To stripe or not to stripe
03-18-2005, 04:37 PM
#1
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Age: 65
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To stripe or not to stripe
Hello Board,
My name is Neil. I am the proud owner -- lessee actually -- of a great car. Great because it has the looks, and ummph you want in a sporty car. Plus, it's a great value, to boot.
I traded in my 02 TLS and am loving the new design. I never 'bonded' with the Gen 2 TL's because of the styling -- or lack thereof. I figured if you're gonna drive a car with some 'guts' it should look the part. It was only after I got the '02 that I fully realized that it like every other family car on the road.
I had a tough time deciding between the G35 and the TL. I 're-upped' with Acura in large part because of their marketing strategy. I always liked the idea that almost everything was standard. When you buy a car 'off the lot' from other dealers you sometimes have to 'settle' if the car has things you don't want or maybe is missing a thing or two that you do want. Not so with the Acura. (but you all knew that)
It's a double-edged sword though. Since all TL's look mostly identical, we have to go 'aftermarket' if we want to 'jazz up' our cars. Here in South Florida, there are lots of TL's and every other premium vehicle. To me, it's important to somehow make mine 'unique'. So, to that end, I have added the door sun guards, the moon roof visor, spoiler and yes, the much maligned Gold Package.
BTW: I have the remote ignition system -- the type that disables the factory alarm. It's great for those hot Florida days. The unit is 'two-way' in that if someone breaks into the car, the transmitter will sound off. It also lets me know at all times if the doors are locked or not.
Now, to my main question:
With all due respect to the 'Aesthetic Purists' I am very interested in adding some form of striping to the car. No, I'm not talking about the wimpy 80's style of stripes, I'm interested in making a bold statement.
Now, I want to do something that's 'different' but preserves the lines and form of the car itself. If we can put a man on the Moon, we can put some markings on the side of a car that adds to it's natural beauty, and doesn't detract from it.
I realize that I may be in the minority here. Add to that, the fact that I'm a newbie poster. So, I've dusted off my asbestos suit and am ready for the incoming flames. But, maybe there are some of you 'closet stripers' out there that have the guts to post openly and show me some samples of what you've done. For the faint-hearted, you can email or PM me with your thoughts on this.
Thanx all,
Neil in Florida
My name is Neil. I am the proud owner -- lessee actually -- of a great car. Great because it has the looks, and ummph you want in a sporty car. Plus, it's a great value, to boot.
I traded in my 02 TLS and am loving the new design. I never 'bonded' with the Gen 2 TL's because of the styling -- or lack thereof. I figured if you're gonna drive a car with some 'guts' it should look the part. It was only after I got the '02 that I fully realized that it like every other family car on the road.
I had a tough time deciding between the G35 and the TL. I 're-upped' with Acura in large part because of their marketing strategy. I always liked the idea that almost everything was standard. When you buy a car 'off the lot' from other dealers you sometimes have to 'settle' if the car has things you don't want or maybe is missing a thing or two that you do want. Not so with the Acura. (but you all knew that)
It's a double-edged sword though. Since all TL's look mostly identical, we have to go 'aftermarket' if we want to 'jazz up' our cars. Here in South Florida, there are lots of TL's and every other premium vehicle. To me, it's important to somehow make mine 'unique'. So, to that end, I have added the door sun guards, the moon roof visor, spoiler and yes, the much maligned Gold Package.
BTW: I have the remote ignition system -- the type that disables the factory alarm. It's great for those hot Florida days. The unit is 'two-way' in that if someone breaks into the car, the transmitter will sound off. It also lets me know at all times if the doors are locked or not.
Now, to my main question:
With all due respect to the 'Aesthetic Purists' I am very interested in adding some form of striping to the car. No, I'm not talking about the wimpy 80's style of stripes, I'm interested in making a bold statement.
Now, I want to do something that's 'different' but preserves the lines and form of the car itself. If we can put a man on the Moon, we can put some markings on the side of a car that adds to it's natural beauty, and doesn't detract from it.
