"pre-modded" cars for the 2F2F crowd...
Thread Starter
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
"pre-modded" cars for the 2F2F crowd...
Now that the WRX STi (with its Mustang GT hood, YECHH) is in a war for street-rod supremacy, I've noticed an interesting trend in the other 2004 cars that are competing in the same category (going after 20-somethings with too much cash and too much testosterone). One of the interesting trends are cars that are "pre-modded," clearly taking their cues from the modified Celicas, Integras and S3000s from 2-3 years ago.
For instance, the new Mitsubishi Spyder has a row of clear taillights with red round "cutouts" accross the back, the halmark of any modded Honda. The new Lexus coupe has the same "hi-rev tuner" brake lights, as well as a giant crome exhaust pipe (which nevertheless connects to a 2" pipe).
Actually that's the most hilarious trend of all -- the FAKE CATBACK EXHAUST. I've seen new models from Lexus, Mitsu and especially Hyundai that clearly have giant fake chrome exhaust rings bolted onto totally stock 2" pipe, which has been painted black to hide it. What's next, stock neon lighting and a stock fake NOS tank?
Anyway, I brought this up just because it is funny, but as a 2002 WRX owner I have to admit I am a little unhappy seeing the STi being drafted into the "street rod modders" crowd -- it is a rally car, dammit! Not a drag racer! Thank goodness there were no WRXs in "2F2F"....
For instance, the new Mitsubishi Spyder has a row of clear taillights with red round "cutouts" accross the back, the halmark of any modded Honda. The new Lexus coupe has the same "hi-rev tuner" brake lights, as well as a giant crome exhaust pipe (which nevertheless connects to a 2" pipe).
Actually that's the most hilarious trend of all -- the FAKE CATBACK EXHAUST. I've seen new models from Lexus, Mitsu and especially Hyundai that clearly have giant fake chrome exhaust rings bolted onto totally stock 2" pipe, which has been painted black to hide it. What's next, stock neon lighting and a stock fake NOS tank?
Anyway, I brought this up just because it is funny, but as a 2002 WRX owner I have to admit I am a little unhappy seeing the STi being drafted into the "street rod modders" crowd -- it is a rally car, dammit! Not a drag racer! Thank goodness there were no WRXs in "2F2F"....
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 243
From: Boston
Car Info: 2004 Black Wrx
They gave the Sti 300hp and 300lb of torque for a reason. They wanted it to be damn fast, and it is. I dont think there are very many people who are buying the US version of the sti to just rally it.
Thread Starter
VIP Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Oh the STi is definitely a street screamer -- no doubt of that! -- but I am just commenting on how the "hi-rev tuner" look seems to be making its way into mainstream, low-cost car lines. The difference is, the "modded" look on these cars (with the exception of the STi) is totally cosmetic; I could smoke any of them with a Jetta GTI :-)
I've even seen a BMW M3 which comes with the two-tone leather bucket seat treatment which is so common for tuner cars.
I've even seen a BMW M3 which comes with the two-tone leather bucket seat treatment which is so common for tuner cars.
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,341
From: your friendly neighborhood hairpin
Car Info: '03 PSM Sedan
its all marketing and packaging. car makers have picked up on the fact that there is a new breed of hot rod, and they're doing their best to get some of the market share. it's the same reason we're seeing an explosion in factory performance options (i.e. SVT, AMG, STi, etc.).
Registered User
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,186
From: SF Bay Area
Car Info: 03 WRX, 06 Evo IX MR, now 2010 STi
maybe its for the best. this way if these cars come pre-modded with a nice body-kit , we will see less ugly looking modded cars.
most of the ugly cars that you see out there are owned by people with lack of taste. maybe just maybe if these people would buy cars that look nice to start off with. these people wouldn't mod there cars so ugly.
just a thought.
most of the ugly cars that you see out there are owned by people with lack of taste. maybe just maybe if these people would buy cars that look nice to start off with. these people wouldn't mod there cars so ugly.
just a thought.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I agree with all said. The tuning phenomenon has exploded in the past few years and the auto makers are attempting to get their hand in the aftermarket bowl. They take the cheeseball approach to tuning (read: marketing approach). Sweet body kits cost a ton, you won't see them on cheaper cars. They think clear tail lights are the hot thing since every civic you see has em.
These buyers don't know what quality tuning is, and they don't get the satisfaction of building their very own personalized screamer like most of us here do. Instead car makers offer this junk as a whole riced package, in the form of turbo neons, proteges, etc. to appeal to these people. Buy a turbo neon, and see how far you can go with tuning, i bet not too far, not with fwd. That thing is done, straight from the factory. You get no satisfaction tuning it yourself (unless you have mad loot to blow, all the relatively cheap stuff is done to it already). And now that is one less car to be tuned by the aftermarket; see what I mean, hand in bowl. I test drove one, just to see what the buzz was about. They are flat out dangerous. They cannot handle, but they fire off in a straight line, albeit with mad torque steer. Great fun for a good driver, dangerous to the stupid (who are most likely to buy it, 17, 18 yr old newbie drivers who don't know what carving an apex is like in an wrx, sti, rs, or evo.) i want to see how long the fast and cheap factory rides will last.
Thank god subaru and mitsu hold true to keeping the rice to a minimum and keeping the looks sweet.
These buyers don't know what quality tuning is, and they don't get the satisfaction of building their very own personalized screamer like most of us here do. Instead car makers offer this junk as a whole riced package, in the form of turbo neons, proteges, etc. to appeal to these people. Buy a turbo neon, and see how far you can go with tuning, i bet not too far, not with fwd. That thing is done, straight from the factory. You get no satisfaction tuning it yourself (unless you have mad loot to blow, all the relatively cheap stuff is done to it already). And now that is one less car to be tuned by the aftermarket; see what I mean, hand in bowl. I test drove one, just to see what the buzz was about. They are flat out dangerous. They cannot handle, but they fire off in a straight line, albeit with mad torque steer. Great fun for a good driver, dangerous to the stupid (who are most likely to buy it, 17, 18 yr old newbie drivers who don't know what carving an apex is like in an wrx, sti, rs, or evo.) i want to see how long the fast and cheap factory rides will last.
Thank god subaru and mitsu hold true to keeping the rice to a minimum and keeping the looks sweet.
Re: "pre-modded" cars for the 2F2F crowd...
The new Lexus coupe has the same "hi-rev tuner" brake lights, as well as a giant crome exhaust pipe (which nevertheless connects to a 2" pipe).
edit:html thingys
Last edited by mysubaruimp; Jul 2, 2003 at 06:34 PM.
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,636
From: Mantana, where the men are men and so are the women
Car Info: '03 red legacy
oh come on, the pink STi is manly. the wing is ridiculous though. and along the same line why does the evo have altezzas?
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,341
From: your friendly neighborhood hairpin
Car Info: '03 PSM Sedan
A friend of mine has an STI and I'm trying to get him to debadge his. He wants to get rid of his wing already.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by prodrive121
to prove how much rice there is in the world have your boy put his STI wing and trunk lid on ebay demand like 200 bones and their lid in return
you will get it
to prove how much rice there is in the world have your boy put his STI wing and trunk lid on ebay demand like 200 bones and their lid in return
you will get it