VIP Recognition

I was at barnes & noble today and i was surprised to see the VIP scene getting some recognition in March's issue of Super Street Mag, well for what it counts it was more like really small comment about the VIP scene starting to blow up, i wonder how long it will take before Primedia will come out with a VIP mag, i think it be kinda cool, but it would probably look something along the lines of Super Street mag, which has a lot of CRAP in it.  what do you guys think? also in the same mag theres an ad for falken tires with a VIP style RX7, i wasnt feeling it at all, im new to the VIP scene and its something different, something im really getting into, i just dont want to see it get ruined like the JDM scene, you know everybody rocking the fake crap and calling them selfs JDM  Cool - (suteki)

It's gonna happen.

My city is hopeless I swear.

I tried to sway a Sportmax thread into a quality wheel thread but I just got a lot of "well, maybe not everybody wants to spend 1000 dollars just on wheels", and "I don't care, it's cheap".

Every single time. Couldn't even talk someone out of buying the most obvious knockoffs ever - more like counterfeit wheels - he didn't care, they were cheap. (599 wheel package, woopedy doo).

I should get free Fabulous Expands and air suspension for my efforts in raising Vip awareness despite being a cripple (in the automotive sense). Give me a break

[QUOTE=firelizard;42544]It's gonna happen.

I should get free Fabulous Expands and air suspension for my efforts in raising Vip awareness despite being a cripple (in the automotive sense). Give me a break[/QUOTE]

consider it done lol 

D.

Look how long it took for drifting to become mainstream. I think the VIP scene will grow, but we have to give it time.

I hope VIP never hits US shores at all.  The main reason I got into these scene was because it is hardly recognized here.

i hate it when things go main stream.... look at how 240's turned out. everyone and there moms have one.

i drive a 89 toyota cressida. now since people were shocked that it was rwd... want to get one for drifting...but i guess the only up side of it is more available parts.....


down with mainstream.

Yeah im glad you guys feel me, not to toot my own horn, but i live in what you can consider a small town, i joined up with a couple of guys back in 02 and i guess you could say we started the "JDM" scene here.  Of course it had been exploided in other cities but not here, so we felt special.  It was back then when it was all about show, I remember people asking why our rims were so small and in colors that nobody wanted, and now thats all you see, unfortunately its the same people that were buying knock off kits back then doing the JDM scene now, but they havent changed, cause it has the look of what you would consider JDM but there all knock off parts still.  The VIP scene dosnt exist here yet, so i cant wait to jump on it, but i know it wont be long before it becomes mainstream, then well have to wait to see whats next!!

This was me back then
[URL=http://imageshack.us][IMG]http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7681/tegvss2000lv4.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[QUOTE=firelizard;42544]It's gonna happen.

My city is hopeless I swear.

I tried to sway a Sportmax thread into a quality wheel thread but I just got a lot of "well, maybe not everybody wants to spend 1000 dollars just on wheels", and "I don't care, it's cheap".

Every single time. Couldn't even talk someone out of buying the most obvious knockoffs ever - more like counterfeit wheels - he didn't care, they were cheap. (599 wheel package, woopedy doo).

I should get free Fabulous Expands and air suspension for my efforts in raising Vip awareness despite being a cripple (in the automotive sense). Give me a break[/QUOTE]

I'm sorry, but from a performance standpoint, I would buy replica wheels. These replica's will still probably run about a grand before tires. But you've got  to admit, paying 1000 for a better wheel width, nice style and OEM weight outweighs paying 3400 for wheels and tires, even if they are 8lbs lighter per corner.

Does VIP mean label-whoring to you? To me it means clean, sleek, [I]low[/I] style. Not everyone has the money for such extravagances. If I buy a set of German coilovers and drop my car as much as your air ride will let you, will I not fit in with the VIP crowd? Will you ostracize me for not using name brand Japanese parts?

[QUOTE=vq35de6mt;43000]I'm sorry, but from a performance standpoint, I would buy replica wheels. These replica's will still probably run about a grand before tires. But you've got  to admit, paying 1000 for a better wheel width, nice style and OEM weight outweighs paying 3400 for wheels and tires, even if they are 8lbs lighter per corner.

