Is the new VIPstyle a product of "the grass is always greener on the otherside"

[RobSoVip]

So there have been a few heated (albeit offtopic) discussions about the new 'simple style' products that a few of the big VIPcar companies are starting to produce. My question is, do you think that this is a product of the "grass is always greener on the otherside," mentality. Please allow me to explain.

In Japan its cool to have USDM parts (just like the whole JDM craze here). I was looking through some car shows in Japan, such as USDM Jam, and Im starting to see a trend of cars that look very much like the cars we often see here on the streets. The cars that we make fun of for their choice of wheels (fittment, finish, and brand), Im also seeing cars that are very reserved (Think ClubLexus), etc. Are these new trends just their natural progression to "something new?" Do you think that they have become bored with, and accustomed to, the older style that many of us here have recently begun to achieve on this side of the ocean, that they began imitating our style? Do we change our idea of VIP style? Do we call the 2nd gen GS's, Lexus LS's, and Q45's with much more conservative wheel sizes and styling, you know... the cars that seem to be a dime a dozen on other forums, become the new eptiome of true VIP style?

Please share your thoughts.

[RobSoVip]

And, btw... Im not even sure if this is a style thats taking over, or just a new little trend. Im still seeing alot of cars with either the big 'older' aero products and new style wheels, or the newer simpler kits with the old, wide / agressive wheels. Maybe this isn't a horrible thing, maybe its just more options?

Link to a really recent show with a few VIPcars at top to show that the style hasnt change too much yet!
http://carlife.carview.co.jp/UserCarPhoto.asp?UserCarPhotoID=204822

[shawnthemonster]

i like the simple style... i dont think it looks like any us cars..... the garson, kbreak and ancelation are all simple and are tight and super vip..

[RobSoVip]

i like the simple style... i dont think it looks like any us cars..... the garson, kbreak and ancelation are all simple and are tight and super vip..


Then perhaps my idea of simple style is wrong. I was thinking that Garson, K-Break, Anceltion, Mode Parfume, etc were all a bit of the older style. I was thinking simple style was much plainer... Small lip kits, etc.

[Pagong]

I fell in love with the older style of VIP cars ...the wilder the better.

[shawnthemonster]

heres the original vip style:
http://www.k-break.com/event/07justice/18.jpg http://www.k-break.com/event/25fukui/14.jpg
herees the simple/lux style:
http://www.k-break.com/event/07justice/04.jpg http://www.k-break.com/event/25fukui/07.jpg

i just think you confused the dub style with the simple style.

[firelizard]

Dub and Simple seem pretty similar except Simple has more agressive suspension and wheels, with more of a lean towards classyness.

[stankubrick]

In Japan its cool to have USDM parts (just like the whole JDM craze here). I was looking through some car shows in Japan, such as USDM Jam, and Im starting to see a trend of cars that look very much like the cars we often see here on the streets. The cars that we make fun of for their choice of wheels (fittment, finish, and brand), Im also seeing cars that are very reserved (Think ClubLexus), etc. Are these new trends just their natural progression to "something new?" Do you think that they have become bored with, and accustomed to, the older style that many of us here have recently begun to achieve on this side of the ocean, that they began imitating our style? Do we change our idea of VIP style? Do we call the 2nd gen GS's, Lexus LS's, and Q45's with much more conservative wheel sizes and styling, you know... the cars that seem to be a dime a dozen on other forums,* become the new eptiome of true VIP style?


I can say that I like VIP style cars in all its forms (wild, simple, whatever...so long as it's low and has agressive fitment). I appreciate the quality and attention-to-detail mentality associated with VIP style. However, quality and attention-to-detail is a universal appeal, but it just so happens that there is a great concentration on like-minded people in Japan. I like the style purely for its visual appeal, not its JDM-ness.

