I have a white 2011 Honda Fit, which I like a lot, but I'm getting bored with it, and rather than spend $ on a different car, I'd like to hear some ideas on how to make this one cooler and sportier looking. It's so basic and cookie cutter right now, I feel invisible when I'm driving it! My budget is $1000. Thanks!

 

Drop it 2.5", Red carpet mats, Mugen rear wing, and window vent covers, Red H badges outside and on steering wheel,And with ur next 1k get some rims! JMHO

 

Just tell them your Ferrari is in the shop.


Show 'em a few Ferrari pictures you got off the 'net if they want to see your car.

 

pretty hot!

 

Thanks! Also, can you put bigger wheels and low profile tires on a car that has been lowered?

 

Yes, you can also put on 15/16 in 205 width.... I'd probably stick with a 205/50/15 for light weight wheels and cheaper (but stickier tires). Also get some used lowering springs for cheap. 2000 goes a LOOONG way to better car. For handling the biggest bang for your buck would be a rear sway bar.

 

Great, thank you! Where can I get used lowering springs? Ebay? How much (ballpark?) will that run me, and how much for installation? Sorry, I ask a lot of dumb questions. I'm a 45 yr old woman who knows very little about cars, I just know I want to increase the cool factor..

 

Open your windows. People will see you and it's free.

 

Hmmm, not sure my ownership alone increases my car's value.. how about this; window tint, rear spoiler, lowering springs, low profile tires with black wheels, better speakers, blue LED bulbs, and a performance chip? Also, for the items that I can order myself cheaper online, is it in poor taste to ask a local tire/ body shop to install those things for me, or do they want you to buy their products?

 

Right at this moment, a great way to make your car cooler is to bring it to New England. It will very quickly be freezing cold.

I don't think it would be at all out of place to ask a local shop to install stuff you've ordered, any more than it would be to hire a local handyman to install kitchen cabinets you bought from Ikea. If they have a company policy against such work, they'll surely tell you and you can go elsewhere...but I wouldn't expect any problems provided the things you are having them install are safe. Non-DOT approved aftermarket headlight bulbs could well fall into that category. (Window tinting would probably be better done by a specialist shop.)

I doubt a performance chip by itself is going to do much of anything for your car. it mostly enables one to get the most out of other engine upgrades (which, for the Fit, really means forced induction for any significant gains).

 

Great! Thanks so much! I appreciate your input. Saves me from putting unnecessary $ into my car, with no return. Is Tire Rack a good place to order tires/wheels, or is there a less expensive, but reputable website? And are the 4 lowering springs the only equipment needed to lower my car? I've seen kits that cost well over $1000, and springs alone that cost less than $200.

 

Tirerack is great. Discount tire is great. Keep in mind the size of the tires and offset of the wheels, not EVERYTHING out there fits properly. Especially if you are lowering the car. How much lower are you looking to go?
Window tint and new audio is a good start.
You might want to call around to local shops to see how much they are going to charge you to install these parts, labor is definitely NOT cheap and those costs will add up quickly.

 

a good image paint job does wonders, as does wraps and decals.
Striping with reflective tape also does wonders for more visibility and personalization.. A neat set of wheel covers or alloy wheels does well too.
Our vote here from the females on hand chose striping and wheel covers or striping around the rims of wheels or pretty set of alloy wheels, all of which gets under $1000, especially covers and striping.. One nice benefit: those are easy to remove/change/add etc.
we presume you really are basic, like type 1 and steel wheels.
good luck.

 

If I lower it 2.5 inches, can I put 16 inch low profile tires on, or should I stick with 15? Or can I just lower it 1.25 inches and go up to 16 inch tires? Again, are the springs the only equipment needed to lower it?

 

How much should a decent, NOT killer, audio system cost? Can u do something like that at WalMart?

 

Can u get blue LED headlight bulbs and put them in yourself, or do u have to get a whole new headlight?

 

2.5" is very low, you might not like the ride quality at that point.
1.5" is pretty good, you'll be able to fit 15's or 16's, just depends on tire size and offset of the wheels.

Crutchfield or Sonic Electronic will be a better choice to make your purchases.
A better way to look at it is, How much do you want to spend on audio? Realistically, what are you comfortable with spending.

I don't recommend blue bulbs for your headlights.
New bulbs swap right in, no need for a whole new headlight.

 

I love this site! So I can safely drop it 1.5 inches and put 205/50/15 low profile tires on? is $300 a reasonable amount to upgrade the audio?

 

]FIRST, DO NOT LOWER YOUR FIT 2.5 inches; it results in suspension problems you don't need. If your lower, stick with 1 to 1.5"
Second, how do you define hotter? performance as in cornering or increased speed via engine mods? or in looks? looks we covered.
the latter is almost a foregone effort but wider wheels and tires will the best increase in conering. Wider wheels expect $50 to 100 each; likewise tires $100 to 150 each. used springs and tires check ebay
you can disconnect the front antisway bar for nothing and the reduced understeer will make cornering better. alternate add a rear antisway bar for $200 and leave front ASB alone, flatter cornering but still more neutral when tuned right.
when you go bigger tires realize they are heavier so choose tires that are 1/4 to 1/2" less diameter to offset the added weight that hacks your mpg and acceleration. choose wheels with offsets not less than 45 mm; use tirerack.com to check their wheels or discount tire. wheel rim widths of 6 or 7 inches will do well with the tires you want to use.

our choice here is wheels, tires, and striping to get in a $1000 budget for best use of budget. Again no offset less than 45 mm. period.
205/50x15 absolutely good. we have at least 4 cars thus equipped. tho some have a lot more cost in theirs. they want to look good and go fast. all have striping to some really nice looks. the reflective ones are spectacular at night.
cheers and good luck.

 

It will depend on the offset of the wheel. If you go with a +45 that should be fine.
I might also recommend replacing your shocks at the same time if the suspension has seen a good amount of mileage.

As for the audio, what do you want out of the headunit? Do you need bluetooth connectivity? A touch screen? USB? iPod?
$300 will probably cover a new headunit (better to start here than with speakers, imo) and the proper parts to install it. That will improve the sound from even the stock speakers.
You should head over to crutchfield.com and sonicelectronix.com - input your vehicle information and they will show you different headunits, see what you like.
Of course, if you aren't installing yourself then you might want to start calling some local audio shops and seeing what they recommend in your price range.
You can always look up the items they tell you online and read reviews.