Does VIP mean label-whoring to you? To me it means clean, sleek, [I]low[/I] style. Not everyone has the money for such extravagances. If I buy a set of German coilovers and drop my car as much as your air ride will let you, will I not fit in with the VIP crowd? Will you ostracize me for not using name brand Japanese parts?[/QUOTE]

a) Vip is not about performance
b) performance doesn't  =  cheap or penny pinching
c) going for looks cheap is fine outside of Vip
d) I don't label-whore
e) I don't have the money for such extravagances and that's why I'm saving my money, I could have bought a set of fake Volks and called it a day a long time ago.
f) Vip cars also ride coilovers, as well as air suspension
e) parts' countries of origin make no difference
:judge:
I disapprove of replica wheels however, and in my city it looks like I'm the only one - therefore, my city is not ready for Vip styling and I just might have to pioneer the concept here.

d) I don't label-whore
e) I don't have the money for such extravagances and that's why I'm saving my money, I could have bought a set of fake Volks and called it a day a long time ago.

Okay, Rota makes a GOOD replica wheel for the Nismo LMGT4 (originally Rays) called the p45. 

A set of 4 18x9.5 P45s with Toyo T1Rs will cost me 1934.90 before shipping.

For a set of 4 18x9.5 LMGT4s with NO tires, I'll be out 2320.

Now tell me why I wouldn't go with the Rotas? It's not that they're bad wheels. Yes, they're made in the Phillipines. But they also have racing credentials. They meet ISO, JWL, and VIA manufacturing and strength standards?

Now where is the problem here?

Look
this is the way im looking at it

VIP is kinda of a status as well as a style
You dont see JP cars with Rotas, you dont see garson with Uras wheels

VIP is about doing it right
Not cutting corners, and making it look clean
Rotas/sportmax/etc etc are not VIP. 
You should be a brandwhore building a car of this class.

thats my 2 cents. If i ever saw rotas on a GLoria id kill the owner

oh and btw the knockoff scale is this
LMGT4s
Bee R
DT05R
Uras
CST
Rota
from real to fake

[QUOTE=Yokotas13;43060]Look
this is the way im looking at it

VIP is kinda of a status as well as a style
You dont see JP cars with Rotas, you dont see garson with Uras wheels

VIP is about doing it right
Not cutting corners, and making it look clean
Rotas/sportmax/etc etc are not VIP. 
You should be a brandwhore building a car of this class.

thats my 2 cents. If i ever saw rotas on a GLoria id kill the owner

oh and btw the knockoff scale is this
LMGT4s
Bee R
DT05R
Uras
CST
Rota
from real to fake[/QUOTE]

Thank you for clearing that up and thank you for admitting that labels are inherent to building a VIP car. Coming from the performance world, as long as she'll run better, corner harder, look good, and won't break, it doesn't matter what label is on it.

mind you though, that the knockoff wheels arent bad wheels
I used CST and Uras wheels for the track, and they are great. 150 bucks a wheel.
and you cant beat the offsets.

but knockoffs dont belong on Luxury cars

[QUOTE=Yokotas13;43062]mind you though, that the knockoff wheels arent bad wheels
I used CST and Uras wheels for the track, and they are great. 150 bucks a wheel.
and you cant beat the offsets.

but knockoffs dont belong on Luxury cars[/QUOTE]

Indeed. Thank god I don't drive a luxury car. 

Wait..what?

its all about your prefs on what you do to your car.  In the end, its YOUR car.  What you put on it, thats ultimately your decision.

As for the problem with knockoffs?  Hey, its a free world, if there isn't a legitimate patent or copyright, by all means copy it.  Its like that in the tech industry, music industry, or whatever industry it may be.  Wait a minute,  even having a patent or copyright still doesn't stop people. 

What bugs me the most about knockoffs?  Is that the original had all the Research and Development put into it.  Knockoffs merely just took someone elses R&D, creativity, and hard work to just make it their own.

but I'm not here to argue, just stating opinions.

[QUOTE=vq35de6mt;43063]Indeed. Thank god I don't drive a luxury car. 

