How Much is Too Much? - Toyota Yaris Forums

chrisj · 09-19-2010, 05:50 PM

I know it depends on everyone's preference, but I think having some constraint when modding the exterior is in order for several reasons. My first thought are a-holes who just wanna mess up something else someone has. My second thought is cops. While I want my car to be "somewhat" unique, I don't want it to have a target on its back either.

I got a wing, window tint, a few new emblems, new wheels, Vent Visors, and am getting some fogs. It's still a black Yaris, and while it does look good and gets looks from people, it's not SO different that it becomes a nuisance...for me.

I looked at wraps, graphics, body kits, and other wild stuff for my car, and while I could afford to say "do it", I decided not to, because of safety factors in snow country where I live and those reasons mentioned above.

As far as graphics go, I think of those on the car like the tats on my arms. If I get a scratch or gash, that's gonna f*ck up my tats, man! Something else to worry about. (No, I would not be as concerned about my arm falling off or anything).

I guess it all depends also on where you live. I live in a small town, and there are no other Yari's that look like mine, even like it is now. Maybe in larger towns you could blend in a bit more, and while I know it ain't "cool" to blend in, I also don't want to have yet another thing on my mind...my car.

.Kevin. · 09-19-2010, 06:25 PM

I was going to put graphics on my car but for the same reason about cops i didn't. I added pin striping though.

If cops see someone heavily tattooed they stare like you're a killer, same thing with a spiffed up car even if it is 4 cylinder.

chrisj · 09-19-2010, 08:33 PM

Yeah, I know about the tattoo thing. Profiling!

fnkngrv · 09-19-2010, 08:52 PM

It really all depends on where you live on how much standing out will cause strife as well as driving style. When you start a thread like this it opens a huge can of worms because each person's interpretations and tastes dictates what they do. You do raise valid points, but you have to decide how much you wanna 'fight the system" right?
I have green LED turn signals on my rears for example. I ran them for a few months. I did research and actually printed off the DOT regulations on Turn Signals and when I was pulled over I whipped out the paperwork. I was stopped probably in the vicinity of a dozen times, but no tickets as federal trumps state EVERY time. I have had some of the guys in other states tell me "oh you WILL be ticketed in our state if you have those". They can try and ticket me all they want, but once again the bottom line is it will get revoked. Do I still have them in? No, I picked up red ones as well. I will keep the green for shows or meets. They are a 2 minute swap. Did I remove them because the 5-0 decided to mess with me? Nope, it was a personal choice as I wasn't feelin how they really looked and presented during the day. To me they were not safe enough due to the reflector housing in the assembly. That is one thing that must be there for turn signals...reflectors in order for them to pass DOT. Could I have blacked out the reflector and would the bulbs show up much better during the day? Yes, but that would have impacted the ability for them to illuminate properly during the night hours and possibly during in-climate weather not to mention the illegal nature of breaking DOT laws. Were there a-holes that wanted to put in their two cents with negativity rather than constructive criticism? Oh yeah, but hey, the rest of us wouldn't look as good without those a-holes right?
So this is a shining example I would think of what exactly you are referencing. The bottom line is that I will design my car the way I like. Getting to the point of drawing attention for other things to yourself all depends on your driving style and presence as stated above. If you abide the laws and local regulations then for the most part you should be good. The idea that the authorities know your car easy can be a good thing as well. My car is known by the local PD and the PDs of the neighboring towns/cities. An example of this being a good thing was about 3 weeks ago. I let a friend borrow my car to go to a 24 hr store for some drinks and snacks. One of the local PD guys saw that I wasn't driving the car and reached out to me to make sure that my car wasn't stolen. I know this may not and probably is not the way it is for others and especially in bigger cities or metroplex areas, but for me it works.
There is a difference between going over the top and tasteful. If someone is so concerned and inclined to worry about it then they have the forums to ask for other peeps for IMHO replies right? You will get good feedback and then the a-holes, but you have to be prepared for those that are mature enough to be constructive and those that are either immature or online degenerates that have nothing better to do with their life than piss on someone's parade.

