Need some ideas for my car.

[apedroza]

I have a 2010 mazda 3 hatchback and was looking for some ideas on some changes I can make on it. I already replaced the OEM speakers and will be getting some subs soon, but Im trying to decide on some rims and tires. Also what kind of mods are available that I can do to it.

[ErikH]

Dont get anything fibergl@55. That crap falls apart if you look at it funny. Dont put an exhaust on it, just put the intake. The intake will make it sound nice and throaty, without all of the whine that you hear from burners. It gives it that sleeper feel, until you punch it, then it sounds hoss. I have owned imports my whole life, and am on car #16. I went through like 13 cars from 16-22, most of which got wrecked or just fell apart from being driven to the point of extinction.

I still run into people that remember me by car, they're like "Oh yeah you used to have that crazy civic right?"

"That was one of many" I reply.

Like I say, "Now, I own a Jetta"
not many frills there.

Low pros, and big wheels get costly quick because of the poor road conditons. I suggest a moderate size rim with tires to "tub out" the fenderwells. Looks boss, imho.

[Mike]

Not to be a bummer, but being realistic since I am currently managing a auto total loss unit at USAA. Make sure your insurance will cover what ever aftermarket parts you put on the car. I always tell people, putting a $5000 stereo in a $1000 dollar car does not make the car worth $6000. It affects the value, but only in what the part effects the overall value of the vehicle. So you might spend $1600 on cool rims and they might add $100 to the overall value of the vehicle if it were a total loss. Remember you are paying premiums on a standard vehicle. Not being a downer, just being realistic.

Take some dated photos and keep all receipts and boxes, manuals, etc separate from the car in case it it stolen. It is also not a bad idea to hold onto the old stock rims/tires so you can swap them out if needed after something happens.

I saw photos of a cool looking flip up 10 inch monitor/stereo/gps unit put into a car (after it had been stolen :()... that would be cool to add.

[apedroza]

Thanks for the input. I want to do this for me and definitely not as an investment of any sort. Erik Ive looked up the COIs as a mod, but am a little worried about them hydrolocking?? not sure what that is but alot of manufacturers say that in extreme conditions to go back to the enclosed air intake or I could void the warranty. Have you ever seen this problem?? I was thinking of either changing my rims or maybe powdercoating the OEMs. They are 17x7.5 and actually don't look to bad on the car size wise, but I'm not too crazy on the color. I'm actually keeping the factory radio because its kinda cool looking, and it already came with the tech package of the satellit receiver and Ipod integration module.