A Look At Modified Cars

Ever since the popularity of movies in the Fast and Furious franchise, there has been an interest among Americans for high performance street racers. Even in a down economy and a recession, America still has a need to trick out their car whether it is with the latest high-tech audio and video gadgets, ultra-slick body kits, or put a little extra power under the hood. No matter what we go through as a country, no matter how many cars are recalled or factories close down, we will always have a fascination for cars and making them not only an extension of our personality, but also it says a lot about our life. Whether your car has just a simple high-powered sound system or is completely tricked out. whether it is a hot rod, low rider, or high-performance street racer, America loves to modify their cars.

Let's face it. If you don't live in Europe or Japan, then the only place you are going to find competition and AAA clubs is in California. Ever since the days of the hot rod, California, and more often, Southern California, has been the source for most trends in custom and modified car shows and racing in the United States. In the 60's, import drag racing became a popular sport among owners of Volkswagen Beetles, Austin A40 Devons, and Ford Populars as these little cars tore up the deserts. In the 90's, street racing became home to small front wheel drive modified cars owned by young Asian Americans and these cars have become the standard definition of what is a modified car. The import racing scene is now huge in California with venues in Sacramento and Palmdale hosting weekly drag racing events that draw thousands of people from the various car clubs in the area.

The modern definition of a modified car comes from the current trend in making high-performance street machines out of hatchback or coupe cars, generally of European or Japanese make. These cars are changed "modified" to make the cars not only look fast, but go fast,too. The suspension is usually lowered to give the modified car a fast look. The exhaust system is usually overhauled to allow for better exhaust flow and making these little spitfires sound loud and aggressive. The body kits are also replaced with DayGlo neon fiberglass frames to make the cars lighter. Other changes might be a short shifter, roof chops, suicide doors, lighting systems for over and under and other modifications that aren't quite legal,i.e. nitrous.

In the past, there has been some confusion with the term modified car and custom car. While these two terms can refer to the same car, custom is more reserved for hot rods, muscle cars, and low riders.

One of the biggest problems with owning a modified or high performance car is getting decent car insurance. Whenever you decide to modify your car, you automatically change the value of the car, taking it away from it Blue Book value and place it in a new realm where it becomes hard to judge the value of the modified car. For one, the premiums go exponentially and most car insurance companies do not cover these types of cars. Simple body modifications don’t trigger the higher premium warning flags, but the main concern comes when you get into engine modification.

Simple changes like alloy wheels, tailgate spoilers, ultra-sweet sound system, and a new body kit will indeed raise your premium but most insurance companies do not have a problem with these types of changes. But when it comes to power increases and other non-standard engine tricks, then it becomes too much of a risk especially if there is a chance the modified car is not street legal.

If you have these kinds of  modifications, I would suggest first getting quotes from quality insurance companies for the standard version of your car. Take the best quotes and then make a list of all your modifications and contact those insurance companies to start making deals to what they will insure and for how much. It will not be an easy process finding insurance for your modified car if you are a young driver. You might need to find an older driver to get your high performance car insured.

For those looking to own a modified car, there are several different ways to approach this. Most people who own modified cars are really just enthusiasts  or hobbyists. Owning one of these cars is not as important as being in a scene of fellow friends and hobbyists and is approached in a different manner than just buying a standard car.

If you just are determined to own a modified car, there are several sites on the web dedicated to selling these cars. But if you want to become part of an unique scene, then you need to make yourself known among other enthusiasts.

First, I would suggest finding and going to custom and modified car shows. This is a good place to start to meet others with your interests and find car clubs in your area. By meeting others and joining a club, you can get valuable assistance in building or purchasing your own modified car. Also, modified car clubs hold auctions and this is another good place to buy a decent modified car.

But if you are serious about owning a modified car, then you should build one of your own. Overall, this should be a hobby that you can have fun with and do in your spare time. If you have dreams of side shifting on a nitrous burn as you dodge fifty police cars with a hot girl in the passenger seat, then stick to your Netflix.