Is it still worth it ?

[Yakky Bear]

I am sure everyone on here is aware of im240...

Anyway my reason for this thread is the following.
Is it still really worth it having a modified vehicle being it import turbo or v8?
I mean it's not going to get any easier albeit with emissions testing and all the other hoops us (car enthusiasts) have to jump through if it is to be done correctly. Which is where it's leading to and will go eventually.
That brings me to the question I asked and started this thread about.

Is it a case of modify then worry about it if you get caught ?
Or do it by the book and spend thousands upon thousands to have it done right and then possibly have another legislation brought in Later on down the track and made to jump through another hoop ?
My thoughts are what is the point in driving a modified vehicle on the road?
Does the cost and effort involved in doing things correct outweigh the point of having a modified vehicle licenced.

I'd really like to hear some input to this and weather it's a good discussion, am I worrying too much or is this thread just dumb ( I'm sure I'll be told if it is ).

I'm sure there's some of you that feel the same.

[Frostitute]

That is a good question. Personally it's up to you in the end. What you want to do. Laws are getting more strict when it comes down to modifications and what can be considered reckless on the roads but anyway sticking to the subject.

If you like cars, love trying to get as much HP as possible out of your car, love spending money on it. Then you should continue to modify because to you and others who share the same view on modified cars will appreciate it. Passing an IM240 test isn't impossible but there will spending involved, and as I said if you care for cars that much then you would do it.

I myself am in your situation. I still don't know. I will always love imports/v8's etc but I just think WA Laws are getting out of hand and don't think i want to spend so much on a car when I have a future to look forward to. It's a tough choice. Was thinking of getting a 4wd and Jetski because seems you can have more fun offroad nowadays then you can onroad without having a panic attack every time a police car turns around and follows you.

TL;DR: I still don't know haha

[feznutz]

isnt the new emissions law only apllicable to vehicles over a certain age? pre 86 or sumthin?i cant remember

maybe we need more old school??

[TJ]

Been like this for years over east, people deal with it and get their cars legal.

Sucks because no one likes change, but we will deal with it too.

[BP-13B]

The laws over here are fuck all.
If you drive like a dick & your attitude to the police and people at the pits is poor then you will get raped with all this shit.

There is alot of people with louder & faster cars out there that don't get pulled over, maybe the fact that car cruises and shit like that late at night attract attention and give cops a reason to pull people over.

[lazy6]

thats true plus the way cruises are now hectik p platers attract attention thats why my car never comes out

[anton]

anyone else wish we could wind the clock back to 2002 ?

[RGVFAST]

ive given up on owning a very modified car.

i dont have the money or the time to deal with yellow stickers and engineering.

i bought a stock turbo car and just have to be content with its limited power

[Miggy]

I think we are going to see allot more sleepers on the road.

[Anaru]

I think we are going to see allot more sleepers on the road.

:werd:

[DenZel]

Worth it? easy - spend what you need to spend, get it done properly and dont act like a dickhead on the road and you will be fine.

If having doubts then maybe need to find a different hobbie.

[ecent]

IT definitely has helped me being a person of multiple interests. In the end i feel the amount of money you put in to a car/the amount of fun you receive in return is worth it and although you cant get your money back or break even it is still creating memories for later in life where you can look back and say "Fuck i miss that shitter sr20 we had that got a yellow once".

[Rantopotamus]

My opinion will not really be heard but I know the Im240 testing well... I worked at Kosteckis for most of last year.

You will get it to pass.. And yes it is worth it. Its just as every one has previously posted. You need coin to spend big on the right cats + tuning to pass.

Hopefully you can modfiy and drive without getting caught and not having to worry about it. But if you do need to do Im240 testing either 1 sell your car. Or 2 save up and do it properly. dont take all your shit off take it back to stnadard than put it back on.. You will still need to do the testing anyway.

Might as well make it count first time. And if you do get a sticker and want to go back to stock do it first time. Not go through and see what they do you for. If you can be subtle about your mods and sneak through the pits under the radar first go.. you will be through with mild costs not the mega buck $$ madness some have had to go through.

[Yakky Bear]

Awesome thanks for all you input so far .. I see your point dufus a single turbo isn't easy to hide but then obviously that leaves the expensive path ah well. I honestly think after reading some replys. That it's the enjoent you get out of your car being modified which makes it worthwhile.

