I hate tough decisions

[redlava]

lays down on couch I have been racking my brain trying to decide weather or not to lower my Vibe and give it some new rims and tires. I can't think of anything else I could possibly do with $1,400 anytime soon, but the scrooge in me just wants to hoard all of my meager assets for a rainy day. I guess having to psych myself up is not a good way to start out with something as big as this. I really want to do it, but the voice in the back of my head keeps reminding me that my car already has a suspension and tires. Why won't that voice shut up? I would ask your opinions on this, but I already know what you are going to say. I guess I have no idea why I am posting this, I guess I just wanted to release a little pressure.pays shrink money and leaves with no answers

[damronjr]

Little voice says: Go buy your Vibe new rims, tires, and drop the sucker to the ground!!! See, now you have to do it because the voices changed their minds!

[Mr. Poopypants]

>>>>>Enter voice of reason. Save your money, if you don't have any savings built up, open a savings account. You should always have at least $1000 set aside, you never know when you are going to need some emergency money. My $.02

[ArcsVibe]

Redlava what I did last year is wait for my tax refund to buy my wheels and this year I am doing the same to get my springs...Good luck with your decision and keep us informed

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants »>>>>>Enter voice of reason. Save your money, if you don't have any savings built up, open a savings account. You should always have at least $1000 set aside, you never know when you are going to need some emergency money. My $.02D@mn you evil voices! No wonder no one ever gets anything done around here!

[joatmon]

Quote »pays shrink money and leaves with no answers Perhaps we need to start with the dissatisfaction you have with your car as it is is now. It's your money, you spend it on whatever you want. There is no hurry to do something like that, so you don't have to decide right now. Maybe get past snow season and then think about lowering it?If I had $1400 to put into my car, I might consider new wheels since i have the steelies, and maybe a 2004 instrument cluster, and maybe even power locks. but I don't, so send the $1400 to me instead of selfishly spending it on yourself!

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »so send the $1400 to me instead of selfishly spending it on yourself! D@mn, why didn't I think of that! Good one! I could get some NEW rims, CAI, or just save it as a good start to a SC!

[ShadowRuleZ]

Depends. In my case, I'd probably allocate to paying off the loan on the Vibe. Otherwise, I'm trying to dig up enough money to put into a Roth IRA to max out my contributions for last year, and trying to get a decent down payment on a home.Rate your priorities! 1400 does sound like a heck of a lot just for rims/springs. I can find a set of rims with tires in the 5-600 dollar range, and what are lowering springs? 200 bucks?

[Mase]

I'd say drop it! Rims and a drop was the single most expensive mod to my car so far. Rims + tires + springs + installation + alignment = buku $$$$! It looks so dang good though! Plus it lets you stand out from the rest of the plain old looking cars out there.

[Merzbow]

My mom allways gives me that line "You don't need exhaust, you don't need springs, you don't need a stereo, blah blah blah"Here's how I look at it. Cars arn't going to be around forever. If you truely love cars like I do I would spend the money without a second thought because cars make ME happy. People brainwash you into thinking it is wrong to things for yourself. I think we all deserve to spend our well earned money on what we want rather than what we need every now and then. It is alot of money but atleast in the future when cars wont be the same or even around anymore you can say "Hey I'm glad I did that it was alot of fun." instead of "D*mn I wish I would have done that, now I'll never know".I went ahead and ordered the new carbon fiber hood for $500 without even telling anyone about it. My mom would kill me if she found out how much money it was, but I don't care because it makes me happy. My car is like my soul, it is my way of expressing myself. How's that for an emotional response

[Mr. Poopypants]

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow »Cars arn't going to be around forever.That is why I choose to save my money. If I were ever to get rid of my car, and I know it will happen, the buyer won't give a crap how much the lowering springs and exhaust were.Still, just my opinion.

[Luna]

Quote, originally posted by Mr. Poopypants »That is why I choose to save my money. If I were ever to get rid of my car, and I know it will happen, the buyer won't give a crap how much the lowering springs and exhaust were.Still, just my opinion.Same with me. My nephew totaled a car he's spent $$$ adding mods to. He was able to salvage a few, but most of it was lost, along with the value of the car. If your car isn't paid for, I'd put the money toward the loan. If it's paid for and you don't have outstanding debt, and really want to lower it, then lower it.I'll probably get smacked for this, but 95% of the people you pass on the road don't care what you did to your car. Me, I prefer to drive something that isn't too dorky, and that's why I spent a little more to get a used car I liked instead of some boring ones that would have done the job, but the most important thing is that a vehicle can get me (and my stuff) from point A to point B, preferably with good fuel economy. I don't have the kind of disposable income to consider new hoods, etc. when my current one works just fine. If you can afford it and are happy with it, then go for it. If you owe on the car, especially if you owe more than it blue books at, or if you have credit card debt or other debts where you're paying to borrow money, then it's a lot more financially prudent to put the money toward that.

[damronjr]

And then the annoying voice of reason slices it's way through your head. All very true, I wish I had those priorities, but I figure I work to make $$ so I can spend it. Otherwise, why work?!? he is right, if you have debt, pay it first. Then (removed) your $$ away fixing things up!

