Make: Fiat

Model: 500 Sport

Year: 2015

Mileage: 40,000

Horsepower: 168

Mods: The first tweaks were mostly cosmetic. Some parts on the car that were chrome have been wrapped in carbon fiber. She is going for a red and black color scheme. Since the car is a sport package, it comes with black rims, red callipers and black interior. She has added blacked-out taillights with deflectors. She has added decals on the car that are mostly from her sponsors, such as Top Label, SoScare, Sickspeed and Exclusive. She also has her car group name on it, which is “Take-Out Crew.” Additionally, there are under-dash LEDs, a new sound system with new speakers, and a new radio. The shift boot also has been changed out with a galaxy-themed boot installed. The only under-the-hood mod that has been made is a cool-air intake, but there is definitely more to come.

Future Mods: There will be new suspension added to the car with a 2.5 drop. Mahavir wants to get a short shifter and add an extension on it with a new shift knob. She would like to use a diamond-shaped knob. A galaxy headliner will be fitted in to match the galaxy boot, and tiny LEDs will be installed on the headliner as well. Halo eyes in the headlights also are on the list with a deep yellow overlay on top. Down the road, she would also like to install a custom turbo and get the car tuned. Spiked lug nuts also are planned along with a new exhaust and a go pedal.

Background: “I drive a lot, so I needed something that was good on gas, and I also wanted to modify it,” says Mahavir. She feels as though not a lot of people modify the Fiat drastically. She was going to get a Mustang, but it wouldn’t have been as efficient on gas and maintenance. Her first car was a 2001 Mini Cooper. Afterwards, she swapped it out for a green 2012 Fiat that was a base model. After awhile, she felt as if the green Fiat did not suit her well. Mahavir claims it was too innocent-looking. She ended up trading it with her current Fiat.

“I’ve always been into cars since I was a little kid.” she claims. The only person in her family who had much influence on her interest would have to be her uncle. They used to go to car shows together when she was little. Besides that, gravitating toward the car culture was mostly a natural tendency for her. Classic muscle cars have always been her favorite. “I’ve always wanted to take a classic car and make it run like new but keep it looking original.” She would modify the engine and suspension, but keep the original look and feel of the classic vehicle.

Mahavir is currently attending Universal Technical Institute as a full-time student to pursue her goal of becoming a car designer. She also attends Valencia College and is majoring in mechanical aerospace engineering. When asked the question with which car she first got her hands dirty, she answered in a smile, “Actually it wasn’t a car, it was a scooter – I made it go faster.” Mahavir purchased an electric scooter, like a moped, and went to work on it. She messed with the air intake and put a new carburetor on it. A new ECU was inserted. For the electrical aspect, she looked online, but most of it was self-explanatory for her. She also bought a non-working motorcycle; she redid the wiring, changed the battery and sold it for more than what she spent.

As for her Fiat, she intends on putting the elbow grease into it. “I want it to be the most badass Fiat anyone has ever seen.”