What would be your first purchase of choice with $500?

[jellyman]

With budget of $500, what would be your first mod/accessory purchase? Things like all-season mats, dash cam, radar detectors, tint, ceramic coating or go performance like intake? I have hard time deciding what to do. I suppose save more for bigger things like exhaust is an option too.

I am sure all things on my list will get purchased eventually but after dropping the money on the car purchase, I want to take it easy for now.

 

[RedCal]

Well, so far I've done the Weathertech front mats (I must have around here this time of year IMHO) rust proofing, and badges - leaves me about $100... Tint is next, then paint correction, & Ceramic...

 

[Moses]

Tint, used tuner, spark plugs. That's what I would do. Best bang for your buck aesthetically and performance.

 

[eflyguy]

Ceramic coating.

 

[namja]

Dash cam for sure because my city loves small parking spaces...

 

[87and66]

Id say weathertechs and tint. First thing i did when i got my car was put weathertech floor liners in. 100% recommend. I only put them in the front because I rarely have a rear passenger and i have the kia supplied mat in the back that covers the cargo floor and the back of the seats. So those were only $120 or something like that. Then I did 20% ceramic tint which was about $425 and worth every penny. And get a dash cam in there asap. The one I have is $30 on amazon and works great.

 

[nhcowboy28]

Dash cam for sure because my city loves small parking spaces...

It’s the unsexy option... but the wisest as a first. Besides. Just spend 5k on a credit card and get what you want now. Could keel over any day. Enjoy what ya got.

 

[MerlintheMad]

No PPF yet? And you have $500? Do the entire front bumper including headlights; if you can get the front portion of the hood included, do it.

After that, get the rest of the front done pronto.

Once that necessity is done, put a stiffer rear sway bar in.

 

[jellyman]

Adding ppf to my list. There are so many necessities. I maybe have under estimated my initial budget. Need to have a "serious" convo with the wifey tonight.

 

[CKeeler]

Sway bars

 

[The Madhouse]

jb4

 

[CoconutRob]

If only $500 Catch cans,, and bms pedal tuner, maybe squeeze in tint

 

[cncBilly]

With budget of $500, what would be your first mod/accessory purchase? Things like all-season mats, dash cam, radar detectors, tint, ceramic coating or go performance like intake? I have hard time deciding what to do. I suppose save more for bigger things like exhaust is an option too.

I am sure all things on my list will get purchased eventually but after dropping the money on the car purchase, I want to take it easy for now.

Go with an intake system. “Let you car breath”. It will love you for it. Plus you will love the look when you pop the hood and the sound when you stomp on it.

 

[Moses]

Go with an intake system. “Let you car breath”. It will love you for it. Plus you will love the look when you pop the hood and the sound when you stomp on it.

I really think the main reason I want intakes is so it looks nicer under the hood lol

 

[cncBilly]

Adding ppf to my list. There are so many necessities. I maybe have under estimated my initial budget. Need to have a "serious" convo with the wifey tonight.

What!! “Talk to wifey first” Better give mommy and daddy a call and ask if that’s a good idea.

 

[CoconutRob]

Get a catch can!

 

[jellyman]

What!! “Talk to wifey first” Better give mommy and daddy a call and ask if that’s a good idea.

lol, I can't help it. She holds the key to the vault!!

Performance mods are on my short list but not a priority. I want to get a feel of the car first. Reading through the forum gives me whole lot of ideas and confusing me as to what to buy at the same time. I will just take my time on the performance mods.

I am leaning towards ppf/tints to start off. Shops around here wants $800+ for ppf bumper only and $200+ for tints. I wish I had some hook ups.

 

[cncBilly]

lol, I can't help it. She holds the key to the vault!!

Performance mods are on my short list but not a priority. I want to get a feel of the car first. Reading through the forum gives me whole lot of ideas and confusing me as to what to buy at the same time. I will just take my time on the performance mods.

I am leaning towards ppf/tints to start off. Shops around here wants $800+ for ppf bumper only and $200+ for tints. I wish I had some hook ups.

Personally I think ppf is your biggest waste of money. There are so many products out there to just do it yourself. I was leaning to ppf until thank god my Stinger Winger westcoastGT talked me into doing it ourselves. Best $800+ I saved. Well didn’t save it rather repositioned it elsewhere.

 

[jellyman]

Personally I think ppf is your biggest waste of money. There are so many products out there to just do it yourself. I was leaning to ppf until thank god my Stinger Winger westcoastGT talked me into doing it ourselves. Best $800+ I saved. Well didn’t save it rather repositioned it elsewhere.

Did you go about installing the ppf yourselves or go with an alternative? What did you use? I was thinking of DIY ceramic after ppf.

 

[cncBilly]

Did you go about installing the ppf yourselves or go with an alternative? What did you use? I was thinking of DIY ceramic after ppf.

Went with an alternative. My Stinger Winger kicked my training wheels off on the process and supplied the products we used. Yes he is a great team mate!! Started with a clay bar then taped all the black chrome, a cut round then a couple polish rounds. It has held up very well even though I wash my car a minimum of twice a week. I will likely do it all over again in March or a little sooner if we get some nice weather.