exterior mods?

[gw84]

I've finally decided that I'd like to do some exterior mods to the ole LTZ. As you can see from the photograph, it's basically bone stock. The only thing I've added is a bug deflector on the front
It's a lumina so I don't believe that there's much I can do with it, but it will be interesting to see what kind of responses I get.

I'm looking for thoughts as to what I could do with it. I'm keeping the rims because I love them!! I will be purchasing some of those nice AF stickers shortly! Also, I want to put some tint on the windows, but Illinois law prohibits the front windows from being tinted (as I recall). Please don't suggest a paint job, I like that color!!! What do you guys think about those chrome/silver strips that go along the bottoms of the doors? How about putting chrome tips on that stock exhaust? Any other suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Thanks in advance, gw84!

[jeffcoslacker]

Chrome tips = good....chrome lowers = ghetto...IMHO

I bet some progressive 1.5"-2" drop springs would make it look tough and handle better...

[gw84]

thanks for the reply jeff! I just mentioned the chrome lowers because a friend of mine had them on his lumina. I might have to get tips for the 4 exhaust pipes!! Only car I've really seen with that would be a corvette...as I recall they've got two on each side as well.

I'd do the lowering springs but where I live it'd be hard to drive with all the rough terrain

[john51md]

Originally Posted by gw84

I've finally decided that I'd like to do some exterior mods to the ole LTZ. As you can see from the photograph, it's basically bone stock. The only thing I've added is a bug deflector on the front
It's a lumina so I don't believe that there's much I can do with it, but it will be interesting to see what kind of responses I get.

I'm looking for thoughts as to what I could do with it. I'm keeping the rims because I love them!! I will be purchasing some of those nice AF stickers shortly! Also, I want to put some tint on the windows, but Illinois law prohibits the front windows from being tinted (as I recall). Please don't suggest a paint job, I like that color!!! What do you guys think about those chrome/silver strips that go along the bottoms of the doors? How about putting chrome tips on that stock exhaust? Any other suggestions would certainly be appreciated. Thanks in advance, gw84!

Doesnt look bad as is really, chrome exaust tips would look good.As for windows, is that front, as in windshield?, or front, as in front doors? if its the doors, why not use light tint on windows you can put it on? Most cars look better with less on the outside of the body, a cleaner less cluttered look, that is why people take make and model names off, shave door handles, etc. Its a fine line sometimes between, rice/getto/and just plain cluttered. A bit larger wheel with nicer tires would look better sure, but like you thats a big expense for a look, and stocks aren't all that bad.
I am in same boat with my new to me Shadow, dark green, gold lettering on hood and doors, i took it off and car looks a lot better, next is to black out the "gold" inlay in the alumium wheels and polish them. It does have a factory body kit if you want to call it that, but subtle. I think i will get a lowering spring kit that drops it one inch, improves handling too. large open wheel wells dont look so good. And no i am not a teenager, i am 51, but still appreciate a nice stance in a car, my problem is i grew up in wide rear tire, raised rear end, dual exaust era of muscle cars, hard to incorperate that into todays FWD's LOL
On yours, how about a custom made cat back dual exaust with mellow deep sounding mufflers with dual tips on each side? would look and sound good if done right.
On some cars some blacked out pieces look much better, like a grill and so on. All a matter of personal taste.
To me, it would look nicer without the side mouldings, names on trunk lid,etc. Also if legal, have the tailights blacked out with a taillight black out "paint" if you call it paint.
Looks as tho there is little in the way of body chrome, that would be reason enough to me to have 2 colors on the outside, the body paint, and black.

[gw84]

great response! yeah, I'm keepin' the rims. As I recall, in Illinois you arent allowed to have tint on the front [door] windows or the windshield. However, if it were legal do you believe it would look better with a lighter tint (35-50%)?

I hadn't really thought about changing the exhaust except for the tips. That is a good suggestion. I bet it could purr nicely

I'll probably leave the body moldings. I noticed recently that it DOESN'T have pinstripes. I thought most luminas came with them, but perhaps I was mistaken....or maybe GM did away with that in '99 on the LTZ model.

I have to agree with you in that the older muscle cars looked really nice with the rear ends lifted [slilghtly]....a much more agressive look than you see with the cars of today.

thanks for the reply!

p.s. I just noticed from my picture...that dealership sticker above LUMINA has got to go!

[lastcoupe]

I would shave the "lumina" and the bowtie off the back and just leave the LTZ emblem on....Definitely get the darkest tint that is legal in your state on every window......keep the stock wheels and get wider tires.....a 245/50/16 would be VERY nice on that car and would barely change the speedo if at all....and when/if you do decide to lower it it would probably look that much better with the 245/50's...finish the whole thing off by getting a nice Z34 bowtie for the grille, (which is red and black) smoked headlight and tailight covers (they made them for monte carlos which is what lights the LTZ has) and some nice low-mounted driving lights......Oh and I always put a flowmaster 40 series muffler on my cars....I love the sound.....I do think 4 chrome tips would be a bit much....how about getting one on each side.....a 3" polished maybe....Just my opinions....use whatever you think is best of course. Nice car by the way.

[gw84]

thank you very much for the response and compliment. I guess I will have to do a little research to find out about the tint. I am going to do that first, then add a few stickers. At least one AF sticker and another that I want to have made that reads "This ain't your grandma's car"....I stole that from someone on another website. I guess I'll have those in either white, maroon, or silver/gray....any suggestions? I almost forgot about one repair that I have to do before spending my money on modifications...I'm going to have the front bumper re-painted. The clearcoat is flaking horribly there! I took it to one shop last week, they wanted over $400! I will be getting other quotes soon! Thanks again for all the great responses!