Tuning is a complicated and fairly expensive hobby. Some people just hand their ride over to a mod shop, where all the upgrades are done by professionals. For those of us who either don't have that kind of money or simply prefer to be in control of the results, most upgrades can also be applied in your home garage.

The challenge is not only to tune your ride but also to make sure that it complies with all local and state-level rules and regulations concerning road safety. If you get caught with any illegal mods, it can get really expensive really fast.

For example, neon headlights or windows darkened over 90 percent are banned in many states. Before you start to pimp your ride, make sure to read up on the rules and regulations governing car tuning in your state. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) are good places to start your research.