'Cars to turn heads' cost boy racers their savings and more

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Boy racers need deep pockets to feed their desires for a car with impressive looks, engine power and sound, and onboard extras such as a PlayStation and a bass-booming stereo system.

Building up a dream car, or at least a respectable vehicle, can cost up to $20,000.

A Herald survey yesterday of people in the business gives an insight into the economics of being a boy racer.

A popular four-cylinder Japanese import can be bought for $6000 to $9000. But the go-fast bits can bring the total cost to the equivalent of a secondhand luxury European sedan.

The manager of one supplier, Mag & Turbo, said a young car fan could spend up to $8000 in a single visit. Such spending habits had seen the company grow from a single, small store to a nationwide chain.

Another outlet, which asked not to be named, suggested that a middle-of-the-road shopping list of engine and body modifications, turbo pop-off valves (which make the sneezing sound when gears are changed), mag wheels, racing seats and stereo might set a racer back $12,500.

"But remember, many of these kids have spent their whole working lives saving up for this," said the shop's manager.

"They spend money on their car like other people do on home improvements.

"The car is their house. It's their baby."

A parts retailer said the list of desirable accessories was endless. While some racers might be content with a racing steering wheel at $250 or a shiny gear knob for $50, others might go for chrome 17-inch wheels at $1000 each (tyre $500 extra).

A radar detector that picks up radar and laser signals from up to 1km away costs about $1500.

The full body kit to make the car look low and fat and different from its humble family-car origins costs about $5500.

And then there's the engine. Mark Scully, of Beyond Motorworks in Avondale, says a special exhaust system for a 1994 Honda Integra would cost up to $900 and a larger turbo $1000 to $3000.

Mag & Turbo's website (www.ratemyride.co.nz) features 983 cars put forward by proud owners to be analysed and ranked by their peers.

Each entry lists the thousands of dollars worth of modifications done to make them stand out from the others.

The number-one rated car yesterday was a white Honda Integra boasting modified bodywork, mags, tinted windows, neon lights inside and out, upgraded filters, adjustable suspension, a new exhaust system and a VTEC controller.

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