[iluv2moan]

IT definitely has helped me being a person of multiple interests. In the end i feel the amount of money you put in to a car/the amount of fun you receive in return is worth it and although you cant get your money back or break even it is still creating memories for later in life where you can look back and say "Fuck i miss that shitter sr20 we had that got a yellow once".

used to think the same till i went snowboarding...way more fun then ive ever had in a car...

saying that - most of us would have spent way too much on our cars to turn out backs on them now...

i know i wont be building another one in a hurry once the ones i got are 'finished'

[Tocchi]

part of the reason my FG stays stock mechanically is due to these regulations.

insurance on a super/tt xr8 would be pointless if it isnt engineered/passing emissions

[Niksmo]

had this same discusion with some mates. the way i see it having a sweet car on the road can be fun but sooner or later its gonna get yellowed for a retarded reason. if its too hard or costly to make it pass pits just make it into a hell of a track car :P you can have more fun at barbs/collie or at the plex then you ever would on the street.

[Niva]

unless there were no other cars on the road. fuck there is some killer corners around hahaha

[Lonewolf]

had this same discusion with some mates. the way i see it having a sweet car on the road can be fun but sooner or later its gonna get yellowed for a retarded reason. if its too hard or costly to make it pass pits just make it into a hell of a track car :P you can have more fun at barbs/collie or at the plex then you ever would on the street.

true, then you need to pay for a tow car and a trailer to be able to race it whenever you want, either way, cant get away from spending the money.

Getting a yellow for my car has made me consider something a bit more stock, i must say.

[DR1FT3N]

interesting topic i am still undecided have just pulled my sil off the road for a bigger better build up as i keep breaking boxes and need bigger brakes and just wanna change setup and am at the crossroads do i try build it subtle as possible and try keep it regoed or just go all out strip it and make a track car its something ive gotta think about but as others have said its the memorys and enjoyment of street driving vs all out thrashing at tracks, who knows everyones different i spose

[SSICK]

makes me smile when i drive my ute, so yes, its worth it.

[mr_mike]

Is it worth it, No was the conclusion i came to a few years ago. Cars, all types are a passion of mine. Everything form rusted out rat rods and euro rat rods, imports, aussie and US muscle both old and new.
But i came to the point where having a car i was happy with and wanted was frowned upon and generally illegal as a result every time i was in the car i was more concerned about getting a yellow sticker and the drama that would follow in gettin it removed.
Sure ppl can say its just a yellow swap parts over take a mornin off and get it removed no big drama. But for me taking a mornin off is a big drama due to the position i'm in any time of i take pretty much fucks the whole week up for me.
Bullshit hoon laws and the fact its at the cops discretion whats hooning and isnt is another reason. That combined with the fact i do have a lead foot an dlike to go fast doesnt help.
I just didnt wanna deal with it anymore, i'm more than happy to sit and admire from the sidelines and spend my time and money elsewhere.

[Bomber]

The more I think about it the more I would like to be able to buy an V8 ute (room for spare rims/tyres and jerry cans) and turn the wrx into a trailer special, with no regard for IM240 or ADR's or worries about yellows, hoon laws or shopping centre carparks and speedbumps. C'mon Powerball.........

[Yakky Bear]

I guess it would also come Down to what you want to do with the car.

A playing factor would also be is it cheaper to turn it into a track car and possibly buy another vehicle and trailer to tow it etc.than it would be to Get it all legal

[Rantopotamus]

Or you can call on Uncle Gerrin...

[AMPERAGE]

Bullshit hoon laws and the fact its at the cops discretion whats hooning and isnt is another reason.

WERD.

I had the filth pull me over and threaten to impound my car for a whole week my car last week because they said I'd taken a corner too fast. No tyre squeal, no understeer or oversteer, nothing. A wide sweeping corner taken at 30kph in a 60kph zone was in their opinion "too fast"and apparently that's enough.

Cops only let me off because I blew a 0.00 and have a relatively clean record.

[lazy6]

and just think if you turn it into a track / drag car / burnout car , thats one less rego to pay , with all these laws i rarely take my car out anymore maybe the saturday or sunday drive.

oh and also i was at the joondalup impound yard today and first offence on hoonlaw is now 28 days and 2nd offence is 3 months

unsure on how true that statement is i was told by the tow truck drivers i know from aaac

[EVL]

with all these laws i rarely take my car out anymore maybe the saturday or sunday drive.

For me it's those Saturday/Sunday drives that makes it all worth it though, that's why I'm striving to get my car the emission ok :)

[S133LTR]

Still worth it imo, As time goes on IM240 wont seem like such a massive obsticle like it does atm in its early stages.

