I have a 01-s. When i put the car in reverse the lights were a nice blue/purplish color. I recenty bought 03 tail lights and put them in and noticed the reverse lights are just plain white.

My question is were the bulbs in my 01 tails different or is it the color on the tail light housing that makes that blue color?

 

You probably have colored bulbs or LEDs in your old taillights. You can just take the bulbs out and switch them to the new lights.