2008 Subaru WRX STI: Are Clear Lamps Still Cool?

The red ones are much nicer.

They stopped being cool when they were still called 'Altezza'.

They're just vinyl overlays, folks. :o)
 
Here are more shots (HTML used due to link length) of the same car (the exhaust isn't stock -- it's a Fujitsubo one).

It looks like any other SUV/wagon with the red lens (no offense Suby). Also, the clear lens shows off the LEDs - That's the main point.
 
Regards,
Snake Doc

You're right, Al Snake Doc (I can do HTML, too! j/k). It looks like the rear of a BMW X3, maybe Acura RDX-ish, too.
 
Irregardless (that's not a word, folks) Regardless, I'd probably do the same to my car's tails if I had a new STI. :o)

It looks like the rear of a BMW X3, maybe Acura RDX-ish, too.
  
When it comes to looks, that's a good thing right?
Whatever it is, it makes the rear look waaaay better IMO...

Clear (Altezza) lamps are so late 90s and early 00s. I hope they'd never come back...
 
"When it comes to looks, that's a good thing right?"
 
RDX maybe, I don't know about the X3...

USDM MY2004-2006 X3 Tail Light (HTML used due to link length)
 
I rest my case.

Why is it frowning in the back now..

Red is better on most cars.
 
Clear is too little contrast, especially when there's no framing border design to surround it.

Depends on the car. I didn't like clear taillights on the IS300, but the Subaru pulls it off well, so does the Accord and Fusion.

I don't care for them at all. Normal tail lights look so much better. They look awful on the Altima too.
 
You know what Suby, this lady who's office is next to mine, her FAVORITE word is irregardless. She screams it into the phone at least once every day. It bugs the crap out of me.

Apparently Subaru didn't get the "Clear Lamps are out and have been for 5 years" memo.
 
Really makes the car look like some illegal got ahold of it, a JCWhitney catalog, and a wad of cash and went nuts. The wing doesn't help either.

Maserati GranTurismo!! It just hit me! Thats exactly what the tail-lights look like on this white WRX-STI.

The clear taillights scream "Mods by Ebay" or as my friends say, "Ebay'd out"
I'll be glad when this fad disappears and we see some nice versions of red tails.
That White STI w/ red taillights looks 200% better than the clear tails

I actually prefer the clear ones on the new Impreza. One of the very very few cars that I think look better without red. The clear is especially good looking on the Blue cars IMO.

I don't know what the deal is with clear tailights... I have never got them and I have never liked them. I have rarely seen a car that looks "good" with them or even looks like they are supposed to have them.
 
The worst offenders are the ones that come from the factory like the Equinox, Fusion, Prius and a couple others. I also hate the 3D like ones that instead of following the body lines, the lenses stick out in odd circular ways. GM put them on in the last phase of the last gen Silverado and Dodge copied for the Ram and Dakota.
 
I just want a normal red and if needed amber for the signals lens. Why do you have to get all blinged out with a taillight lens?

'09 Forester does half and half: Rear taillight lenses are clear for the amber bulbs, red for the brake and tail lights.
No LED's on those, BTW.

much better with the red ones.
 
btw i totally thought GrandTurismo too!:)

Fads never last.

Wow, I was just reading the thing about the new Porsches on Inside Line. Check out the taillights on the yellow convertible. Identical to the red version of the STI lights, at least to me.
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=126800?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..1.*#4

If those red lights were real they'd look quite nice.

The original design abruptly cuts off the inside of the taillights, and that's why the red looks so odd, it highlights the poor design. (IMO)

"If those red lights were real they'd look quite nice."
 
Most people are doing the red with film until someone makes an actual replacement assembly. There are many variations out there from all red, to red with reverse lights cut-out, and even smoke tinted.

The answer to your ? is NO. Clears are about as "in" as New Kids on the Block, Techno and boomin car stereos.

The mz3, mz5, mx-5, cx7 all have clear bezels...

Doug Henning would have loved this discussion.
 
"It's an illusion..."

Just to show how cool clear tailights are, the Honda Goldwing, the Buick AARP early bird special hey Vern are you going to the RV show time share buying Matlock Murder She Wrote watching motorcycle, now sports clear turn signals in an effort to hip it up!
Looks crap on that bike too.