This is a interesting question, one that I've always wondered myself. See I figured most guys are in car clubs, & those guys have good-sized discounts on parts. Now me, I plan to start modding the car, but I use my Taxes to propel me towards having one free check per month.

That free check should take care of at least one mod per month, or Down payments on mods( I.E the roughly $700-ish you need to put down at Sprayglo to have them paint your car).

Now my car club leader works at a collision shop, so body work,& paint can be done by him there. I'm going to Sprayglo because I wanna get something...interesting. lol

Now the best advise I can offer is this. Leaarn your car, then goto websites that specifically deal with your particular car. That way you can see what others have done, & find out how much it cost them, & if they can help/hook you up.

Like I have a 00 Celica, so I was sent to a all celica site, got a hookup with powdercoater, headporter,& very detailed info on boosting the car safely, & good estimate on pricing. That allowed me to better formulate a strategy on what/how I wanted my car to look/perform.....Vegeta