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It's not worth it...

2K views 19 replies 14 participants last post by  wolo 
#1 ·
I was looking at all the things that I could buy for my tC and wanted most of them. Then I got curious about something. What is not worth getting? Or what do other people think is not worth getting? Might be interesting...

 
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#2 ·
definately don't get the subwoofer. it sucks and is way too expensive. i'm not a fan of the ground effects for the price either. they don't look horrible, but for what they are, they are a bit too pricy. it depends on what you like for you to get stuff, but those two are what i would stay away from.
 
#4 ·
Worth it:

- Carbon Fiber B-Pillar Applique*
- Mudguards*
- TRD Springs
- Rear Sway Bar (from what I hear -- but only if you get a manual)
-

NOT Worth it:

- 6-disc CD changer
- Bazooka subwoofer
- Rear Lip Spoiler (unless you just love it)
- Pedestal Spoiler (same)
- Scion Security
- Ground Effects
- Billet Grille
- ToyoGuard (if it exists in your area)
- TRD Shocks

Toss-up (matter of personal preference):

- Scion XM
- Interior Light Kit
- Rear Bumper Applique*
- Auto-Dimming Mirror
- OBX Shift Knob*
- TRD Exhaust* (based on personal taste also)

* These are more likely to be worth it if you order them from Ken over at TRD Sparks -- as long as you can install them yourself or have someone else do it cheaply.

Hmm. Apparently most of the options are not worth it, in my opinion. That just goes to show how loaded the car comes!
 
#5 ·
"Worth it or not" is totally subjective. Depends what your plan for the car is. One thing is definite - ordering options with your car from the dealer is not worth it - buy accessories online and install them yourself / with your friends / etc - that would cut your cost by 50% or more.

You can see in my sig what I have - everything was self-installed. Also have a TRD muffler on order - just to play with it, see if I like it - if not - it goes back on eBay.
 
#6 ·
Yea, zoltiz is right...which means my list is probably worthless...hehe. On the other hand, some of that stuff I have under "not worth it" is just so ridiculously expensive and with so little benefit, that I just can't see how it could be worth it...
 
#8 ·
Originally posted by basilisk4@Dec 15 2004, 06:21 AM
Yea, zoltiz is right...which means my list is probably worthless...hehe.
No No... that was the point of this post, to see what people's taste are. Of course everyone will have a difference of opinion. Everyone was talking about what to get for their car. I thought it would be interesting to see what people wouldn't get. At the same time, it might make someone reconsider what they were planning to get or at least find it somewhere else. So if there's any more things to add, keep posting!





 
#9 ·
take a look at my sig and you will see what I think is worth it in the "coming soon" section. Most of the installed stuff came with the car.
 
#10 ·
Well, if it's about opinions then for me - appearence mods - not worth it (tC looks very nice as is), and I'm all for handling and performance (but not noise).
 
#11 ·
I'm just about finished with my mods.

Stuff I've done:
Floormats
Wheel Locks
TRD Springs
TRD Rear Sway
Tinted Windows - 35% on sides, 20% hatch
Escort 8500 X50 Radar Detector
Viper 771XV 2-way remote start alarm

Mostly minimal as far as appearance goes. The springs and tint made a huge difference in appearance from stock.

I'm still working on my grounding kit. 2 grounding points so far. Its too dark outside to do anything when I get home from work and the holidays are killing my weekends.
 
#13 ·
I'll just copy basilisk4's post and change it to my preferences (because I'm lazy):

Worth it:

- Ground Effects <--This is really worth it to me, especially if you add it in to your payment.
- Carbon Fiber B-Pillar Applique

- TRD Exhaust
- Can't forget about the floormats


NOT Worth it:

- 6-disc CD changer
- Bazooka subwoofer
- Rear Lip Spoiler (unless you just love it)
- Pedestal Spoiler (same)
- Scion Security
- Auto-Dimming Mirror
- Billet Grille
- ToyoGuard (if it exists in your area)
- TRD Shocks
- Weird expensive battery tie down thing.
- Any of the trd engine crap, i.e. radiator cap, oil filter, etc.

