GTA 6 Car Customization — Rideout Customs, Mod Shops & Tuning Guide

Vehicle customization has been a cornerstone of the Grand Theft Auto experience since San Andreas, but GTA 6 is preparing to take this feature to a level previously only seen in dedicated racing simulators. The streets of Vice City and the wider Leonida state are heavily influenced by modern car culture, encompassing everything from elite supercar clubs to underground street racing and lifted truck meetups.

Based on official footage, industry leaks, and deep analysis of the Extended Look gameplay, we can confirm that the customization suite in GTA 6 is staggering in its depth and variety. Here is everything you need to know about modding your ride in Leonida.

Enter Rideout Customs

Move over Los Santos Customs; the new king of the garage is Rideout Customs. This new chain of modification shops serves as the primary hub for all your automotive tweaking needs. Rideout Customs appears to be a more modern, lifestyle-oriented brand compared to previous iterations, reflecting the massive popularity of high-end modification shops popularized by social media and YouTube car culture.

We’ve identified several Rideout Customs locations across the map, ranging from sleek, high-tech facilities in downtown Vice City catering to exotic supercars, to gritty, industrial garages in the sprawling suburbs focusing on muscle cars and tuners.

The Return of Pay & Spray?

Interestingly, alongside Rideout Customs, classic Pay & Spray locations have been spotted in older, more dilapidated areas of the map. It appears these locations serve a different purpose than they used to. Rather than offering full customization, Pay & Sprays seem to act as quick, cheap heat-reduction spots. They might lack the performance and visual upgrades of a Rideout Customs, but if you need to lose a 4-star wanted level on a budget, they will be your best friend.

Deep Performance Tuning

Performance tuning in GTA 6 goes far beyond the simple “Engine Level 1-4” upgrades of previous games. The new system is vastly more granular, affecting vehicle physics in profound ways.

Engine and Drivetrain

Players can now significantly alter the heart of their vehicles. We’ve seen evidence of forced induction choices—superchargers that provide immediate low-end torque versus turbochargers that require spooling for massive top-end power. You can even hear the distinct auditory differences between blow-off valves and supercharger whine in the gameplay footage.

Transmission upgrades now affect shift times noticeably, and suspension tuning goes beyond just lowering the car; you can adjust camber, stiffness, and ride height independently, drastically changing how a vehicle handles around the sharp corners of Ocean Beach or the dirt tracks of the Gator Keys.

The Introduction of Nitrous

Perhaps the most requested feature from the underground racing community has finally arrived: Nitrous Oxide is officially in GTA 6. This isn’t just a simple speed boost button; it’s a strategic resource. You must purchase bottles, decide on the shot size (which impacts engine durability), and manage your usage during races. The visual effect is spectacular, with aggressive exhaust flames and a visceral motion blur effect that truly conveys the sensation of sudden, terrifying acceleration.

Unprecedented Visual Modifications

If performance tuning is the brain of the customization system, visual modification is the soul. The level of detail you can apply to the exterior and interior of your vehicles is phenomenal.

Paint and Materials

The paint system has been completely overhauled utilizing Rockstar’s new RAGE engine rendering capabilities. Beyond standard matte, metallic, and pearlescent finishes, players can now apply complex multi-layer paints, including true color-shifting chameleons, exposed carbon fiber weaves, and highly reflective chromes that dynamically interact with Vice City’s neon-lit environments.

We have also seen evidence of a robust livery editor. While it remains to be seen if it allows for full custom vector creation like some racing games, the sheer volume of pre-made, high-quality liveries—ranging from professional racing sponsors to rusted, abandoned looks—is impressive.

Body Kits and Stance

The body modification options are extensive. Widebody kits are prominent, significantly altering the track width and stance of vehicles. You can swap out bumpers, hoods, side skirts, spoilers, and even smaller details like mirrors and tow hooks.

The “stance” community will be pleased to know that aggressive wheel fitment, extreme negative camber, and hydraulic or air suspension systems are fully implemented. You can hard-park your slammed sedan at a car meet and literally drop the frame to the pavement.

Interior Customization

For the first time in a mainline GTA game, interior customization is a major focus. Because the game features a highly detailed first-person view and advanced vehicle interactions, what’s inside matters. You can swap out steering wheels, install custom racing seats, add roll cages that actually stiffen the chassis, and even change the color of the digital dashboard displays and ambient interior lighting.

The Car Meet Culture

All of this customization feeds into a massive new social aspect of the game: dynamic car meets. Similar to the LS Car Meet in GTA Online, but seamlessly integrated into the single-player and multiplayer open world, these meets happen organically in parking garages, abandoned airfields, and beachside lots.

Bringing a highly customized, unique vehicle to these meets earns you respect and opens up new underground racing opportunities and specific automotive-related missions. Customization in GTA 6 is not just about making a fast car; it’s about building a reputation in the vibrant, dangerous, and incredibly detailed car culture of Leonida.