[rxsevengt]

This is why I'm keeping my FD pretty much stock, I would love to have a heavily modified FD but there's too much red tape and too easy to get screwed over by law enforcement.

I think sleepers are definately the way forward, Should see some really interesting cars being built, but yeah, this issue has been playing in the back of my mind for a few years now also.

[lazy6]

another reason why i leave mine looking classy and clean i enjoy the sleeper look might throw some mesh in the bumper to cover the fmic

[Fukushima]

no way would I want a track only car

if I get busted for having something outside the limits I'll do whatever it takes to get it passed or sell the beast

what kind of dollars are you looking at to pass im240 at the moment?

and in 5 years time?

BTW I think your little rant left out the cost of fuel. we've had a reprieve because of the financial shit but it cant be all that long till fuel is over $1.50 again and heading for $2.00. When we were p-platers and fuel was 60 cents a litre $20 was enough to go out cruising on a Friday night... now it costs more and I already sometimes think that I don't wanna drive somewhere because of the price of fuel.

[iluv2moan]

BTW I think your little rant left out the cost of fuel. we've had a reprieve because of the financial shit but it cant be all that long till fuel is over $1.50 again and heading for $2.00. When we were p-platers and fuel was 60 cents a litre $20 was enough to go out cruising on a Friday night... now it costs more and I already sometimes think that I don't wanna drive somewhere because of the price of fuel.

should get out of cars now if u complaining about 20 dollar diff over 10 years ago

[MMM]

Newer cars these days dont really need to be modified to enjoy them. So i say yes it is going to become pointless to modify.

[Fukushima]

should get out of cars now if u complaining about 20 dollar diff over 10 years ago

that isn't my complaint

i'm more concerned about where it goes from here

at 1.60 people start taking the train and stuff, if fuel is going to be $5.00 in todays prices in ten years will you still play this game?

[lazy6]

i dont even look at the cost of fuel now days theres no point if your scared about the cost why own a modified car.
50 bucks in my calais gets me round 350 to 400ks taking it easy and i fill up say on a saturday n retire the car on a sunday or monday

[MISS 13B]

It all comes down to personal preference and how much shit you can be bothered dealing with if it comes to the crunch.

Nothing will ever stop me from owning modified cars, I simply love them too much to give up just because of red tape. In saying that though, I'm hoping my exemption from ADR's will prevent me from ever having to deal with IM240 bullshit.
In any case, to me it is totally worth it!

[ecent]

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7968113&__Ntt=1000hp&__Qpb=true&__Dx=mode%20matchany&__Ns=pCar_PriceSort_Decimal|1||pCar_RankSort_Int32 |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&keywords=1000hp&__N=1216%201247%201282%201252&__Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&seot=1&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1011&Cr=14&__Nne=15&trecs=30&__D=1000hp&__sid=125C7C4835D1

[Torquen]

I've thought about this a little over the past few months to. If i had my time over again i would probably left my car as a 'tune only' and just enjoyed it for that. As it is my car is not even close to tune only and IMO i have spent to much hard earned money to revert back now. So this car will remain moddified unitll i either sell it or a yellow sticker comes my way. My next car is likely to stay as a 'tune only' and i will divert my attention and funds to a track specific car.


another reason why i leave mine looking classy and clean i enjoy the sleeper look might throw some mesh in the bumper to cover the fmic

Also in the process of converting mine to sleeper spec. I love my custom plates and shiney FMIC but its not worth the hasle. State plates, black I/C and new mesh over the front are all jobs to do in the next couple of weeks :(

[Passage GT]

anyone wanna swap a vq30det and z32 5 speed for an fj front cut?
fuck engineering and emissions
1983 car with no cats ftw

[Drift_R32]

hmmm i suppose alot of people are going newer cars because the work isnt as obvious as say a bombed R32/33/34 with high mount.
can modify Xr6ts,new SS to have a pretty decent power without been that visible.

if i had something that would be yellowed straight away but i had spent 60k on biulding id be driving around on permits on weekends for sure, its the only time im gonna drive it anyway.

[Turbo2.6L]

There are ways around being pulled over & hassled... You just have to pick the right base car in the beginning & not go overboard on external mods. Over 5 years of owning highly modded turbo falcons i haven't had 1 sticker.

[Jizz-Lebrity]

THIS ^

The kit that enhances many an XR6T/F6 to such high standards (Deans & Adrians for example) is barely noticeable under bonnet and with a standard exhaust it actually 100% legal, with the ADR paperwork included to prove it.

