How to make a 97 camry non ricey..

[NickX22]

Hey toyota nation.. im new to this website but ive seen some helpful things you guys have posted. But i have a quick question/concern. Im 18 and ive been drivin my 97 camry 4 banger for 2 years now while all of my friends drive STi's and S2000's . I was wondering what mods i can install so that my camry stands out from all the moms driving theres around here and being able to cruise with my boys... but keeping it kind of "low key" and not the fast and furious ricey look. Thanks alot.

[eddie926]

How much do you want to spend?

IMO, the #1 cheap thing you can do is keep your car detailed. Clean always looks better than dirty, and even the slobbiest (is that a word?) of my friends would notice how clean my car was when they got in. Keep it waxed. Keep the tires dressed. Keep the inside clean.

When you start spending some cash, IMO the #1 thing to personalize it is wheels. A nice set of wheels can totally change the look. However, be aware that if you increase the size of your wheel too much without lowering the car, you'll end up looking like you're 4-wheel drive. So, if you don't want to upgrade the suspension and lower the car then maybe don't go bigger than a 16" wheel. If you can't afford new wheels/tires, even a new set of aftermarket wheel covers on your steelies can make a major change in the look.

Window tints make a big difference in the look also if you haven't done tints yet.

Have you put in a good stereo yet? If you're hangin' with the boys, good tunes are a must.

[uibalnme]

+1
...a carbon fiber hood and trunk would score major points with your crew.

['_']

Originally Posted by eddie926

How much do you want to spend?

IMO, the #1 cheap thing you can do is keep your car detailed. Clean always looks better than dirty, and even the slobbiest (is that a word?) of my friends would notice how clean my car was when they got in. Keep it waxed. Keep the tires dressed. Keep the inside clean.

When you start spending some cash, IMO the #1 thing to personalize it is wheels. A nice set of wheels can totally change the look. However, be aware that if you increase the size of your wheel too much without lowering the car, you'll end up looking like you're 4-wheel drive. So, if you don't want to upgrade the suspension and lower the car then maybe don't go bigger than a 16" wheel. If you can't afford new wheels/tires, even a new set of aftermarket wheel covers on your steelies can make a major change in the look.

Window tints make a big difference in the look also if you haven't done tints yet.

Have you put in a good stereo yet? If you're hangin' with the boys, good tunes are a must.

+1 and don't get altezza tails and too many stickers.

[ONE_to_HATE]

LOL. go look at the 3/4 picture sticky and grab some ideas from those. I didn't say copy- i said grab ideas and decide on a look you'd wanna go after.

[bigbird]

the BEST mod period is the TRD lip kit. find one of thoes, lower it a littel and tighten teh suspension. next id get an intake to get the great sound of the 5sfe and possibly a quiet muffler. tint and get a nice set of wheels and ull have a very atractive ride that isnt ricy at all.

oh, and "Rice" is how u drive, not what u drive. to many, anything japanese is rice.

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by bigbird

the BEST mod period is the TRD lip kit. find one of thoes, lower it a littel and tighten teh suspension. next id get an intake to get the great sound of the 5sfe and possibly a quiet muffler. tint and get a nice set of wheels and ull have a very atractive ride that isnt ricy at all.

oh, and "Rice" is how u drive, not what u drive. to many, anything japanese is rice.

Have to Agree with Rob here.

I think the TRD Lip Kit would be the best of it all to stand out without the rice.

[rebel8ball]

well first the quickest cheapest and easiest way to make these 4 hole camrys reall fly is to laungh em off an aircraft carrier... so if you wanna hang with speed then time to save up and sell the cam. better to go for a clean look and have good handling. i sadly started with a 97 four holer of the most soccer momish look aout there, tan with the gold emblems... i dont think i am mistaken for someones mom now... some nice mods that doent cost alot (of course nice in my opinion)
tinted tail lights
repaint the badges ya wanna keep toss the rest
tinted windows
change the look of the front lighting
change your interior lighting
new muff
cai
lowering and rims have huge impact, but arent as cheap but well worth the money

then you get into handling and the rest which ill leave to experts as i have yet to delve into that...