Toss-up (matter of personal preference):

- Scion XM <--Really expensive at the dealer (well, mine at least). I'd go for an aftermarket version.
- Interior Light Kit
- Rear Bumper Applique
- OBX Shift Knob
- pedal covers
- TRD Springs

late
 
#14 ·
Worth it:
-Ground Effects (it REALLY completes the car's overall look and $1000 isn't bad for a perfectly fitted, painted AND installed lip kit. Many people don't take into consideration the cost of installation and paint. )
-Bazooka Sub (maybe if you have big audio plans this isn't worth it, but it provides a pretty good low end, in a nice enclosure. You are also getting an amp and installation in that price. I would recommend buying elsewhere and doing the install yourself - not that hard)
 
#15 ·
Originally posted by eclipxe@Dec 17 2004, 11:18 AM
Worth it:
-Ground Effects (it REALLY completes the car's overall look and $1000 isn't bad for a perfectly fitted, painted AND installed lip kit. Many people don't take into consideration the cost of installation and paint. )
-Bazooka Sub (maybe if you have big audio plans this isn't worth it, but it provides a pretty good low end, in a nice enclosure. You are also getting an amp and installation in that price. I would recommend buying elsewhere and doing the install yourself - not that hard)
Def- agree with that the sub is awesome for less than $300 from mcgeorge and you get to keep most of your trunk, a direct plug in w/ amp, and easy install!!! also the ground effects are very tasteful, perfectly fit, and painted to match by the factory, you will not pay less than that for any other kit anytime, anywhere (unless you own a body shop or do the work yourself on an aftermarket kit).

Also nobody mentioned the pedals, I did not think i was going to get them, but they were already on my car at the dealer (somebody else's loss) They are a great improvement, and very good quality compared to most other aftermarket pedals.

One more thing the door sills are an awesome appearance mod, they help carry that brushed metal theme into the entry to break up all that black, I love mine, and for like $40 they are way better than the stock plastic ones.
 
#16 ·
I agree with with J&J about the door sills. I really like the look. I also got the pedals and the Speed Star Mesh shift knob. I'm gonna get the door sills, and probably the fog light kit. I'm thinking about the lowering springs and the exhaust, too. That's about it for me.
 
#17 ·
Worth it:

Anything you really want and would like to include in your car note

Not worth it:

Anything you don't like, or would rather do yourself.


Here's why:

If the TRD GT3000 widebody kit for the Supra could have been part of my car payment, I would have a widebody Supra right now despite its $12k kit + $6k install cost. Why don't I have it today? I don't have $18k for the original or even $10.5k for a decent knockoff and install. I will sometime soon, but right now, no.

Why did most of us finance the car anyway? We don't have the cash to buy it outright.

Why is it foolish to spend a bunch of money on accessorizing a car that isn't paid for? Because that money would be better spent on the loan. Why? Because if you wreck the car, you will get screwed by your insurance for any mods you have done. It is highly unlikely you will get your money out UNLESS those options were purchased with the car from the dealer and their value is easily quantified.

Now, I know you can get insurance to cover your mods. I also know collecting on that insurance is no simple affair. Sure, some people believe they can strip their mods before the car goes to the wrecking yard, but the bad news on that is your insurance company can be real dicks about what they consider insurance fraud. Stripping off your mods before they get the car can be considered fraud unless you restore all the original pieces.

So, to avoid all these hassles, you order everything as part of the original purchase.

Oh, yeah, while the alarm upgrade may not appear to be "worth it" to some, check what happens to your insurance rates if you upgrade. It may pay for itself before the car note is paid, and you don't have somebody hacking up your OEM wiring harness to install some aftermarket piece. Some of the worst wiring harness abortions I have seen are the result of "professional" aftermarket alarm installs.
 
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