A
car called the Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS300) came out in the US in 2001, and it had a unique tail light: chrome rings with colored lenses and indicators, inside a larger clear
plastic lens. This 3-D design was really eye-catching and
people were attracted to it.
Toyota did a great job making this light. Other automotive companies copied it, and the popularity of the design grew and grew. The "Fast and Furious" crowd couldn't get enough of the Altezza style tail lights!
Over time, the Altezza design was copied and implemented onto virtually EVERY
CAR. You could literally search for the model of your
car, and "altezza" and get pages of seedy websites that sell "Altezza" lights for your
car.
America got hooked. Many
people bought Altezzas thinking it would give their
car a "
Tight Style" or "Many Many Features", thinking that it would make their
car "Unique" and giving their
car an "Individuality". Some thought it would give them "Up to 20 horsepower at the wheels!" Have you ever been down in Atlanta or Orlando? Everyone and their Grandma had Altezzas. "there m4d tyte y0!"
It's not because aftermarket Altezzas are impractical, not DOT legal, or have horrible light output, its not because they are cheaply made, or wired improperly, and its not because they fit horribly and attract cops, it's because they are really really UGLY.
STOP BUYING THEM!
Try spending your
money on something else, like getting that door, fender or bumper painted to the RIGHT color. Sheesh.