Having no experience living/visiting Japan, I cannot generalize Japanese trends or tastes. I have no idea what they are up to other than what I see in magazines and the internet. If the trends or tastes of Japan change to what we see typically see on ClubLexus or DUB magazine, then that sucks for us because there will be fewer cool parts to get. If the "new eptiome of true VIP style" changes to ClubLexus/Dub style, are we gonna follow what they do just becase it's the big new thing in Japan? I won't. I like what I like, and I'm sticking to it - even if it means I'm not cool anymore* ;D

[stankubrick]

Dub and Simple seem pretty similar except Simple has more agressive suspension and wheels, with more of a lean towards classyness.


Similar but completely different, right? :P

[swifty949]

I would say it is the case that the grass is always greener on the other side. Sometimes it's cool to stand out right? Back when we thought Honda's were cool, in Japan they couldn't care less about a Honda. Now, after Wild Speed (F&F) was a HUGE success there, the trends have been Us style. They call it SPO Com. They even think VIS is cool. The DUB cars like H2, Escalade, and others are really cool over there. I'd be pimpin one around Tokyo, cause it would def get the chicks, and the envy from others. Orido personally has an H2, Yasu from Top End sold his NSX and bought a H2. Its all about being different, no matter where in the world you are.

Its just like us, we find a brand in Japan that isn't big over there and we think it's cool cause it's JDM. Even bomex uses JDM by Bomex in Japan and in the US. In Japan they have been into American Style for many years. They've been into muscle cars a long time, followed the trend of Drag Racing from the US, lowriders in the US, big stereo set ups in the US, and the spo com movement from the US.

As i stated before, there is no set way to make a VIP car. It's all about style, and you can't easily teach someone to recreate the same style. Everyone is unique, and have thier own tastes. I'll be disappointed the day I see a cookie cutter VIP car format here.

[CharismaY33]

.Plain and simple in terms of what makes me like vip/style whatever is the the classyness and certain style that vip brings.
.I mean yea of course i will take a bite into a super vip widebodied extreme slammed car but thats not what its all about.
.As to the question of what they do over there and what we do over here has always been a trade war. .
.We like something we start the trend and take bits and pieces and what not and go from there.
.Then they follow are trends and take what they want mimick the same and prob execute.
.So basically it comes down to is that we take and recieve from eachother and thats
.what its all about but its again and i have said it before we sometimes dont
.put the effort and time into our work and put crap on and call a day.
.Over in the rising sun its the attn the detail and the cleaness.

Thats what interms of vip and all scenes sometimes seperates from the rest.

[shoez]

To me, it looks like (from Shawn's pictures) that the original VIP Style is derivative of boso/Yankee style cars. Do you think that the more 'flamboyant' styles have been played out? Judging from the new kits that are being produced by Admiration, Wald, Junction, and even Fabulous are being toned down a bit, giving cars like Celsiors and Glorias more of an elegant, low-key VIP feel rather than an elaborate statement saying "Everybody! Stare at my car!" The extended exhaust pipe systems and enormous widebodies are a less common sight nowadays contrary to automobiles like this:

Admiration Celsior
http://i1.tinypic.com/zoi8td.jpg

[Pagong]

Judging from the new kits that are being produced by Admiration, Wald, Junction, and even Fabulous are being toned down a bit, giving cars like Celsiors and Glorias more of an elegant, low-key VIP feel


One thing you have to remember though is that the Japanese likes to see whats been done over here. So they will copy that style and make thier own.

Look at our DUB scene...the Japanese thinks its the hot shit so they emulate that style.

[swifty949]

a lot of it has to do with the market. The market in japan is taking a big fat dump. these companies have to design product for someone, and it's not going to be for the kids that go with the super long exhaust, and crazy fender mods. Thier going to make product with more mass appeal, and tone it down to the crowd of ppl with money, and usually their older in age.

[callaghan.]

http://www.k-break.com/event/25fukui/07.jpg[/img]





off topic but thats the cleanest first gen i think ive ever seen!

[firelizard]

off topic but thats the cleanest first gen i think ive ever seen!

