Matte taillights - start of a trend?

9880 Views 28 Replies 6 Participants Last post by SiM, Jan 27, 2015

iMTaylor

Discussion Starter · Nov 25, 2014

Anyone think this could make production? Toyota started a trend way back in the 00s with the Altezza tail lights on the original Lexus IS300, which then proliferated throughout the industry.

I think this matte finish to the tail light lens could start another trend, if Toyota/Scion places it into production.

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Filmore

· #2 · Nov 25, 2014

I'd like to see the effects on light throw. I have to imagine they're not as bright as your typical brake lights because of the mask.

That could prove to be a problem in night driving, where perhaps you have brakes engaged but the lights look like regular red markers. BOOM rear end?

Gotcha

· #3 · Nov 26, 2014

I do like the look of it, but I do also wonder about how it throws light. I would imagine that Toyota wouldn't put it out on a production vehicle if it interfered with the lighting too much. That just wouldn't be as safe.

DBB

· #4 · Nov 26, 2014

its certainly not illegal as the aftermarket has offered similar treatments for an age now. Small point of contention though, Toyota did not invent the euro tail look with the Altezza/IS, but yes they certainly enlarged it...

Gotcha

· #5 · Nov 26, 2014

That taillight style is really cool and quite unique. I see touches of it here, but the bold way it was done in the past is awesome. plenty of people do this after market too (but I guess we already said that

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Patrick.S

· #6 · Nov 26, 2014

I'm not a fan of the matte look but I can see this being the start of a trend on the manufacture level and when it comes to people modifying their vehicles, the latter which should pick up quick as all you need is matte clear film or spray.

Gotcha

· #7 · Nov 27, 2014

Patrick.S said:
I'm not a fan of the matte look but I can see this being the start of a trend on the manufacture level and when it comes to people modifying their vehicles, the latter which should pick up quick as all you need is matte clear film or spray.

I just question whether it is legal. Lighting mods are regulated often times. You can't do under lighting and you can't have lights that are too dark or too bright. You'd just have to make sure whatever you do follows the letter of the law.

Other than that, more power to you.

Patrick.S

· #8 · Nov 27, 2014

I can see why it may be illegal but it won't be nearly as much of an issue as doing other mods are.

Filmore

· #9 · Nov 28, 2014

Patrick.S said:
I'm not a fan of the matte look but I can see this being the start of a trend on the manufacture level and when it comes to people modifying their vehicles, the latter which should pick up quick as all you need is matte clear film or spray.

yea but thats essentially mercantile, what if I don't like the lights, I would have no choice? Or are we expecting manufacturers to offer two different tail light treatments for the sake of it?

Patrick.S

· #10 · Nov 29, 2014

Basically you'd be left with no choice if it's the only option.
I would prefer it if they had two options, best way to go about it if they want it included.

Gotcha

· #11 · Dec 1, 2014

Patrick.S said:
Basically you'd be left with no choice if it's the only option.
I would prefer it if they had two options, best way to go about it if they want it included.

I don't see this as being an option. It will either be there or it won't. That is my prediction.

SiM

· #12 · Dec 2, 2014

i'm on @Gotcha side on this one

scion goes mono-spec for the most part and this seems like one of those things you don't want to mess with as a standard feature although it's a small issue.

Gotcha

· #13 · Dec 2, 2014

I just don't see how making it an option would make Scion any money. How much would people be willing to pay for the matte taillights?

iMTaylor

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 3, 2014

Gotcha said:
I just don't see how making it an option would make Scion any money. How much would people be willing to pay for the matte taillights?

Mass producing a set of taillights and charging say an extra $300 would still yield a tremendous profit margin.

Gotcha

· #15 · Dec 3, 2014

iMTaylor said:
Mass producing a set of taillights and charging say an extra $300 would still yield a tremendous profit margin.

I just wonder if people would be willing to pay that much for a different taillight finish. Some I'm sure. I guess once you tack it onto the price of the whole vehicle its easy to spend money like that.

iMTaylor

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 3, 2014

Gotcha said:
I just wonder if people would be willing to pay that much for a different taillight finish. Some I'm sure. I guess once you tack it onto the price of the whole vehicle its easy to spend money like that.

Tacking the option price onto the vehicle price is the key, so that the option can be financed. Once the sales guy says the cool matte taillights will only cost an extra few bucks per month, the sale is made.

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SiM

· #17 · Dec 3, 2014

^ Good point.

People look at the price of the option VS cost of vehicle and just see it as if it's nothing to them. Better than having to use cash you already have because then you notice it and really take in how much it is.

Gotcha

· #18 · Dec 4, 2014

It's pretty sad really because people are taking out a loan, and because of that they don't feel like they are spending the money. It makes sense in the context of our society, but when you think about what's actually going on with it, it seems a little grimy.

having said all that, I might be tempted to tack on the matte headlights, despite my better judgement.

iMTaylor

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 5, 2014

Gotcha said:
having said all that, I might be tempted to tack on the matte headlights, despite my better judgement.

I think it's a cool look. Go for it.

SiM

· #20 · Dec 5, 2014

Gotcha said:
It's pretty sad really because people are taking out a loan, and because of that they don't feel like they are spending the money. It makes sense in the context of our society, but when you think about what's actually going on with it, it seems a little grimy.

having said all that, I might be tempted to tack on the matte headlights, despite my better judgement.

It's a beautiful thing to me, seeing how obligated people feel to get things they can't actually afford and get stuck in a never ending circle while someone is profiting on their blindness

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