Someone Learn me somethin, I dont get it, Exterior styling trends have changed. Want to hear ur thoughts Options

[Lil-Joe101]

Back in the f&f days it was all about bright colors body kits, and down right complete body fabrication. But now Im seeing less n less kits and everyone is basicly doin the factory look, Why? I mean I understand its personal preference and cheaper (more affordable) but I mean what is so cool about it? Its boring if u ask me. To have a completely modified car, from exterior, interior, audio, and motor is what car building was about? Headlight taillight conversion, frankinstein body kits from other cars is so much more interesting because its different and leaves u guessing and wondering how, what, where, how long, ect. But most people look down and/or frown upon it, why? Can someone help me with this please? I really want to hear thoughts n opinions and whatever else ud like to donate to this.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 13, 2011 - 11:16 AM

[SwissFerdi]

Just a change of taste...subtlety can be sexy.

[Lil-Joe101]

Maybe Swiss, but there's no drive, no passion, personal style. Just boring factory parts. Why build a car if ur not gonna change everything? Its almost as if people are getting lazy or have no since of creativity, or imagination anymore. Like for instance SoundSlut's celica completely transformed but not to many people like the idea that it looks nothing like a celica anymore. I think its just awesome looking hands down cuz its completely different and original. Malpaso's pre-facelift bumper n 205 grill. Orginal, different, creative.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 13, 2011 - 11:03 AM

[SwissFerdi]

Both of the Celicas you mention are awesome. I'm personally in agreeance with the new style though, I'm going for sleek...

[Lil-Joe101]

Both of the Celicas you mention are awesome. I'm personally in agreeance with the new style though, I'm going for sleek...

Well there's someone thoughts. Anyone else? I wanna here more opinions, thoughts, and feelings.

[njccmd2002]

1. Im getting to old to drive an orange car, ( dont get me wrong, its a very nice car and looks)
2. Gets a lot of police attention
3. You are considered driving a cereal box car.

Those are very stupid reasons i know. Times change. Back in the days it looked cool, then all the people went to body kits in primer, just body kits and no engine mods, hence RICER.

Main reason now for me, not to call attention AKA Sleeper.

Its all in attention to detail. I have a body kit, but not to big. Im thinking of going spoilerless. Depends... Im more into HP than looks.

Its more of the JDM look, which is OEM for another country, yes its stupid, more of like having the options this country never got.

[95CelicaST]

Less is more.

The entire scene has shifted from attention to wild exterior modifications to more of a refined engineering level. The scene "grew up", if you will. People cramming motors into cars not designed for them, lots of suspension work, fitment, etc.

[Lil-Joe101]

1. Im getting to old to drive an orange car, ( dont get me wrong, its a very nice car and looks)
2. Gets a lot of police attention
3. You are considered driving a cereal box car.

Those are very stupid reasons i know. Times change. Back in the days it looked cool, then all the people went to body kits in primer, just body kits and no engine mods, hence RICER.

Main reason now for me, not to call attention AKA Sleeper.

Its all in attention to detail. I have a body kit, but not to big. Im thinking of going spoilerless. Depends... Im more into HP than looks.

Its more of the JDM look, which is OEM for another country, yes its stupid, more of like having the options this country never got.

Its funny because After living in Japan for four years I lived everyday jdm. N japanese are all about body kits that its rediculous. Hell japanese dont even drive hondas or skylines. Its all about s13, 14, n 15, Hachi Roku, Altezzas, rx-7, supra, and k-cars. The concerns are color, looks, n performance. Ive seen so many crazy kits, n colors it was like I fell into a bowl of fruity pebbles. Kinda makes u wonder if our idea of JDM is correct. From my 4 yrs of personal experience Id have to say no, lol.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 13, 2011 - 12:00 PM

[Lil-Joe101]

[quote name='95CelicaST' date='Oct 13, 2011 - 11:42 AM' post='936743']
Less is more.

The entire scene has shifted from attention to wild exterior modifications to more of a refined engineering level. The scene "grew up", if you will. People cramming motors into cars not designed for them, lots of suspension work, fitment, etc.
[/

Even with wut uve said 95CelicaST, I dont understand how that makes any sense? Apologize for my slowness, lol

[richee3]

I think it's all in the car you drive. Certain kinds of cars still go for body kits, but there aren't many good kits for a 6gc.

As has been said, it's all personal taste. I tend to agree with Ferdi. Subtlety is key. When I park my Celica next to another one, I want people to say they like mine better but can't figure out why. It's not bold and brash, just elegant.

[stephen_lee]

The big, hanging body kits look tacky to me. multicolor, racint stripes, stickers, clutter the look og the car. Its just not my taste. like loud exhaust. not my thing either. I want clean, smooth.

