Esteem Mid Life makeover

frankmehta · 31st August 2008, 20:39

I plan to send my trusty Esteem for a mid life makeover in the next few days..
i'm not too keen on any engine modifications except for the fact that i might ask Viper to do my free-flow..
I was just thinking, the Esteem is a really long-in the tooth- design and my painter is quite competent at making nice colours and combinations.. case in proof is my Zen whose pics ill post soon..
yea so comin back to the esteem, i'd like some of ull to come up with suggestions that involve any minor changes in sheet metal (not too much cos i want it to look elegant)
colour options will also be welcome...
my zen is a pristine white colour and it has black a, b and c pillars that makes it look very attractive..
im not a very loud person and like it subtle..
also i'd like to ask if the front seats can be replaced with slightly better low cost seats that look like recaros.. cos i like the design on the recaros
please come up with suggestions..
for the inside and the outside..
i know im asking for too much but i am very passionate about my car and i would like it to be UNIQUE but not too loud and overtly jazzy or gaudy!
thanx in advance!

frankmehta · 4th September 2008, 23:27

is there any aftermarket replacement for the headlamps like the angel eyes????
and are there projector headlamps available for the esteem?????
im looking for something different.. pls help
car going for free flow and header job on saturday to viper..
monday going for a total paint job.....
still need help on the colour scheme...
taillamps and the rear boot garnish between the tail lamps..
please give ideas on that too..

dinar · 4th September 2008, 23:52

I have never seen any angle eyes or projector lamps on esteem or the old swift [JDM and European market name] have hunted for these but have had no luck, you may have to adopt these from some other model for this.

frankmehta · 4th September 2008, 23:54

which model would be suited to my esteem?????
car going for sheet metal work anyways..
lil bit of modifiication here and there is ok..
which ones?????

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 00:43

and any ideas for a mesh design in place of the now long in the tooth front grille??
what about large fogs mounted on the bumper.. just for the looks.. dont use the fogs anyways...
if anyone can photoshop a design and post it online ill be very happy..
dont wanna extensively modify.
just wanna change the replaceable parts..

Cyrus43 · 5th September 2008, 00:50

Can you please upload some Good Front, side and Rear Pictures of the esteem. I will photoshop something for you asap..

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 01:00

these are the pics..
thanx

Cyrus43 · 5th September 2008, 01:46

Some Quick MESH jobs for you.
Also, a rear chop. Also, tell me what colors you want for a potential paintjob. Will give yu a list of option chops by tomorrow.

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 01:49

thanx cyrus..
thats some quick work!!!!
the rear?
i like the blacked out look but isnt it too PIMPED out?
i luuuuuuuv the mesh u made on the front grille..
who makes these in REAL life?
any shops in mumbai where i can go and buy these blacked out lights and custom grilles?

shuvd · 5th September 2008, 06:51

Frank, you don't need to buy smoked rear lights. Shops sell t/l smoking sprays and any decent paint shop can do it for you.
I've seen a few Esteems with big round fogs integrated into the bumpers like the old Evos. They don't look that special IMHO. How about the INRC look?
In last month's ACI, there was an advert for angel eyes for all cars. Will see if I can find it. A forum member also did an angel eye DIY on his car. You could explore that avenue as well.
Any good body shop will be able to fabricate the grill for you.

P.S. And, get a set of alloys!

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 11:59

@shuvd
thanx for the aci thing.. pls see if u can help me with it.. as of now im going with the type 2 esteem look which is replacing the SAME grille and the same lights front and rear with newer ones... i franky dont like the way the latest esteem looks...
alloys are the only thing dad has desisted from buying since the last 5 years..
i doubt we'll get them this time round too...
ps: what kinda inrc look?????? any pictures to support this?

@cyrus
my colour options are mostly white, black, any sliver, any grey ...
no pastel shades and no primary colours as far as the esteem is considered..
wouldnt even mind a dual tone if it looked sober and classy..

WhiteKnight · 5th September 2008, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmehta

my colour options are mostly white, black, any sliver, any grey ...
no pastel shades and no primary colours as far as the esteem is considered..
wouldnt even mind a dual tone if it looked sober and classy..

I always prefer white for Esteem. Black kind of makes the car looks smaller. It is a lean car to begin with. Having said that, blue and wine red also looks classy.

A also think you should leave the rear light cluster as it is- it looks classy anyday.

How about getting clear-lense headlights? I am thinking about the same. Also a better spoiler than the OE one?

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 12:22

clear lens headlights i might add..
but the rear lights ill have to keep matte cos the tailblazer(huge thing between the rear lights) has the strips for the reverse lights which match with the older tail lights and not the newer clear lens ones.. i agreee with u that the rear still looks very nice and doesnt show its age..
spoiler i might not put cos nowadays spoilers look very tacky.. however good the design is.. it looks very boy racerish

is this idea of smoking the tail lights good???????? what if my car is going to be white???? then should i smoke the lights????
and how does the indigo xl kinda dual design for the headlights look???

shuvd · 5th September 2008, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankmehta

is this idea of smoking the tail lights good???????? what if my car is going to be white???? then should i smoke the lights????

For your reference
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vbpgim...&d=1216650529:)

frankmehta · 5th September 2008, 21:18

i've zeroed in on metallic pearl white on my esteem..
and the blacking out the lights.
also planning to black out the a, b and c pillars..
i also kinda liked the black line on the bumper that already exists...
the wheels will also be painted black..
any other suggestions????

