In need of Wisdom
 

What's going on everyone, I hope everyone is doing well. I own a 2014 scion frs, it is the first car I bought on my own(5 months till paid off fully) as well as my first manual. I have always been a car enthusiast and loved this platform when it came out. I've always been a fan of old school jdm cars and the twins are an affordable way to get into the car scene for me. My frs has 87k miles as I want to start modding it however should I attempt to trade it in for a higher year model 2017+ or jus mod away. I've been researching around this forum for years to learn about this car and the mods I want in the future (I do want to supercharge later) which has been very helpful. I know the 2017+ got a few engine upgrades also ease of getting a new engine in case mine blows. I'm 26 hoping to learn to wrench and build cars slowly. I will get a cheap second car thinking of a toyota or honda good ole reliable. I want to keep this car for the next 10+ years or if I can get an NSX (one could dream). Thank you everyon so much for your time and have a wonderful day.

Hey mate, your inquiry is very broad, I can only go off personal experience, so here goes:

I have a 2013 BRZ, OFT E85 tune (full time E85), catless headers, full exhaust, coilovers, lower ratio diff.
100 000kms on the clock.

I drive it daily and compete in hillclimbs on soft compound slicks, and I don't hold back.

No engine issues whatsoever.

If I were to give any advice with regard to performance mods, I'd say only spend your money on mods with good, well-proven HP:$ ratios. The effect of a CAI is unoticeable, the effect of a drop-in filter is unoticeable, the effect of a catback is noise only, the list goes on.

Good luck, and keep us posted :)

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Unless you are very savvy at the dealer, I wouldn't try to trade in your car, the dealer will screw you.
If you are really wanting to move into a newer year, you should look into selling your car to one of those places like Carvana, Carmax, etc. A lot of people are getting really good deals right now, but it won't last forever.

But personally, I wouldn't trade it unless you're considering a 2022+. The 5HP difference in 2017-2020 models is not worth going back into debt for, especially since you can make up for that HP just modding your current car.

No monthly payments = more modding money.

I would keep what you have considering it's paid off and the "upgrades" to the 17+ you speak of are minimal. If you're going to trade in go 2022 or bust.

Otherwise keep what you have, get a header and exhaust maybe if you want it to be a bit louder. Maybe some suspension. Get an ecutek flex fuel set up and have fun. These are relatively easy to install parts and should keep someone that is a novice busy for the foreseeable future. They will also give you pretty good returns for the money (20-30whp and under 2.5k for a header, ecutek flex setup, tune, and decent struts/springs).

Have fun :)

I know nothing about mods, and don't have much interest in them. Having said that, it would SURE seem to make a LOT more sense to go ahead and mod/experiment on a car you already own that is out of warranty and paid off than to lose a bunch of money trading it in, pay a lot of money for a new car, then risk warranty coverage by modding it.

I have a 2013 with about 95k miles on it. If i was interested in modding, I'd definitely do it to this car rather than risk a much more expensive, warranty-covered newer car.

Keep car and mod. No doubt about it. If possible pay yourself the car payment when you are done.

well, the wise move here would be to pay the car off, save the money, and put it towards your retirement so you don't have to retire when your 95 like i will.

Hi ya Akatzu and welcome to the group - :clap:

If you want to keep your car for another 10 years and you want to keep it dependable, I suggest you pretty much leave it alone.

Maybe an axle back or cat back muffler swap to make it sound a bit more aggressive and a free-er flowing air cleaner just for giggles.

Now, that ain't much fun is it ...... :iono:

Thank you everyone for the replies as I've come to the conclusion of just modding my current car. Also saw videos of k24 swaps as well as LS swaps fully functional. If my engine blows guess that's the road I could see only a possibility ( now if I can get one of Toyotas V8s in there oh man). One last question if anyone could help me out is I do want to replace my stock audio headunit for something that has both apple car play and android auto. Anything that is recommended that is plug and play? I don't care if it connects via bluetooth or only cable.

contact crutchfield.com

they'll be able to set you up.

I'd recommend keep your '14 , don't mod , you still need money for gas + insurance + registration + maintenance (anything breaks, tires, etc)

Cars... cost money... and continue to cost money after you've paid it off. Hopefully the car doesn't "own" you !!

Which differential ratio you are rocking now?

That’s why you have to pick reliable cars and do your own maintenance. And pay yourself each month. Imagine, your payment was 300 a month, that’s 3600 a year banked. I can tell you I have not spent nearly that much on my cars in a year or multiple years and that’s with modding. I have not had a payment on my 04 WRX in 13 years. I own the car, it does not own me.

@Akatzu I think you'll be happy keeping the same platform (2014) and modding it. Some "mods" I'd recommend:

-2017+ differential for closer ratio

-2017+ shocks for better ride, or an expensive set of coilovers if you want to go lower

-Whiteline positive shift kit (fixes worn drivetrain bushings)

-Whiteline positive traction kit (fixes worn drivetrain bushings)

-carbon fiber driveshaft