As for everyone else, the choice whether or not will come down to the individual. I personally couldn't survive the ordeal & loss that some have described in the early stages of the IM240 blitzkrieg. Fuck that.

[lazy6]

There are ways around being pulled over & hassled... You just have to pick the right base car in the beginning & not go overboard on external mods. Over 5 years of owning highly modded turbo falcons i haven't had 1 sticker.

very true quote , i havnt been touched in 3 years and mine calais just kept it looking clean and choose my time and place to be stupid but i think soon ill cover up the fmic

[j3rk]

I'm with TJ on this one, I personally think IM240 has just been beefed up / made out to be harder then it really is. There are many huge hp cars which have passed it in the east and a few which have been brought over here. There is always light at the end of the tunnel!

[gsr freak]

have said this on numerous times as when you look at the im240 and then look at some of the highpowered cars on the east coast that are said to be legal there is hope that with the right tune and cats there shouldn`t be to many issues getting through the whole deal

[Torquen]

The issue is $$$$

[Gladio]

Can we get a poll going?

[gsr freak]

yes true $$$$ are a big issue but if we are honest the whole modified car scene burns a big hole in the hip pocket with every improvement that we make to our cars
i must admit there has been times lately that i have questioned if there is a point in staying in a turbo powered car but a good drive down south always reminds me why i drive one

[Drift_R32]

There are ways around being pulled over & hassled... You just have to pick the right base car in the beginning & not go overboard on external mods. Over 5 years of owning highly modded turbo falcons i haven't had 1 sticker.

yeh for sure..your car would look pretty stock if you put the stock rims back on. and opening the bonnet on say an XR6T with 350rwhp you couldnt even tell its been played with even when its been driven, a large cam and decent exhaust on the other hand is alot more noticable. when it comes to jap cars...i mean who wants a stock looking one. most people want it low, big offset, tough sound, gate, kit etc etc

doesnt matter whether your speeding or not. cops see that..and they are keen to pull it over cause its an easy target,

people that say oh people get yellows because they drive like idiots or they give the police attitude are only 50% correct. you can be nice as pie and doing the speed limit everywhere and still cop a yellow on a car that has mods which are all top quality.

[iluv2moan]

The issue is $$$$

how do people complaining about the cost of emission testign expect to pay the on going cost of racing around barbs?

[Turbo2.6L]

yeh for sure..your car would look pretty stock if you put the stock rims back on. and opening the bonnet on say an XR6T with 350rwhp you couldnt even tell its been played with even when its been driven, a large cam and decent exhaust on the other hand is alot more noticable. when it comes to jap cars...i mean who wants a stock looking one. most people want it low, big offset, tough sound, gate, kit etc etc

doesnt matter whether your speeding or not. cops see that..and they are keen to pull it over cause its an easy target,

people that say oh people get yellows because they drive like idiots or they give the police attitude are only 50% correct. you can be nice as pie and doing the speed limit everywhere and still cop a yellow on a car that has mods which are all top quality.

Very true.
If you have an illegally modified car that is 'obnoxious' and haven't had a sticker yet, that's called luck. It has nothing to do with your driving style or attitude in 99% of cases.


how do people complaining about the cost of emission testign expect to pay the on going cost of racing around barbs?

Haha very true!
IM240 test may cost a few grand to pass & it's all over but a track car that gets the arse driven out of it at Barbs will cost that each month :lol:

[Torquen]

how do people complaining about the cost of emission testign expect to pay the on going cost of racing around barbs?

Fair point. Moy only argument is that it is going towards something you want to do rather than jumping through some hoops the government has strung out. But yes your right, having cars as a hobby is an expensive one either way.

[Joe]

Sleepers are all well and good, but I much prefer cars that LOOK modified.. it means you can enjoy the car even when you are not belting it around.

BUT, thats the risk I run, because if it looks modified then its a cop magnet.

Basically, if you want to play, you gotta pay.

[Torquen]

Sleepers are all well and good, but I much prefer cars that LOOK modified.. it means you can enjoy the car even when you are not belting it around.

BUT, thats the risk I run, because if it looks modified then its a cop magnet.

Basically, if you want to play, you gotta pay.

100% agree Joe. Cars that look modified are much nicer to look at but you have to way up if its worth the hasle.

[Tocchi]

sleepers are all well and good, BUT how soon until insurance companies will be demanding a IM240 report on a car (that has mods) that wants insurance with them.

sleepers wont have that report, thus may have issues with payouts etc

[Drift_R32]

haha the first insurance company to do that would be broke within a month. everyone who has a policy with them would pull out.