dunbar43

Just read the thread on turning heads with our cars, and I'm trying to make mine stand out. Being a member on CL has got me obsessed with modding and nice cars, but I'm trying to mod my GS without spending an arm and a leg. I'm 18 with a limited income because of school, so a full drop or a kit is out of the question.
I want to buy some clear sidemarkers and I'm considering puddle lights, but do you guys think they will look ricey on my car? Def not going for the teenager/neon/rice look...And would new LED tails do much to the overall look? Looking for any advice..thanks.

Oh yeah...just wanted to share that I picked up an Escort 8500 x50 w/blue LEDs for $140 the other day

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

Well, clear sidemarkers are like $20 shipped, so that shouldn't break the bank! Haha. IMO, most things stick-on are ricey (puddle lights, stickers, big wing, huge tach, etc).

If you want to impress at ALL on the cheap, start with taking your tax return and buying used lowering springs ($150) and used rims/tires ($500-1,000). Maybe window tint ($200). Use the classifieds here and Craigslist/e-bay. Shop around.

Keep in mind, the ricer look is the butt of a lot of jokes cause it's cheap, ugly, and disfunctional. If you want to impress, you're better off keeping it stock and spit-shined clean than buying "rice" accessories for it.

Infamous 1

iTrader: (20)

I say just keep it clean and simple. Start saving up for parts and buy quality items when you have the money instead of buying cheap knock-off parts. Also, keep an eye on the classifieds section.

dunbar43

Already have tint, and I'm prob gonna buy some lowering springs to get around a 2'' drop, would puddle lights look rice if I installed them to run off a toggle switch instead of with the dome lights?

JeffTsai

iTrader: (1)

It's really up to you. I think the puddle lights would be ok on a heavily modified VIP style car. On a stock car, it would look a bit out of place. Kind of like if you put a sporty body kit and spoiler on a car with a pretty much stock engine, then that could be considered ricey. Now, if you have an insane amount of power to back it up, then it will no longer be considered ricey lol. Certain mods go with certain styles. The stock look has certain mods that will look good and others that will not.

CPMD

iTrader: (2)

You need HID's (if you don't have them already) and tint. You can have HID low beam and fogs for about $100 total. Just do little by little and it will add up in the end, but def. no rice Best thing a member mentioned is to keep it clean

dunbar43

Have tint, 20% all around. I was looking into HIDs but I thought it would be a pain in the *** to install because of all the reflector bowl stuff and junk...if it is just the bulbs then I would do that in a heartbeat..

aristo2369

iTrader: (2)

i say keep it stock... i would

dunbar43

Yeah but being on CL all the time makes me want to mod soooo badly lol. I see some cars and I'm like and then I look at my car and I'm like ......I know there's nothing at all bad about my car, but I want people to see my car when I'm driving and say "damn." And then when they see me park and watch an 18 year old kid get out of it I want them to think, "how the hell does that kid have that car?" I want the "wow" factor and I think puddle lights will help, but since the guys on CL are basically the masters of making Lexuses pimp, I don't want to add puddle lights if it's gonna look stupid on my car.

aristo2369

iTrader: (2)

well as long as your not hispanic or black... most people when you get out think you sell drugs if your in casual wear.... ) well thats what cops seem to think..... I wish i had a stock GS.....

dunbar43

Haha I love messing with the cops, making them think I'm a drug dealer because of the Lexus with the dark tint; but I dress nice 95% of the time, so I shouldn't look like a drug dealer.

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

You're on the right track taking advice from the CL guys. The things I did to my car at 18 (ten years ago) I certainly wouldn't do to my Lexus now. Experience definitely helps with these decisions. I think the "damn" factor is most easily/inexpensively achieved with a clean, waxed finish, and wheels/drop. DON'T do what I did and spend ALL your money on your car -- gotta be able to afford to take the woman to dinner after you caught her eye with the car!

dunbar43

Ha well I definitely keep it clean in the summer, always washed and waxed and the chrome rims are always polished, and when it rains I usually get out the California Duster to do a touch up before I wash it again. I won't pour all of my money into my car, Dad won't let me because it's technically his car. That's the reason why I can't purchase the set of lowering springs in the classifieds.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Springs, roof spoiler, tte lip, trunk spoiler, exhaust, window visors, and painted calipers w/ "lexus" decals... Welcome..

Those some mild to moderate mods on a budget..

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

I can sell you my clear corners for $12 bucks shipped if your are interested op. Let me know via pm.

Take your time with the modifications & think it through. There is no need to impress anyone but yourself.