Got a little cash for upgrades... what should I do?

[thirdman]

I have a new-to-me Rustiva that is going to be my commuter machine. I've stripped out the tore up back seat, mangled plastics and stanky carpet. I've scrubbed it down and it is starting to look (and smell) like a car again. The paint is largely intact, but has lots of heat rash and parking lot scrapes. It is green-ish/teal-ish. Runs well. AC works. Tires are worn, but not worn out. Muffler is NOISY, windshield is slightly cracked, no stereo, stock everything. Tunes are provided by a small boombox on the passenger's seat.

Here is the question:

I have a couple hundred dollars to spend on some upgrades/tweaks/improvements. What should I get?
Disclaimer: no, I don't want to do the Aspire brake swap. No, I don't want to do an engine swap. I am severely lacking in mechanical ability, and I just don't want to fool around with all that. Maybe later, just not now.

Here is what I have been thinking about:
13" cheapo steel wheels and new, wider, lower profile tires
Window Tint (to help with HOT Austin commutes)
FMS springs and/or Struts
Bumpin' stereo
Cosmetics (replace cracked windshield and NOISY muffler)
Cheapo Maaco paint job
Other (please explain)
Nothin'.

What do you think?

[diablolightning]

tint, and windshield, if you have any left a radio

[cdp591]

do you have any pictures?

[MONSOON]

tint, and windshield, if you have any left a radio

Xs 2

[Damkid]

the stock suspensions sucks, i would upgrade that, and i'd add a stereo for sure :lol:

[getnpsi]

might as well take care of the windshield because its the law. then break the law with tint

[thirdman]

might as well take care of the windshield because its the law. then break the law with tint

I'm ok for the moment:

Windshield Condition (Part 393, Subpart D, Sections 393.60 - 393.63) A vehicle's windshield must be free of discoloration and cracks in the area extending from the top of thesteering wheel to within two inches of the top of the windshield.

I tried to do the self-tinting once, and it was horrible. Gave up half-way through the first window.

[spiko]

Other:

All of the above, in orderly fashion.

[JPT]

If the windshield is good for now, I'd fix the loud exhaust. Once it's quiet, then install a nice stereo system.

[Aaronbrook37]

Fix windshield and exhaust
Suspension - Struts, Springs, Aspire Swap
Wheels and Tires
Window Tint
Stereo
Paintjob

[V8Festiva]

Get a muffler and maybe the tint. I did on a driver and made it much more fun to drive.

Dean

Raleigh, NC

[thirdman]

Wise words from a bunch of wiseguys.

I re-examined my windshield, and it is pretty bad. Tint is really going to help with heat and looks, and my muffler is just stoopid sounding. So the wieners are: windshield, tint and muffler!

Thanks for playing!

[FestivaWilliam08]

tint, and windshield, if you have any left a radio

Sounds like me right here lol :p

[25Horseplay]

I would fix any drivability problems first. (windshield, exhaust) then start on improvements.

[christinalynnkalix]

Good luck with your repairs. If you have an ipod or itouch instead of replacing the stereo, get the cable that runs from your i-whatever and plugs into the cigarette lighter. It'll play your favorites from your i-whatever on your stereo. Its great and better than free radio and satellite radio!! Thats what we do.