The SW20 has a lot of remarkable and memorable external features and styles. From the low slung hood line, barely there front arches and slight cab forward design hinting at mid-engine placement to the 2 seat/2 door concept as a personal luxury sports coupe, it's unique in many ways - especially in the 90s and even endures today.
IMO, the Zenki lights add very little to that. While they're functional, they appear almost out of place, generic, seem like a hasty afterthought and date the car even more than the pop-up lights do. In fact, the '91 - '93 tails look very similar to the tails on my old '85 Civic S (a fun car). They're fine as is, but they're not remarkable. Toyota engineers knew this, which is why they redesigned them after only 3 model years and never redesigned them again during the rest of its 10 year run. They got it right the 2nd time.
The Kouki lights modernize the car and elevate it to a timeless vehicle. Truly timeless as the following anecdote underscores (many here have read it before). What started off as a one-off episode a few years back is now an annual event for me (I've used my deuce as a daily for almost 18 years, so lots of public exposure). I have someone once a year - usually a well dressed younger dude who isn't as old as the car - stopping me to ask which dealership I bought my car at because he wants to go there right now and buy it. Their jaw drops and I get strange looks when I tell them it hasn't been sold in North America in over a quarter century. The Kouki tails, IMO, help the enduring legend hide its age.
$250.00 is reasonable. I love my 91 tail lights they go with my 1991 year model. They are so easy to buff and shine since the surface is smooth unlike the 94.
I never had an issue polishing my tails, they are nice & shiny and easy to keep that way.
And coincidentally, my '94 tails also go nicely with my '91t just like my '94 wing also just happens to match the body too. I'm sure the '98 wing also does a pretty nice job as well.
I like Kouki tail lights, but I also like the original Zenki (that's my MR2 in the pic). A "dated" look isn't necessarily a bad thing in my book. That said, if I can ever source all the parts and not lose my shirt, I may eventually go Kouki on my 91T.
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
MR2 Owners Club Forum
5.4M posts
114.7K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to Toyota MR2 owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, turbos, maintenance, and more!