[kpszar]

1. Get rims, You don't have to be a rich kid to get nice rims. You can go to a junk yard, take rims form other cars with the same lug pattern and put it on your car.
2. Get a lip kit, If you don't have a lot o spend, just get the front. Andy's Auto Sport has some or check ebay.
3. Get an intake, If you have a 4 banger, buy an APC Universal intake system (American Auto Parts). It is perfect to make your car sounding like a beast without buying an whole exhaust system. These usually run for $50-70
4. If you live were cops do not car about tint? get 30% tint, this will look good, sun out of your eyes and save the interior from sun damage.

Honestly I would like a loader muffler for my car but installing it could be pretty expensive! (Flex pipe replace cost me $200 at a regular shop) Lucky for me, my dad is a good friend with the owner, and the shop sponsors me and get things done at dirt cheap

[kpszar]

Basically anything you buy at Auto Zone is rice.
1. Do not get any crappy vinyls (stickers) such as "Type-R", "APC", "NOS", "STREETGLOW", "R RACING", etc. The only sticker you get should be from sponsors.
2. Do not get any fake hood scoops, vents, hood pins, (These will not fool anyone)
3. Do not get an after market muffler that is loud, anything except Borla, Magnaflow, (name anything that I missed), is rice.
4. Clear tail lights are a big no no but front turn signals are okay.
5. Do not get a huge wing, It is a front wheel drive car.
6. Do not get dark blue bulbs, too many Honda's have em. Do not get cheap bulbs like Matrix, get some Nokya's.
7. Do not paint any interior parts, leave it stock.
8. Do not cut your OEM springs to lower your car. It will not ride good and can be dangerous.
9. Do not clam your car is fast, lets face the facts. Camry is not fast, unless if you turbo it.
(Add more if I miss a few)

[Maim Menu]

Keep it clean and subtle :

Tint
TRD Lip kit + Slight Drop
Wheels
Clear corners up front if you like them
Done. Oh yeah

Maybe a small OEM spoiler. Or those little spoilers that Lukecanhookup or something had.

The point here is to have people take a second look to wonder why the hell your car looks 100x better than any other camry in a 100 miles radius. I've seen some badass Camrys over here and OnetoHate up in the thread is a good example of a beautiful, clean cruiser.



What color is your car?

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by kpszar

Basically anything you buy at Auto Zone is rice.

since when was buying brake pads, alternator belt, etc from autozone/pepboys consider rice? not trying to single you out but that is a bit vague..

Originally Posted by bigbird

the BEST mod period is the TRD lip kit. find one of thoes, lower it a littel and tighten teh suspension. next id get an intake to get the great sound of the 5sfe and possibly a quiet muffler. tint and get a nice set of wheels and ull have a very atractive ride that isnt ricy at all.

oh, and "Rice" is how u drive, not what u drive. to many, anything japanese is rice.

i second that

[tooyoungtoodie]

Quick tint question: if you tint the 4 door window and leaving the black window not tint, is that rice too ?

[wtftoy]

lol it'll just be weird. I have 15% on the 4 window and the back, looks amazing.

[eddie926]

Not sure why you'd want to do that, unless just to save cost or because you were thinking you could do the sides yourself with OTC film and didn't want to attempt the back window.
I don't think it would look good. In my book that would qualify as another "do it right or don't do it at all" item.

You can get a good quality professional install done on all 4 doors and the back window for under $200 where I live, and I've seen many posters on here indicate they could have it done for SUBSTANTIALLY less than $200. I'd save up and wait til I could have the whole thing done at a good shop. Or, if that takes too long for you, maybe ask for it for a Bday or Christmas present from your parents. I just did my son's Camry for his birthday.

Also, if you get it done, pay attention to the tint laws in your area. Some places, the cops will hassle you and give you a ticket if your darker than the legal limit. Not the kind of thing you really want to be hassled with when you're 18