I ensure that I let the right people know when the degenerates show up and it is taken care of...do things the right way, to include modifying your ride and good things will happen that will always outshine any bad. Carma is the mother of all.

chrisj · 09-19-2010, 09:04 PM

I guess I want a happy medium between fighting the system and having the system leave me alone. :)

Black Yaris · 09-19-2010, 09:06 PM

ricers

JumpmanYaris · 09-19-2010, 09:19 PM

^LOL, Ricers huh! like you never had any wheels, tints or anything like that in your car

.Kevin. · 09-19-2010, 09:49 PM

He's trollin' cause he has a jewfro irl.

fnkngrv · 09-19-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

ricers

Come on Joe...really?

fnkngrv · 09-19-2010, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PK198105

mr. pink wheels

jk jk iz all goodz

severous01 · 09-19-2010, 10:10 PM

ya...i got the fifth degree the other day for the same comment...

any way,

why? · 09-19-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisj

I guess I want a happy medium between fighting the system and having the system leave me alone. :)

it is better to know the system than anything else. The more police officers you know personally,and that like you, the better.

chrisj · 09-19-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by why?

it is better to know the system than anything else. The more police officers you know personally,and that like you, the better.

You just can't go out of town much.

fnkngrv · 09-19-2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisj

You just can't go out of town much.

Sure you can, you just have to drive smart like I said. If a cop wants to pull you over you have to make sure all of your stuff is in order. If you are straight then other than a possibly inconvenience rarely whats the big deal right?

chrisj · 09-19-2010, 11:06 PM

We had a road check the other night, out of the blue. I have my skull license plate frame with the red LED eyes that I had toyed with hooking up to the license plate light, taking the stock one out. I didn't do it because the plate wouldn't be illuminated, and the other night I was certainly glad I didn't do that. (They're going to be hooked up to the brake lights soon).

Black Yaris · 09-19-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpmanYaris

^LOL, Ricers huh! like you never had any wheels, tints or anything like that in your car

I tint all my cars, as well as wheels. I have never slapped a bunch of vinyl on my car, not have I owned "altezza" tail lights.... or owned matching NOS seat covers and steering wheel cover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .Kevin.

He's trollin' cause he has a jewfro irl.

Ich bin keine Jude! Essen mein Schwanz

Quote:

Originally Posted by fnkngrv

Come on Joe...really?

Hellz yeah

Quote:

Originally Posted by PK198105

mr. pink wheels

jk jk iz all goodz

Hot pink wheelz are straight JDM, yo

fnkngrv · 09-19-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Yaris

I tint all my cars, as well as wheels. I have never slapped a bunch of vinyl on my car, not have I owned "altezza" tail lights.... or owned matching NOS seat covers and steering wheel cover.

These are all cheesy in most opinions...but other stuff is tasteful and kick ass...

oh and you forgot the 20 dollar eBay 4" fart can BTW

Black Yaris · 09-19-2010, 11:37 PM

the wheels in my sig are actually gone.... I just pick of a set of Avenue 601 wheels in 18's so I still have a decent ride... And the Rav is tinted all the way around 35% on the entire windshield and 15% the rest of the way around, tinted tails and I painted the bezels in the headlights black and tinted turns signals. All black on black.... The Tick

09-19-2010, 05:50 PM	#1
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	How Much is Too Much? I know it depends on everyone's preference, but I think having some constraint when modding the exterior is in order for several reasons. My first thought are a-holes who just wanna mess up something else someone has. My second thought is cops. While I want my car to be "somewhat" unique, I don't want it to have a target on its back either. I got a wing, window tint, a few new emblems, new wheels, Vent Visors, and am getting some fogs. It's still a black Yaris, and while it does look good and gets looks from people, it's not SO different that it becomes a nuisance...for me. I looked at wraps, graphics, body kits, and other wild stuff for my car, and while I could afford to say "do it", I decided not to, because of safety factors in snow country where I live and those reasons mentioned above. As far as graphics go, I think of those on the car like the tats on my arms. If I get a scratch or gash, that's gonna f*ck up my tats, man! Something else to worry about. (No, I would not be as concerned about my arm falling off or anything). I guess it all depends also on where you live. I live in a small town, and there are no other Yari's that look like mine, even like it is now. Maybe in larger towns you could blend in a bit more, and while I know it ain't "cool" to blend in, I also don't want to have yet another thing on my mind...my car. __________________

09-19-2010, 06:25 PM	#2
.Kevin. I ain't even mad Drives: 2010 1E7 Toyota Yaris Sedan Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Prince George, BC. Canada Posts: 954	I was going to put graphics on my car but for the same reason about cops i didn't. I added pin striping though. If cops see someone heavily tattooed they stare like you're a killer, same thing with a spiffed up car even if it is 4 cylinder. __________________

09-19-2010, 08:33 PM	#3
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	Yeah, I know about the tattoo thing. Profiling! __________________

