Car modifications - yes or no?

[MercuryT]

Do we like seeing our Fords being modded? I have a BA Turbo, nearly 7 years ownership but all mods are for performance - looks exactly the same outside.

Personally, I saw a black BF Xr6 Turbo down in Hobart that well, looked absolutely terrible (in my opinion). Clear "altezza" tail lights, "led running lights", huge chrome alloys, and so on....

Looked like a Christmas tree on wheels, but far worse. I drove off almost embarrassed I had a similar car actually.

I know some of these cars on here, no worries, but I would just like to know what most Ford owners think? Does it make you think less of your own car seeing your original example being butchered?

ps: Including those with classic fords (which of course don't include FPVs/Xrs and so on) I've seen a few there too....

[Tokyo Geoff]

If it's yours do what you want. If it's not yours then your opinion doesn't matter one iota imo. I see some cars and think 'cringe' I wouldn't be seen dead in it but who am I to judge? Personally I MUST modify every car I own as I want my personality to be evident and not just a clone, again imo.
My modded XR8

PS I hate "Altezza" style lights.

[nitro50th]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Geoff

If it's yours do what you want. If it's not yours then your opinion doesn't matter one iota imo. I see some cars and think 'cringe' I wouldn't be seen dead in it but who am I to judge? Personally I MUST modify every car I own as I want my personality to be evident and not just a clone, again imo.
My modded XR8
image
PS I hate "Altezza" style lights.

This a perfect example of a car that has been 'properly' modded.

Nothing stands out above anything else, it all just looks 'right'. The way it should be.

But....everyone is different, if you like your big chrome wheels, then thats ok.

[XBv8mmm!]

Moding for the sake of moding, no. Especially if it's just body mods.

But some driveline, brake and suspension mods, yes.
Stock or near stock on the outside, awesome underneath. Sleeper all the way for me.

Looks like Tokyo Geoff has the right idea to me. Neat and tidy on the outside, like it!

[Franco Cozzo]

I'm a big fan of modifications but no big changes to the appearance of the outside of the car such as huge-*** chrome wheels and tinted lights, or big polished front mount intercoolers.

My Focus has the following mods:

Airtec Gen3 front mount intercooler (sprayed black so you can't see it)
Bilstein B8 shortened shocks
Eibach Pro-kit 30mm lowered springs to match shocks
Whiteline 22mm rear sway bar
Genuine Ford HID headlight assemblies
Previous model Focus wheels (busted my OEM ones)

But you can't really tell its modified if you look at it from a distance.

With my EL Fairmont Ghia, when I got it, someone had put AU XR6 copy wheels on it and it was lowered a tiny bit, I bought a set of factory Fairmont Ghia alloys and had head work/cam done to the car, pacemaker 4499s and pex 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust, but had the pacemakers covered up with a custom heat shield so you can't really see them from the engine bay. If you look at it from a distance it just looks like Grandpa on his way to bingo.

[jpblue1000]

Cars have to be modified, factory is so boring. As a minimum I wouldnt want to be seen in my car if its belly isnt dragging, the windows are not black tinted and the wheels arent too big. I dont care for practicality, all three cars are two doors, wheels scrape and usually stand out, nor do I care for anyones modifying opinion or resale values, I do what I want to my cars, mostly for fun and to be seen in something different and the pleasure I get when people who know pick the small diferences amongst the major changes. Have welder and a heartbeat will modify!

JP

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

but had the pacemakers covered up with a custom heat shield so you can't really see them from the engine bay. If you look at it from a distance it just looks like Grandpa on his way to bingo.

There you go, probably a bit suspect though lol.

[JK47]

I'm not a big fan of major mods to the body as the shape is good,a few mods to suit youself and make it stand out a bit to be different,but at the end of the day its your car and if you like it go right ahead,some are a bit over the top.
But I do admire the blokes that are game enough to really have a go with the gas axe! J K.

[CoupeKing]

As long as its kept in proportion, which most times it not. More of an attention thing than an artistic modification. Some cars look awesome off the production line while plenty dont. Subtle changes go a long way. But thats just me. Like I prefer a chick with a small A cup over a set of plastic D`s.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Like I prefer a chick with a small A cup over a set of plastic D`s.

Gimme plastic fantastic

[Nikked]

Best thing about owning a car is that is your own and you can do what you want with it. Performance, looks or both.

If someone want's to make their family jigger stand out and look the part with out making it go fast, good on them, no use sinking coin making killawasp when it won't hit a track.

[paule11]

Beautiful XR8 Tokyo Geoff

[Bulletime]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Gimme plastic fantastic

Or pure natural Ds :p

[Road Games]

I would never modify a car .. what a waste of monies

[mik]

Being in the cushions on rear parcel shelf /cardigan wearers brigade these days and not having Rockerfella's bank balance i'm pretty happy to enjoy the efforts car makers have made to make the vehicles quiet and reliable as possible,
also i like the idea of a vehicle attracting the least amount of attention from the constabulary possible, that said i don't mind doing stuff that will make the cruiser last longer as opposed to wearing it out faster.
I still like power and speed though, and can appreciate a nice modified or even a very neat well kept cruiser............ but over the top bling or rice.