I realize that I may be in the minority here. Add to that, the fact that I'm a newbie poster. So, I've dusted off my asbestos suit and am ready for the incoming flames. But, maybe there are some of you 'closet stripers' out there that have the guts to post openly and show me some samples of what you've done. For the faint-hearted, you can email or PM me with your thoughts on this.
Thanx all,
Neil in Florida
03-18-2005, 04:44 PM
#2
Here's some discussion to keep you busy for a while. Don't flame too hot, fellas, everyone is entitled to their opinion and the right to do what they want with their car. I took a lot of heat because I have the body side moldings, but as said in one of the links I took my stripes off because I didn't like them. To each his own.
Don’t stripe
Please don’t stripe
Pretty please don’t stripe
Don’t stripe
Please don’t stripe
Pretty please don’t stripe
03-18-2005, 04:51 PM
#3
Moderator Alumnus
Tons of ways could make your car special, but not like this, IMHO...
Neil,
Welcome aboard
I don't like them either... this is another one... FYI.
Pinstripe Or No Pinstripe?
Congratulations for your new ride. Enjoy.
Welcome aboard
I don't like them either... this is another one... FYI.
Pinstripe Or No Pinstripe?
Congratulations for your new ride. Enjoy.
Trending Topics
03-18-2005, 06:19 PM
#12
Instructor
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central NJ --> NE GA
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Neilg1958
With all due respect to the 'Aesthetic Purists' I am very interested in adding some form of striping to the car. No, I'm not talking about the wimpy 80's style of stripes, I'm interested in making a bold statement.
Actually I do have silver pinstripes on my NBP/Ebony w/ winged spoiler. I was very nervous going to pick up the car. I wasn't sure how it was going to look, but I love it! I know I am in the Mega Minority on this board, but to each his own.
03-18-2005, 06:34 PM
#13
Moderator Alumnus
Originally Posted by Dvus555
Well Neil, I was gonna support you, but since I have the "wimpy 80's style", you can go f**k off!!
Actually I do have silver pinstripes on my NBP/Ebony w/ winged spoiler. I was very nervous going to pick up the car. I wasn't sure how it was going to look, but I love it! I know I am in the Mega Minority on this board, but to each his own.
Actually I do have silver pinstripes on my NBP/Ebony w/ winged spoiler. I was very nervous going to pick up the car. I wasn't sure how it was going to look, but I love it! I know I am in the Mega Minority on this board, but to each his own.
This ain't the steroid scandal. Thanks for the info...
03-18-2005, 07:02 PM
#15
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Age: 65
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A couple of points I left out of the original post:
--- I think hot set of wheels can go a long way toward customizing my car. But remember, I'm leasing it. I'd have to keep the original rims around for the day I turn in the car. I have plenty of storage space, not a big deal. But it is a consideration.
--- The expense of the wheels is something I'd consider in 6 months or so. Not right now, though.
--- I'm determined to do something with the side of the car to make it stand out in a crowd. I'm open-minded to the possibility that what I'm looking for doesn't exist. That the designers of the TL made the perfect car and nothing on God's green Earth could improve upon it. However, I am also open-minded to the possibility that some harmonious blend of paint, and inspiration can be found. A veritable automotive Fung Schwei.
I respect peoples opinions and can agree to disagree. I hate Brocolli but if you love it, well, that's OK by me. That being said. I will accept it as a 'given' that many of you think the car should be left 'as is'. Can you accept the possibility that some tasteful, artful lines can in fact be added to the car and somehow make it better than it was without them?
I have to assume that there are TL owners out there that share my need to assert our uniqueness and have done something about it. There's a detail guy in the area that says he's done lots of cars. Although he hasn't done a Gen 3 TL. He was recommended highly and I'll be looking at his 'portfolio' next week to see what his past work has looked like.
My intent on this thread is to hear from people that have added lines -- or some other markings -- to their TL and would like to share their results, publicly or privately.
