Ok guys, I've had this on my mind for the past month or so and just needed to vent and get everyone's insight on what they think I should do. As some of you know I'm going to be doing a det swap into my car very soon. I've spent about 6k on parts alone already with another 2300-2500 to spend when I finally get down to JGY to get my swap done. I've been saving and collecting parts for about a year now. I've had all the parts and money for the past 4 or 5 months with something new coming up almost constantly and with school starting another semester in the upcoming two weeks and just paying off the normal bills and having to keep a full time job just to make this all happen now, I've found myself asking is it really worth it? I've pulled two jobs at times and also worked many weekends consistantly in order to just buy parts and a little extra cash for just in case car money I find myself needing oh so often for fixing things that have been needing replacing. I know for a fact this car is my baby, I wash her, wax her, I take the best care of her possible. I definitely think I've more than caught the car tuner bug in the past year. This is my first car modding and think the few mods I've chosen so far are decent and include

GTi-R Engine Swap
50lb. MSD Injectors
Cobra MAF
JWT 4 Bar ECU
Aeromotive FPR
JGY Fuelrail
Forge Front Mounted Intercooler
Greddy Auto Timer Turbo Timer
Profec B
ACT Stage 3 Street/Strip Clutch w/Heavy Duty Pressure Plate
3" Turbo Back Exhaust w/n1 Muffler courtesy of Andreas Miko
JWT Pop Charger Intake for Turbo
Walbro 255 High Pressure Fuel Pump
Lo-tek 3 Gauge Pillar
Autometer Cobalt Fuel Pressure, Boost, and A/F Ratio gauges
Crytreated and welded tranny
Place racing solid motor mounts
Nx2000 Brake Upgrade
Kuhmo 712's

It's take me about 8 months to gather and pay for these items and have been looking forward to seeing what all my time and hard work would pay off to be when I finally got all the parts installed and got to drive her for the first time. But the more and more I've had to wait for install and all...the more things I find myself needing to pay for and the more and more I think about if this car is really worth it. I've recently been lookin at a Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX Spyder w/ all wheel drive. And I find myself asking why not just go with that car instead of spending so much money trying to make my car what I want it to be. As a tuner this is my passion and what i love to do. But sometimes I wonder if I should just pick another car to work on instead of the 200 to work on...one that has a larger aftermarket and such. I love my car and in no way look forward to getting rid of it or anythign of the sort. I just wanted your opinions on if you think it's really worth it or not. I've got very high intensions when it comes to fixing up my car, I just want to know if I should stick with the 200 or move on to a more popular car with a more expansive aftrermarket. I pride myself in doing things different than others and is the main reason why I bought my se-r and also for its potential. But I'm at a crossroad and need others input to help my decision of what to do from here. Of whether to sell the car and parts or to keep with my plans and make this car the best I possibly can and stand out...or just blend in with a common car people and go the easier route with the dsm. Thanks all for their help and opinions. And sorry for the long post. Just needed to vent and get your input.

David

Can't really help with the your problem, but you can't get AWD Spyders. Could get the turbo (GS-T), but not AWD (GSX).

sammy

Sell EVERYTHING except your car. Continue to save money. When you get enough buy a BMW M3 and then spend another $35K for the Dinan S2 upgrade.

also, going to school is expensive, as well as a priority. I swear, when i bought books and it cost like $800, i was thinking, my god, that header isnt doing anything for me now

Eh, boost the car and have fun. You will have a ton of fun and enjoyment with the car and never have to pay for movies or anything else. You just get in the car and drive or go to the track or car shows and meets. Your time will be well spent. School is loans and that is all there is to it. i have them and all my friends have them and you just pay them back over time. I think of my school loans as a cheaper alternative to car loans for modifications.

Brent

Yeah, as bills for school and my car build up I realize I need to get myself a credit card in order to pay for one or the other I just need to find one with a reasonable limit so I can use it to pay for the last few car parts while still using cash for school I had saved.

I just hope the boosted car is gonna be worth the long wait and tons of money and time I've invested into it. Havent taken a ride in a turbo se-r let alone any heavily modded car except for a friends lancer with custom intake and exhaust, so I havent really felt what a well modded car can do. But I plan on finding that out first hand now....hopefully.

