ratings

September 24, 2009

Make Your Neighbor Jealous

You take a special pride in your car, so you like to drive something a little less conventional and a little more personal. Potential improvements range from simple tire and wheel upgrades to overhauling your car's body and electronics. Here are some of today's hottest entry-level mods.

• Tires and wheels.

  If you're looking to change the look of your car, consider a new set of tires and wheels. It's the mod equivalent of a facelift, and at the same time, could improve handling, acceleration, and stopping power. It's simple because it essentially just means swapping out a few removable parts (your old tires and wheels) and popping in new ones. If you opt for wider wheels, your car will have that much more contact with the road surface. If you go with taller rims, you'll draw more attention to your wheels.

• Car audio system upgrade.

  Your car is an extension of yourself. And your music is part of who you are as well. For lots of car guys, the pride they take in making their ride look good extends to making their car sound good. What could be more American and more downright fun than a road trip (or a trip to the store) with your favorite tunes blasting? Unfortunately, most stock stereo systems just don't cut it, so what you need is a sweet aftermarket upgrade. Key components of this mod include a head unit, amps, speaker, and a subwoofer. Installation is pretty easy if you're handy with a few tools and know your way around your dashboard.

• Chrome accessories.

  Human beings like shiny objects, and so do cars. Chrome car mods are made for almost every part of the vehicle, including bumpers, hubcaps, linings, headers, windshield wipers, fenders, and more. The quality of the plating is key when customizing your car with a chromed part. Avoid any part that looks like it has wrinkles or discoloration in the finish.

• Body modification kits.

  This mod will change your car's personality dramatically. Just by adding bumper spoilers, side skirts, or a rear spoiler, your car will appear more aggressive without the need for extensive modification or body panel replacement. Another benefit of this type of mod can be better aerodynamics. By lowering the body, for instance, more air could be forced to go over the top of your ride, providing greater down-force across the entire vehicle. Greater down-force may allow your vehicle to hug the road better.

• Customize your car's suspension.

  You can enhance the look of your car by lowering or raising the ride height—giving it a more aggressive and sportier appearance. If done correctly, it can also improve the car's handling and road holding capabilities.