Upgrading a car...

[Dye Angel Guy]

First before you buy any part go to a ford or ZX5 forum and ask around what are the best parts for your car to start upgrading it. The people on there will know the best manufacturers for your car and have recommendations on parts they have used in the past.

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

Reason for upgrading a ford focus, well because thats what I have, I dont have the luxury of driving around in a 4.6L Mustang, LS1 Camaro, SRT4, or etc.

[SCpoloRicker]

Trust me, I understand you want to personalize your car, make it your own, whatever.

I just think that it would be a waste of money. Doing a bunch of bolt-ons, with the requisite BS power gains (cold air: 10HP, exhaust:15HP, chip:15HP, etc...) won't really change the performance of the car dramatically.

Just save the money.

[Dye Angel Guy]

Please if you do upgrade your car and it sounds like your going just do it the right way and not the ricer way. Do not be driving around with a primered body kit for weeks and can a can for your exhaust get a catback from greddy, HKS, etc...

[SlartyBartFast]

Listen to this man. He is obviously smarter than everyone who has modded a focus.

No, it's just an ignorant and opinionated statement.
A persons hobbies or passions need not be explained or justified.

Go with what you have, what you can afford, or what you like.

What's important is you enjoy what you're doing.

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

Actually a body kit was never an option of mine nor a want really, majority of them I find to be ugly as sin and just add more weight then is really necessary, only thing body wise I would like to change is the hood, and if there was a body kit to be bought, it would look as close to stock as possible

[SCpoloRicker]

Yeesh. Have a cup of coffee.

Of course, he should go with what he wants to. My opinion is that a Ford Focus isn't much of a platform for a performance car. And I own one.

/"ignorant and opinionated" indeed

No, it's just an ignorant and opinionated statement.
A persons hobbies or passions need not be explained or justified.

Go with what you have, what you can afford, or what you like.

What's important is you enjoy what you're doing.

[kosmo]

If you can afford to modify your car, you can afford a better car. If you cant afford a better car, you cant afford to modify your car. Unless you are talking like an air freshener or hub caps that is.

[Dye Angel Guy]

Kosmo really has a valid point. Is this the car you really want to upgrade? If not just wait until you get what you want. I should have done the same. I have dropped about 7K extra in exterior and performance in my Audi A4 when I should have just gotten an S4 but now the A4 is becoming the project car and I am getting an M3 for the streets.

[SlartyBartFast]

My opinion is that a Ford Focus isn't much of a platform for a performance car. And I own one.

Yet, your opinion is countered by the many shops selling everything from serious performance upgrades to sublimely rediculous eye-candy.

I would tend to agree with you that I wouldn't waste my time modding a Focus.

But then, I wouldn't expect you to share my enthusiasm for 60's vintage Austin/Morris/Cooper Minis. ANd even among the ecclectic group that shares my enthusiam, there's a chasm between those that beleive in original restorations with matching and verified serial numbers and those looking to see how much "fun" they can package in their car.

[SlartyBartFast]

I have dropped aobut 7K in my Audi A4 when I should have just gotten an S4

Well, if what you wanted was an S4 and getting one would have been cheaper than 7k, then yes, you wasted your money.

But, if your goal was to enjoy yourself and your car, it may have been 7k well invested.

I personally think repainting your car, adding suicide doors, and outfitting it with a bajillion watts of stereo equipment is the dumbest use of money and resources ever imagined. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[SCpoloRicker]

But then, I wouldn't expect you to share my enthusiasm for 60's vintage Austin/Morris/Cooper Minis. ANd even among the ecclectic group that shares my enthusiam, there's a chasm between those that beleive in original restorations with matching and verified serial numbers and those looking to see how much "fun" they can package in their car.

No, but I can think its cool.

Modding a Focus is not the same as being a 60's Mini enthusiast.

[Dye Angel Guy]

just to show what 7K extra can buy you in performance and exterior....

My 1997 Audi A4:

Exterior:

LLTek/Uberhaus RSR Front Bumper
Rieger V1 Side Skirts
Rieger V2 Rear Valance
Carbon Fiber Eyelids (Not installed)
Carbon Fiber A & B Pillars
LLTek Carbon Fiber Front Splitter (Destroyed by Disc Tire putting the car on the rack)
APC Racing HID 6000K
PIAA Carbon Fiber Wipers
LLTek door molding
Sonar Black Projector Headlights


Performance:

NGK 3 Spark Plugs x6
Nology Hotwires
Joe Hoppen/Bosch ECM
Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake
E-Pac JDM Voltage Stabilizer
MagnaFlow Exhaust with Twin 3" Tips
MagnaFlow High Flow Catalitic Convertor x2
RS4 Ground Wire Kit
Bosch 12610 Injectors


Wheels and Tires:

18" Enkei DM5 Wheels
Kuhmo Ecsta 225/45/18


Brakes:

Brembo cross drilled rotors
Pro Act Ceramic Pads
Stainless Steel Braided Hose


Suspension:

STaSIS / Koni Street Sport Coilover Kit
HAMBURG TECHNIC upgraded control arm kit
LLTEK Cross Tower Suspension Brace


Misc:

Royal Purple Transmission Fluid
Royal Purple Differential Fluid
Royal Purple Synthetic 5W-30 Engine Oil
KA Undectable Radar


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P.S. I am not stealing your thread I am just trying to help you decide and FYI my car was really dirty in the pictures...

[Dye Angel Guy]

As you can see 7K does not go very far unless you spend everything on a turbocharger or supercharger kit plus exhaust and intake.

[ThisStarNeverFalls]

Well, after looking through some difference owners groups and such, as much as I enjoy my car, I dont think upgrading it specifically is the best option, so im heading out this weekend to look an srt4 to see about trying to pick one of those up, if that doesnt work ill be searching the marker for probably a mustang or camaro