NegativeTen Update Thread

[NegativeTen]

Well I just got my 2009 Camry LE on Saturday, and wasted no time in making it look a little better. I got tint done yesterday, and when I got home my OEM SE grille had arrived. These two simple mods at so much character and aggression to the car.

BEFORE:




DURING:




AFTER:




Grille is an OEM SE Grille I got off eBay for $40, and the tint was done locally for $139 with lifetime warranty. 25% on front/rear doors, 15% on the back. No windshield brow, but I might go back and get it done.

This is the start of a beautiful friendship!

[bandit]

Welcome and congrats. Good start. However, I'm not fond of the tint where they cut around the brake light. A proper tint job would of covered the entire window.

[glenn14]

Your car looks nice with the SE grille, it looks like you also got the stock SE wheels too, are they 16" or 17" wheels ???
Why I ask they look smaller than my 17''s
Glenn

[bandit]

Originally Posted by glenn14

Your car looks nice with the SE grille, it looks like you also got the stock SE wheels too, are they 16" or 17" wheels ???
Why I ask they look smaller than my 17''s
Glenn

SE wheels come only 17". It's always hard to judge size based on pictures. It looks like the tire looks thicker thats why the rims look smaller unless its aftermarket rims.

[NegativeTen]

They're just 16" alloys that were available on the LE's I think, not the 17" SE wheels (although they look similar, not sure if they're the same or not). Though, 17's would be nice.

I noticed the cutout for the brake light, too, but I just assumed that it was standard procedure. It doesn't bother me all that much, so I'm not going to worry about it.

Also, thanks to whomever changed the title of my thread. Hopefully I'll be able to afford mod fever and update it often. Next step is most likely chrome door handles, I think they would look really good on the red (and compliment the window trim, as well). After that I think I'll add some fogs. I'm not going after an SE clone or anything, but Toyota definitely did it right with the SE, what's not to love?!

I do have to say, Red wasn't my first choice. In fact, I had my eye on an '08 black SE, but it sold before I could jump on it. It's definitely growing on me, it looks much better in certain light than in others. For example, she looks gorgeous in the "after" photo with the grille installed, and less desirable in the outside pictures.

[edit]
Also, please excuse the dirty car, I won't keep her like that, I promise! It's been awful weather since I got her, and haven't had a chance to wash. (For example, I bought it in the snow six days ago, and it's 75* and rainy today).

[glenn14]

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

SE wheels come only 17". It's always hard to judge size based on pictures. It looks like the tire looks thicker thats why the rims look smaller unless its aftermarket rims.

Your correct his sidewalls are what threw me off..his tires don't look as
low profile as ours hence making the wheels look like 16'' instead of 17''
although photos can be deceptive. EDIT: He answered my question they are 16's I did not think they made a 16'' wheel that looks like
ours..... also NEGATIVETEN I hear ya on the weather DCM is in New York and I am in Mass and we have gotten hammered with snow this year so its been hard to keep our cars clean, we have gotten over 80'' of snow this year. Welcome to TN !!!!

Glenn

[mingming]

welcome to TN. SE grille on a LE is always the best way to go . Did you buy the grille used or brand new?

[bandit]

Originally Posted by glenn14

Your correct his sidewalls are what threw me off..his tires don't look as
low profile as ours hence making the wheels look like 16'' instead of 17''
although photos can be deceptive. EDIT: He answered my question they are 16's I did not think they made a 16'' wheel that looks like
ours..... also NEGATIVETEN I hear ya on the weather DCM is in New York and I am in Mass and we have gotten hammered with snow this year so its been hard to keep our cars clean, we have gotten over 80'' of snow this year. Welcome to TN !!!!

Glenn

Even though its 16", I still think its aftermarket. I've never seen OEM SE in 16"...on the web or even on the forums. Don't forget, the car was purchased used. So original owner or dealership could of gotten aftermarket rims that looked like SE. Only way to find out is by removing wheel and checking the back.

We got our 60 degree weather today. So it definitely melted majority of snow. But we're back to 30/40 degree weather for the next couple of days.

[NegativeTen]

I bought it used from eBay, but only paid $40 for it so I felt like I got a good deal. One of the clips was broken off, and there are two or three minor flaws, but overall, well worth what I paid.

@glenn: The sad part is we hardly ever see snow down here in Arkansas, when we do it's 3-4 inches TOPS (schools let out with 1" haha). We got a few inches last week, and two days later it was in the 70's again. Our weather is ridiculous!

@dcemu: I'll do exactly that in the next few days. I'm going to give the calipers a nice coat of black paint, and I'll inspect the rims (and give them a thorough cleaning) when I do. I'll report back with my findings. Also, when I get back from picking up my pizza in a bit, I'll update with a closer shot of the wheels if that helps.

[NegativeTen]

Here's a closeup of one of the wheels. I'm not sure if they're OEM, reproductions, or just general aftermarkets. I'll find out for certain in the next few days when I paint my calipers.

Also, I have locking lugs too, I didn't think that came standard on the Camry.. so it might have something to do with the wheels.

[willt]

nope i dont think camry comes with locking lugs i had le and se regular lugs
oh time to debadge it and welcome to tn where everyone tells you U NEED TO DROP IT.. likes is hot


man i wish i had that heat shield mine looks rusty

[my.rims.are.stock]

Welcome aboard! Great car! I'm interested to see your progress, so keep as updated.

In regards to the wheels they look pretty close to the SE ones. I can't really tell a difference, except mine has a little hook on it and maybe part of the spokes look a little more defined but it could be the picture. Cheers!

[Zmon]

I'm pretty sure those rims are OEM's. Many LE's around here either have the black steelies with the covers, or those 16'' SE lookalikes.

Anyways, my calipers will be finished before yours will be. Hehehe.

[my.rims.are.stock]

Originally Posted by Zmon

I'm pretty sure those rims are OEM's. Many LE's around here either have the black steelies with the covers, or those 16'' SE lookalikes.

Anyways, my calipers will be finished before yours will be. Hehehe.

His are definitely not hubcaps.

[NegativeTen]

Hopefully I'll do the calipers tomorrow since I have some free time.

Originally Posted by my.rims.are.stock

His are definitely not hubcaps.

I think he was saying that the ones he has seen are either steelies with hubcaps, or the 16" alloys like I have.