I'm new to this community and I am looking for a Crossfire. I am seeing the phrase "tasteful mods" every now and again. How would one define tasteful? Is it as simple as "I like that" therefore it must be tasteful? Or are there things that one can add to their car that improves the look and value? I have seen some great looking cars with mods here on the forum.
By the way, my searching around and reading many posts has me concluding that this is a great club even in the way people tell others where to get off the train.

 

Ok, I just can't resist. bash me and beat me..... I know..... I deserve it!

Tasteful Mod........



Tasteless Mod.......

 

"Tasteful" is a very subjective term. The phrase "to each their own" comes to mind.

About the best definition I can offer would be to simply not go over the top...

As for mods adding value.. In general, modifications add none and to the general public they actually reduce a cars value. With that said, from time to time the right buyer is out there that will appreciate the changes and you may can get a premium price for it, but a bank will rarely "vlaue" it any higher than one without so even if you find a buyer that "likes" it, you often will still find yourself selling it for the same as someone who has done nothing.

If you worry about value, hold onto the old parts. If you go to sell it, try to find that RIGHT buyer who appreciates your completed works. If one doesnt show up, you can always put the stock parts back on, sell it as stock and then sell the parts seperately.

 

Now that is a great 2fer. Straight up for the first mod as to the second it should be on the "People of Wal Mart" site to add to the hundreds of wtf moments.

 

Good advice. I have seen over the top here where I live and it is not good looking or easy to sell.
Would you say that the most common mods are the wheels or maybe the audio system?
Would you consider a CAI as a good mod?

 

Tasteful mods are what pleases the owner. This pleases me. fun, no damage and low cost. Also reversible. Gary

 

The stereo that comes with the limited and SRT6 models is not bad, but does not support MP3/HD radio at all. I have replaced my stock radio on my roadster with an aftermarket that supports Bluetooth (for my phone) and MP3 players. The unit is black, but IMHO, doesn't distract from the look of the car.

A CAI is more of a performance related mod which will generally require you to drop the original airbox. I have put on a Mercedes engine cover with mine and I think it looks fine (see my sig).

Some folks have put different wheels on their cars. Some look great (IMHO) and not so great. It's really up to you to decide what you want to do. All I can say is PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't put one of those goofy two to three foot high spoilers on the back of the car like the ricer crowd likes to do.

 

~ tasteful mods to me are... ones only an enthusiast would pick up on... subtle is key to me.

 

"Tasteful" would say to me according to your taste's, not ours. What we all like you may not like so make it how YOU like it, that's all that matters in the end.

 

 

tasteful- changing things on a car to the point where the car could still pass for factory built.

tasteless- not knowing when to stop...

 

I agree with that statement 100%...

 

Leave it to the Ricers to mess up a Benz

 

Bob, you are awesome, thanks!! Glad I made the cut

Having spent some time in a design school, I'll try to keep this brief without going into a dissertation:

Tasteful mods are ones that "unify" with each other. Part of this unification means that the mods tie in with the original character lines of the car. Mods that call an extreme amount of attention to themselves as a standalone add-on do more to rob from the overall impact of the car than to enhance it. Remember this line, if nothing else.

When a car is designed, a common theme is employed throughout the body, trim, wheels, etc. to tie it all together and result in an "impact" when the car pulls up to onlookers. It's either a gag (Pontiac Aztek) or an O-face (Ferrari 458 Italia).

Mercedes always employs a classy, muted luxury look with sculpted lines and a sporty feel. Cadillac vehicles are edgy, angular, flashy, and ostentatious. Noting subtle about them. Porsche always keeps it simple, and sticks to an iconic profile with form almost always following function. Infiniti, on the other hand, forces the function to follow form, in all it's swoopiness (yes, that's a made-up word) .

With our Crossfires, we teeter on a thin line. Our cars already arrest attention with very polarizing, "love it or hate it" looks. When modding, you need to look at a car as a canvas... with any/all additions altering the "feel" of the artwork.

The Crossfire employs angular side panels, with a healthy does of curves in the rear profile, and an edgy front-end. So, there's something for everybody. The OEM wheels do such a good job tying this all together because they're flat and angular, yet they curve. The SRT wheels have spokes that tie in with the hood/fender strakes: again, unification.

It's why big, garish wheels look so terrible, and the M-Benz derived designs look so "at home".

Stick-ons of any variety are a no-no, from an aesthetic flow standpoint. Sure, it's the individual's car and you can do as you please, but putting a pineapple on the roof doesn't compliment the lines of the car, no matter how much someone may love it.

Perhaps the best mod in the world is one that, to an enthusiast, is immediately noticed because it has enhanced or even further improved the overall look of the car; yet, to a layman, it would be lost because it flows so well with the rest of the design.

Perhaps the best compliment you can receive is, "Did they come like that from the factory?"

Seamless, confused with being "the real deal", and effective in design -- THOSE are the criteria I employ when making additions to my car.

Some tips:

• Make sure all trim matches. If you go black, go ALL BLACK. If you like carbon fiber, go all carbon. Silver door handles and a gunmetal windshield surround would clash. No unity.
• If the front of the car looks OEM, insure that the rest of the car does, as well. Canards, fairings, and vents sticking out of the back of an otherwise "stock" body give the car a confused look. Are we getting groceries, or race trophies?
• Make sure the mod does not DECREASE the functional ability of the car. If you increase rim size, keep it light and upgrade the brakes. Otherwise, you'll accelerate wear and tear on the chassis.
• Have a theme in mind. A goal, from start to finish, is key in producing a magazine-quality car. Brabus rims combined with Lorinser interior accents combined with a Carlsson front spoiler = confused ride. Each tuner focuses on a different direction in modification... Keep brands together. Mutts never sell for a high price for a reason... they offend all the purists.

Hopefully all of that makes sense. Again, it's your individual car, but if you truly want a crowd pleaser, aesthetic agreement always wins. No matter your theme.

Happy motoring!

 

OMG, that is a crime..... I like improved vehicles, when it comes to old cars it is easier to hot rod / fancy up one rather than try to go back to stock unless it is some rare car. It's your car do what you want but the advice to keep the parts to change it back is solid.

Joe

 

That Mecedese can never be put back to stock (UGLY and overdone).

 

That has "hurl" written all over it...

 

What are you trying to say, John?

 

Those were hardly garish, hahaha. They were gorgeous in person. Plus, your car had a unified "black" theme. Gave tighed1 nightmares...

 

Tasteful to me is any performance parts and some appearance modifications such as rims as long as they're not 30" rims lol. I have rims on my car but I still have my stock ones for winter use and if I ever resell the car. I will most likely sell my aftermarket rims separate if I ever sell my car. I only have rims on my car and I'm most likely done modding it..... might add some drop in K&N filters eventually but I'm just gonna enjoy the car now cause there isn't really anything I can do to make the car look any better than it is!!!