Frankly, I don't care if 100 of you come out against the idea for every one that's in favor of it. Feel free to warn me about the horrible mistake you think I'm making. By all means put me on your Ignore List so you'll never have to read my writings again. But I do ask that you try for 10 seconds to remain open to a possibility that what I'm looking for can exist out there AND that you might actually like it when you see it.
I love how the TL's looks. But, like a beautiful woman, a few well placed make-up touches can make a good thing even better.
--- I think hot set of wheels can go a long way toward customizing my car. But remember, I'm leasing it. I'd have to keep the original rims around for the day I turn in the car. I have plenty of storage space, not a big deal. But it is a consideration.
--- The expense of the wheels is something I'd consider in 6 months or so. Not right now, though.
--- I'm determined to do something with the side of the car to make it stand out in a crowd. I'm open-minded to the possibility that what I'm looking for doesn't exist. That the designers of the TL made the perfect car and nothing on God's green Earth could improve upon it. However, I am also open-minded to the possibility that some harmonious blend of paint, and inspiration can be found. A veritable automotive Fung Schwei.
I respect peoples opinions and can agree to disagree. I hate Brocolli but if you love it, well, that's OK by me. That being said. I will accept it as a 'given' that many of you think the car should be left 'as is'. Can you accept the possibility that some tasteful, artful lines can in fact be added to the car and somehow make it better than it was without them?
I have to assume that there are TL owners out there that share my need to assert our uniqueness and have done something about it. There's a detail guy in the area that says he's done lots of cars. Although he hasn't done a Gen 3 TL. He was recommended highly and I'll be looking at his 'portfolio' next week to see what his past work has looked like.
My intent on this thread is to hear from people that have added lines -- or some other markings -- to their TL and would like to share their results, publicly or privately.
Frankly, I don't care if 100 of you come out against the idea for every one that's in favor of it. Feel free to warn me about the horrible mistake you think I'm making. By all means put me on your Ignore List so you'll never have to read my writings again. But I do ask that you try for 10 seconds to remain open to a possibility that what I'm looking for can exist out there AND that you might actually like it when you see it.
I love how the TL's looks. But, like a beautiful woman, a few well placed make-up touches can make a good thing even better.
03-18-2005, 07:04 PM
#16
6th Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Age: 65
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dvus555
Well Neil, I was gonna support you, but since I have the "wimpy 80's style", you can go f**k off!!
03-18-2005, 07:31 PM
#17
jz
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Red Lion, PA
Age: 49
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The TL already has a stripe. It runs from the front side marker to the back side marker. It needs no additional attention.
II don't like striping and have always thought of itas a low class money maker for dealers. York VW pinstripes EVERY car on the lot. When I bought my GTI they had to do a dealer swap to aquire one without it. I almost threw up the day I saw an R32 with a pinstripe next to a $50,000 Toureg with pinstripe.
JZ
II don't like striping and have always thought of itas a low class money maker for dealers. York VW pinstripes EVERY car on the lot. When I bought my GTI they had to do a dealer swap to aquire one without it. I almost threw up the day I saw an R32 with a pinstripe next to a $50,000 Toureg with pinstripe.
JZ
03-19-2005, 12:28 PM
#18
Keep Right Except to Pass
I think a stripe can look very good, especially if you have the BSM as well. Funny I say that becaue I have both. NBP with camel and the stripe matches the interior. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it, although I know that the folks here would slag me out for it. I'd post a picture but it's on my other computer.....will come back later and do so. The key is to remember what Ron A said--it is YOUR car and if YOU like the way something looks, go ahead and do it and tell everyone else to sod off. I think that the car looks incomplete without the stripe, but I know that many others disagree. Ultimately, follow this rule: you're the one who pays for the car, drives it every day, and must be happy with its appearance, so don't worry about what everybody here thinks.
As far as "making a bold statement," I don't have any sort of mental image of what you mean. What initially comes to mind is the sort of stripes that some Mini Cooper owners have on the bonnet, but I'm sure that's not what you mean!
