2015 Face Transplant Successful from 2012

[ccyaris]

This topic was mentioned in an old thread. I just completed the face transplant on 2012 Hatch with the 2015 front bumper. I also did factory Projector headlights with LED DRL. Replaced hood, fenders, bumper & trim. Projectors bolt up to existing radiator support. Now in the process of sorting out wiring, hook up except Low/High and DRL.

This was the cost.

Parts:
Bumper Cover $108.79
Fender $34.79 x2
Hood $105.79
Projector Headlamp Assembly $202.79 x2
Paint $500.00

[NYC-SE]

Interesting. Why did you do this? To me 2012 is better looking than 2015.

[ccyaris]

I was considering the upgrade, then clipped the right fender

[NYC-SE]

I see.

[kimona]

Hmmm.... interesting. Any issues with the facelift? If I had a 2015-2016 model, I'd like to do the opposite facelift.

[ern-diz]

Awesome that you were successful

It's all personal preference, but I agree with Kimona, I personally prefer the 2012 front to the latest version, but still think it's really cool that you pulled the mod off.

[ACKING_QC]

well that means TOO that a 2015 can retrofit its face ... that means a lot !

[ccyaris]

Now to retrogress to 2012 you will need all the parts listed including headlights for 2012. The main reason for my upgrade is to get the projectors and LED DRLs.
I am switching all bulbs from incandescent to LEDs, less drain on electrical system, especially since lightweight Deltran Lithium Battery is planned.

[Dodge Aries K]

I wish I had the projector lights on my 2016 but I'm too damn cheap to spend the money on them right now lol. Do they actually work better though because I've had no complaints about visibility with the car.

[Kalispel]

Very cool! Grats on the new look! The 2015-2017 SE headlights are THE BEST. Love the 'angry brow' LED DRL. Every time I pull up behind another vehicle and see my reflection in their paint, my car reminds me of an angry little Cylon Centurion from Battlestar Galactica.

I'm in the minority here, in that I find the 2015-2017 SE version to be the nicest looking factory-production version Yaris hatchback in NA to date - though the ever-rare S version 2007-2008/2009-2011 hatchback is right up there as well in my book. I don't think that the bolder/radical front styling of the 2015-2017 works at all with the L/LE factory trims, however, due to the stripped-off exterior elements, alternate 1990's version headlights, smaller wheels, skinny tires, different grill pattern, empty fog-light housing, different stance, etc. You have to really add some aftermarket/OEM love to the 2015-2017 L/LE to prevent it from looking pretty awful IMO. I still can't believe how different they look to the SE when I see them on the road in stock form. /shudder From a styling standpoint, I would rather have a stock 2012-2014 L/LE/SE than a stock 2015-2017 L/LE, that is for 100% sure.

The 2018 Yaris refresh also seems like a step backwards for me in a lot of ways. The updated projector headlights are overdone, and the LED tubes in them just look ridiculous. It looks like the car is wearing pimp glasses when they are on. They also exaggerated the front grill even more than current, and now if has a substantial fish/frog-like look to it that wasn't there for me in the 2015-2017 version. I'm also not a fan of how Toyota got cheap on the NA release (again) by not giving it the nicer LED taillights found in other markets. The NA version taillights for 2018 look cut-rate and super-generic. I do like how they are getting rid of the lower bumper mount backup lights of the 2015-2017 though. That is probably the most-hated design feature on my 2015 Yaris.

Worse Looking Exterior Features (IMO) by model year:

2007-2011 HB - Lower bumper license mount placement (makes rear look saggy), factory rear bumper design/shape, factory rear taillight design/look, overall boring/generic/lifeless factory look from the rear.

2012-2014 HB - Unnatural looking ultra-bulgy rear tail-lights, chrome garnish trim piece on hatch, L/LE rear bumper design/shape in general, boring-look non-projector headlights, those giant black plastic cutout in front of sideview mirrors, 2 door body style version.

2015-2017 HB - lower rear bumper mount backup lights, awful/antiquated looking L/LE headlights, LE front grill w/chrome trim piece framing it, those giant black plastic cutout in front of sideview mirrors, 2 door body style version.


On a related note, I would definitely consider replacing my rear bumper (and completely ditching backup lights that I don't need) with a 2012-2014 SE rear bumper if it fit seamlessly with my 2015 tail-lights and hatch. That would rock - but looking at pictures it looks like the shape of the tail-lights where it meets the bumper isn't quite the same.

[ccyaris]

Thanks all, I also prefer the 14 SE rear bumper and considering upgrade, already did hatch spoiler

[heeroyuy01195]

Looking good! Interesting that everything was bolt-on; thanks for sharing the info!

[ccyaris]

Yaa, the 3rd gen Yaris has a wardrobe of goodies to change your look as you fancy!

[CrankyOldMan]

Well, now I know what I'm doing with my bonus next year!

[rapev-8]

did you get rid of the fender side markers? i kinda like those on my 2011

[WeeYari]

Originally Posted by rapev-8

did you get rid of the fender side markers? i kinda like those on my 2011

3rd gen doesn't have side markers.

Sent from my Elite_5_5_Octa using Tapatalk

[kimona]

Originally Posted by rapev-8

did you get rid of the fender side markers? i kinda like those on my 2011

Unfortunately, the 3rd generation has no fender markers. Too bad.

IMHO, for safety, every car should have fender markers and rear amber turn signals; it just makes the car's movements so much more visible.

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by kimona

IMHO, for safety, every car should have fender markers and rear amber turn signals

YES, YES, YES! Can we please catch up to the rest of the world in at least one simple way.

And while we're at it, I know politics is verboten here, but I'm at the point where I'm willing to vote for any candidate who promises to put the US on the metric system regardless of how awful he or she may be otherwise.