The First 5 Cheap Mods You Should Do To Your Car
So, you’ve just picked up your first car. Maybe it’s bone stock, maybe it’s got a few quirks, or maybe you’re just itching to make it your own. The big question now is: where do you start?
If you’ve been watching car content online or following car pages, you’ve probably seen endless recommendations about coilovers, wheels, and turbo kits. While those are great in the long term, they’re not always ideal (or affordable) when you’re just getting started. What you really need are mods that are affordable, effective, and fun—things that get you excited about driving while teaching you more about how your car works. These cheap first car mods are muffler delete, sway bars, short throw shifter, LED lights and cold air intake.
This list covers more in-depth these five beginner-friendly car modifications that give you the best bang for your buck, improve your connection with your car, and—most importantly—help you enjoy the experience of driving your favorite car.
Note: These aren’t necessarily the most expensive or performance-heavy mods—but they are the most fun, accessible, and educational for newcomers. They’ll give you a great introduction to car modification without breaking the bank.
1. Muffler Delete – Better Sound
Picture this: it’s Saturday night, you’re driving through the hills with your friends, pushing your car harder than ever—but you can barely hear the engine. That’s where a muffler delete comes in.
As the name suggests, a muffler delete involves removing the muffler from your exhaust system, often resulting in a louder, more aggressive sound. While aftermarket exhaust systems can cost a fortune, a muffler delete is an affordable and reversible way to start playing with your car’s sound profile.
Muffler delete can be done on multiple cars. Even a Camry can sound incredible. Try it out. It’s quick (can be done in under 10 minutes), it’s cheap, muffle can be installed back and you’ll learn a ton about your car’s exhaust system in the process.
2. Sway Bars – Transform Handling
After sound, the next thing most drivers notice is handling—and sway bars are one of the most underrated ways to improve it.
Sway bars (or anti-roll bars) reduce body roll during cornering by stiffening the connection between your suspension components. Stock sway bars tend to be soft to prioritize comfort, but aftermarket sway bars offer a more planted, responsive driving feel.
They’re relatively inexpensive and easy to install (usually just a few bolts), and they can dramatically improve how your car behaves on twisty roads or the track. Pair them with coilovers or lowering springs, and you’ll feel like you’re driving a whole new car.
3. Short Throw Shifter – For Manual Drivers
This one’s for the manual transmission drivers out there. If you’ve ever felt like your gear shifts are long, vague, or just not satisfying, a short throw shifter is the answer.
A short throw shifter reduces the distance your hand has to move between gears, resulting in quicker, more precise shifts. It also gives a much tighter, sportier feel to your driving experience — something every manual car driver can appreciate.
These shifters are generally affordable and can often be installed without removing the transmission, depending on your car’s design. It’s a small mod that makes a huge difference in how connected you feel to your vehicle.
4. LED Lighting – Small Change, Big Impact
Upgrading your car’s lighting might not seem like a performance mod, but it can dramatically change both form and function.
Swapping out stock halogen or xenon headlights for LED headlights, taillights, and interior lights improves visibility, gives your car a modern look, and enhances safety during night driving. You can choose between various color temperatures (like 5000K for white or 8000K for a bluish hue) depending on the look you’re going for.
Just make sure to buy a quality set — cheap LEDs can scatter light poorly or blind other drivers. Still, a good LED upgrade is simple, cost-effective, and one of the easiest DIY mods out there.
5. Pod Filter (Cold Air Intake) – For That Induction Sound
Now for something a little more controversial: the pod filter or aftermarket intake. These are often debated for their performance benefits, but if you’re looking for an aggressive engine sound, this mod delivers.
When I installed a pod filter and short ram intake on my Camry, the sound was louder and more satisfying than the aftermarket exhaust. It transformed the car’s character. Performance gains? Maybe. Fuel economy? Possibly worse. But the induction sound alone made it worthwhile.
While results vary depending on your car, the installation is simple, and you’ll learn a lot about how your engine breathes. Just be aware that cheaper setups can sometimes decrease performance if poorly designed.
