This thread is NOT to start controversy just to see people's LOGICAL explanations of why they feel the way they do about certain car modifications.


Some that come to my mind:

Kaaz sport grille for 2gs - Many bash it because it reminds them of an E-class Mercedes

Halo rings for headlight retrofits - Many bash it because it reminds them of BMW

Various stickers - Many bash it because they say that it looks too "ricerish"; Honda etc

...and a BUNCH more that I have read in the past years here.


My question is that if you DIDN'T KNOW what car originally had that style and you liked it then why wouldn't you rock it on your car? Is it that you might be afraid that people MIGHT call you a poser or you want to secretly own a Mercedes or BMW...lol. Why not have the BEST of both worlds? If done tastefully and you like it then why would it matter?

Say you LOVED everything about your current ride but just the tail lights are hideous or something else you could do without. Then you find out, THAT very something is available aftermarket for your car but the part itself resembles a part on a different Make of car...why would this stop you from getting it? I believe car modification is an art and people need to stop being so narrow-minded when it comes to modding...if it's not one's taste then that's a different story but if it merely has ONLY to do with because it's on another car than I think that's a poor excuse.

I would just like to hear some of your thoughts on this topic. Thanks!

 

It can be quite down the line really. Some people are brand purist; they don't want any German trademarks going on their JDM vehicle. While I've known quite a few people to put Halos on their Lexuses and had good reaction from it.

I guess it all comes down to being tasteful or if it looks off. If it goes with the car's theme, then sure, sticker away!

 

"Whatever floats your boat..."


If it makes you happy, do it. Just don't get mad if we snicker and giggle a little bit at you...

 

^ ^ +1...Modding is all about individual taste and your vision for the car. It's your car and your car is a statement about your style. As long as you like it you can't really be too concerned with other's opinions good or bad.

 

IMO, the people that pick mods based on what everyone else says are generally not fully accepting of themselves.

I tend to do what ever I want and if you want to make fun of me for it, go right ahead, I don't really care.

It's like people who caved to peer pressure in high school, I never really got that argument, but I also wasn't in the 'in' croud (they never seemed to be all that bright)

 

OK.....I'll give you some logical ones.

First, although you might get away with small changes/modifications in wheels/tires, I'd avoid any major ones, especially if it substantially affect the tire's outside rolling diameter. The reason? In most cases, not only is the original suspension designed for the stock tires/wheels (although some times crappy tires are used to cut costs), but larger-than-standard tire-rolling diameters can cause the speedometer and odometer to read too low because the tires are rotating slower then they were designed to. Small differences don't mean much, but substantial ones can lead to more speeding tickets, and, if the odometer is off significantly, it can void the warranty and is also illegal in some cases because it alters the car's actual mileage.

Second, you can use some aftermarket engine/exhaust parts if you want (K/N filters, Thrush mufflers, etc...), but I'd avoid aftermarket computer-chips. Some guys think they're beating the system, and getting more power, using them, but they are, in some cases, placing more stress on the engine parts than they were designed for, voiding the engine/powertrain warranty, and possibly affecting the emissions level, which could be a Federal/EPA or state violation.

 

Only within certain limits....see my post above.

 

Its clear that most vehicles/mods are not original and most borrow from one another. When a mold is broken by one brand it does seem to trickle to others, especially anything Euro. Lexus has influenced as well from Altezzas to LED plate frames....

I think the main thing is not over doing it and making it all fit and look good. I've seen Halo's on Lexus in person and in most applications it looks good. Sure its from BMW but that is up to the owner.

In some cases though bad trends can start. I painted my stock calipers red as a newb b/c I liked them on Porsche (and Manaray ripped me a new one ).

So education is vital as well.

As Phil said, hey you are paying for it so rock what your money is buying.

 

Many of us play it safe and "borrow" from one another weather its ideas or mods, As a somewhat older crowd here including myself, we tend to not think what others say and have our own style of modding. The younger modders feed off one another and don't want to steer off choosing a mod that no one else has because there afraid of being different and not in the "in crowd" or get made fun of.

 

^^ ahm 32 is not old!!!!

 

^ lol, well that's good to know because I am only 30! I'd like to think I am still young.

 

lol, I'm 24 and I think I'm old

 

I guess i was comparing ages with the younger members as they are early 20's.. 33 in April... still young LOL..

 

Wait....wait....maybe that explains my changes I'm over 30, I'm old now!

 

I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy older than 30, not that it matters. And I do like some tastefully done mods.