When I spot a car that looks like it's going to try and start something, the tires are the first thing I look for. I always laugh when someone thinks their Honda is fast and they are running 3" wide all seasons in the front. Then it's like ok even if you aren't a ricer and even if you DO have something good under the hood, it's still not going to matter.
You have to look for the things that AREN'T fun to waste money on and are only there because they are needed. Seriously who blows money on 300 series drags and a sumped fuel tank that are neither bling nor make the car go faster or sound better? They are there for a reason. I don't care how many boost and AFR gauges you have on your A pillar, it means nothing when you're running stock skinny rock hard economy tires.