Digging into the mind of a ricer

[vaironl]

Hey Everyone,

Today I tried to convince a friend of mine who knows nothing about cars, to not install a huge wing and other things considered ricy on his Honda. He explained how it just looks good to him and that’s what he likes and can afford. He also made an argument about a gtr in a video, modified of course, being faster than any other car before the Bugatti.

This makes me ask you guys, the Yarisworld community, if the ricer thing is an unwritten rule? Or is it more of a preference thing?

[CrankyOldMan]

If you're talking aesthetics then there's no right or wrong answer. If you're talking performance then there are measurable, demonstrable, proven metrics for any given mod.

For example:

Putting a big wing on a stock FWD car is a purely aesthetic mod. More rear downforce on the back tires will only help in incredibly high speed cornering, and the rest of the time it just screws up your fuel economy. A front splitter will help with front wheel downforce, but is rarely a cosmetic improvement.

Putting large diameter heavy wheels on your car will kill your acceleration, but can make a big cosmetic improvement. Low profile tires are normally a performance thing, but can also be a purely cosmetic mod when coupled with severe plus-sized wheel setups.

Frankly, I'm keeping my Yaris as stock (in appearance) as possible. That said, there are LOTS of performance mods going on under the body work. Some are more noticeable than others, but my big concern is not having it look "ricey" so that it doesn't attract unwanted attention from vandals or thieves.

[vaironl]

Originally Posted by CrankyOldMan

If you're talking aesthetics then there's no right or wrong answer.

I was trying pretty dam hard to convince him on not following that pattern but then again that was me a couple of months ago. Now that I'm attending car meets and being around the forums I'm starting to understand certain do's and dont's.

[jcboy]

hope this helps. stay away from these as much as possible and you'll be okay.

[IllusionX]

Well, each their own preference really. There are actually competitions on esthetic mods.

There is a reason why i got my yaris with the sports body kit.

[djhuddy2442]

Originally Posted by jcboy

hope this helps. stay away from these as much as possible and you'll be okay.

hey that type-r sticker does add HP

[SilverBack]

If he doesn't listen to you, then take a step back and ignore it. It'll give him time to think.

It might also help if you invite him to compete in a track event, not so much for the hands-on experience but for the knowledge the vet competitors can pass on.

Hope this helps.

[vaironl]

Originally Posted by SilverBack

If he doesn't listen to you, then take a step back and ignore it. It'll give him time to think.

It might also help if you invite him to compete in a track event, not so much for the hands-on experience but for the knowledge the vet competitors can pass on.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the tips!

I did this more has a thread for fun and didn't mean to insult anyone. After all it's not my money.

[vaironl]

By the way, let's say someone does want to make the car faster, but puts on rice like mods. Whatever the definition is. Wouldn't you be adding weight and therefore making the car slower?

I guess I fall on this category with my axle back exhaust?

[SilverBack]

No insult intended on my part either.

But, these things can still happen when a question is asked :)

[ilikerice]

Well, to be honest, I don't mind body kits and spoilers if done right. Hell, look at mine. I don't like when people put a bumper on and no skirts or but a body kit on and its still the unpainted fiberglass that they are too cheap to paint. If its done right and its clean, I can appreciate it. If its half ass'ed and they don't wanna take the time to do a good job at it, I tend to just roll my eyes and look away.

I like to be a bit different. I don't like my yaris looking like the same yaris at the grocery store parking lot. I also race a lot in autocross and a few track day events. Granted, I do get a sense of satisfaction when my Raw times are faster than those guys who were laughing at my car when they saw it in grid.

Is this considered a ricer to you?

[Jason@SportsCar]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

Is this considered a ricer to you?

Yes, your screen name is a dead giveaway.

[vaironl]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

Well, to be honest, I don't mind body kits and spoilers if done right. Hell, look at mine. I don't like when people put a bumper on and no skirts or but a body kit on and its still the unpainted fiberglass that they are too cheap to paint. If its done right and its clean, I can appreciate it. If its half ass'ed and they don't wanna take the time to do a good job at it, I tend to just roll my eyes and look away.

I like to be a bit different. I don't like my yaris looking like the same yaris at the grocery store parking lot. I also race a lot in autocross and a few track day events. Granted, I do get a sense of satisfaction when my Raw times are faster than those guys who were laughing at my car when they saw it in grid.

Is this considered a ricer to you?

Nope no rice in my eyes. Then again, I got into cars late last year. Before I got the Yaris my friend showed me the intake on his car. I said.... a turbo!!!! Wow

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by Jason@SportsCar

Yes, your screen name is a dead giveaway.

Got me Jason... good got

[marcus]

I eat a lot of RICE I don't ride them.....lol

[pj ph]

preference and the norms... cars of today used to be "ricey or too futuristic" back then when all cars are box-type or fastback styled.

[ilikerice]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYzQ9TGUebM

[Astroman]

Great video! How I feel exactly. Luckily almost all the meets I've gone to don't tolerate idiots and have even kicked people out.