As far as "making a bold statement," I don't have any sort of mental image of what you mean. What initially comes to mind is the sort of stripes that some Mini Cooper owners have on the bonnet, but I'm sure that's not what you mean!
03-20-2005, 06:30 AM
#19
I had a NBP 2002 TLS and I had a red pinstripe painted and thought it looked pretty good...on that particular car...but the 3G TL...IMHO looks much better plain...just my .02!!
03-20-2005, 03:11 PM
#20
8th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 1995hoo
I think a stripe can look very good, especially if you have the BSM as well. Funny I say that becaue I have both. NBP with camel and the stripe matches the interior. I've gotten a lot of compliments on it, although I know that the folks here would slag me out for it. I'd post a picture but it's on my other computer.....will come back later and do so. The key is to remember what Ron A said--it is YOUR car and if YOU like the way something looks, go ahead and do it and tell everyone else to sod off. I think that the car looks incomplete without the stripe, but I know that many others disagree. Ultimately, follow this rule: you're the one who pays for the car, drives it every day, and must be happy with its appearance, so don't worry about what everybody here thinks.
As far as "making a bold statement," I don't have any sort of mental image of what you mean. What initially comes to mind is the sort of stripes that some Mini Cooper owners have on the bonnet, but I'm sure that's not what you mean!
As far as "making a bold statement," I don't have any sort of mental image of what you mean. What initially comes to mind is the sort of stripes that some Mini Cooper owners have on the bonnet, but I'm sure that's not what you mean!
03-21-2005, 06:17 AM
#21
That is an awesome looking stripe, but personally I think it looks too "busy" with the angular lines of the TL. Whoever did the stripe did an excellent job though. BTW...your Anthracite TL looks great...nice job with the detailing...what type "wax" did you use? It really looks GREAT!
03-21-2005, 07:54 AM
#22
I'm Baaack!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Newark, Delaware
Age: 56
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Neilg1958
--- I'm determined to do something with the side of the car to make it stand out in a crowd.
Originally Posted by Neilg1958
I love how the TL's looks. But, like a beautiful woman, a few well placed make-up touches can make a good thing even better.
03-21-2005, 08:24 AM
#23
Team Anthracite Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am guessing that this pic was taken minutes after delivery of your TL? That is an extremely clean car - even the tail pipes have no carbon on then. VERY nice - course, I am partial to Anthracite
oh yeah, I personally do not like stripes, but that is what makes the world go round - different strokes.... BUT - if I did like stripes - those are very nicely done - nice job.
oh yeah, I personally do not like stripes, but that is what makes the world go round - different strokes.... BUT - if I did like stripes - those are very nicely done - nice job.
03-21-2005, 09:35 AM
#25
Drifting
No stripes.
03-21-2005, 12:13 PM
#30
It's never enough!
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Age: 55
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you want something that will stand out from the rest of us TL owners, stripe it. As you can see from this forum, yours will one of a small (very small) handful with stripes. I am no fan of stripes, except on the '77 Buick I drove as a kid.
I agree with the post above....flames will really make it stand out.
I agree with the post above....flames will really make it stand out.
03-21-2005, 07:10 PM
#32
8th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JetJock
That is an awesome looking stripe, but personally I think it looks too "busy" with the angular lines of the TL. Whoever did the stripe did an excellent job though. BTW...your Anthracite TL looks great...nice job with the detailing...what type "wax" did you use? It really looks GREAT!
03-21-2005, 07:40 PM
#33
8th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by TBone2004
I am guessing that this pic was taken minutes after delivery of your TL? That is an extremely clean car - even the tail pipes have no carbon on then. VERY nice - course, I am partial to Anthracite
oh yeah, I personally do not like stripes, but that is what makes the world go round - different strokes.... BUT - if I did like stripes - those are very nicely done - nice job.
oh yeah, I personally do not like stripes, but that is what makes the world go round - different strokes.... BUT - if I did like stripes - those are very nicely done - nice job.
Regarding your comment about no carbon on the tailpipes, I don’t remember ever seeing any on this car. Does it collect on yours?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post