We have all seen them, nice, respectable cars destroyed with different color bumpers, low hanging side-skirts and shattered body pieces. Although many do not understand it, the fad of putting “body kits” on cars has increased dramatically over the past few years. For those who are not aware, a body kit is basically a set of different (usually larger or more aggressive) bumpers or underbody spoilers for the front and back end of a car, a typical body kit also includes side skirts that are mounted on the side of vehicle. However, while beautiful looking online pictures of body kits may draw their purchase from many, there is much to think about before putting a body kit on a vehicle.
The first thing that many fail to think about is that the picture rarely matches up with reality. Sure, that picture of the kit may look great online, but how will it look on your car. The fact is, a lot of time and editing is spent on pictures in order to make that body kit look and match so good. Unless you are spending a lot of money on a kit from your car’s manufacturer, the chances that it will fit up are slim to none. Often, the high cost of getting the body kit right, which generally includes modification to the car, repainting the pieces, and proper fitment are too much for some to bear, so they simply leave the ill-fitting and unpainted kit on the car the way it is. It does not take a genius to realize that this practice is incredibly ugly, and one of the worst things that a person can do to a vehicle. Of course, some kits can look really nice, and the difference here lies in buying a good product and spending the money to have it put on right. There is a reason that some body kits are more expensive than others, and it is generally worth paying that extra money if you would like your car to look good.
Another thing that many fail to consider is how a body kit will impact their driving style and abilities. If your car generally scrapes a little over bumps, just imagine how much more it will scrape when the body of the car is hanging down an inch or so lower than it normally is. Even though kits may look good when they first put on, failing to consider how differently one will have to drive often leaves the body kit torn to shreds or looking horrible at the end of a couple weeks. Putting a body kit on your car comes with higher responsibilities, and many are simply not ready to make the change in driving that such kits requires.
Putting a body kit on a vehicle will also change how the vehicle holds up in the case of collision. As common sense should dictate, a bumper made of fiberglass will not hold up in the same way that one made of urethane or plastic will. Cars are manufactured to a certain safety standard, and when we take away the bumpers we are actually taking away from the ability of the car to keep us safe during accidents. Not only that, but most body kits (especially those constructed from fiberglass and lightweight plastic) tend to break or crack very easily. To realize this, simply look around at cars that contain them. Most of those cars either have hairline cracks somewhere in the body pieces, or contain holes or chips. Remember that you have to be exceedingly careful when driving a car with a body kit on it, they can be more dangerous and the parts themselves are much more prone to breaking or denting than compared to standard automotive pieces.
There are also a good number of misconceptions that should be cleared up regarding the body kit. Yes, they will make the car more aerodynamic, but in speeds under 200 miles per hour or so, this will not make a noticeable change. Body kits have historically been used as modifications to race cars or those cars that require reengineering of the stock body in order to perform under performance oriented competition. And no, the Mitsubishi Eclipse and Honda Civic are not sports car, nor will adding a large bumper to the front of it make it such.
It is true that subtle accents, such as an underbody front spoiler or lip, and possibly a low profile spoiler can make a big, and positive, difference in the appearance of a car. However, while some body kits manage to do justice to both their owners and their cars, the majority simply do not. There are many things to consider before placing a body kit on a vehicle, and far too many fail to do this thinking before clicking the “buy” button. A little thought and a little preparation can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. Remember to thoroughly think about putting a body kit on your vehicle before actually doing it.