[Lil-Joe101]

Stephen n Richee u guys both bring up good points. To Richee Ive actually been thinking about designing and building body kits for our cars. Its actually pretty easy. N I could use some thoughts n ideas to help me out. Getting off track I'll PM u more on this.

[njccmd2002]

One thing to think about is the fact that a huge body kit is identified with a word RICER, no matter how much HP your car puts.

True tuners dont want to be called ricers, hence the change in styles.

its all about perspective.

Now a days a good set of rims, a good drop and nice (non orange peel) paint job....

[BonzaiCelica]

I'm all for function over the look. I was never into the whole Fast and Furious scene when it came out. And dont get me wrong there are some Japanese Body kits I'd love to have on my Celica. But with the price of them and probability of you finding those kits, your more likely to be struck by lightening twice in the same spot.

[Lil-Joe101]

Yeah and thats wut bores me. Its so plain and simple. Theres no work or creativity in that style. Like the builder is to Lazy to use his imagination and creativity. So wut if he is called a ricer as long as he's proud of wut he built and it shows. Like my car for example, when I bought it, it had a spoiler side skirts n rims. I went through and completely changed almost every part. From when I started to where Im at now has changed. And when I look at it Im proud that I did it all with my own hands. Its as if some people have no pride, they just want it done now with as little work done as possible. Im not referring this toward anyone and Im not speaking against or on anyones behalf. Different people have different tastes I know. Just thinking out loud really, thats all lol.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 13, 2011 - 2:44 PM

[malpaso]

Let me use one single example. Under car neon lights. 10years ago it was something what everyone must had on the car. Even I was dreaming about blue or red neons under my celi when I bought it in 2004. So it is not question of your age. Neons under the car was trendy, cool and... now wait for it FASHIONABLE! That is the point. After 10 years I do not know anyone who has this installed around... I even do not remember anyone I met on the streets for years... just because fashion (and taste of public) has changed. Because (and admit it) you want to wear clothes better to hear people say "you are looking good", "nice suit", etc... not "are you from another century or planet???", "your grandpa's favorite trousers, right?". With the car it is the same. Do you know what I mean? No? Can you imagine anyone wearing like this now?




But belive me in 80's it was real smash hit

[stephen_lee]

True. How good will you feel about something if EVERYONE but 2-3 ppl bash on you about it?

MANY less ppl will bash stock, and iif they do, tell them "its 100% OEM bro"

[Lil-Joe101]

Lol, leave it to malpaso to take a subject and make it understandable in the strangest ways.

True. How good will you feel about something if EVERYONE but 2-3 ppl bash on you about it?

MANY less ppl will bash stock, and iif they do, tell them "its 100% OEM bro"

I guess Im an OEM basher then, lol. Im not ashamed, I have a legit reason to be tho, lol

[stephen_lee]

to each his own eh?

and on a side note, where about in tx is killeen?

[Lil-Joe101]

to each his own eh?

and on a side note, where about in tx is killeen?

Right off of Veteran Memorial in Conder St. Right in front of conder park.

[stephen_lee]

I googled it. a little north of austin. I dont think you have made it to our texas meets?

[Rob_A]

Times change, fashions change, viewpoints change. That is just the way of life

If I were doing my celica again it wouldn't look the same this time round!

[kurt95gt]

I think some of it has to do with the fact that alot of the ppl that grew up watching f&f an that's what made them want an import are older now an don't have a need for the flashy cars that they through was super cool when they were young maybe im wrong but that's my opinion let's face it cars aren't even that way in f&f any more than guess it just show the change in time

[NYp8tBaller07]

I think its peoples opinions, I like a good body kit on some cars but not all cars. I think a big reason why people stray from kits is because they want function over fashion, kits whey the car down a bit and smash way too easily(had one on my 90 celica and hardly hit a bump and it cracked) You dont see kits on track cars(aside from wide body). Someone else brought up the point of cops following you, with my old car cops would follow me or scan my car when I was parked, now they dont and it makes me feel way better knowing im not bear bait, lol.

[trdproven]

its really how you pick and choose, some people are straight OEM, some are extreme aftermarket, some are mixing the two styles. Some are looking for a specific theme while some are not.

To each his own, some just add to their current style when trends come out or when they decide to add it. hellaflush, stickerbomb, rusted hoods, carbon fiber, wild body kits, LED tails, VIP, Mesh wheels, whatever it is.

I'm simple, keep it OEM as much as possible in terms of styling, only wheels are the difference. Aftermarket performance don't count cus theres no choice. this is just strictly styling wise.