Originally posted by 200sxsr20de
I just hope the boosted car is gonna be worth the long wait and tons of money and time I've invested into it. Havent taken a ride in a turbo se-r let alone any heavily modded car except for a friends lancer with custom intake and exhaust, so I havent really felt what a well modded car can do. But I plan on finding that out first hand now....hopefully.
Done properly you'll be amazed at what a boosted SE-R is capable of. I think you'll be happy with the outcome but personally speaking I'd go with an S13 or S14 for a boosted application.

Originally posted by pjsammy
Can't really help with the your problem, but you can't get AWD Spyders. Could get the turbo (GS-T), but not AWD (GSX).

sammy

I was just gonna say that! :)

bro...you have to at least ride in a boosted car to appreciate it...i LOVE Joels' (slow96R) car...its soooo fast...at the low boost 10 psi...we walked a z28 camaro...i cant even begin to explain how good it sounds...trust me you will love your car all that much more

swing by my house on your way back up to MD...i want to see your install...give me a call when you are on the way...if you want to that is hehe

703-298-4098

Well my opinion is very bias as you would know :D I'm a enjoy the ride fanatic! All I can tell you is that a GSX with atleast an exhaust challenged my 4 speed and got ripped :D Yeah they run good times at the track 12's most of them. Low mph though 103-106 They better not get cockey on the GRNMCHN, it's a very bad price to pay to see my 200 blazin by after they have spent tons of $ on the car :rolleyes: I think it depents on what your in it for. If it's for show yeah sell your car and get an eclipse or even a honduah. Some of the parts you gathered can be used on it probably. If you want to rock keep your car and you will run 12's at about 112-114 mph on street tires. That should be fast enough unless you plan to get down and dirty with it. In which case yes your correct a 4 wheel drive vehicle will have an advantage at the track. My $.02 GTIRoids

Yeah, I think I've definitely decided to keep the 200. The more I think about it how can I even think about getting rid of it or even trading it for something else? I plan on not going too show wise with the car and just have something that looks decent and can blow away most of the dumb ricers around here anyways. 12's sounds nice and plenty fast enough for a first project in the first place. I've got money for school....now I've just got to hope Jason takes credit cards. :)

I know how you feel. If you have any doubts just search for my name and look at "how much a tubo ser really costs" It adds up quickly. However, I would never have been able to afford it while I was going to school. I am at a different point in my life now and make very good salary. I am single, and have very little debt. Putting money into your car is a losing proposition. With that said, it will bring many days of joy. I wouldn't trade my car for anything(but a skyline). I bought her brand new and will keep her for quite a while. You won't regret it, just weigh out opportunity cost in the whole situation. It took me a year to build mine as well.

Just letting you know that I am in the same boat that you are right now. I spent about $8k all in the motor right now, thats not including the cost of the motor, $2k, and labor $1k, NX brake upgrade, Stillen front lip spoiler, getting things ceramic coated and powdercoated, various nuts, bolts, and brackets, and I've been waiting for 13 months now. I blew my motor in Nov., and have been saving up for the swap and parts with Jay Whitely. At least you have a SE-R to drive. I have a big Astro Van that I'm using. I feel so embarassed driving around campus or stores. I use to be depressed that I spent all that money, but now I know that I will love my baby for the rest of my life, and wouldn't trade it for anything. Jay has just started my swap, and I'm like a kid on Christmas morning. I can't wait until I break it in and start tearing up the streets. Now I just need to get a paint job, fixing up my interior, and some nicer suspension.

Follow your heart. You've come this far already, why turn back now? If you do, can I buy your set-up? :D

We need to meet one day soon. I'll let you ride in my mildly-modded 200 to keep your motivation going.

Yeah, I think thats what I need to. Maybe rent Joel's car for a weekend or take a ride with someone in a nicely modded se-r just to keep my confidence running.

Well, back to this again.....not exactly the same situation... but I have a new question. Would anybody actually be interested in any of these parts to my turbo set-up or even my car... all reasonable offers will be considered seeing how I'm looking into buying another...already turboed se-r that is exactly what I'm looking for.

Just let me know which parts you guys would want and I'll post what I paid for them and get offers from you guys....ect. Thanks.

David

Man, If I lived in a place where you could get away with boosting a SE-R I'd do it over any Eclipse anyday. The Eclipse has been there done that. So has the SE-R, except only the enthusiasts knows. :D