Wait..what?[/QUOTE]

hahahaha i agree! it can't be luxury if it resembles a 350Z almost to a tee hahahahaha sorry I'm biased towards the sedans..... wonder why? LOL

first off, you can't "fake" a 2 piece - 3 piece wheel. 

secondly, there aren't that many "knock offs" that are compatible with VIP style YET.

and thirdly, it sure seems like the majority of the mainstream just can't get past the RACE CAR-pocket rocket-turbo charged attraction. Look at how the magazines insist on using IS300's, 350z's and the like for their VIP feature articles.

[QUOTE=vq35de6mt;43058]
Now tell me why I wouldn't go with the Rotas? It's not that they're bad wheels. Yes, they're made in the Phillipines. But they also have racing credentials. They meet ISO, JWL, and VIA manufacturing and strength standards?

Now where is the problem here?[/QUOTE]
No problem. That's fine for performance and stuff, this is VipStyleCars and the thread is about Vip recognition. My hometown doesn't even know how to save up for wheels, they're obviously not ready for Vip.

you have a good point, 

who's further ahead ? the guy who maxed out his credit card to buy brand new 2500 dollar Work-AME wheels ? or the guy with 100,000 dollars in his bank account and settled for 600 dollar Axis/Moven wheels ?

however there is a better alternative : used high quality wheels. You get the best for the least amount of money.

check out this set for sale:

[url]http://www.vipstylecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3079&highlight=rays[/url]





[QUOTE=vq35de6mt;43058]d) I don't label-whore
e) I don't have the money for such extravagances and that's why I'm saving my money, I could have bought a set of fake Volks and called it a day a long time ago.

Okay, Rota makes a GOOD replica wheel for the Nismo LMGT4 (originally Rays) called the p45. 

A set of 4 18x9.5 P45s with Toyo T1Rs will cost me 1934.90 before shipping.

For a set of 4 18x9.5 LMGT4s with NO tires, I'll be out 2320.

Now tell me why I wouldn't go with the Rotas? It's not that they're bad wheels. Yes, they're made in the Phillipines. But they also have racing credentials. They meet ISO, JWL, and VIA manufacturing and strength standards?

Now where is the problem here?[/QUOTE]

I hope VIP doesnt go mainstream anytime soon.  In the USA its all about lip size.  Most people here dont really give a dam to research about the culture, they will just put wheels with the largest lips possible and call their 300c's with 1pc dub wheels with a 6 inch lip "VIP"

[QUOTE=widebody_Q;43853]I hope VIP doesnt go mainstream anytime soon.  In the USA its all about lip size.  Most people here dont really give a dam to research about the culture, they will just put wheels with the largest lips possible and call their 300c's with 1pc dub wheels with a 6 inch lip "VIP"[/QUOTE]

It won't. Most people either won't understand it or won't be able to afford it. I don't know what you're on about regarding culture, because all I see is gross expenditure when it comes to VIP. You spend the money for the best and the classiest, and that's that.

[QUOTE]You spend the money for the best and the classiest, and that's that.
[/QUOTE]

Not true.  You can spend like $8,000 on a set of HRE's with 35et offsets that are sunken in your fenders and looks like crap.  Or you can spend about half of that on a set of Auto Couture's,works, etc. that will fit alot better and look classier IMO.  Its not about who spends the most. I think lots of people will catch on and try it but few will be able to execute the style because they want to cut corners.  This style requires some research, its not about putting whatever size wheels on to get max lip.  Tire stretching, fender mods, camber all come to play

[QUOTE=widebody_Q;43884]Not true.  You can spend like $8,000 on a set of HRE's with 35et offsets that are sunken in your fenders and looks like crap.  Or you can spend about half of that on a set of Auto Couture's,works, etc. that will fit alot better and look classier IMO.  Its not about who spends the most. I think lots of people will catch on and try it but few will be able to execute the style because they want to cut corners.  This style requires some research, its not about putting whatever size wheels on to get max lip.  Tire stretching, fender mods, camber all come to play[/QUOTE]

Well, you say that, but haven't the Europeans been stretching tires on e36's and MK1 Golfs for years? It's not hard to replicate, it'll just be expensive. Oh, and who in their right mind buys the wrong offset HRE's or HRE's that aren't either custom fit to your car or a similar car? The HRE's on my friend's CTS-V are custom 6 lug, custom offset and he ordered them as such.

