So i've got about 2 more weeks to wait for my silver streak mica, stock, AT... and i was thinking, like most tC owners probably, what would be some good cheap mods to increase appearance, and power... since i am kind of draining my pocket book to get this car I cant really afford anything sweet like the supercharger, or new wheels, but here is a short list of things i thought of.....feel free to add your suggestions (keep in mind im from ohio and the winter is coming so maybe some of the performance mods will have to wait)

1. cold air intake (~$100, good performance upgrade for the price)
2. air filter (<$50, dont know much about these but i believe the increase performance)
3. mud guards
4. fuzzy dice ( ive always wanted these :D )
5. auto store floor mats ($150 for scion mats is way overpriced)
6. tint ($100-200 depending on the % and such)
7. a cool licence plate frame?
8. a strut bar

...personally im more interested in performance, and i am wondering if anyone knows what are safe upgrades to do, in other words what can u do without voiding the warranty?

 

well for one thing cold air intakes will be more like 200-300 for it

1. you could do injen exhaust or the trd
2. trd springs $200 about
3. system?

i duno what ever else. oh and if u want some toyota accesories i suggest getting them from:

www.partznet.com
or
www.mcgeorgeparts.com

they are alot cheaper than the dealer. hope this helps

 

First couple of things I did to my stock AT SSM tC was:

4 piece black rubber/carpet floormats from Walmart : $25
4 piece clear floormats that match the ones above : $10
Imitation Convex Broadway Mirror from Walmart : $13
S2000/Element/Civic Si Shorty Antenna from Honda Dealer : $24
20% front 35% rears/glass hatch w/ lifetime warranty :$200

*edit*

I'm going to do the tinting in like 2 weeks or so.

*edit # 2*
I'm also planning on buying some mudflaps from McGeorge Parts and buying some SSM spray paint from the Toyota Service Dept. because it's a pain having to clean under the side skirts.

 

awesome info thx, i was thinking place like wal mart is awesome to get some of the minor stuff, whats the difference bw
4 piece black rubber/carpet floormats from Walmart : $25
4 piece clear floormats that match the ones above : $10

im gonna be getting some mats too and like i said id rather pay 35 from walmart than $150 from scion :?

 

i would do the cheap exterior mods like the bluebatmobile overlays but i realize all that little $ would probably go better towards the bigger $ in the performance mods.


in other words. i've never been so eager to use a hammer around my piggy bank.

 

I think the best, inexpensive thing you can do for perfomance is the rear sway bar. It's alittle over $100, improves cornering and you can install it yourself. Next is tint. I would say lowering springs as well, but they can get up to $300-$500 installed.

 

also, wait for group buys. those will significantly drop prices

patience is key in buying aftermarket stuff.

 

im not familiar with those, and also what if anything will be a threat to the warranty?


(ps whoever that is in your icon is hot :D )

 

oh yeah the stubby i forgot i got that. you could aslo do sylvanna superstar white lights, they are no hid but are better than stock imo. tint is also a good

 

No difference, I just like to keep my floor mats clean, regardless even if they are cheap $25 dollar walmart carpets, so I protect them with clear ones.

 

I just installed the TRD air filter today. Took 2 minutes.

I ordered from mcgeorgeparts...

Noticed a bit more power but maybe I'm looking too hard for it. Point is - it's a good upgrade.

Also have TRD lowering springs which is probably the best first mod. I've really noticed improved handling and plus it looks better. =)

OH I almost forgot. My S2000 antenna is on the way, as well. =) cheap cool mod.

 

i'd get the sway bar instead of the strut, way more impact on suspension.

 

EDIT:

please become a site sponsor to advertise

https://www.scionlife.com/premium/

 

Actually save a bunch of money and get your S2000 antenna here:

http://www.hondacuraworld.com/Mercha...ry_Code=HS2000

(Scroll to the bottom for the antenna, I just picked one up last week)

 

a lot of performance parts would void some kind of warranty.

 

would i have to contact the dealer to find out what exactly could void the warranty or is that somewhere in the manual

 

group buys are just that group buys.

when you buy in bulk, you usually save on cost per unit. so when you get a whole forum to buy a bulk of a product, say like CAIs, then you should see a lot of savings.

 

Cheap performance mods (in that order):

Sway bar ($95)
Springs ($140 for self install - $??? for dealer install)
TRD / K&N filter ($40) / or CAI/short ram
Strut brace ($125)

Other than that... overlays are cheap and really add a nice touch to the looks. Painted calipers are cheap and can clean up the brakes. Compass mirror from eBay ($40-60) was worth the cash for me.

 

In response to your ideas:

1. The AEM CAI won't be out until December pending CARB approval. However, you can get the K & N CAI which is out now
2. I already have the K & N filtercharger air filter in mine (which I will sell soon when my CAI comes in next week). The performance gain is barely noticable, but it has a very slightly deeper sound.
3. Mud guards are cheap, useful and easy to install (barely noticable)
4. If you always wanted them, then do it
5. You can get a set of OEM scion mats online or weathertech mats for less than $100
6. Find a local place with a good rep. The % is up to you
7. If your state allows it, get one with the plastic cover that distorts the "red-light cameras"
8. Out now is the Hotchiks or the AEM CF bar

 

Yeah I'm waiting for the different CAI to come out in the next months. So in the mean time the TRD air filter was a nice tide over.