Hello everyone!

First of all I want to apologize if this is the wrong section to ask this in so please don't get mad. I'm still relatively new so please be kind. I recently purchased my 2003 350z Enthusiast about six months ago and I'm absolutely loving it. This is the first car I've purchased myself without needing any support from my family and I don't regret a single thing.

So now for the reason I'm making this post in the first place. I'm currently a broke college student. While I'm not living paycheck to paycheck money is still tight so I'm trying to save money where I can while still getting quality parts. I've been talking with a few members in the marketplace and that's allowed me to purchase parts used which has saved me a good amount of money rather than buying brand new.

However, as my car is reaching its way back to stock (previous owner was not nice to the old girl) and I'm starting to face a new issue. I'd like to get into the showcar world, and to do so I feel like the used parts just aren't going to cut it anymore. Especially since in the future I'd like to go widebody which no one, as far as I could find, is really selling other than vendors. This has caused me to question whether on not it was possible for me to get some kind of sponsorship deal to help manage the cost of parts. I understand that nothing in this world is free so I'm not looking for handouts. I'm simply asking how possible it is for me to land some kind of partnership that would allow me to get better deals on parts.

I'd really like the opinion of those who've been or are currently sponsored by a company. I have a few specific questions I'd like to get the answers to if at all possible.

1. Would you recommend becoming sponsored based off your experience with sponsorships?
2. How hard would it be to get sponsored while still working a full time job or while still in school?
3. Are there better options than getting sponsored?
4. Knowing what you know now about sponsorships would you change or do anything different. If you would what would you change or do differently?

I'd just like to end this post by reiterating that I'm not looking for free parts. I understand that the companies producing the parts and their vendors need to make money. I'm simply looking for the best solution to get my car looking the way I'd like and hopefully get a foot in the door to the show car scene. Any and all advice is wanted, so thank you to all of you who reply. I just want to make my car mine.

Thank you!

 

Why would a company sponsor you when they can sponsor a much nicer car?

Why sponsor you when they can sponsor a much better driver?

 

Save money while getting quality parts? Come on guy, you gotta pay to play. Unless you start winning pro/am drift events with your car in its stock form (highly unlikely), you might want to give up this being sponsored idea. Finish school, be smart with your money, and enjoy your car for what it is. It's more than enough car for a college student... trust me

 

y'all killed his hopes and dreams..... reality sucks sometimes

 

I can't get sponsored... But follow my build page!

Btw don't do school and build a car at the same time. Just wait man, people aren't going to give you money. Most of the guys you see that are sponsored have already spent tens of thousands and their sponsorship was iceing on the cake.

 

My hopes and dreams are far from killed haha.

I saw this earlier today and it looks really good man.

My build will still happen just at a slower rate. I just wanted to make this post to get the opinion of others in the community.

 

The "Poster Man" for this platform is Brian, wildly successful and uber connected w all things JDM. Hit him up via pm, perhaps he can help.
bmccan101.
gl!

 

Second this, PM Bmccan he knows how to get free $20k+ just from sponsors to BUILD your car!

 

Like yourself, I'm also a college student. I've put all my money into my Z and am living that unemployed/broke college life.

Sometimes I wish I had the money to get more parts for my Z but, trust me, the more you get... the more it's not enough.

I feel that the best route to take is to take care of your car the best you can now and after you're done with school and have found a job that pays well, you can pursue your dreams. Just make some goals for your car that you will be able to achieve in the future. Live those goals! BREATHE THOSE GOALS! BE THOSE ****ING GOALS! That's what I do and it keeps me motivated to work hard in school and gives me something to look forward to with my Z in the future.

Good luck!

 

Bmccann101 didn't become an overnight sponsorship success, I was there at his humble chrome beginnings.

@ OP: Only way you're going to get sponsored is if a company sees any ROI potential. Sometimes we have new smaller companies coming out with a new front bumper or part and need a test mule, you might get a small discount which they'll call sponsorship. You up your chances if you have photography skills and take some awesome pics they can use for ads. Even better if you also have a very large following. It would be easier for most companies just to contact someone like Bmccann101 with all the show, advertisement, insider connections, and industry know how ready to go.

 

Build car, win show, get sponsors , replace parts with free or discounted parts, sell old parts.

 

Sorry to break your heart but forget all about it and never look back.

For one, this is one of the first thing every kid or guy wants when they get a new car they want to make look good but can't realistically afford to do it. Everyone wants free parts but no one is willing to put the time or effort to get them. They don't just hand out parts or no one would buy their stuff. It's not like F&F with Dom.

