Hi all, this is the first car that I've owned that i'm interested in modifying (08 MCS). I'm not looking to make it a race car but just enough to make it fun and stand out of the crowd. I'm a college kid and don't really have the spare cash, was wondering if there's a good time of the year to buy parts. (considering there's not much used in my area) Do any of these websites have discounts near the end of the year or black Friday ect? Do the prices ever change?

 

most run an e-mail mailing list and run specials regularly

will they offer what you are looking for?????

example

near the top of OUTMOTORING.COM page

Sign up here for MINI Newsletters. Get Monthly discount codes!

others list their monthly specials routinely, WAY puts 'em right on the first page ....

http://waymotorworks.com/

 

Well, this can be a whole can of worms... Best time to buy?

When it is on SALE (great for things you know you will need, not so good for things you may never need or use).

When the replacement of one part will lead to the prevention of a major issue from happening.


But for a limited budget I would say make you list of things you want, prioritize it, then keep your eye on the sales and flyers. Also keep checking the Market Place listings, it great to re-purpose used parts.

Best of luck.

Motor On!

 

I'm going there.

Then don't buy parts. You are driving a relatively new car as a cash strapped college student. You're already in a position where repairs and replacement are more costly. Don't spend money you don't have, save the money you do have for emergencies or when you graduate and need to get yourself established.

 

We have some sales coming up soon for the black Friday/holiday time. You can sign up your email on our site. We will have more info soon on whats going on sale. Just keep a heads up on vendor announcement on this forum. We just had a sale on genuine which does not happen often. I would say coming up is the best time as most aftermarket and performance parts only go on sale once a year and now is the time. Other then that Spring time is the second largest I would say.

 

I wouldn't call an 08 MCS "relatively new", it's ~10 years old and based on the unsolicited trade-in offer letter I got in the mail for my 2012 MCS, it was probably a relatively inexpensive purchase. That said, I have to agree with the rest of what Derek86 said. I remember being a poor college student and barely able to afford a car, working on it myself just to keep the damn thing running. You may have some expensive maintenance items ahead of you, budget and plan for it. Forget about cosmetic modifications. Only think about functional modifications once you have done the work to make sure you have a reliable car to start with.

1) visit the Gen2 forums, check out the FAQ and the Stock Problems/Issues sections to understand what maintenance items to make sure you have checked and addressed as necessary. First priority is to keep the car functional. You didn't say how many miles are on the car or what condition it is in, but tires, brakes, battery, carbon blasting, HPFP, vacuum pump, etc. all may need attention/replacement in the near future.

2) Next, check out the FAQ thread and Gen2 Modifications section to understand possible mods for your car. Some are inexpensive, others not.

3) Then do as suggested above - watch the Marketplace, check out the NAM vendors for sales, and be patient.

 

 

I guess it's a matter of perspective. It's way nicer and newer than anything I drove until I had been working after college for 4 or 5 years.


I'll up the ante from "you should buy used car parts" to "you should only buy parts if you can somehow not spend any money on the acquisition of parts." It's possible, but it's not easy.

 

Let's lighten up on the new guy - sheesh, I have become my parents. "Be responsible! Think of your future!" I remember when I was in college, I could barely afford gas, one time I dropped my date off and then ran out of gas a few hundred yards later. I had to walk home, at least she didn't. Oh, to be young again.

Triumph442, what kind of mods did you have in mind?

 

Tell me about it man, these Progressive commercials are hitting pretty close to home.


When I was in college I had a 91 K1500 that I patched the frame about 5 times for state inspection and still managed to buy tires that were big and knobby that I didn't need to spend the money on.

 

Outmotoring has a good sale now. Use code bk2017.

 

Here are some sale info coming up and some sales right now:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...sale-ever.html

 

Cyber Monday is up.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4347977

 

Have a game plan on what stuff you want to do first. I bought almost everything on my car from Mario. His call tag is Mariokart on this website. He gave me a better price than anyone out there. He’s a dealer for almost everything out there as well

 

The answer is yes

Its always a good time to buy parts.