Whats the best purchase you made under $1000 and why?
It really is hard to say, I have a list full… but I would have to say my Hypertherm plasma cutter. By not eating cut off wheels I bet its already paid for! Cuts metal like butter, isnt spinning at 50000rpms waiting to take a finger off or put an eye out, cutting speed and the ability to cut any shape out under the sun.
this helmet
reason : my head is worth buying an Arai over the cheaper alternatives.
Condoms
my girlfriend
This
Actually cost 1500, but came with 500 worth of parts…
With a little work.
That is not automotive related. My condoms were used in the car hence being automotive related
Of all the parts I ever bought for my car(s)…I’d have to say the retrofit headlights I had on the Maxima were the best thing I ever bought for under $1000. My M has a nice projector, but it is day and night compared to the TL projector with the ZKW replica lense. I had like 8 lanes worth of light and most of the lanes (like 4 or 5) lit up more than half a mile down the road. Night safety FTW.
Lift, and plasma cutter as well. SUPER handy.
The rage Guy sticker on my truck!
ipod
The winch setup for my trailer/ the trailer. Best investment ever.
Valentine 1… hands down. Have had it for two years, I can’t imagine how many tickets I would have gotten without it.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label. K20a2 head for the car though.
Need to look into these when I get my next project…
Tons of things. I really can’t narrow it down to one.
Helmet
Brake calipers/pads/lines/fluid
Track time
Tires
Tuning
The list goes on, but that’s the best I can narrow it down.
My moto Droid
My magnaflow catback.(fitment was tits)
Dyno tune @ moon picked up 31 WTQ as the car was.
My Speedglas 9000 HWR. Got 50% off 3m products when we won the regional Biker Mag shows with the chopper and got invited to the finale in Indiana. Came to just under a grand with that sweet deal. Retails about $1800 typically.
Best thing I’ve bought for under a grand for sure as it keeps my lungs happy when welding 
i make her clean and wax my shit, thats automotive
My first Civic. $500 One owner, seafoam green, 92 LX 4dr. Car I learned to drive stick in. Still have the window sticker with the 11k retail. Loved that car.
On my truck Im thinking either the $150 wheels that replaced the hideous chrome factory wheels on it or the $80 tonneau cover that keeps the bed dry and makes the truck get 1 mpg more than it did without it.
On the car Id have to say the 5 speed swap since it makes driving the car on the street alot more fun than with the automatic although I cant drag race it to save my life.