[SwissFerdi]

I believe we all live in the 90's a bit - perhaps some of us are 90's kids, or others were fairly old already when the 90's came...point is, we're all driving 90's econoboxes (speaking per USDM). The F&F erupted in the 2000's, so let's take an Eclipse of such vintage, which I think is a fairly stereotypical "ricer" car (next to Civics). The market for that kind of vehicle is suited toward a F&F flavor, whereas our 90's aftermarket never carried such things. Instead, we have splitters and lips from the factory. Aftermarket kits and stuffs are available, but generally not desired by the community, and mechanical support isn't really there either.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Oct 13, 2011 - 10:14 PM

[CelicaSTX02]

Personally, I don't think you're seeing the real scene. True the trend is to go for a sleeker more subtle look, but that doesn't mean there's less creativity or ingenuity in making your car look like it came out of the factory. The big flashy shogun bodykits are a thing of the past, people are doing other style of bodykits now, just not those crazy veilside or erebuni type kits anymore. My other car is a vip-style Lexus LS400, and from what I've seen in the vip scene, which is growing, people are doing all kinds of crazy modifications. Every single aspect of the car is being modified. Custom bodykits is the norm, interior mods, I.C.E, decked out turbocharged engines, upgraded brakes, badass suspension, nothing is left untouched. You just gotta see outside the bubble you're in and you'll see that there's a lot of stuff going on that you didn't realize before.

[smkr3w]

Ultimately its YOUR own choice on what you do to YOUR car. However if you have limited selection or lack of knowledge on how to create, as well as possible limited money, there's only so much you can do. And EVERYONE, doesn't matter who you are, cares, even a little bit, about what others think of your car. I'm not saying any of it will change your own ideas, but its human nature to care what others think.

I, myself like clean, FLOWING body lines.. and picky about big body kits. In Joe's case, i like his car, his body kit matches all around, meaning in a profile shot his bumper and lip are of similar design and height, paint-matched, and work together. For me its when you see something like a car with an aftermarket front bumper, unpainted or primered, and no skirt, or rear add-on.

When it comes to s13's, s14's and the like, I think is all about the culture surrounding them, plus that the body lines for those cars are usually square and boxy, therefore bigger, gaudy kits fit well.

P.s. the feminine body lines of the 6g are what make it sexy and most kits compete with them instead of compliment them.

to each their own

[malpaso]

True. How good will you feel about something if EVERYONE but 2-3 ppl bash on you about it?

MANY less ppl will bash stock, and iif they do, tell them "its 100% OEM bro"

No no... it is not about laugh anyone has stock car or not. I just say any modification you make on car yield (I hope it is the right word) to fashion... to taste of public. And this changes all the time. That is why my example with neons. I do not say OEM look is bad. No... not at all. OEM look is simple way how stay timeless. No yield to fashion that changes every few years . And that is reason why peole keep OEM look and not making crazy modification anymore (IMO )

[Lil-Joe101]

All of u bring up very good points. But I guess the real answer is and always will be, Personal taste, style, and preference. I still think OEM is a lazy, and boring look tho, lol. Give me any body kit anyday, I'll make it work. But to each his own.

I googled it. a little north of austin. I dont think you have made it to our texas meets?

No I havent. I will be next summer tho.

[kurt95gt]

not trying to thread jack but since this is a thread basically all about body kits
what would a good gt4 look alike bumper
I've seen the c1 bumper an a bumper made by vis (id post a pic if I knew how )
but I would like something little closer to the gt4 look

[NYp8tBaller07]

All of u bring up very good points. But I guess the real answer is and always will be, Personal taste, style, and preference. I still think OEM is a lazy, and boring look tho, lol. Give me any body kit anyday, I'll make it work. But to each his own.

I googled it. a little north of austin. I dont think you have made it to our texas meets?

No I havent. I will be next summer tho.

I wouldnt say its lazy, I think if i were to put a lip kit on and make it look good I would still have to do body work and paint. The time one takes to make an oem kit look good can take as much time(depending) as an aftermarket.

[KAOS]

Joe - I know what you're saying and there are a lot of great points brought up in this thread.

I've wanted a 6th Gen Celica for as long as I can remember, well before the F&F crap came out. I've always loved the sexy curves and agressive stance the GT-Four's have had. I'm proud to own an import.

That being said - there are a MILLION things I want to do to my car to get it where, in my minds eye, would be a sexy car. Which sort of brings me to my point...

I am never going to see a cent of what I'm investing in my car...

I've come to the decision that I will never sell my car, because the VALUE that I appraise it at will never be the same as some guy trying to buy it off me...

I've noticed the car building trend dying off too, Joe - and I this might be the reason behind it: The Recession.

Every since that happened, people have been less frivolous (sp?) & more conscience about their money. Smarter spending means not sinking dollars into a car that you won't see returned value in - which is why you see a lot of people buying the high HP cars straight from the dealership *cough*WRX*cough*, because they don't have to spend an arm and a leg to have a decent looking ride with the performance to follow suit.

