First week mods - what do you do with a new to you car?

Lets talk about immediate modifications that you tend to do with any car once you add it to the fleet. I have a few things that pretty much every car needs in my list but I would love to hear what everyone else does too. Personalization goes a long way towards making new ownership more emotionally enjoyable for me, and I bet some of you are the same way.

Stuff I do quickly to almost all cars:

Spot Mirrors - usually smallish (2") round adjustable mirrors get stuck on each side. These are great for minimizing new blind spots and in tight city confines they are infinitely useful. Almost all cars could have better mirrors but for a few bucks and five minutes this is an easy upgrade.

Window Shades / Vent Visors - Whatever you call 'em, I like 'em. Being able to quickly install these tinted plastic covers over the windows makes the cheap buy in a no brainer. I like to be able to leave the windows cracked an inch sometimes, even in rain or snow. Being able to open them halfway in the rain without getting soaked is very nice if you like a little air in you face or smoke while you drive. Some cars seem to be designed to dump leftover rainwater directly on your forearm upon the first turn you make in the morning, and that sucks.

Tint - I usually go about 20% on every car, once you get used to it going without it very strange. Luckily, there are no strict laws where I live but be sure to check your area first; I have had issues in the past. I really like the additional privacy and it definitely keeps things cooler in the summer. Also, it can help with the headlights beaming into your brain on the highway when in a lowered vehicle or in front of a gigantic road whale suv with misaligned aftermarket eyeball lasers... Limo dark, colored or even weird reflective stuff is not my style but I suppose it can work in some situations.

Floor mats - If I can get something perfectly fitted and high quality I am pretty happy to pay the premium over almost anything else. Weather tech makes some good ones that contain everything from mud, snow/ice/slush to spilled coffee or anything else plus they stay in place really well. I really do not care about the condition of my carpets that much but I love to not worry about it, even the back seats get them too. They get stained, stinky and full of crap but a quick shot with the power washer and they are good to go back in for more abuse.

Filters - I have moved away from fancy cold (hot?) air intakes on modern cars simply because the factory engineered systems are usually pretty darn good these days. I still usually drop in a K&N factory replacement right away pretty much every time. I like that they are easily serviceable so that I can just clean them up whenever I feel like while working on something else on the car; no need to make an extra run to the store or hunt down a decent quality paper filter. Some paper stuff is not even really that cheap anymore and the serviceable lifetime filter wins in the end. Also, if I gain 1-2 hp (tops) or make then I feel like that is money well spent. Air cabin filters also get changed immediately too if so equipped. The interior detail almost goes without saying but I never skip the last step of a new oem quality cabin filter for a little peace of mind. SWMBO loves this thoughtfulness as much as she hates germs!

Power! - No, not that kind! Electricity. I typically have enough 12v adapters, cigarette usb plugs, etc. or small inverters sitting around somewhere to make the car fully able to charge up any combination of things I need it too. Phones, laptops, tablets, mp3... whatever it is I like being able to keep it going strong.

Steering wheel - This is the part I touch the most (besides seats, which can be a lot more work). I hate crappy, falling apart, sticky or flaky unloved wheels in my hands or even touching my leather driving gloves. Aftermarket parts store covers are usually even worse. My go to solution is usually a leather wrap of decent quality with a full diameter stitch up tightly done the best I can. Nothing beats leather for me either bare handed or gloved. Stitching them up can take a while and maybe even some stop and restart efforts but is usually pretty cheap and worth it every time you hop in.

I could probably think of some more but I cannot continue to type a novel right now. I want to hear what others like to do when they get something new so that they can enjoy it more and make it "their own". There is nothing like buying a car for a grand and then putting more than that into it immediately, right?

For a decade or so, my immediate first mod was to put a THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS bumpersticker on every car I bought. Didn't do that to the last round, though.

In reply to Duke:

purchase cars? The shriners LOANed us cars!

I also do the parabolic spot mirrors.

For filters, I'd either stick to stock or go to an AEM Dryflow w/ prefilter, way more convenient than a K&N oiled filter and better filtration too.

Usually wheels & tires because most cars don't come with the best tire size, and often are on bargain-bin tires.

I'd disable all electro-nannies except the rev limiter, and put in an ABS switch if such a thing will play well with the other electro-nannies being disabled.

If a wheel is really awful I'll either swap it for an aftermarket wheel, settle for a cover or try to restore it somehow. Aftermarket wheels usually stick out from the rest of the interior too much for my taste.

The weather around here requires tint.

I'll add seatbelt pads for comfort (might help keep them from cutting you open in an accident too), pedals if the stock ones have problems such as a slippery clutch pedal surface or too much brake-to-gas distance for heel & toe in a sports car.

If the car has any known weak points I'll address the biggest ones. For example, a Toyobaru needs an oil cooler right away for anything more than puttering around on the street. An Evo X would need a trans cooler and 2nd oil cooler in the same situation.

In reply to Duke:

Good one! Now that is a way to display some personal style...

I go the other direction and get to work with the razor or goo gone and start stripping off stickers, decals and often emblems and (gasp, the horror) dealership stick-ons.

I usually burn off the next 50% of the rubber off the drive tires.

I'm a floor mat guy: I love high quality mats. And high quality wipers.

Then I almost always install black wheels or paint existing ones black.

But then again I believe there are very few cars that don't look better with aggressive-tread tires and extra lighting on the grille!

lower it / wheels&tires are a must for me.

next one will be getting tint first thing before anything else.

usually go with k&n filter when its time for a replacement.

My DD I really only care how it looks anymore. And is reliable. Not too concerned with wringing a lot of performance out of it. (I guess because I have always had underpowered cars anyways, whats the point.)

