It’s more fun to drive a slow car fast rather than driving a fast car fast. After most people drive their first car, they want to go fast. The faster you go the more exhilarating it is, and the faster you want to drive. There’s something special about taking a car not meant for speed and pushing it to its absolute limits, rather than just tapping into the raw power of an already fast car. Speed isn’t the whole experience though, it’s also transforming something ordinary into something extraordinary and fine tuning it to your liking.
Modifying your own car also comes with a personal connection between the builder and the built. Unlike a mass produced vehicle that will most likely never see a part that isn’t stock, a built car is a reflection of the driver’s taste and preferences. Any modifications, from something as small as a sticker to something as big as an engine swap are all things that allow someone to make a car truly their own. Having a car that suits you usually isn’t done in a day, so that means that your car will grow alongside you, getting better as you do.
While stock cars suit the needs of the majority of drivers, built cars are able to cater towards the specific needs of people who want more. This “more” that someone wants on their vehicle can be a multitude of things. They may want a car that’s fast off the line, one that can take tight turns without slipping, one that intentionally slips. No matter what it may be, it’s nice knowing that you’ve made a car based upon your own choices and preferences and not just the manufacturers.
Many people enjoy working on cars and customizing them, so customizing your own car can help you connect with more people. Online and in person groups and car meets are full of car enthusiasts and are a great way to learn more about the art. Communicating and experiencing other people’s tastes is a great way to learn more about modifying and can even help you find some things that you didn’t know you liked before.
Modifying a car to your liking also comes with a sense of pride. When you inevitably take that car out, whether it be on dirt, normal roads, or even a track, you aren’t just driving; you are experiencing all of the time, money, work, and planning that you put into that vehicle; you’re controlling something that’s a part of you.