Tail lights can really change the look of a car.

So my miata has had those "euro" lights on it since I bought it and it has always bugged me.  I replaced them today with a set of used factory ones i picked up. It looks so much better.

To the much better 

Yes, much better.  

APC yo.

Yup. Every car benefits (cosmetically) from better taillights. 

VS

I agree with the change back to stock. Better looking lights

I remember having the APC "Altezza" lights on my Del Sol back in the 90s

I always wanted to swap the the stock taillights on my IS300.  They were the original Altezza lights that started the trend, but the Pep Boys tuners ruined them forever.

Seems to be the trend nowadays is nightshade the crap out of your tail lights.  I think that pisses me off even more, especially when you're behind these tools in limited visibility weather or at night even.  

Stanger2000 said:

Seems to be the trend nowadays is nightshade the crap out of your tail lights.  I think that pisses me off even more, especially when you're behind these tools in limited visibility weather or at night even.  

VHT Nightshades? Heck, in my 'hood the morons are using Krylon. Saw one the other day that had useless rear lights.

Stanger2000 said:

Seems to be the trend nowadays is nightshade the crap out of your tail lights.  I think that pisses me off even more, especially when you're behind these tools in limited visibility weather or at night even.  

Even better when they do it to their own headlights.

i do have some red nightshades so i might try those on the old ones.

Stanger2000 said:

Seems to be the trend nowadays is nightshade the crap out of your tail lights.  I think that pisses me off even more, especially when you're behind these tools in limited visibility weather or at night even.  

My sister's '97 Mustang has heavily tinted tail lights (done by the prevvious owner) . A pair of housings bas been on the to do list for a while. 

i was thinking about changing out the 6's taillights when i first got it to some aftermarket w/LED, but i have to say the factory ones have grown on me a lot lately.  Your's definitely looks better w/the OE ones on it, well done.

Good job. Aftermarket tail lights always look like garbage.

NEALSMO said:

I always wanted to swap the the stock taillights on my IS300.  They were the original Altezza lights that started the trend, but the Pep Boys tuners ruined them forever.

I wanted the stock 'smoked chrome' ones when I had an IS300.  The IS was nearly new when I had it, but the Altezza lights were everywhere.  Barf.

Our local police would jump at the chance to stop someone with shaded tail lights.

 Surprising what else they find.

Sort of like mining.

Hot rodding tradition doesn't stray far.

Stanger2000 said:

Seems to be the trend nowadays is nightshade the crap out of your tail lights.  I think that pisses me off even more, especially when you're behind these tools in limited visibility weather or at night even.  

Previous owner of my Miata blacked out the marker lights. Had it only about six weeks, haven't gotten them replaced yet. 

I don't know if I can clean the tint off with some alcohol, I'll try that first.

Daylan C said:

My sister's '97 Mustang has heavily tinted tail lights (done by the prevvious owner) . A pair of housings bas been on the to do list for a while. 

I'd think a headlight buffing kit (or though beyond my off-the-top-of-my-head knowledge, maybe just some appropriate buffing compound) would take that crud off AND restore like-new shine... Guess it depends on how easy it is to get replacements, and how nook-and-cranny-ful the lights are...

Woody said:

Good job. Aftermarket tail lights always look like garbage.

I disagree., I put smoked LED ones on my BMW and I think they looked much better than the dated stock ones.

Before:

After:

iceracer said:

Our local police would jump at the chance to stop someone with shaded tail lights.

 Surprising what else they find.

Sort of like mining.

I don’t see how blacked out taillights aren’t a fix-it ticket magnet. 

or bald tires..

or stickers all over the glass..

seems like easy pickings

Crappy aftermarket tail lights are sometimes a sign that the previous owner was an idiot. Case in point:

When I bought this in 2003, it readily became apparent that was PO was a massive idiot. The crappy Altezza tail lights were just the tip of the E36 M3-berg. I replaced the tail lights with OEM housings, to the tune of $150 a piece (used, from a junkyard!)

I often wonder about the litigation involving an accident in which Johnny Niteshades gets rear ended.

stanger_missle said:

Crappy aftermarket tail lights are sometimes a sign that the previous owner was an idiot. Case in point:

When I bought this in 2003, it readily became apparent that was PO was a massive idiot. The crappy Altezza tail lights were just the tip of the E36 M3-berg. I replaced the tail lights with OEM housings, to the tune of $150 a piece (used, from a junkyard!)

I guess being different is more important than good looks. I wish this was the case when I was in high school, I would have had all the hot women!

In reply to rustybugkiller :

Well the PO was 16. His dad bought it for him (his son was the stereotypical spoiled rich brat). That poor Mustang was beaten to an inch of its life. He bought cheap aftermarket parts to hide the crash damage from his dad (2 separate wrecks).

Learned my lesson on that one