[AndyXR6T]

I'm personally a fan of "modding" cars with genuine items. I like cars that have the 'best of' in their range as long as they aren't pretending to be something they are not (XT falcons with GT body kits and fpv badging). Upgrading interior pieces and wheels etc of higher models is a tick for me.

When it comes to the engine though anything goes! The shinier and bigger the better!

[NX74205]

I'm a bit pedantic about keeping my car as near as damnit to stock standard as I can. If I do any mods it'll be minor changes only, and even then I'll only use genuine parts, nothing aftermarket.

When I bought my EA it came with aftermarket hub caps and a pin stripe along the crease line. I bought genuine EA series 1 GL hub caps and removed the pin stripe to make it look exactly as it did in the brochure.

[Dash_XR]

Originally Posted by AndyXR6T

I'm personally a fan of "modding" cars with genuine items. I like cars that have the 'best of' in their range as long as they aren't pretending to be something they are not (XT falcons with GT body kits and fpv badging). Upgrading interior pieces and wheels etc of higher models is a tick for me.

When it comes to the engine though anything goes! The shinier and bigger the better!

I use to be the opposite but now i'm starting to see the appeal.

Each to their own as far as looks I guess, you can just ignore it. Only thing that annoys me is the V6 catback tractors, you can't ignore them.

[Bushbasher]

Function over form for me. I don't particularly like all the bling that shouts LOOK AT ME!! I'd rather the car actually had the cred to back up the claim. A few subtle improvements that may not immediately catch the eye but when the question is asked, and on closer inspection, says, " Yes mate, , fast enough, "

[ZA-289]

Yes modify. But only if you know what your doing. Some people just have no idea and bolt aftermarket parts to their car and think its hektik. If you have a vision for your car and plan mods accordingly it normally turns out better than stock.

[Grippy]

It isn't just modifying, it's personalising. I've never owned a standard car and I never want to. I make changes to improve the car to suit my needs and wants. The roads would be boring if people didn't make changes, good or bad.

[BionicBFXR6T]

Nice clean sleeper ftw. Always into modding feeling the difference/improvements lol most people say it's a waste but it's my hobby and I enjoy it .

[HULK_I6T]

Im not a big fan of wholesale changes to the outside.

tasteful wheels, maybe slightly lowered (half an inch) and a few subtle highlights

Altezzas and autobarn style mods aren't my thing. I feel embarrassed when i see a like model car modded poorly.

i know of a vs commodore, body graphics, huge chrome rims, lowered to the floor at the back and near stock at front, big blaring exhaust. The guy loves it like a showcar but i see others giggle everytime they see it. Go figure.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by f6_benito

Im not a big fan of wholesale changes to the outside.

tasteful wheels, maybe slightly lowered (half an inch) and a few subtle highlights

Altezzas and autobarn style mods aren't my thing. I feel embarrassed when i see a like model car modded poorly.

i know of a vs commodore, body graphics, huge chrome rims, lowered to the floor at the back and near stock at front, big blaring exhaust. The guy loves it like a showcar but i see others giggle everytime they see it. Go figure.

That's pretty much my view too.

I should have made it clear in the OP that of course owners can do whatever they want to their cars! That's all good. It was rather more to get a feel of does it affect your own view of your car when you see a few bad ones around.

Now so cheap I think BA/BF Xr models are starting to head down the Skyline track, where good taste is not something all owners have!

[Bucknaked]

Once Warranty has expired.

[cro142]

Altezza-style taillights say a lot about the owner:

"I have absolutely no taste"

[data_mine]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Once Warranty has expired.

lol

I had the first mods waiting at home before I took delivery.

[CyberWasp]

Modifications are fine.
But just remember if there ever comes a time to sell, will the modifications make the car easier or harder to sell.

[damo6]

I like to mod my cars,I make a plan beforehand,do a few photoshops of my car,see what works and what doesn't.I have darkened or "smoked" tail lights with led bulbs and it works well with my cars colour "kinetic blue". But I've seen the same lights on other fg"s and they look terrible. IMO they wouldn't look good on Tokyo Jeff's car for example. Those clear altezza tail lights are hideous no arguments there!. I'm also about to bolt on a djr bobtail as I don't like the factory boot spoiler or any boot spoiler for that matter, the djr covers the holes in the boot lid,the small lip ones don't so I've compromised and gone for something smaller but covers the holes and looks good too.

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Modifications are fine.
But just remember if there ever comes a time to sell, will the modifications make the car easier or harder to sell.

I think it'll make it harder to sell. As said, modifications are aimed at personalising the car to each owner's wants, and what you like might not necessarily be what a potential buyer would like.

Personally, I would never buy a car that's been modified. If it's been modified in any way, I won't even look at it, unless they are minor enough that they can be undone and brought back to factory spec easily and cheaply.