The rule of effective car tuning and styling in my eyes "Subtly is the key".
Everyone has their own opinion but personally (and I know a lot of people think the same) the more brash the revamp, the more tacky it can look. I have personally witnessed fourteen year old cars having literally thousands of pounds spent on tacky body kits, loud exhaust systems, spoilers that can could slow down a jumbo jet, and I ask myself why?
Unless your car is on the TV show 'Pimp My Ride', chances are it will look the same way. What I am saying here is that obviously not all expensive modifications look tacky - not at all but there are people out there who could have transformed that car into literally a new car. Subtly is the best way, it presents class, style, and brings an air of professionalism to a car rather than someone who is trying to show off. Some one who applies subtle changes to their car often makes it look more stylish and aesthetically pleasing to them and anyone who comes into contact in it.
There are 2 types of car tuning - interior and exterior. By interior I mean engines, brakes, suspensions, and by exterior I'm talking body kits, headlights, spoilers, which could also be classed as styling.
Having a very subtle spoiler, slick sills, angel headlights, windows slightly tinted can literally transform a car and elevate to a new level and these are only minor changes. This is what I believe is the most effective type of car tuning and styling not just for the sake of cost but also appearance, so in a way less is more from that perspective.
On the engine front, well they can always do a remap - that way they can not only preserve the life the engine but enjoy noticeable power, torque, responsiveness and flexibility without it impacting on their fuel consumption which is a real plus point especially in this economy with sky high oil prices.
The latter could be a factor in why the demand of remapping has increased as people do not want to splash out on a new car thus tune it up to make it last longer and more enjoyable to drive.