what should i do with $500?
12-17-2006, 06:51 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: 'Burbs Farmington Hills - go to school in Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,353
woot first reply!
Aight... first off, i'd go with a short ram (im gettin a YDR) for about $100
get a randode internal cathode kit for $90
(both of which you install yourself!)
then, if your cheap like me, hunt around at local salvage yards for FUBAR'd xBs. im shootin for an '06 wheel in my 05 xb, an armrest, new head stereo unit, spoiler (if its BOP), taillights and exhust tip. really, any dealer accesory! cheap? yes. lame? maybe. doesnt cost alot though!
or get a new stereo. i got 2 6 1/2 kickers in the rear and 6 1/2 jlrs in the front, with door box things...
and do a grounding kit! cheap!
Aight... first off, i'd go with a short ram (im gettin a YDR) for about $100
get a randode internal cathode kit for $90
(both of which you install yourself!)
then, if your cheap like me, hunt around at local salvage yards for FUBAR'd xBs. im shootin for an '06 wheel in my 05 xb, an armrest, new head stereo unit, spoiler (if its BOP), taillights and exhust tip. really, any dealer accesory! cheap? yes. lame? maybe. doesnt cost alot though!
or get a new stereo. i got 2 6 1/2 kickers in the rear and 6 1/2 jlrs in the front, with door box things...
and do a grounding kit! cheap!
12-17-2006, 06:59 PM
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 135
Originally Posted by mrfuzzy4
woot first reply!
Aight... first off, i'd go with a short ram (im gettin a YDR) for about $100
get a randode internal cathode kit for $90
(both of which you install yourself!)
then, if your cheap like me, hunt around at local salvage yards for FUBAR'd xBs. im shootin for an '06 wheel in my 05 xb, an armrest, new head stereo unit, spoiler (if its BOP), taillights and exhust tip. really, any dealer accesory! cheap? yes. lame? maybe. doesnt cost alot though!
or get a new stereo. i got 2 6 1/2 kickers in the rear and 6 1/2 jlrs in the front, with door box things...
and do a grounding kit! cheap!
Aight... first off, i'd go with a short ram (im gettin a YDR) for about $100
get a randode internal cathode kit for $90
(both of which you install yourself!)
then, if your cheap like me, hunt around at local salvage yards for FUBAR'd xBs. im shootin for an '06 wheel in my 05 xb, an armrest, new head stereo unit, spoiler (if its BOP), taillights and exhust tip. really, any dealer accesory! cheap? yes. lame? maybe. doesnt cost alot though!
or get a new stereo. i got 2 6 1/2 kickers in the rear and 6 1/2 jlrs in the front, with door box things...
and do a grounding kit! cheap!
12-18-2006, 06:00 AM
#11
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Guam, 14.8N, 145.6E
Posts: 960
Originally Posted by deaf
Originally Posted by Guamsilverbox671
Give it to me....... 
j/k
Install a good sound system.
j/kInstall a good sound system.
12-18-2006, 07:02 AM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Philly burbs
Posts: 5
I 2nd buying some stock. But if you're not into that... what's your goal w/ mods? Performance, or appearance/ICE/etc.?
I don't know what pricing is like on xB mods but my short list would probably be (in no particular order):
- strut tower bar
- anti-roll/sway bar
- Valentine 1 radar/laser detector ;)
- Grill inserts
- Driving lights
- Cold air intake (won't make it any faster but you'll like the noise)
Depends what your into.
I don't know what pricing is like on xB mods but my short list would probably be (in no particular order):
- strut tower bar
- anti-roll/sway bar
- Valentine 1 radar/laser detector ;)
- Grill inserts
- Driving lights
- Cold air intake (won't make it any faster but you'll like the noise)
Depends what your into.
12-21-2006, 07:01 AM
#17
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: West TN - Land of twisty roads
Posts: 11,808
Haven't seen it mentioned so here goes. Seeing how your aren't really into cars why not put that 500 bucks toward the principal on your car note. You'll save much interest and pay it off quicker.
12-21-2006, 02:36 PM
#19
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 2,208
I feel like upping the HP on an econobox doesn't make sense. It's like a drop in a bucket. Sure it makes a difference but, looking at it generally speaking, it doesnt do much...
I spent $600 on a touch screen laptop that I use in my xB for music and navigation. This is my most expensive mod but it has also been the most fun. I copy songs to my 1 gig USB drive and just bring it into the car, copy onto the laptop and im set. I connected the laptop to the aux audio port on the box so all my music/navigation instructions play through the car speakers.
although you may not find a deal like i did - you can still get a nice setup for $500. You can buy a small desktop or a laptop with a broken screen for about $300, and spend about $200 getting a 7" touch screen monitor.