In reply to GameboyRMH:

I will look into the AEM filter for the next one. I have been a K&N guy for decades and am woefully ignorant about the other stuff on the market.

I have been known to run seat belt pads too and though my current car doesn't have any, I cannot think of why not. Probably forgot that they are comfy and safe...

Pedals also usually get addressed too for max comfort. Often I remove a rubber pad or two to help with heights and just put on some gritty grip tape. That stuff works well if you have wet or dirty shoes and is easy to replace when worn out.

Tires often wait until some research is done and I decide what the car will be used for primarily. Things change fast enough that I never seem to be on top of the latest and greatest tire setup until I do some digging around. Lug nuts, though, get an immediate check. It always seems there are a couple that are either 30ftlbs or 300 and I check specks at torque them properly in an almost compulsive manner.

In reply to ebonyandivory:

Forgot about wipers! Another big one for me, I consider it safety and love the convenience of being able to see.

I like the Trico Neoforms for most use. They did me well in New England winters and seem to last plenty long enough for a mid priced option.

Rain-X on the glass (all of it) and their brand washer fluid, too! Rain-X makes a decent anti-fog solution for the inside glass that I also use.

In reply to failboat:

I agree that performance is not tops on the list. My first round of thoughts is mostly based on convenience, comfort, keeping it reliable and above all safe for all operating conditions.

I like the stuff I am hearing so far in this thread. I admit that I have slowed down a bit and this stuff might be first month versus week, actually... some of you move much faster than I...

In reply to ebonyandivory:

Now that I think about it, I usually do not go for extra lighting right away. It does usually look good and is helpful sometimes but I tend to let it go until other stuff is taken care of; it is always bright in the city.

I do usually swap in the best bulbs I can find to the factory lighting... I think we agree on being able to see well making a big difference.

New '14 Silverado LTZ double cab: Bedliner, Extang Tonneau, factory splash guards, rust proofing, AVS Vent Visors, Husky Weather Beater floor liners installed yesterday (love 'em btw).

Currently shopping a deal on: Raptor SS 5" nerf steps, billet grille, hood shield, Du Ha underseat storage, console accessories.

If/ when I get to it: CAI/ filter kit, alloy fuel door, exhaust

Not seeing any great deals this week to get the CC out yet.

For me, it depends on the car in question, and usually the first mod is decided on when I actually decide what car I'm getting next. But there are no common mods that I do regularly, other than maybe choosing new wheels and tires. But neither of the two cars I'm looking at next would get custom wheels, so...

Generally, it's "Find what is broken, replace with better spec units."

Tint, stereo, and aggressive brake pads. Usually the day I bring it home. After that, whatever it takes to suit my needs. And that depends on the car.

There's no such thing as too much brake. Just not enough tire.

Fix the broken stuff, rainx on the windows, good cleanup inside and out and coat of quality wax/sealant, molded floormats like weathertechs or maxliners, and window tint.

Change the fluids.

MadScientistMatt wrote: Generally, it's "Find what is broken, replace with better spec units."

^^^ Truth!

I am picking up a car shortly that does not need a single thing; nothing broken and current on maintenance... I almost cannot comprehend a situation like that!

Back in the day when I went through DD used cars like popcorn I learned to nitpick down the mileage/ wear items of the day... 50-60K prolly needing exhaust, tires, brakes, shocks, etc. Get the right vehicle for the right price, park for a couple/ few weeks. Do the tune up, belts, hoses, fluids, filters, brakes, shocks etc. or anything even questionable to the point I'll only need oil changes for the near future. A good detail too. Worked for me.

And upgrading stuff was part of the fun too.

Also, in general I like mud flaps.

If the car doesn't have any or enough I typically go to rally armor and start looking. If they do not have a direct fit I have have good experiences using their universal stuff; cheap, easy to work with and pretty tough.

Duke wrote: For a decade or so, my immediate first mod was to put a THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS bumpersticker on every car I bought. Didn't do that to the last round, though.

Don't be a NyQuil driver.

In reply to tb:

I actually meant to add Rally Armor mudflaps to my list.

Aggressive treaded tires, off-road lighting and mudflaps.

To me anything looks better after a rally treatment.

Ill also add good aftermarket horns like Dual-Tones to the wipers and mats. Those and like was said earlier, good brake pads.

timing belt and fluids if no records and cage (ok the cage is only on half of them)

Generally, all fluids and filters (including transmission and differentials), spend some quality time under the car with a flashlight, pry bar, and channel locks, and fix anything that is obviously broken. Once it's mechanically sound, fix all oil leaks. Thoroughly cleaning the car, generally including removing most of the interior to vacuum and scrub, is in there somewhere too. At this point, if previous mods were done, I usually either fix or remove them, since often they're cheap, dumb, don't work right, or look like crap. This usually means a quieter, better-made exhaust, remove window tint, and getting rid of all the extra wires and plugs and stickers that people put in cars. I've removed more of those parabolic mirror things than I can remember, haha. I can't stand them. Then cosmetics and rust repair, generally followed by slight lowering to fix fender gap. Then some nice understated OEM+ wheels and decent tires, and then usually it's done unless it's a project car.

I get way too attached and way to financially invested in my vehicles, obviously.

**EDIT: I read the title again. Obviously this takes a bit more than a few weeks. And most of them aren't mods. Oops.

For DDs it's usually new wipers, fluid changes, K&N air filter, window tint, auxiliary port if it doesn't have one already, and a general tune up.

Race cars get the same basics, but add in new brakes/fluid, Konis, and wheels/tires.