Second, sponsorships aren't just hey we like your car, here is parts. Usually it requires a contract which binds you into keeping the car show ready at all times, constantly updating the car to stay ahead of everyone else and or required to hit X amount of events per month/year.

One of my buddies had one of the lowest static Lexus GS show cars in the US that was all over mags because he daily drove it. He was featured in mag covers around the world and everything constantly. And he still bought all of his parts. People use to beg him to use their stickers for clubs and parts but no one handed out parts or checks for him even with the mag features, and show wins. He also did it from pride and joy not for money.


90% of the cars you see that are "sponsored" aren't like what you probably think, again the few who get parts or money are under heavy contract or basically are advertising puppets, the other half are wanna-bes who just slap stickers on their rides for looks. Or either own their own shop, know someone who owns a shop and still probably just gives them a tiny tinny discount at their store or shop or free service but still have to pay for parts.

Hell even full fledged race teams with full car sponsors don't get free parts. The race teams in nascar, F1, Indy, NHRA ect ect all the big dogs who actually are fully sponsored have to buy their own parts out of either the teams, owners or drivers bank accounts, dependent on how the teams run of course but even those guys don't get all free stuff. Maybe tires and other random things but again they also have major contracts and obligations and get actual TV time and still have to beg or negotiate for sponsors.


So not to be mean, but why would they? Why should they hand out parts to any random kid with a beater and some dreams. It's a business not a charity.

Not trying to be a di** but it's not ganna happen. Sorry kid. Just go to school, get a good job, drive a beater and fix and pay for it your self and enjoy it. Then when you start making good money, go wild and live up to your dreams.


Either way GL. We all gatta start some where. I know I did and had to sell off and never even got to start a couple prime project are because I was in your same exact situation. Big dreams, no money. It will all come in good time.

 

I never said I wanted free parts. I even said multiple times that I wasn't looking for free parts and that I understand that companies don't give out free parts. I understand that I still need to purchase my own parts, I was simply looking for advice.

 

I want to thank all my sponsors for getting me this far. Paycheck, you have been great to me for many years. I hope we continue our partnership. Debit card, weve had our differences, but in the end, you still got me the parts i needed. And mostly, my hard work, for which none of this wouldve been possible.

 

you can be sponsored by Master card or American Express. both will allow you to buy parts now with no money down.

 

Keep in mind... you have to spend BIG money for these sponsors to even notice you in the first place... and you have to be active in the social media world (ie. instagram) and have a huge following for sponsors to give you a reason to rep their products. It's a lot of work. A lot of cars at shows aren't even sponsored.

I'm a recent graduate and had similar aspirations... I was lucky to have parents pay for the downpayment on my first Z and I took over the payments in college (paid off last year and sold it). I was working basically full time as a DJ on campus and made pretty decent money. One of my first purchases for the Z was a carbon fiber lip for $500... One week after installation, it cracked pretty bad and I wasn't even sure how... I wasn't even lowered!

So I ended up taking off the lip and I was back to square one with $500 down the drain... Reality sunk in and I realized I couldn't afford to live the "showcar" lifestyle lol.

You're in a position where your priorities should be school and landing a job. It's okay to dream but in the meantime, just maintain your Z... keyword: MAINTAIN. And try to keep the paint as clean as possible! Once you land that big boy job, you can start thinking about how you want to build your Z.

My second Z is nowhere close to show-quality but it's enough to turn some heads at meets and on the street. Nothing more. It's just a 5AT HR with bolt-ons, suspension, and rep wheels lol... Even after getting my first job I realized how expensive it is to even get my car to this point. I'm just modding it for my own satisfaction without sacrificing reliability (still my daily) and breaking the bank... call me ricer or whatever lol. I can't imagine going through the stress to have a show car... so props to those who are into it.

But I'd like to thank my job, Christmas gifts, tax returns, and occasionally my credit card for getting me to this point

 

You literally are asking for handouts. You're not special, none of us are special. You've done nothing to warrant nor deserve a sponsorship. You don't have a history of building "showcase" cars that can bring in business. You don't drive on a track, your performance being witnessed by thousands. If I were a company, I wouldn't even give you free shipping. Not trying to be rude, just realistic. Save up, buy quality parts. You don't have to build a car overnight.

 

But everyone is special. That's why they get participation awards for everything. It's not fair that someone who worked harder should get a trophy or reward for their hard work. It's just not fair!!!!