by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car enthusiasts have been around almost as long as cars have been around. There’s always someone willing to spend countless hours and piles of money modifying a car to their heart’s content in an attempt to make it faster, handle better, and look unique. Considering all of the different cars and types of modifications that can be done to them, how much does that average car enthusiast spend modifying their car?

Some enthusiasts just can’t leave their cars alone

If you’re not the type to care about modifying your car, then you should be thankful. As a car enthusiast myself, I could never leave any car I had stock. In my time, I’ve owned a Honda CR-X, a couple of Civics, and an S2000, and I modified all of them.

No, I didn’t do anything too crazy like strap on a turbocharger or a body kit, but I did spend a couple of grand on some power-adding parts, suspension components, and a hardtop (for the S2000) during the time I had my cars.

I recount my cars because I know I’m not alone. DriveTribe notes that “for most people, modifying cars is a hobby, which turns into a passion, which turns into an obsession. They start with the small things to improve the looks and it snowballs from there with some people spending over $40,000 in modifications.” Fortunately, I never nearly spent nearly that much, but there are plenty of enthusiasts that consistently do.

How much do enthusiasts spend?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been pretty lucky with the amount of money I’ve spent (or have not spent) modifying my cars. That is evident when watching other enthusiast’s videos on YouTube. In the video example above, this Honda S2000 owner that goes by the name of “Lam Le” details his expenditures for his car. For starters, he said paid $10,000 for the car itself and then proceeded to go over his list of modifications. In the end, he spent $10,620 on the modifications alone, which is more than the cost of the car itself.

According to a study conducted by Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), car enthusiasts between the ages of 16 to 24 spend an average of $7.2 billion modifying their cars every year. Gavin Knapp, director of Market Research for SEMA, told the Associated Press, “More than 7.9 million young people customize, modify, or upgrade their vehicles each year. Their vehicles not only help them get from point A to B, but they are also an integral part of their social lives.”

Car modifications can go a little too far

While it may sound ludicrous for anyone to spend $10,000 modifying their $10,000 car, that YouTuber is not alone either. In fact, there are plenty of YouTube car enthusiasts rattling off their shopping lists of modifications and the hefty sums associated with them. Of the many that I came across, most people seem to spend and stop at around the $20,000 mark. However, I’m sure there are plenty of enthusiasts that have crossed that spending limit.

Car enthusiasts will continue to be born every day, which means that we haven’t seen the last of modified cars by far. Many people will willingly spend all kinds of money-making their cars go faster, handle better, or look more unique, so it’s not too surprising that some of them can spend upwards of $40,000 or more. I’m just glad I’m not one of them.

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by Gabrielle DeSantis

The new Chevy Corvette has caused a massive stir with its most recent “C8” iteration. Not only is Zora Arkus-Duntov currently rolling in his grave at the realization of his dream of the mid-engined ‘Vette, but GM simply cannot keep the C8 on a dealership lot for more than the car’s 2.7 second 0-60 time. In fact, the Chevy Corvette was the fastest-selling new car in the month of July, beating out hype machines such as the Ford Bronco and Kia Telluride.

The Chevy Corvette is fast, but it sells faster

According to a study by iSeeCars, the Chevy Corvette sold insanely fast last month. Like, faster than anything else fast. On average, a new ‘Vette stayed on the lot for just seven days. That’s nothing. I forget seven days have gone by when I wake up Sunday and realize I’ve wasted my weekend yet again. Chevy sells more Corvettes in a week than I can count. As an aside, if anyone is interested, my brand new Corvette-only dealership opens next week!

That’s not all, either. There’s some heavy hitters on this list being outsold by the Chevy Corvette, like the Toyota 4Runner and Kia Telluride. Both are family-oriented SUVs that will certainly outsell the ‘Vette by the end of the year. However, the ‘Vette is pulling out a big lead, even despite its very high selling price. The study states that on average, new Corvettes are selling for around $86,000, a far cry from the car’s $60,000 base price. But more on that later.

The ‘Vette deserves its success

For now, I’d like to discuss exactly why the ‘Vette sells so well, and so quickly. Within the last decade or so, GM has managed to take the Corvette from a New Balance-wearing, BBQ-manning, Big Mac- snackin’ icon of Americana to a serious performance contender. You can argue that the C6 Z06 Chevy Corvette started that trend. Performance became the exclamation point at the end of what was now a fantastically old-school front-engine, rear-drive sports car.

And that’s what the Chevy Corvette has always been about, despite its struggles. The Corvette is designed to push away the European competition, and the switch to a mid-engined layout made that official. Combine that with a sub-$100k price tag, and you’ve got yourself a world-beater. Oh, also, 500 hp V8. Not to mention, the hype continues to be fed by teasers of a new flat-plane Euro-inspired, new Chevy Corvette Z06.

How did a sports car beat out the SUVs?

To explain how we got here I’ve got to get a little, well, not political but just right up on that line. Wealthy people made a lot of money over the course of the pandemic. They, like the rest of us plebians, have been stuck at home wanting new toys. You bought a PS5, and the wealthy bought Corvettes.

The families that can afford a brand new Kia Telluride likely aren’t in the same tax bracket as a C8 Corvette owner, and that’s why more are selling right now. More people can afford to buy the $85,000 marked-up ‘Vette than those shopping for a new family car. I’m not happy about the circumstances of it, but hey, at least they’re being bought, and we’re all getting a little V8 love because of it.

RELATED: The Porsche 911 Outsold a Practical BMW SUV This Year

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