You can see my setup via the link in my profile. In the end, it all depends on what you want. Some people like modding the engine, adding body kits, etc. for me, i wanted some bang for the buck - i wanted maximum output from minimal investment. this laptop setup rocks.
hth,
- sh00k
I spent $600 on a touch screen laptop that I use in my xB for music and navigation. This is my most expensive mod but it has also been the most fun. I copy songs to my 1 gig USB drive and just bring it into the car, copy onto the laptop and im set. I connected the laptop to the aux audio port on the box so all my music/navigation instructions play through the car speakers.
although you may not find a deal like i did - you can still get a nice setup for $500. You can buy a small desktop or a laptop with a broken screen for about $300, and spend about $200 getting a 7" touch screen monitor.
You can see my setup via the link in my profile. In the end, it all depends on what you want. Some people like modding the engine, adding body kits, etc. for me, i wanted some bang for the buck - i wanted maximum output from minimal investment. this laptop setup rocks.
hth,
- sh00k
12-21-2006, 02:50 PM
#20
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ...Lost Somewhere in Time
Posts: 1,099
Deaf, congrats on winning money at poker! You must have better luck than I do.
As far as spending the money goes, you could opt for several choices:
1. Short Ram Intake - replaces your stock airbox, filter, and tubing with a polished, less restrictive tube and high-flow filter. The short ram places the filter inside the driver's side fender allowing it to pull cooler air in and direct it straight into the intake of the car, thereby producing more HP and torque. This does create a noticeable gain in acceleration, top end, and sound! My choice on a Short Ram would be a Fujita SR3100 over the others simply because it places the oil breather tube after the MAF sensor which prevents contamination of the MAF which could cost you $$$ down the road. The YDR Short Ram is a good choice for its price, but if you have the extra $$, go for the Fujita and avoid the possibility of MAF problems. You can find the Fujita online for under $150 if you look around. Heck, eBay has them for as low as $129!!
2. HID/Projectors - you could also go for a projector headlight setup for fairly cheap. There are many choices out there that offer different styles, just check around and find what you like. A halo projector setup is usually around $200 or so. You could also add HIDs to the mix for another $250. HIDs, if you are not sure what they are, are a system that produces a much brighter, more concentrated light by use of an electrical arc inside a Xenon-filled bulb. There are multiple choices of HID that range in intensity and color production. The usual is 6000K-8000K, which produces a very white to blue-white light. Have you ever seen a Mercedes coming at you at night and its white headlights are almost blinding? That's HID.
3. Springs - You could always buy some springs and drop that box if you haven't already. They'll run you under $200 and you have your choice of drops, from a slight drop by TRD, or the lowest of the springs, the Tanabe DF210s. I, myself ride on DF210s and love it! The stance is MUCH better than stock, especially with aftermarket wheels.
4. Exhaust - You could also use the money to change the sound of the box and add a little more performance by replacing the exhaust system with something less restrictive. This can be done for less than $500, but there are also some other systems that cost a little more than that. Again, the choice is yours.
There are numerous other things that can be done to the box for $500 depending on what kind of work you are willing to do. Thumb through the tech section and find what you like. If you've got questions, ask.
If you choose to go the car-pc way, let me know. It may cost a little more than $500, but it could be tailored to do anything you want.
As far as spending the money goes, you could opt for several choices:
1. Short Ram Intake - replaces your stock airbox, filter, and tubing with a polished, less restrictive tube and high-flow filter. The short ram places the filter inside the driver's side fender allowing it to pull cooler air in and direct it straight into the intake of the car, thereby producing more HP and torque. This does create a noticeable gain in acceleration, top end, and sound! My choice on a Short Ram would be a Fujita SR3100 over the others simply because it places the oil breather tube after the MAF sensor which prevents contamination of the MAF which could cost you $$$ down the road. The YDR Short Ram is a good choice for its price, but if you have the extra $$, go for the Fujita and avoid the possibility of MAF problems. You can find the Fujita online for under $150 if you look around. Heck, eBay has them for as low as $129!!
2. HID/Projectors - you could also go for a projector headlight setup for fairly cheap. There are many choices out there that offer different styles, just check around and find what you like. A halo projector setup is usually around $200 or so. You could also add HIDs to the mix for another $250. HIDs, if you are not sure what they are, are a system that produces a much brighter, more concentrated light by use of an electrical arc inside a Xenon-filled bulb. There are multiple choices of HID that range in intensity and color production. The usual is 6000K-8000K, which produces a very white to blue-white light. Have you ever seen a Mercedes coming at you at night and its white headlights are almost blinding? That's HID.
3. Springs - You could always buy some springs and drop that box if you haven't already. They'll run you under $200 and you have your choice of drops, from a slight drop by TRD, or the lowest of the springs, the Tanabe DF210s. I, myself ride on DF210s and love it! The stance is MUCH better than stock, especially with aftermarket wheels.
4. Exhaust - You could also use the money to change the sound of the box and add a little more performance by replacing the exhaust system with something less restrictive. This can be done for less than $500, but there are also some other systems that cost a little more than that. Again, the choice is yours.
There are numerous other things that can be done to the box for $500 depending on what kind of work you are willing to do. Thumb through the tech section and find what you like. If you've got questions, ask.
If you choose to go the car-pc way, let me know. It may cost a little more than $500, but it could be tailored to do anything you want.