guys that modify their cars to the point that they are scared to drive it...or is no longer practical to drive. I want to be able to drive my car everwhere. So far everything on my Mk7 is either bought new with a super bro deal...or second hand. I don't want to blow mad money...but at the same time I want to do some modifications. I recently ordered the G-Plus intercooler. That will be the last thing I plan on doing for a while.