09-19-2010, 08:52 PM	#4
fnkngrv Mr. 155 and climbing View User's Garage Drives: Seriously Modded 07 Sedan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In The Hotbox Posts: 4,742	It really all depends on where you live on how much standing out will cause strife as well as driving style. When you start a thread like this it opens a huge can of worms because each person's interpretations and tastes dictates what they do. You do raise valid points, but you have to decide how much you wanna 'fight the system" right? I have green LED turn signals on my rears for example. I ran them for a few months. I did research and actually printed off the DOT regulations on Turn Signals and when I was pulled over I whipped out the paperwork. I was stopped probably in the vicinity of a dozen times, but no tickets as federal trumps state EVERY time. I have had some of the guys in other states tell me "oh you WILL be ticketed in our state if you have those". They can try and ticket me all they want, but once again the bottom line is it will get revoked. Do I still have them in? No, I picked up red ones as well. I will keep the green for shows or meets. They are a 2 minute swap. Did I remove them because the 5-0 decided to mess with me? Nope, it was a personal choice as I wasn't feelin how they really looked and presented during the day. To me they were not safe enough due to the reflector housing in the assembly. That is one thing that must be there for turn signals...reflectors in order for them to pass DOT. Could I have blacked out the reflector and would the bulbs show up much better during the day? Yes, but that would have impacted the ability for them to illuminate properly during the night hours and possibly during in-climate weather not to mention the illegal nature of breaking DOT laws. Were there a-holes that wanted to put in their two cents with negativity rather than constructive criticism? Oh yeah, but hey, the rest of us wouldn't look as good without those a-holes right? So this is a shining example I would think of what exactly you are referencing. The bottom line is that I will design my car the way I like. Getting to the point of drawing attention for other things to yourself all depends on your driving style and presence as stated above. If you abide the laws and local regulations then for the most part you should be good. The idea that the authorities know your car easy can be a good thing as well. My car is known by the local PD and the PDs of the neighboring towns/cities. An example of this being a good thing was about 3 weeks ago. I let a friend borrow my car to go to a 24 hr store for some drinks and snacks. One of the local PD guys saw that I wasn't driving the car and reached out to me to make sure that my car wasn't stolen. I know this may not and probably is not the way it is for others and especially in bigger cities or metroplex areas, but for me it works. There is a difference between going over the top and tasteful. If someone is so concerned and inclined to worry about it then they have the forums to ask for other peeps for IMHO replies right? You will get good feedback and then the a-holes, but you have to be prepared for those that are mature enough to be constructive and those that are either immature or online degenerates that have nothing better to do with their life than piss on someone's parade. I ensure that I let the right people know when the degenerates show up and it is taken care of...do things the right way, to include modifying your ride and good things will happen that will always outshine any bad. Carma is the mother of all. __________________ Team Tiamat Racing on Facebook Youtube Channel: Team Tiamat Racing *Class record holder in Land Speed @ 154.5mph for 1.5 mile and 145.5mph in the mile in the F (2.016 to 3.014 L), G (1.524 to 2.015 L), and H (1.016 to 1.523 L) classes.*

09-19-2010, 09:04 PM	#5
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	I guess I want a happy medium between fighting the system and having the system leave me alone. :) __________________

09-19-2010, 09:06 PM	#6
Black Yaris der Zeck View User's Garage Drives: '05 Audi A4 1.8t quattro Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 5,231	ricers __________________

09-19-2010, 09:49 PM	#8
.Kevin. I ain't even mad Drives: 2010 1E7 Toyota Yaris Sedan Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Prince George, BC. Canada Posts: 954	He's trollin' cause he has a jewfro irl. __________________

09-19-2010, 10:10 PM	#11
severous01 Drives: 2008 yaris, stripped, red Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Texas Posts: 977	ya...i got the fifth degree the other day for the same comment... any way,

09-19-2010, 11:06 PM	#15
chrisj Hooch Brewer-Shine Sipper View User's Garage Drives: 2009 5-dr LB Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: S. Jesus, Kentucky Posts: 646	We had a road check the other night, out of the blue. I have my skull license plate frame with the red LED eyes that I had toyed with hooking up to the license plate light, taking the stock one out. I didn't do it because the plate wouldn't be illuminated, and the other night I was certainly glad I didn't do that. (They're going to be hooked up to the brake lights soon). __________________

09-19-2010, 11:37 PM	#18
Black Yaris der Zeck View User's Garage Drives: '05 Audi A4 1.8t quattro Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 5,231	the wheels in my sig are actually gone.... I just pick of a set of Avenue 601 wheels in 18's so I still have a decent ride... And the Rav is tinted all the way around 35% on the entire windshield and 15% the rest of the way around, tinted tails and I painted the bezels in the headlights black and tinted turns signals. All black on black.... The Tick __________________