Leased 09 customizing - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

TJHammer · 02-09-2009, 06:41 PM

Well, money as tight as it is, I leased a 2009 and enjoy it, but have been trying to do all I could to make it more my own. I upgraded the audio with a 22w RMS Kenwood head unit, Infinity Kappa Tweets, Apline 6x9 door and Fosgate amp with 300w Sub. I did the labor myself (it was all new to me, but it saved money to DIY)
Car is black and windows are tinted. I pretty much havent done anything else but add some nice aftermarket chrome wheel covers to the stock 16" wheels. Within a TIGHT budget do you all have any suggestions on what else you would do to change it up just a bit. Is it worth spending money on rims when its a leased vehicle (is there any residual value to used wheels??
I am new to the customizing car game, but you can only start from the beginning.
I want to tint the tail lights and maybe the head lights, but am nervous with the police here in NY, because I already got one window tint ticket.
I would love any suggestions, keep in mind money is tight, doing all I can
Thanks
TJ

***bandit*** · 02-09-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJHammer

Well, money as tight as it is, I leased a 2009 and enjoy it, but have been trying to do all I could to make it more my own. I upgraded the audio with a 22w RMS Kenwood head unit, Infinity Kappa Tweets, Apline 6x9 door and Fosgate amp with 300w Sub. I did the labor myself (it was all new to me, but it saved money to DIY)
Car is black and windows are tinted. I pretty much havent done anything else but add some nice aftermarket chrome wheel covers to the stock 16" wheels. Within a TIGHT budget do you all have any suggestions on what else you would do to change it up just a bit. Is it worth spending money on rims when its a leased vehicle (is there any residual value to used wheels??
I am new to the customizing car game, but you can only start from the beginning.
I want to tint the tail lights and maybe the head lights, but am nervous with the police here in NY, because I already got one window tint ticket.
I would love any suggestions, keep in mind money is tight, doing all I can
Thanks
TJ

Welcome. How dark is your tints? If its dark i.e. <20% in the front, thats your problem. I have 30% and dont have a problem. Some will say they have 20% in NYC and never got a ticket. It all depends on the cop/trooper you pass. I was on the GCP heading to Northern State/Meadowbrook and a trooper came onto the highway, pulled up behind a car, cut in front of me only to cut back behind the car and flashed its lights. The car wasnt speeding and the tints were pitch black.

Tinting taillights are fine so as long its not too dark. Tinting headlights is automatic fail cuz you'll be blocking the headlights from shining the road. Changing LEDs in the interior or adding cathodes to the trunk is pretty much universal depending on the car you get next. Its cheap too. Take a look on my CarDomain and around the forums for ideas

Once the weather gets warmer, I'll probably set up a meet.

Redline_Me · 02-09-2009, 09:07 PM

You know you are losing more money customizing a lease?

MJZ · 02-09-2009, 09:09 PM

People who lease probably don't care.

Though if I leased, I would lease a 3 series Coupe and run that thing into the ground.

***Punks_Not_Dead5*** · 02-09-2009, 09:22 PM

my dad leased his Matrix, probably to keep me FROM modding it

***bandit*** · 02-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redline_Me

You know you are losing more money customizing a lease?

But if they keep it, they wont be losing money on the customizing.

TJHammer · 02-09-2009, 09:23 PM

Oh, I definitely understand that customizing a lease is a loss of money, but in the audio systems' case, that's all MY equipment. I made zero modifications to the car, so at lease's end, all factory stock parts go back in and aftermarket equipment stays mine, and mostly should be able to transfer to my next vehicle. This is where I have spent pretty much all the money, except for tints. This is why I was just trying to be creative with little things in the time being (with little spent, i.e tinted tail lights, etc.) I just wanted creatively inexpensive ideas BECAUSE its a lease, and well, because I just don't have that much cash to waste.
I am working on getting my hands on some PBA cards to finally deal with cops with a little more hope of escaping a tik.
Look foward to a meet when weather improves. I am just trying to do a few little things to set it apart thats all. I have bigger appetite than my wallet can handle anyway

Redline_Me · 02-09-2009, 09:26 PM

You can get some HID's from Paul.

***Punks_Not_Dead5*** · 02-09-2009, 09:28 PM

For rims, to keep, your next car would have to have the same lug pattern (5 x 114.3). and ofcourse the offset would have to be checked for clearance on your next car(not too big of a problem, can always get spacers)

I'd go with SE rims just to get rid of the steelies and wheel covers..

Redline_Me · 02-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punks_Not_Dead5

For rims, to keep, your next car would have to have the same lug pattern (5 x 114.3). and ofcourse the offset would have to be checked for clearance on your next car(not too big of a problem, can always get spacers)

I'd go with SE rims just to get rid of the steelies and wheel covers..

I forgot he said chrome wheel covers. Please get rid of those in the morning. I ran my car without any covers since i took my rims off and it didnt look bas as long as i kept them clean and black. I used tire shiner lol.

TJHammer · 02-09-2009, 10:54 PM

I anticipate the next car a potential keeper and probably will go with larger diameter rims. This is also why I am hesitant about spending money for wheels right now (16"). Is there even a market for used rims? I can check on my own, but thought I'd ask. How big an issue would I be looking at regarding lug nut pattern matching? I do want to tint the taillights, but have my interest piqued to add the LED, HID lighting, even a cathode. Paul? (Since I am new here, sorry, username or his real name with a diff TN username?)
And by the way I appreciate the kid gloves that you're all treat'n this newbie with....well appreciated!
TJ

TJHammer · 02-09-2009, 10:56 PM

How well do these removable tail-lighting tintings hold up?
Anyone know?
http://www.lamin-x.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y
http://www.rvinyl.com/tintkits/smoke...yota/camry.htm

***Punks_Not_Dead5*** · 02-09-2009, 10:57 PM

Not really any market for 16's, most want bigger 18's are average for the Camry. Paul is his real and user name. He's a vendor on TN.

Zonsolo · 02-09-2009, 10:57 PM

Need pics of said wheel covers.

Only way I'd spend more than $50 on customizing a lease is if I planned to buy it out.

If money is as tight as you say it is, put your mod money away for a car that you will eventually own or parts that are sorta universal like your audio.

But for cheap mods I think you'd be limited to things that you could possibly buy used (taillights, emblems, springs, strut braces, maybe even CAI) and then plan to resell after they are removed for lease turn-in.

Zonsolo · 02-09-2009, 11:00 PM

Oh for wheels, 5x114.3 is pretty common (some ford/chrysler/honda/toyota) but the offset is what will kill you.

Unless you buy a used set and resell it for little to no loss, wheels are not an option for you IMO. Plus anything over the 16's you got will cost you more for rubber usage in the long run as well.