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YOUR RESEARCHupgraded tail lights
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Replace ones
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I saved the originals but won't put them back on unless I need to replace the new ones for some reason.
Leading evidence: 'Replace ones' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace ones' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Install the LED headlights that were on ebay for a time. That will REALLY bring out the haters!. I like the
LED look, just don't want to spend the money until my taillights die. (like my headlights did)
I have not seen a design I like yet. If I do, I might. I have the stock HIDs and have put LEDs in the side markers and the parking lights to update the look a bit.
People can hate all they want. I get compliments on my car all the time. I am not a purist. I want my car to be how I want it. It wasn't a life long dream to own one. So no apologies here if someone doesn't like what I like. In fact, that's sort of what I go for. I have always made my cars mine. I am not concerned about resale value. Cars are not an investment. I have other things for that.
👍🏻
Hawk - They look great on your car. I get the "they look like ****" comments from a few of the turbros too, but overall I'd say it's 10 to 1 in favor of the look. I don't hate the look of the stock lights, but I do think they look dated and a bit dingy. No comparison in my mind to the LED taillights, which really update the look of the car. Now having installed and seeing the difference in person, there's absolutely no way I'd go back to the stockers. But yeah, the purists hate the LEDs. I've posted this comparison before, but it's Claire vs Gloria.
And even to a similar extent. Keep the stockers, and if for whatever reason you sell the car and the person buying happens to be a purist, they can easily swap them back out in a couple minutes, and sell the other set.
I personally like the look of the 997 style LED tails on the 996 and have debated getting a set.
While researching exhausts I came across this video. As someone that previously wasn't a fan of aftermarket lights, these do look pretty slick.
You Tube
Ultimately, OP, it is your call. I had been on the fence about them for a while so I finally pulled the trigger. I am so glad I did, like I said, I love them. Updates the look a ton.
I never switched my tail lights to LED when I owned a 996. I actually prefer the old school bulbs for the 996 as they fit the character of the car better, in my opinion. I find this to be especially true for the C4S as aftermarket LEDs don't look right with the center reflector strip.
Comparing available 996 LED tail light installations, I really prefer the lights that follow the design of the original 996 lights, like the ones that the OP installed. They fit the lines of the car better, in my opinion. The LED lights that are styled resemble the 997.2 lights look odd on the 996, in my opinion.
I think the lights in the original post look good.
Personally I think the DEPO brand LED tails are much better quality. I ordered a set of the ones you have listed above and sent them back b/c I didn't think they were high quality. Downside of the DEPO tails is the bulb pattern looks like the 997, and they cost a fair amount more. Do it nice or do it twice as they say.
To each his own. I have the Depo lights and I really like them. I saved the originals but won't put them back on unless I need to replace the new ones for some reason. I paid around $600 several years ago, but I think they're more like $800 now.
Gloria or Claire? Yes, please.
I think it depends on the general look of the car. In this case, your car has a spoiler, custom rocker covers, a small spoiler on the rear window, special wheels, roll cage, rear emblem delete, and maybe more I can't detect.
So, the LED taillights make a nice complement to all those mods. To my eye, the LED taillights would not look very good on an otherwise stock 996. But this looks pretty good, helps make the car look like it means business.
BTW, what are those rear lower quarter panel air exits, the black ones, real or faux? They aren't like the C4S or Turbo, which have body colored lines in those holes. Is that custom or just blacked out with paint?
Good catch. But I hope the point stands, that these taillights work pretty well on this car, perhaps because it is red. Installing the LED taillights on many other 996s would look quite out of place, for example a stock Cab, or can't imagine them as a harmonious upgrade on a Targa.
