Worth the Money? Here are the Best and Worst Vehicle Modifications

January 22, 2020August 8, 2022 in Vehicle Modifications, Blogby chris

To help their vehicle to stand out from the crowd, many people choose to customize their ride. Unfortunately, vehicle modifications are not always a good idea. While some modifications prove to be a great investment, others are simply a waste of money. Let’s take a look at the best and worse things to spend your money on.

Worst Vehicle Modifications

Aftermarket Headlights & Taillights

Admittedly, some aftermarket lights do have a cool look. They are readily available on sites like eBay and Amazon. The bad news is these custom lights often suffer from a lack of quality. Some are cheaply made, which leads to performance issues.

Moisture buildup is among the biggest problems. During rainy weather, it’s not uncommon for water to leak inside the seals. Even worse, you may not be able to see as well at night. Some aftermarket lighting systems don’t effectively illuminate the road. Instead of wasting your hard-earned cash, keep your stock headlights looking new by cleaning them regularly.

Modifying the Suspension

In an attempt to give their car a more aggressive stance, some people choose to install vehicle modifications such as lowering springs. However, this usually proves to be a terrible decision. Prepare to endure an especially rough ride. Drastically lowering your car can also negatively impact handling. To eliminate potential problems, choose a vehicle that already comes equipped with a sports-tuned suspension from the factory.

Suspension lift kits can be just as bad. When taking curves, trucks fitted with a raised suspension are more prone to experiencing a rollover accident.

Excessively Loud Mufflers

Some aftermarket exhaust systems can give your vehicle a smooth, powerful tone. However, many of today’s younger drivers like to install vehicle modifications called “fart can” mufflers. Not only do these mufflers have an obnoxious sound, but they also fail to improve performance.

You should also consider the fact that extremely loud exhaust systems are illegal in North Carolina. If your car has an ear-piercing sound, local Asheville police won’t hesitate to pull you over.

Best Investment Vehicle Modifications

Upgraded Tires

High-quality tires are a great investment for any vehicle owner. If you’re looking to enhance road handling, all-season performance tires are well worth the money. When cornering, you’ll immediately notice improved grip with vehicle modifications such as these. The stickier rubber compounds will help your car to remain glued to the pavement.

Upgraded tires can also help give your automobile a smoother, quieter ride. Cheap tires are typically noisier and don’t absorb road vibrations as well.

A Better Battery

To save a little bit of money, some drivers choose the least expensive vehicle battery on the shelf. Unfortunately, their attempt to be frugal usually doesn’t pay off in the end. Cheaper car and truck batteries tend to be of lower quality. Thus, you will need to replace them a lot sooner than you expect.

When the weather starts to get cold, drivers can appreciate the durability vehicle modifications like stronger batteries. To start your vehicle in below-freezing temperatures, you need to have plenty of juice. The last thing you want is to get stranded on an icy day.

Upgrading Your Braking System

As you know, North Carolina has a large deer population. In the event a deer suddenly crosses your path, you must be able to stop quickly. The effectiveness of your vehicle braking system is of the utmost importance. To enjoy an extra peace of mind, upgrade to quality brake pads.

Also, consider replacing the rubber brake lines with ones made of stainless steel in your vehicle. This will help ensure optimum braking pressure during hard vehicle stops. Vehicle modifications worth every penny, better than average OEM brake rotors and brake pads.

Use Top Tier Gasoline

When it comes time to fill up your vehicle’s tank, try to use Top Tier gasoline. Research shows that Top Tier gasoline tends to have more detergent additives, which ultimately help the engine to perform at its best. Carbon deposits will be far less of an issue. A list of retailers that sell Top Tier fuel can be easily found online.

Saving Money in 2020: What to Know When Shopping for a Used Vehicle

January 15, 2020February 6, 2023 in Used Vehicle, Blogby chris

If the expensive cost of a new car scares you, opt to buy a quality used vehicle. However, you need to make a careful selection. Here’s what you need to know when shopping for used cars or trucks.

All That Glitters Isn’t Gold

Never buy a used vehicle based solely on its appearance. Looks aren’t everything. Although a vehicle may cause heads to turn, this doesn’t mean it performs well.

Focus more on the vehicle’s comfort and performance. This is especially true for a car that you plan to use for everyday commuting. To make sure you don’t experience buyer’s remorse, always take the vehicle for at least a 30-minute test drive.

Have the Used Vehicle Inspected By a Professional Mechanic Before You Purchase It

If you don’t know much about cars, take some extra precautions. Most importantly, ask your mechanic to perform a pre-purchase inspection. The extra peace of mind is well worth it.

Although the vehicle may seem flawless during your initial test drive, there could be some hidden issues. For example, a shady salesman can easily clear the trouble code for a check engine light. After a mechanic hooks the car up to an OBD2 scanner, they’ll know if the check engine light was reset.

Gather Information on the Vehicle’s History

When shopping for a used vehicle, always ask the seller to share service records. This will help highlight any work done on the car. Good car owners make maintenance a big priority, which includes regular oil changes.

You should also obtain a vehicle history report. Carfax and Auto Check are two of the most popular companies that collect vehicle history data. You’ll then know about any previous accidents or title problems.

Check the Used Vehicle’s Cost of Ownership

Some vehicles are affordable to maintain. Meanwhile, others will cost you a small fortune in the long run. Before spending your money on a used vehicle, take the time to research its estimated cost of ownership.

Typically, European luxury cars are quite expensive to upkeep. When getting their vehicle repaired, many North Carolina owners are shocked by the cost to replace certain parts. Make sure you aren’t caught off guard by any surprises.

Consider the Car’s Mileage

Because they come with an extended warranty, certified pre-owned vehicles are especially good investments. These automobiles must meet a certain standard of quality set forth by the manufacturer. Not only do certified pre-owned vehicles benefit from an extended warranty, but they also have low miles.

While the best approach is to buy a low-mileage car, some models have a reputation for lasting for a long time. Toyota and Honda have long been known for producing durable vehicles.

Don’t Feel Pressured to Buy the Car or Truck

The used vehicle market gives you a lot of options to choose from. Always remain prepared to walk away from a vehicle that doesn’t meet your expectations. Never allow someone to pressure you into buying something. To keep your options open, test drive at least three different vehicles before making a final decision.

Contact Cox Auto Service

Cox Auto Service is located in Asheville, NC, and covers the gamut on mechanical service for automobiles. Our highly qualified mechanics work on anything from minor repairs such as belts, oil changes, maintenance work to major repairs like engine and transmission work. We take pride in the auto repairs and services we provide. Rely on us to treat our customers’ vehicles as if they were our own.

We are an ASE-certified auto repair shop specializing in both minor and major repairs and services. Our wide range of services includes check engine light diagnosis, engine and transmission rebuilds, emissions repairs, NC State Inspections, oil changes, tire rotations, tune-ups and much more! Our experienced technicians offer quality and reliable auto care services that you can count on. Rely on our certified technicians to get you back on the road in no time.

January 2020