My first car

[PokeySticks]

I purchased my first car a few days ago, 1995 Camry Le 4cyl Gold Edition 151,000 miles. everything stock for $1325. I have been planning some modifications lately, and I wanted to get some input on how I can increase the performance. I was thinking a AEM CAI, as well as doing something with the exhaust, but thats where I become lost. So any input would be much needed and thanked.

Other plans that are more or less cosmetic:
a) Get needed body work done(passenger side mirror is missing, some small dents, ass well as minor rust damage)
b) Completely new sound system, the works.
c) Tinted windows
D) Full body Kit
e) New paint job(Black or silver sounds nice to me)
f) 17" rims???(as big as I can go with my car, no chrome, polished aluminum or black)
g) New Headlights, taillights

Monet wise, it's tight, but thios being my first car that I've been saving up for my entire life, I'm not all that worried.

Lastly, personally I think that I got a great deal on the car, as it was listed for $2700, and I got a free 27" tv with it, but I would like your opinion on it as well.

The car is being inspected, when I get It back i will update with pics.

Being that I'm 17, I pretty much know nothing when It comes to cares, so thats one of the reasons I joined these forums to learn

[shajbot]

Custom dryer hose CAI FTW!

[uibalnme]

You'd get maybe 5hp with intake and exhaust, if you're lucky. Adding a 100 pounds of stereo stuff will cancel out what ever you might get from the intake and exhaust combination and then some. 17" will be the biggest you can go without rolling the fenders. You'll also want to look into getting new struts and springs if the the originals are still on the car. The most important thing is to get the car working at its best before you start upgrading anything. That means a full tune up...plugs, wires, distributor cap/rotor, PCV valve, oxygen sensors, belts(check/replace), hoses(check/replace), and all fluids. Well, that's what I did when I got my 96, and she still runs as smooth as slik.

[felonyr301]

First make sure it's running great first- do a tune-up like what uibalnme said...

The first big mod you should do is suspension which will make driving alot more fun!!!

$150 for TRD Rear Sway Bar- best bang for buck
Tokico struts $320 with sport lowering springs $150-225.. (do this together)
everything else get oem only like strut mounts,endlinks etc.

tuneup- spark plugs only go ngk or denso!!!
changing filter scratch that take the chance to get an intake anyways

paint job- it's not cheap and if it is it's not worth it seriously...
beware of maaco paint job or anything below $1000 for a paint job
hell a good paint job goes for probably $2000 or more...

wheels- 17's or 18's your choice, but strut+spring first then wheels!!!

Find out the tint laws in your state and decide how far will you take the chance by going darker than it is. I have 35% all around it's still kinda of light but perfect when it gets dark since I can still see while driving. Used to have 20% and couldn't see shit when dark raining and fogging. Legal limit here is 70% but 35% they don't bother.

Anything on ebay granting more power for cheap is bull- example- turbonator, chips etc.

Headlights there is guy here that makes clear headlights since there is none in the market that's one option for your car.

Personally the tail lights on your car is good don't get altezza or anything like it...
Red out the orange part of the tail light and then smoke it nicely not to dark and or just smoke it good not to dark and should look good.

Body kit wise "IMO" RMM Lip up front with razzi rear lip is best...

These are just some things to give you an idea!!!

[bigbird]

welcome to TN

if money is tight then id spend waht money ya do have on suspension mods. springs, shocks, and rear sway bar are great value for money. also, search for the taurus lip mod. great little visual add on and extreamly cheap.

['_']

Definitely do the suspension mods first. You won't gain much HP with only intake and exhaust. Sounds like you got it for a good deal though.

[PokeySticks]

Thanks for all of the responses guys. So I should have my car back from inspection sometime today, and from the advice given, a full tune up is in order. From what I've read, that consists of new spark plugs, ignition wires, cap and rotor. If I'm missing anything there, let me know. Also, this may be somewhat stupid, so bare with me, what is "cap and rotor" mean?

Generally speaking how much will a tune-up cost me, if I go for some high end spark plugs? Can I do this myself?

Once again thanks for the responses

[camrtm3]

Welcome

The big thing here is to repair that car before modding.

A good thing to do is see what things can be done together, like the body work, paint job and body kit. This will seem expensive now, but in the long run you will save money on paint, time, and labor. With the sound system, prices can range from 500ish dollars to 3 grand. (WAY too expensive in my opinion) Wheel sizes, 18 is the largest wheel, but you would need a 40 sidewall to not have to roll the fender. And the max width you can go before rolling the fender, or modding the suspension is 8". Also everyone is correct here, do the suspension before you get wheels, if you do it like me then you left with limited choices. There is also not that much out there for after market headlights, and taillights. If you want after market of those you would be getting a gen 3 parts(92-94). Your running a gen 3.5(95-96). So it would be best to just get new OEM parts if you don't want to go through the hasle of changing parts. There are clear corner, and bumper lights out there though.

Finally if you need help with something check the forums, see if anyone has run into the same problem.

Good Luck!