Most college students cannot afford to spend money on their cars, but there are a handful of enthusiasts who put caution to the wind and will stop at nothing to have the best of the best for their ride.

By modifying the exterior to turn heads at every stop light or putting in a stereo system that can be heard from blocks away, NIU students have customized their cars to achieve a pimped-out look.

“The hottest new thing in the industry right now is satellite radio. The average customer is usually looking for a better stereo system,” said Michael Grossmann,owner of Urban Tanks Custom Vehicle Outfitters, 436 E. Lincoln Highway.

However, cars are becoming harder to customize as manufacturers try to put the kabash on after market work.

“Brand new Monte Carlos make it impossible to remove the radio. We have to run the new radio through the trunk, and it’s a lot more work. Sometimes you can’t modify [the car] because of the warranty,” Grossmann said.

Breaking a stereotype which says only men modify their cards, women are also interested in the auto world.

“I joined a car club when I first got my car. Seeing everyone else’s car made me want to do it. When I raced it took my mind off everything else, and I got hooked on it. I’m a girl and no girls do car shows. I wanted to be different and stand out,” said Jennifer Kopchik, a freshman business and textiles apparel merchandising double major.

Kopchik owns a 2002 Acura RSX, which she has spent over $5,000 modifying.

She participates in auto cross, which is described as go-kart racing with cars, and car shows with the club she belongs to, Club RSX.

While some car buffs prefer to make their interior spectacular, others concentrate on enhancing the performance of their car.

“On a budget, exhaust and tires are a start. A lot of people lower the suspension which gives them better handling. Someone can take a $10,000 car and make it as fast as a Ferrari if they have the money to do so,” said Grossmann.

Dan Charmelo, a junior business administration major, has spent over $15,000 on his 1992 Honda Civic CX. The modifications he has done on his car are mostly performance-based. His car is a variable hodge-podge of other cars parts that combine to increase the power of his car.

“Everything on the car was built new from the ground up. It’s extremely fast,” said Charmelo.

With the success of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” more people are noticing their car could use a little customization.

“The market has broadened. It’s always been popular, but now people see what’s available more. Soccer moms come in for DVD or navigation systems” Grossmann said.

The popularity of “Pimp My Ride” has also swept DeKalb. Local business Urban Tanks Custom Vehicle Outfitters is holding a contest to give away a $2,000 stereo system in a drawing that they are calling “NIU Pimp My Ride.”