The garage
Customization: Part 2
STEVE SILVA VOLUNTEER STAFF
At this point in the game you have a plan, your parts are all thought out, and you should be in the process of calling manufactures to look at different variations of the parts you want and their availability. Now is the time to start looking for the right vehicle.
When looking for a preeminent ride, make sure to keep your budget, parts availability, and parts compatibility in mind. You can also save the most money on this step, because if you plan on installing a new motor you don’t need a car that runs. Keep your parts list in mind when looking at different cars. For example, it makes little sense to buy a car that advertises a new clutch assembly if you plan on changing out the clutch or transmission altogether. Basically, you should be focusing on buying only what you need.
However, there are some basic things you should look out for. The most important thing is that the car should be “clean.” This can mean checking into a lot of things. First, make sure that no money owes on the vehicle. If you buy one of these cars, it can be repossessed at any time and no one is at fault but you — so buyer beware. Go to Autopac, and have them run the VIN of the ride you’re interested in. This will ensure that the car is clean, leaving you free to modify it. There is nothing worse than putting thousands of dollars into a car only to have it repossessed.
After legally checking the car out, it’s time to take that car to your local mechanic. A seasoned mechanic will be able to spot most, if not all, of the car’s imperfections, tell you what kind of condition your car is in, and also what you’re getting yourself into by buying the vehicle. Of course there are some things you can look for yourself when you’re first looking at the car. Look in the engine bay, specifically at the bottom of the fenders and around the firewall. Any imperfections in the paint, wrinkles in the bodywork, or Bondo can be a good hint that the car has had some collision repair done. Also, look in the trunk, lift up the carpeting, and check for any signs of rear-end collisions. You don’t necessarily have to be an expert here; if something doesn’t look right then it’s probably not. However, you shouldn’t be afraid of accident vehicles or write-offs. If the work is done buy a respected, licensed, and reputable dealer, than a repaired write-off can be just as solid as a regular car. The bright side to accident vehicles is that if you find one that was fixed correctly, they can actually be quite the bargain.
With the vehicle now in your possession, this is when the fun really begins. Now that you have the right car, you are free to choose your parts and bolt them in. You can work with a lot of different resources to scout out your parts. One good source is eBay, because tuners are always putting up parts for all sorts of cars. The upside to this is that you can score amazing deals, but the downside is that parts can turn out not to be quite as you expected. Finding and ordering your parts from reputable dealers and going factory direct might be a little more expensive, but it’s guaranteed. Also, many aftermarket performance parts manufacturers have a hotline you can call that will assist you in the installation of their parts, as well as answering any other questions you might have. Unfortunately, in the world of car customization it’s definitely a “you get what you paid for” environment, and the expensive parts will always fit the best and cause the least amount of headaches. The reason these parts may be expensive is because they have been thoroughly engineered to fit your specific application.
Now that you’ve invested plenty of time and money into your ride, there is no turning back. Join The Garage for the final installment of car customization, where we’ll work on bringing the whole project together.