Whaaa?
No way, LexAristo's Wald GS is the cleanest first gen!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/LexAristo/sig.jpg

[TransformCelsior]

wow, sometimes I wonder why we debate over such things when nobody from japan is here to set it straight for us.

are we making a big deal out of nothing ? :)

[firelizard]

wow, sometimes I wonder why we debate over such things when nobody from japan is here to set it straight for us.

are we making a big deal out of nothing* ? :)

Because not everyone in Japan thinks the same way either?

[actolex]

I think I brought this trend up in another thread....it was not well received.

[RobSoVip]

I think I brought this trend up in another thread....it was not well received.


which is why I brought it to the debate board in a thread dedicated to the topic and not increadibly off-topic.

My idea of what VIP has been evolving too for the past few years: Clean and Agressive
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Crown.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Aristo.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Aristo2.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/K-Break_Old.jpg


Where its currently trying to go: hey, this is semi-classless and cheap enough it should sell in America!, and We all love to make more $
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Van.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_GS.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Fabulous.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Benz.jpg

This new stuff is just too sporty / cheap looking for my taste.

[swifty949]

Another thing to consider, is maybe thier following the clean Euro look. Japan loves European cars just as much as American cars. Thats where the oni camber and the hipari look came from.

[TransformCelsior]

wow from looking at the pics below it is clear what these japanese companies are trying to do, it's really simple.

they are simply catering to the north american market, the fact is that the majority of north america like that gawdy, super crhome, cheesy stuff. Look at the ultimate biker build off with Exile bikes and everyone else. Exile bikes wins just about every other competition in europe EXCEPT here in north america.

North America will always pick this:

http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/allbikes/scrollpics/webbike/greenwebbike_ex.jpg

over this:

http://www.exilecycles.com/images/bikes/fatBloke2.jpg



which is why I brought it to the debate board in a thread dedicated to the topic and not increadibly off-topic.

My idea of what VIP has been evolving too for the past few years: Clean and Agressive
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Crown.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Aristo.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/Old_Aristo2.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/K-Break_Old.jpg


Where its currently trying to go: hey, this is semi-classless and cheap enough it should sell in America!, and We all love to make more $
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Van.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_GS.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Fabulous.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/500/New_Benz.jpg

This new stuff is just too sporty / cheap looking for my taste.

[actolex]

I personally think both markets are at different stages....thusly the look is different. What we consider VIP now in the USA was very popular 5 or 6 years ago in Japan. What the Japanese are considering VIP now has been popular in the USA the last few years.....I call it the L-Sportline look. Both markets are at different stages, and both look like each other. I think the Japanese domestic market is not really catering to the US market; they are just trying to satisfy their own home market who is beyond the wilder VIP style of the 90's. Yes, there are still pics of current meets in Japan with a lot of the older, wilder VIP cars, but many of those examples have been around for awhile. The current trend in Japan seems to be a more subdued style...more elegant, more sophisticated, and less ostentatious. This is quite evident when you look at pics of this years Auto Salon….less wild, more mild. These are just my observations and I’ve shared this with both Brian Scotto and Richard Change when they were researching for their individual stories. I don’t think both markets will ever be in sync…

As far as the knock-offs and copy-cat kits and products, there’s not a whole lot that can be done about it. Companies will copy the look; younger enthusiasts will by these cars and outfit them with cheaper products…no doubt. It’s just a matter of time unfortunately...not sure what can be done to avoid this. :-\

[uncle_el]

carlssonrl seems to have hit the proverbial nail on the head:

the fact is that the majority of north america like that gawdy, super crhome, cheesy stuff.


supposedly, japan is just catching wind of our style, and loving it.