31st August 2008, 20:39	#1
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	Esteem Mid Life makeover I plan to send my trusty Esteem for a mid life makeover in the next few days.. i'm not too keen on any engine modifications except for the fact that i might ask Viper to do my free-flow.. I was just thinking, the Esteem is a really long-in the tooth- design and my painter is quite competent at making nice colours and combinations.. case in proof is my Zen whose pics ill post soon.. yea so comin back to the esteem, i'd like some of ull to come up with suggestions that involve any minor changes in sheet metal (not too much cos i want it to look elegant) colour options will also be welcome... my zen is a pristine white colour and it has black a, b and c pillars that makes it look very attractive.. im not a very loud person and like it subtle.. also i'd like to ask if the front seats can be replaced with slightly better low cost seats that look like recaros.. cos i like the design on the recaros please come up with suggestions.. for the inside and the outside.. i know im asking for too much but i am very passionate about my car and i would like it to be UNIQUE but not too loud and overtly jazzy or gaudy! thanx in advance!
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 23:27	#2
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	is there any aftermarket replacement for the headlamps like the angel eyes???? and are there projector headlamps available for the esteem????? im looking for something different.. pls help car going for free flow and header job on saturday to viper.. monday going for a total paint job..... still need help on the colour scheme... taillamps and the rear boot garnish between the tail lamps.. please give ideas on that too..
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 23:52	#3
dinar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: goa Posts: 1,066 Thanked: 57 Times	I have never seen any angle eyes or projector lamps on esteem or the old swift [JDM and European market name] have hunted for these but have had no luck, you may have to adopt these from some other model for this.
	() Thanks

4th September 2008, 23:54	#4
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	which model would be suited to my esteem????? car going for sheet metal work anyways.. lil bit of modifiication here and there is ok.. which ones?????
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 00:43	#5
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	and any ideas for a mesh design in place of the now long in the tooth front grille?? what about large fogs mounted on the bumper.. just for the looks.. dont use the fogs anyways... if anyone can photoshop a design and post it online ill be very happy.. dont wanna extensively modify. just wanna change the replaceable parts..
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 00:50	#6
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	Can you please upload some Good Front, side and Rear Pictures of the esteem. I will photoshop something for you asap..
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 01:00	#7
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	Esteem these are the pics.. thanx Attached Thumbnails Last edited by frankmehta : 5th September 2008 at 01:05.
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 01:46	#8
Cyrus43 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 5,019 Thanked: 225 Times View My Garage	Some Quick MESH jobs for you. Also, a rear chop. Also, tell me what colors you want for a potential paintjob. Will give yu a list of option chops by tomorrow. Attached Thumbnails Attached Images
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 01:49	#9
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	thanx cyrus.. thats some quick work!!!! the rear? i like the blacked out look but isnt it too PIMPED out? i luuuuuuuv the mesh u made on the front grille.. who makes these in REAL life? any shops in mumbai where i can go and buy these blacked out lights and custom grilles?
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 06:51	#10
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Frank, you don't need to buy smoked rear lights. Shops sell t/l smoking sprays and any decent paint shop can do it for you. I've seen a few Esteems with big round fogs integrated into the bumpers like the old Evos. They don't look that special IMHO. How about the INRC look? In last month's ACI, there was an advert for angel eyes for all cars. Will see if I can find it. A forum member also did an angel eye DIY on his car. You could explore that avenue as well. Any good body shop will be able to fabricate the grill for you. P.S. And, get a set of alloys! Last edited by shuvd : 5th September 2008 at 06:52.
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 11:59	#11
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	@shuvd thanx for the aci thing.. pls see if u can help me with it.. as of now im going with the type 2 esteem look which is replacing the SAME grille and the same lights front and rear with newer ones... i franky dont like the way the latest esteem looks... alloys are the only thing dad has desisted from buying since the last 5 years.. i doubt we'll get them this time round too... ps: what kinda inrc look?????? any pictures to support this? @cyrus my colour options are mostly white, black, any sliver, any grey ... no pastel shades and no primary colours as far as the esteem is considered.. wouldnt even mind a dual tone if it looked sober and classy.. Last edited by frankmehta : 5th September 2008 at 12:00.
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 12:22	#13
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	clear lens headlights i might add.. but the rear lights ill have to keep matte cos the tailblazer(huge thing between the rear lights) has the strips for the reverse lights which match with the older tail lights and not the newer clear lens ones.. i agreee with u that the rear still looks very nice and doesnt show its age.. spoiler i might not put cos nowadays spoilers look very tacky.. however good the design is.. it looks very boy racerish is this idea of smoking the tail lights good???????? what if my car is going to be white???? then should i smoke the lights???? and how does the indigo xl kinda dual design for the headlights look??? Last edited by frankmehta : 5th September 2008 at 12:26.
	() Thanks

5th September 2008, 21:18	#15
frankmehta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,025 Thanked: 3,654 Times View My Garage	i've zeroed in on metallic pearl white on my esteem.. and the blacking out the lights. also planning to black out the a, b and c pillars.. i also kinda liked the black line on the bumper that already exists... the wheels will also be painted black.. any other suggestions????
	() Thanks