what to do to make your mainstreamer look interesting, but not lame

[veeman]

as i know some of you like watches, one way to keep things interesting is to switch out the bands.  makes the watch look completely different without having to buy a new watch.

similarly, what do you guys do to make your mainstreamer look interesting.  just for looks.  it might have some functional aspect as well but mostly for looks.

I had tint put on my 2007 sonata right after i bought it which I really like.  not too dark, uniform all around, with a slight tinge of blue in it.

I was toying in the past with the idea of replacing the various silver sonata insignia with gold ones but ended up deciding against it thinking it would look dumb. 

Now I'm toying with aftermarket alloy rims.  Maybe black ones.  Nothing wrong with my current alloys.  I'm just bored with the look after 6 years. 

[CALL_911]

Plastidip your rims orange and add a shocker sticker to your rear window.

[SVT666]

Wheels and suspension.  That's about it.  I like cars to look stock even if they aren't.  Though, when I get a Mustang it will have stripes as well.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Rims, a slight lower and maybe a spacer if the wheels look "sunk in". Anything just looks like to much on a stock daily mainstream car. Maybe body color SOME of the exterior. Thinks like black filler panels that would look OEM if colored sometimes clean a car up.

[Cookie Monster]

Plastidip your rims orange and add a shocker sticker to your rear window.

[Madman]

Gold trim on ANY car looks crass and tacky.  It's about as tasteless as aftermarket padded vinyl roofs.

[veeman]

Gold trim on ANY car looks crass and tacky.  It's about as tasteless as aftermarket padded vinyl roofs.

that's what i was thinking but i remember some acura legends used to have it stock.  looked pretty good if just done on the insignia on some makes with some colors.

[veeman]

Rims, a slight lower and maybe a spacer if the wheels look "sunk in". Anything just looks like to much on a stock daily mainstream car. Maybe body color SOME of the exterior. Thinks like black filler panels that would look OEM if colored sometimes clean a car up.

slightly lowering a car i would think would negatively affect its ride.  never had experience with this though.  i like the rims idea as long as i keep them stock in size (17s). 

[J86]

save up, buy a cooler car

[veeman]

yeah, I know, but having no monthly car payment is awesome and the car drives almost like new.  can't justify it to myself.

[J86]

That was just me being facetious.  I'm a big fan of 'do the best you can with what ya got.'  I just don't have anything constructive to add to I went w/ being snarky

[Soup DeVille]

slightly lowering a car i would think would negatively affect its ride.  never had experience with this though.  i like the rims idea as long as i keep them stock in size (17s). 

Depends entirely on the car, but many don't show much difference at all.

[Northlands]

If you have any aspirations of selling your car in the near future, consider what kind of effect any changes would have on the car's mass appeal. FBC made some good suggestions. 

[Cookie Monster]

If you have any aspirations of selling your car in the near future, consider what kind of effect any changes would have on the car's mass appeal. FBC made some good suggestions. 

I agree. My car is now officially junk status wrt resale value.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It's amazing how many of you suggest lowering a car. I guess I'm the only one that's not allowed to do that.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I agree. My car is now officially junk status wrt resale value.

I have no idea why you would ever sell that car.

[Cookie Monster]

I have no idea why you would ever sell that car.

Good thing it's now modified past the point of selling.

[2o6]

It's amazing how many of you suggest lowering a car. I guess I'm the only one that's not allowed to do that.

Shut the fuck up.



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Im considring stickerbombing the Yaris and putting on one of those kawaii band-aids on the bumper

[ifcar]

Good thing it's now modified past the point of selling.

I would imagine that the average Miata buyer, especially for a manual, is less likely to be turned off by modifications than the average Sonata buyer. It's not like your tastes are bizarre -- you're fine!

[Northlands]

I agree. My car is now officially junk status wrt resale value.

Ehhh.. I dunno. I think Ifcar is right. A Miata buyer looks at different things than a guy looking for mainstreamers.

[Raza]

I don't have a mainstreamer now, but when I did, I did....nothing.  My Passat had small wheels, just 15", and I thought it looked fine, just a bit small.  I loved the way my Jetta looked, although it must be said it was a special edition with some badges, a spoiler, and 17" GTI wheels. 

[Cookie Monster]

Ehhh.. I dunno. I think Ifcar is right. A Miata buyer looks at different things than a guy looking for mainstreamers.

Depends on the amount of modifications. I think even Miata owners prefer to buy something stock, so they know it hasn't been tampered with. Sure I could undo most of the modifications, but there are some that are permanent and probably reduce the value quite a bit. Good thing I'm not selling!


For a midsizer, I'd just do the wheels and maybe a muffler if you want some more sound (though I don't know if a midsizer would sound good with an exhaust) and then keep all the stock parts to revert it back to normal if you have to.

[S204STi]

Plastidip your rims orange and add a shocker sticker to your rear window.

[Byteme]

It's amazing how many of you suggest lowering a car. I guess I'm the only one that's not allowed to do that.

I'd agree with J. Clarkson who has advised more than once to never buy a used car that's been lowered.

[SVT666]

I'd agree with J. Clarkson who has advised more than once to never buy a used car that's been lowered.

I disagree with that.  I would definitely buy a used Mustang that has been lowered, if it was done right and the rest of the car checks out.

[S204STi]

Depends on the lowering kit, as Craig pointed out.

Personally I'd avoid any kit that doesn't disclose their spring rates; going low without also gaining spring rate is a good way to end up bottoming and/or crashing when your unpredictable shit gets loose.  Since most go *too* low, it's really a bad idea IMO.  I was laughing a bit at a Honda Accord in traffic that had to slow down for train tracks and other bumps, while my WRX on STi springs was able to soak it all up and keep on truckin.

[SVT666]

A lowering kit should include different shocks and/or struts as well.

[hotrodalex]

I agree. My car is now officially junk status wrt resale value.

Take it over to Castro Street and it should sell quick. 

[Raza]

I'd probably avoid any car that was modified, unless it was something that fixed a problem the car had stock, like the Viggen Rescue Kit on a Viggen.

[MrH]

I disagree with that.  I would definitely buy a used Mustang that has been lowered, if it was done right and the rest of the car checks out.

Well, you would buy a used Mustang.  That's your first problem.