[jeezchris.]

SO I just got my license yesterday.. and I get to drive an OLD 91 Honda Accord coupe.. (my dad's old car) until I (hopefully) get a new car from my grandparents o__o.. or i find a job and earn money for one. >__>. or I just stay with this car...

right now the car has REALLY thin/small tires (width).. so turning isnt all that great.. and everything is stock, except for a CD player that we installed

but anyways.. I want to upgrade some things in my current car to improve performance.. but I don't have too much money..
and I'm not a complete newbie to cars.. but I'm still learning

so.. what do you guys think is the best upgrade(s) around/under $500 (maybe up to $1000) that will give the best increase in performance?

or even better.. what upgraded part(s) in these categories can give the best noticeable increase?:
-handling/turning/braking (better brakes/shocks/strut bar?)
-speed/acceleration/power (new intake??...)
-comfort (better shocks?... which kinds?)

any recommendations? (brand, model, etc..)

thanks!

edit: ahhh i just noticed I spelled the title wrong. .___.

[azn akira]

good tires are the best thing you can do second to learning how to drive

[ghost]

In all honesty, keep the car stock for its mileage.

After you get some money sell it and get a newer car.

If you had to get something, get the K&N filter

[w00tah]

go to a junkyard, pick up an old turbo, piping, and intercooler. Get a busted mbc, since your tires are bald, you can use that as slicks. Go road race it.

[ZiGeNX77]

If I had a car like yours I'd do a few simple things. First off, get new tires. In a few months it will start to rain so you want to have that taken care of way ahead of time. Then I might get some performance springs installed that might lower your car 1 inch, any more would be too low. This is if your shocks are ok. I would recommend shocks too, but they would cost too much. This wont satisfy comfort value though, the best way to upgrade your comfort is just get new oem replacement shocks.

Upgrade power? Forget about it. Really, there is no point. It would cost a significant amount of money to get any power from that engine.

Maybe in the future if you want to upgrade your looks, get some rims that came off of a newer model Accord (before they went 5 lug). For your future information: your lug pattern is 4x114.3 if you're looking for wheels that fit your ride. Rims that come off of Civics and Integras will not fit, even if it looks the same.

[azn akira]

Then I might get some performance springs installed that might lower your car 1 inch, any more would be too low. This is if your shocks are ok. I would recommend shocks too, but they would cost too much.

you got it backwards...you should never get springs before shocks, unless you are doing it just for looks. for performance (and comfort) always get shocks before springs if you cant afford both.

[aznfishyfart]

id say keep it stock
get new tires and drive it around until u can get a new car
i started with a 91 camry v6
then when u get a new car u can have money to spend on that
but thats just my opinion

[jphase]

dont bother trying to get something out of that car.. just use it for awhile untill u obtain another car..maybe something thats got more potential?

[wysiwyg]

id say keep it stock
get new tires and drive it around until u can get a new car
then when u get a new car u can have money to spend on that
but thats just my opinion

dont bother trying to get something out of that car.. just use it for awhile untill u obtain another car..maybe something thats got more potential?

exactly what i was thinking.

[taoh]

Since you just got your license yesterday, use that car to learn how to drive.

It is a waste to spend any money modifying anything on that car. If you want to learn anything about cars, you could also learn to do maintenance on that car; consult someone who works on them for a living if you don't know what you're getting into.

[marvinoppa]

best upgrade would be to take that 500-1000 dollars, put that in the bank, dont use it. learn to drive real gooood. and then when you get a nicer car, then use it. maybe.

[some-azn-guy]

as the old saying goes...
don't fix something if it isn't broken.

if your tires are bald, upgrade when you replace them.
if your suspension is shot, upgrade when you replace them.

[roflingsam]

^ wheels too??????????????????

[ZiGeNX77]

you got it backwards...you should never get springs before shocks, unless you are doing it just for looks. for performance (and comfort) always get shocks before springs if you cant afford both.

Incorrect, you can get springs before shocks when you get springs that are aimed more at moderate drops. I know this because Eibach Pro-Kits that drop your car about 1 inch was designed so that they would work with OEM equipment as long as they are in good working order. Of course getting aftermarket shocks would compliment the springs, but not necessary.

[azn akira]

how am i incorrect? i never said that some springs dont work with stock shocks. i said the best thing for performance (answering his question) is shocks. it doesnt matter that those springs will work with stock shocks (even though the valving wont be optimal), he will get much better performance with shocks and stock spring than springs and stock shocks.

[OMGHIyori2U]

like some of the others have said, don't waste your money. Save it up and get a better car in the future. For $1k, you'll just be wasting money on parts and it'll still be slow. Might as well save up a little more, sell the car, and get a faster used car instead.

[ZiGeNX77]

Akira, I said you can get springs before shocks (the type of springs designed to work with oem shocks), and you corrected me saying that you should never get springs before shocks. I believe that is incorrect. Yes you will get better performance, but not necessary for a 1 inch drop with springs designed for oem shocks. If you lower it even further, then you should get aftermarket shocks because the oem ones will blow eventually.

[azn akira]

I said you can get springs before shocks (the type of springs designed to work with oem shocks), and you corrected me saying that you should never get springs before shocks.

just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. i can kill the next person i see, it doesnt mean i should do it....besides i never said those spring wont work, i said you will get better performance with shocks than springs

you corrected me saying that you should never get springs before shocks. I believe that is incorrect.

sorry but what you believe is wrong. FROM A PERFORMANCE STANDPOINT (like what the guy is asking) shocks before springs. yes you can buy springs before shocks there is no law against that. however you will have better performance with adjustable shocks then you will with springs.

Yes you will get better performance, but not necessary for a 1 inch drop with springs designed for oem shocks.

this sentence doesnt even make sense...i dont even know what you are trying to say

[ZiGeNX77]

Akira, I said you can get springs before shocks (the type of springs designed to work with oem shocks), and you corrected me saying that you should never get springs before shocks. I believe that is incorrect. Yes you will get better performance, but not necessary for a 1 inch drop with springs designed for oem shocks. If you lower it even further, then you should get aftermarket shocks because the oem ones will blow eventually.

this sentence doesnt even make sense...i dont even know what you are trying to say

I am saying "yes you will get better performance with aftermarket shock spring combo" but this isn't an option for him due to his budget. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that sentence.

Also I am not suggesting shocks at all because that is not really an option for him. Yes we all know that aftermarket shocks is recommended with aftermarket springs. But for a budget of less than $500, he can get away with $180 springs designed to work with his stock shocks and fork up some more for labor. He will be getting an upgraded suspension while riding on his oem shocks. A modest spring and shock combo with labor will probably run him $650+.

[azn akira]

I am saying "yes you will get better performance with aftermarket shock spring combo" but this isn't an option for him due to his budget. Sorry if I wasn't clear on that sentence.

but you are suggesting he get only springs. his question is which upgrade is of most value. shocks have more value than springs. with his budget he can easily afford a set of shocks and get springs later.

Also I am not suggesting shocks at all because that is not really an option for him.

why not? what makes a set of shocks not an option? you can get them for the budget in question.

Yes we all know that aftermarket shocks is recommended with aftermarket springs.

i never even mentioned that...im saying get shocks not springs.

A modest spring and shock combo with labor will probably run him $650+.-

whats your point? nobody is suggesting he get both shocks and springs.

just face it you are and were wrong. if you can only afford one you should get shocks, if you want the best thing for performance (to answer his question)