Sure laziness plays a factor into it too, but in my opinion - its the mentality of the economy, "Gawdy bodykits, rediculous amounts of ICE, and wheels that are worth more individually than the blue book value of of the car that you put them on... we might as well be throwing money into burning barrels; as it has the same effect/outcome."

That being said - I'm still in the game, but my priorities have changed. I fully intend to go all out with my car; after the roof over my families head is paid for, and there's food on the table...

My 2 pennies... I'm out.

[SwissFerdi]

The argument can be made that OEM style is in fact NOT lazy. If everyone rocks OEM lips and such, where's the differentiation? It's in in wheel fitment and suspension, meaning that uniqueness is, in a sense, fine-tuned. Comprende?

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Oct 14, 2011 - 11:17 AM

[jordisonjr]

My other car is a vip-style Lexus LS400,

Would love to see pics haha.

[njccmd2002]

the new trend now is none....

all is fair.

having said that, well dont go overboard

[mak5603]

It's all about fitment for styling, bodykit or not...

[richee3]

Here's my other thought on the subject. People put kits on their cars to make it look different than the way they bought it and they like the look of the kit better. That's also the same reason people put the GT4 front end on out cars. It looks better than how we bought the car. So in a way, you can think of the GT4 front end as being like a body kit, just made by Toyota rather than Veilside or Andy's Auto Sport or whoever makes the body kits now.

[Lamont]

I read this post with a bit of a smile on my face , it seems the op is in some way trying to justify having a body-kit on his 6th gen. I think its personal taste, and that if you like it I love it for YOU. My preference is JDM SS-III or GT-FOUR styling for a 6th gen. Not that I dislike body-kits, but in my opinion that time has past. It would be like trying to bring back bell-bottom jeans; the time has past. Now to have a body-kit and a loud exhaust is looked at as being a ricer because the scene has shifted away from the whole F&F look. Now if you like your body-kit that's fine, but I wouldn't hold my breath trying to make anyone else like it

[Tony-B]

Body kits age badly. On any car.

The 6gc has rally heritage, its a shame to stick fiberglass to its lines and fill the boot with speakers.

T

[trdproven]

i just like a look i won't get tired of and won't age, even down to selection of paint.

[Lil-Joe101]

I read this post with a bit of a smile on my face , it seems the op is in some way trying to justify having a body-kit on his 6th gen. I think its personal taste, and that if you like it I love it for YOU. My preference is JDM SS-III or GT-FOUR styling for a 6th gen. Not that I dislike body-kits, but in my opinion that time has past. It would be like trying to bring back bell-bottom jeans; the time has past. Now to have a body-kit and a loud exhaust is looked at as being a ricer because the scene has shifted away from the whole F&F look. Now if you like your body-kit that's fine, but I wouldn't hold my breath trying to make anyone else like it

Lol, the justification for my kit is that I fell in love with since I saw it four yrs ago online and its unique. I wasnt talkin about just the 6gc, Im referring to all kinds of cars. Im an autobody freak since high school. I love working with fiberglass and painting. If its a different look or fully custom fron kitted, audio, paint or over all redesign, Im head over heels for it because I think it shows imagination, unique styling, and building pride. Okinawa Japan really woke me up to that kind of artistic flare when I lived out there. From rag top, candy painted, air bagged, cholo accords, VIP Aristos and Cubes, to hot pink "Drift All Day" Chasers, S13, 14, & 15s. Just seeing how far a tuner will push the boundries of uniqueness without the worry of others opinions wether positive or negative, has just captured my attention. And to see the lack of that here or our idea of JDM being pretty much 20 degrees of the mark is a little sad to me, just a little bit lol.

This post has been edited by Lil-Joe101: Oct 20, 2011 - 10:21 AM

[kurt95gt]

I read this post with a bit of a smile on my face , it seems the op is in some way trying to justify having a body-kit on his 6th gen. I think its personal taste, and that if you like it I love it for YOU. My preference is JDM SS-III or GT-FOUR styling for a 6th gen. Not that I dislike body-kits, but in my opinion that time has past. It would be like trying to bring back bell-bottom jeans; the time has past. Now to have a body-kit and a loud exhaust is looked at as being a ricer because the scene has shifted away from the whole F&F look. Now if you like your body-kit that's fine, but I wouldn't hold my breath trying to make anyone else like it

Lol, My justification for my kit is that I fell in love with since I saw it four yrs ago online and its unique. I wasnt talkin about just the 6gc, Im referring to all kinds of cars.

the big thing that's helped your kit look good is the fact you took the time an done ot right
an dint just throw it an rattle can it flat black

[Lil-Joe101]

Cant get more awesomely different than oranges 6gc. Complete sex appeal imo

http://www.6gc.net/celicas/1994-gt-4-hatchback-6316

http://www.gtfour.ch/orange/index.php?id=2&group=Tag