From an outsider's point of view, in no particular order, you seem to need:

Quality 2-3 piece rims, preferably with lip. Offsets must allow rim to sit at least flush, if not protrude no more than a few cm.

[I]Expensive.[/I]

Tire stretch. Simple to accomplish. You essentially put a 35 or 40 series 235 width tire on a 9.5" wide wheel, or something to that effect. Whatever, as long as your bead seals. Then you have to find a tire installer who will do this. Many won't.

[I]Not quite as expensive. You don't need UHP Tires for a VIP car.[/I]

Fender mods. This is where things get expensive. Bondo? Aftermarket fenders? Modded stock fenders? A quality custom shop (in the states, your best bet honestly would be a hot rod shop with good experience in forming custom bodies) can figure out what suits your needs.

[I]Expensive, if done right.[/I]

Drop. Drop drop drop. As low as you can without scraping. Airbags, coils, whatever. Just go low.

[I]Expensive.[/I]

Camber? Well, if you don't adjust your camber after your drop, then you'll have crazy negative camber. Camber adjustment kits are key.

[I]Not so expensive.[/I]

Body kit. Subtle. Understated. Sleek. Classy. Try your damnedest for OEM style fit and finish.

[I]Expensive.[/I]


Correct me where I'm wrong.

[QUOTE=vq35de6mt;43890]Well, you say that, but haven't the Europeans been stretching tires on e36's and MK1 Golfs for years? It's not hard to replicate, it'll just be expensive. Oh, and who in their right mind buys the wrong offset HRE's or HRE's that aren't either custom fit to your car or a similar car? The HRE's on my friend's CTS-V are custom 6 lug, custom offset and he ordered them as such.

From an outsider's point of view, in no particular order, you seem to need:

Quality 2-3 piece rims, preferably with lip. Offsets must allow rim to sit at least flush, if not protrude no more than a few cm.

[I]Expensive.[/I]

Tire stretch. Simple to accomplish. You essentially put a 35 or 40 series 235 width tire on a 9.5" wide wheel, or something to that effect. Whatever, as long as your bead seals. Then you have to find a tire installer who will do this. Many won't.

[I]Not quite as expensive. You don't need UHP Tires for a VIP car.[/I]

Fender mods. This is where things get expensive. Bondo? Aftermarket fenders? Modded stock fenders? A quality custom shop (in the states, your best bet honestly would be a hot rod shop with good experience in forming custom bodies) can figure out what suits your needs.

[I]Expensive, if done right.[/I]

Drop. Drop drop drop. As low as you can without scraping. Airbags, coils, whatever. Just go low.

[I]Expensive.[/I]

Camber? Well, if you don't adjust your camber after your drop, then you'll have crazy negative camber. Camber adjustment kits are key.

[I]Not so expensive.[/I]

Body kit. Subtle. Understated. Sleek. Classy. Try your damnedest for OEM style fit and finish.

[I]Expensive.[/I]


Correct me where I'm wrong.[/QUOTE]

1st off, IMO HRE's are not all that great for the money. There are countless brands of wheels out there that are just as durable, light, built to spec, etc. coming out of the Japanese market for FAR less. Nor do I feel that 1,2, or 3pc really matters that much in this scene. Hell, my first set of 19" AME Shallen CX's cost me just over $3K with tires shipped from Japan....and that was two years ago.

Lip holds more importance with the hardcore VIP people than with the EXE types.

Fender mods such as rolling and pulling can be and are done inexpensively all the time. Many are properly researched and executed DIY jobs to boot. Not that they are even necessary if you have the right combo of offset/tire stretch/lowering.

A decent set of Tanabe coilovers can be had for less than $900...not the $4K people spend for airrunner for example.

Many of the accepted VIP platforms dont even have camber kits for them on the market....this being one reason that crazy camber and uneven tire is tolerated and even desired in many cases.

While body kits help spice up the full-on VIP look, many quality lip kits, for example, are not that expensive either, relatively speaking. Like less than $2K

So the point here is that no, VIP is not all about or just about buying the most expensive mods you can find. It's about deciding on a look, researching whats out there, and finding the best balance of quality, style, and function that your bank account permits....all while staying true to the style.

Case in point: There's a guy who has his black Q45 in a magazine right now(Import Tuner, DEC '06). He built up his ride for less than $5K in mods.