Ideas to turn a mostly stock car to a head-turner

Hey, I recently bought a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX for $2000 and I wanted to know some ideas of what I should do to turn my car into a real head-turner. I am going to work all summer to help build my income, but as of right now, I have around $2000 more. What are some things I could do to start things off? I don't get my license until August 28th, but I want to amaze everybody the day I drive my car to school for the first time. Also, it will be a big surprize because all of my mod work will be done at one of my friends body shops. Thanks, Kevin

Hey Its open "NEWB" season again already!!! lol

Welcome to the forums! What do you want to do first? Performance or Visual ? When you decide that we all could probably help you better!

If its visual that you are shooting for... the first thing you need to do is get some new wheels for that ride. Then you might think about a possible body kit but if you do that please stay away from fiberglass ebay kits. Too many of us have been bit by that in the past. Always remember that you get what you pay for.
ps. And for the love of god PLEASE dont put 20'' rims on it. I wouldnt go any larger that a set of 17" rims. Dont forget that you got a tuner and not a caddilac!

Also where did you find a GSX for $2000.00??? How many miles are on it and what condition is it in?

I found it in Maryland, even though I live in North Carolina. It is in VERY good condition. Leather seats and aftermarket head-unit. I got this car, but I am going to a U.S. Martials auctions for a 1996 eclipse tomorrow. Im not sure if it is an awd or anything. I might possibly get that, if so, this car will be for sale. It has 170,000 miles I believe and it is in the shop right now getting a new tranfer case put on by the guys with the fastest eclipse in the world. I personally would like to do the visuals first. I have been checking these cars out for the past year and just researching. I will get rims and a system with a little help of the parents. BTW I am only 15 yrs. old. Thanks to yall, I have been reading the thread about the guy who bought the fiberglass eBay kit and it is completly wrong so I definitely will go to Urethane no matter what. I really like the look of 20's, but i was shooting towards some 18 or 19 inch racing rims wraped with some p-zero's. I would like to get the exterior mostly done then start making changes to the interior. Thanks, Kevin

If you go with 18'' or 19'' I hope the roads where you live are all newly paved cuz not only are you gonna loose some performance from those big hunkin rims you are gonna sacrifice alot or ride quality. I would be carefull of any pot holes unless your pockets are as deep as the ocean and can afford a new rim and tire everytime you bend one because it WILL happen.

what else do you suggest?...other than rims and a kit?...including little knick-knacks to really help out the performance or either the visual. I just want to have a REALLY good car on August 28th

To be honest its all up to you... after all it is YOUR car and you really dont have to worry about what everyone else likes. Your car should be an expression of who you are so make it your own.

Oh jesus christ.....

Ok first of all, you have to think of if you'd rather have "respect" from your compadre 15s year olds, or people like us who actually know alot more about our cars than an Import Tuner magazine could ever hope to publish. As far as looks, nothing, I repeat, NOTHING will beat a stock bodied Eclipse from the 97-99 years (2GB's I think its called). And please don't throw some d's on that bitch. Get some good wheels that aren't blinged out. Nothing says "cheap" like some tacky chrome wheels. Just keep it clean man, the reason why so many people love these cars is because the natural body lines are nice. Which is like double edged sword, nothing will get you laughed at faster than a junked up eclipse with body parts coming out the wahzoo.



It has 170,000 miles I believe and it is in the shop right now getting a new tranfer case put on by the guys with the fastest eclipse in the world.

Sheppard? Hmmmm.....

Can We Get An A-men

I originally came from the make your car look nice before performance. But I think once I got over the omg I can't break my engine if i work on it scare im more inclined to spend my cash on engine mods.

Basically stock 97-99 w/ turbo spoiler is amazing looking in my opinion. A nice paint job on that would be all you need for the exterior to look amazing.

PLEASE PLEASE DON'T DO 20's.
1) Have fun fitting them there
2) they are horrible for performance
3) YOur ride is going to be painful to ride in....

17's or even 18's still look good (18's take a bit of work)... Keep in mind when you change tire and wheel size the speedometer will be off. IF you want to keep it the same there is a calculator online to figure it all out.
However it is your money do what you like.

If you want easy mods to start on go intake/exhaust/boost controller/bov (1g works awesome) for basic. Then get your outside looking nice if you really feel you need a body kit go for it.

Again all your choice. We can only warn you. In the end it's your money and it doesn't matter what we think. If you like driving it great for you.

The guy is from North Carolina... I really doubt he is bringing it clear up here to Ohio to Shepherds to have him put a transfer case on it...

yo sikclpse, i suggest you do all performance and keep the body mostly stock, then you really turn heads when some fag pulls up next to you to raace any you just pull away. dude if you live in an area like mine, people think just because your car doesnt look hooked up its not. It will be real fun just to put them in their place.

The first thing you need to do is figure out if you want to spend your money in looks or go fast parts. Your car has the potential to be pretty nasty considering its turbo and awd. But it also has potential to look good of course. Me personally I like the body of a stock 97-99 eclipse. You can convert yours to this look by buying the 97-99 bumpers, side skirts, and headlights. I wouldn't go bodykit on an eclipse. Its been done too many times on these cars, plus there really aren't many kits that even look right on an eclipse. Also do a nice wheel/tire combo (no chrome in my opinion) and some good name brand drop springs.
Performance wise, I would just do an intake, downpipe, and catback for now until you get more money, going fast costs money....trust.

But before you even think about buying any parts for your car.....you need to research alot and figure out exactly what you want to do with your car first. Make a plan and make sure its what you want to do, then start spending that 2k.

doing the interior really grabs my attention.. guages,neons,seats with 4 point harness's,painted dash to match the car,diamond plated floor mats,expensive shift knobs and an aftermarket boot..that's what gets me goin :wink: