Dressing down motors?
Discussion
So I was wondering, most people (young drivers mainly) like to dress up their 1.2 Corsa, to make it look more flashy..
I was wondering if you could do the same with a top end model, and dress it down.
I am saving up for a 500 (yeah moan if you must
) but if I save a little more (or win the lottery) I could afford an Abarth, instead of a Sport.
However, I don;t like the front end of the Abarth, plus, I don't want to be seen as a boy racer, I'd prefer my car to be seen as nothing special, but can go if I need it to.
Would manufacturers see this as an impossible task?
I was wondering if you could do the same with a top end model, and dress it down.
I am saving up for a 500 (yeah moan if you must
) but if I save a little more (or win the lottery) I could afford an Abarth, instead of a Sport.However, I don;t like the front end of the Abarth, plus, I don't want to be seen as a boy racer, I'd prefer my car to be seen as nothing special, but can go if I need it to.
Would manufacturers see this as an impossible task?
sparks_E39 said:
OP has just described the new M5, seen it at Goodwood this weekend and apart from the exhausts and a few M badges you would never know.
And indeed the AMG E-class and RS6. It's not so much that the cars are subtle, as that everyone pays to have the unsubtle bits bolted onto their two litre diesels. 
Slightly out of the OP's price range though, I suspect.
Mr Roper said:
If I'm reading this right, I'm guessing the OP wants to buy a car that originally has all the bells and whistles i.e Decals, splitters, low profile tyres etc. Then have them taken off/replaced when speccing it up (or down in this case) prior to purchase.
Well I suspect he'd rather buy it without them in the first place, but that's not an option that the manufacturer provides. kambites said:
Well I suspect he'd rather buy it without them in the first place, but that's not an option that the manufacturer provides.
Sort of, I don't like the front bumper either, so that'd go back to original 500 form.M5, E63 AMG and RS4 are just a tad out of my price range... unless, as stated I win the lottery!
But you get the general idea, rather than bolting the fancy bits onto a 2.0 diesel to make it look showy, have the plain looking car with the fancier engine.
I don;t want a panda....
So you want a car that looks a bit flashy, but not too flashy?
I don't see why you shouldn't bolt on the original bits, although it might invalidate the warranty. You'd probably find someone who'd do a non-cost swap for lower spec parts if you tried, or you could just sell the "sporty" ones on ebay and buy some lower end ones.
I don't see why you shouldn't bolt on the original bits, although it might invalidate the warranty. You'd probably find someone who'd do a non-cost swap for lower spec parts if you tried, or you could just sell the "sporty" ones on ebay and buy some lower end ones.
sjg said:
Have always liked it when manufacturers offer top-end engines in basic spec - things like the 130i SE that, badge apart, looked just like a 118d. Shame they stopped it and only offered M-Sports later on.
Many years ago a friend of mine had a Vectra Club, which was basically an entry-level Vectra B with a sunroof and 15" alloys. But tVauxhall offered the 2.5V6 engine in it, which he had. It was only 170bhp, but when most of us were rocking around in 1.6 or 1.8 I4's it seemed to shift!love the idea - i have often thought people that buy M3/S3/RS4's etc and then remove badges are proper heros! (other side of the coin, 1.8T audi badged as an S3 - KN*B!)
the thing to consider is performance cars sometimes need bigger panels/bumpers/arches etc because of housing the upgraded parts and the standard panel might not even fit the modified model?
the thing to consider is performance cars sometimes need bigger panels/bumpers/arches etc because of housing the upgraded parts and the standard panel might not even fit the modified model?
Isn't the front end different on the 500 Abarth because the standard Fiat 500 nose is too small for the 1.4 Turbo motor?
Otherwise, I like the general idea that you could buy new a 'go faster' model without all the attention-grabbing, stick on nonsense. In a perfect world you'd be able to specify any driveline option (including suspension, tyres and brakes) independent of trim level. I suppose production economies mean that's not a viable option.
Otherwise, I like the general idea that you could buy new a 'go faster' model without all the attention-grabbing, stick on nonsense. In a perfect world you'd be able to specify any driveline option (including suspension, tyres and brakes) independent of trim level. I suppose production economies mean that's not a viable option.
MarJay said:
A mate of mine bought an E36 M3 saloon and sold all of the 'M' external trim. He then fitted boggo trim from a 316 and stuck a 316 badge on the back... Unfortunately he had to keep the rims, but it was still very convincing!
I like that, except the 316 badge, a tad too far maybe? 
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