[redlava]

No debt to pay off here except for my car. Which I am overpaying on the loan every month anyway. This discussion basically sounds like the argument I have with myself everyday on this topic. I am basically an indecisive person. I will go through this stuff all the time with a major purchase, then no matter what I decide I will second guess that as well. I am very happy with my Vibe as it is right now, wouldn't trade it for anything... except for maybe a GTO. But all those extra goodies would be the whipped cream and cherry on my sunday.I guess the biggest thing is if I do get the stuff, I don't want to say to myself 6 months down the road, "Damn, I wish I had that $1,400 back right now." More soul searching is needed I guess.

[Merzbow]

lol, I understand where you're coming from Luna, but that "getting from point a to point b" mind set is sooooo...insulting? Sound just like my mother! The reason I say insulting is because the car modifying world is a life style and art to some (myself included). My car is my soul in the physical world. Calling a car simply transportation is like calling someone's life worthless. We don't all have the same likes and such and I am personally not insulted but I'm jsut saying, cars are like a living being to some people...maybe even more important .You're right though, not many people care about their cars or your car, that's why I've gotten rear ended soo many f-ing times, however, I spend the majority of my time in the warm months at car shows and cruises where people DO care about other's cars. I modify my car for my self over anyone else. I like to rev my engine with no one else around just to hear it with my own ears.Sorry for sounding so hostile I'm didn't intend to, I'm just sensitive with this topic lol!My friends and family allways say I don't NEED car parts...you don't NEED anything except food, oxygen, and water. It's all about what you want.Little miss-understanding there too, when I said "cars wont be around forever" I meant that our oil supplies will be gone in the next 15-20 years so you wont have much time to build up cars once the gas is gone.If I were you Red, I would atleast buy one or the other right now like maybe buy the springs first since they are only around $150 and maybe think about the wheels and make sure you want to spend it. Shadows right, you can finda set of nice rims for under $800. Life is all about having fun!!!!!!!!!!

[Luna]

It's all good. I didn't mean to be insulting, and I was a little worried I was stepping on toes with what I said, especially as a newbie to this community. I guess what I was trying to say is that if there are other things in life that are more prudent uses for savings, if one has other financial responsibilities. If those things are taken care of, then there's nothing wrong with treating yourself to something you enjoy.We all have different things that give us enjoyment. I know I have a tight budget right now but spend money on some things that people think are nutty, but then I don't spend money on other things. I had no idea of the OP's situation, but I know people who've tricked out their cars then not had any money saved to make a repair when needed.I grew up in a GM-loyal family that always had very practical cars. I married into a family with a lot of car enthusiasts. My husband doesn't have the bug as bad as his siblings, but I don't think he'd object if I made some minor mods when we have more funds. A mortgage and other debt combined with unemployment will really make a 20something gal sound like an old fuddy-duddy!I'm thrilled to have a car that I REALLY LIKE now. Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug and start making some cosmetic mods eventually. (Old fuddy-duddy inside wonders how flames and decals would affect future resale value....)Anyhow, I was happy to find this resource of excellent information about Vibes and lots of helpful folks, too. if you've got the funds, and will have some left over afterwards, and you really want to drop your car, then do it. You can enjoy it for years. If you're not sure, you can always drop it later.

[Kari]

Quote, originally posted by Luna »I'm thrilled to have a car that I REALLY LIKE now. Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug and start making some cosmetic mods eventually.Yes...yes you will. *starts the countdown*Trust me this site will get to you...you'll start being like, "Wow, I really like what you did with that," and want to do it to your own Vibe. That's what makes this site so wonderful. So many ideas, so little time...or is that so little money? Haha.

[jimincalif]

It's your money. If your car is your hobby and modifying is enjoyable to you, then enjoy it and don't feel guilty. As long as you meet your financial obligations first (which should include a regular bit of long term savings), and you have some money put away for a rainy day, then you should be fine. My own rule #1 for hobbies, (and mine is a boat, definitely NOT practical), I won't take on debt.Hobbies aren't practical, they're enjoyable. Nothing wrong with paying a bit of money for enjoyment, just like going to a movie, concert, etc.

[Mr. Poopypants]

Quote, originally posted by jimincalif »It's your money. If your car is your hobby and modifying is enjoyable to you, then enjoy it and don't feel guilty. As long as you meet your financial obligations first (which should include a regular bit of long term savings), and you have some money put away for a rainy day, then you should be fine. My own rule #1 for hobbies, (and mine is a boat, definitely NOT practical), I won't take on debt.Hobbies aren't practical, they're enjoyable. Nothing wrong with paying a bit of money for enjoyment, just like going to a movie, concert, etc. That is some damn good advice.But again, it's not my money that you are modding your car with, so do whatever you want with it.

[Merzbow]

Yeah debt is not good. I am not old enough to worry about it yet but fortunately I don't care about what kind of house I live in so I don't have to make outrageous payments. I would take a 200 sq foot house as long as I had a garage to shelter my baby in.I wasn't offended Luna I just think some people that arn't as cool as me might be lol.

[Flip-Side]

Being married and a dad, I have better places to spend my money. When I first got the vibe I wanted to do all that cool stuff to it and I still do, but I have other obligations that take priority. Bills, retirement fund, and my computer. I would Love to mod my vibe and tailor it to myself, but I am a cheapskate as well and can not justify it at this time. If all your responsibilities are already met and money saved, like the other guys have said, go for it if it makes you happy. If I was single...I would have done it looooong ago.