Yes, there are still pics of current meets in Japan with a lot of the older, wilder VIP cars, but many of those examples have been around for awhile. The current trend in Japan seems to be a more subdued style...more elegant, more sophisticated, and less ostentatious. This is quite evident when you look at pics of this years Auto Salon….less wild, more mild.

i think this is the crux (point of contention if you will) of the debate.* one group seems to find flat faced, non-dished, high offset wheels too typical, not requiring any knowledge/modification... while the other group finds the same flat faced, non dish, high offset wheels more elegant & sophisticated...

i suppose the ideas and trends will go where they're going to go.* however, as i stated in the thread about jp's sports (http://vipstylecars.com/forum/index.php?topic=3505.0):


i suppose we'll see how it goes.

i'm not sure people, who already buy "cookie cutter" wheels (those available from wheelmax.com, wheelsrus, and what ever other discount wheel warehouses you can think of), will want to pay top dollar for a wheel that is hardly distinguishable from those other ones. as stated before, the wheel is hardly distinguishable from stock in some cases:


http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/04images/m45_concept_2.jpg
http://www.clublexus.com/gallery/data/3568/medium/Fuga.jpg
http://www.edmunds.com/media/seo/500/2006.infiniti.m45.jpg


junction produce clearly makes quality product. but they're not that well known in the u.s. so i don't forsee great success with an expensive "cookie cutter" style wheel, when someone can buy a similar looking wheel for much cheaper. unless of course junction produce sports will be junction produce's bargain/discount brand. otherwise, people will still buy twenty inches strong (tis), sport max racing, or whatever else people are typically running on clublexus these days.


to answer the question initially posted by yakuzasoarer, apparently it is indeed a case of the grass is greener on the other side.* they want what we've been doing without much effort (doesn't seem to take much effort or time to buy a set of wheels from wheelmax and slightly lower the car), and we want what they've been doing with quite a considerable amount of effort.






in the end, as long as you like what you drive, then the rest is irrelevant.* of course whether or not it's vip can and will always be debated...

[ebruce2]

for my purposes and on my daily driver, it's impractical for me to go any more aggressive than my semi-EXE style....as I have clients to take to lunch, things of that nature.

Now for shows and just runnin the streets snappin' necks, a lot of the wild stuff is just awesome to look at. The super-aggressive stuff usually comes off as cheesy to me, no matter how much work has gone into the car. Where I'm from, this style can be easily be confused for "ghetto" style by the uneducated.

[Pagong]

in the end, as long as you like what you drive, then the rest is irrelevant.* of course whether or not it's vip can and will always be debated...


Amen to that...do it for yourself and you will end up happy no matter what. :)


I personally think both markets are at different stages....thusly the look is different. What we consider VIP now in the USA was very popular 5 or 6 years ago in Japan. What the Japanese are considering VIP now has been popular in the USA the last few years.....I call it the L-Sportline look. Both markets are at different stages, and both look like each other.


I agree with this one Mark. We basically copy one another, but we tend to just get things a few years too late. ;D

[One Ton VIP]

You know someone is a trend-follower... when they build their car according to a "trend." You know someone is a true enthusiast, when they build their car to how they truly like it, regardless of what other people may think... to an extent. Sliggity slammed cars with flush wheels will ALWAYS look good; 20 years ago, 10 years ago, today...so if you like that style, just stick to it, and let the trend-followers do whatever else the rest of the market tells them to do, even if it is to run weaker wheel fitments, etc...

[shawnthemonster]

trend followers wont go to the "extreme" which usually isnt the extreme the the true enthusiast...to us it would be a normal vip ride...

[AutofashionFred]

Yah it must be greener over there because i havent had time to do my yard work and well my grass is dead :P

On a serious note its greener on whatever side u make it. If you look at it now People doing VIP now are making a mark in the industry here in the states because they are doing it. In japan they are tired of it so it would be like oh another JDM honda here. Just make the best of what we got and work from there ;)

[Dominik]

On the whole "grass is greener" thing, you should see Europe! grass is so green over there it almost glows!! I put that down to not having such strong sun/heat, but damn i was taking so many pics; every hill looked like the Windows XP background!

[UpTownGS]

Their just trying to make it more marketable and acceptable in #'s for the general population, at the end of hte day its just a smarter move for them. Personally I think its pretty cool that their working on American and euro cars to incorporate their own styling. Personally i'm in the market for a Lincoln Towncar to play with in the near future..... only because I can't afford a Bentley Azure. :tickedoff: