Debadging -- What's the point?

Winterwaves · 04-29-2005, 7:27 PM

I see a lot of discussion about debadging your cars. Lots of hows and whats, but I'm having a hard time understanding why. What exactly is the benefit of taking "Acura" and "TSX" off the back? Is everyone embarrassed to have this car, or what?

Heh, just joking, I know that's not it -- I can't wait for my TSX and I'll be proud when I finally own one -- so then what's the advantage other than to reveal a few more square inches of paint? Just trying to understand the appeal...

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taxidriversingh · 04-29-2005, 7:29 PM

To make the back to look cleaner. You dont have to do it, there is no law, dont worry about it. It cleans up the back and gives it a nicer look, IMO.

Canyonball · 04-29-2005, 7:30 PM

I think it just looks cleaner. And it adds to the "what is that car" factor...

Winterwaves · 04-29-2005, 7:38 PM

Ah, that's sort of what I thought. The "what's that car" factor is actually a cool reason to do it, especially since I'll be modding mine a bit.

gabedabomb · 04-29-2005, 7:41 PM

Adds symmetry to the car.

Though I must admit, I get pissed when I see an S class debadged...I keep wondering is it a 430? 500? 600?

calitsx · 04-29-2005, 7:42 PM

I told my dealer to debadge the car before i even took delivery of it, i always have and always will debadge all my cars unless the name has an M/// or 55 in it

Bass Mechanic · 04-29-2005, 9:41 PM

personally i think its stupid, and i also dont give a crap what anyone thinks about how my car looks. i used to care what everyone else thinks. then after i turned about 30 i realised the only person that cares about what i have or how my car looks is me.
IMO i think people make their cars look different because they want to be different and be noticed. as much as i enjoy my TSX, its my car, i make the payment and i could care less if anyone thinks it looks cool or not.

Winterwaves · 04-29-2005, 10:03 PM

Well, I agree with that. It's whatever you think is cool that matters.

TypeRS · 04-29-2005, 10:06 PM

debadging adds 10+ HP

leftride · 04-29-2005, 10:33 PM

i debadged my car for two main reasons:

1) i think it looks cleaner, i say the less things stuck to the car the better
2) i know what kind of car i bought, why do i need a label on it

i think it is like buying a shirt that says the clothing companies name on it, i know where i bought it, why do i need to advertise it.

daniel1113 · 04-29-2005, 10:51 PM

I saw a debadged G35 the other day, and it looked a lot cheaper to me. I can't explain why, but the lack of the silver badges seemed to give the paint a more plastic-like look rather than a sleek metallic look. BTW, it had a black exterior.

blumpkin · 04-29-2005, 10:56 PM

its slick

had it debadged since i got it

cuz im slick

Powered by Honda · 04-29-2005, 11:04 PM

I debadge aswell. I debadge because I dont want anyone knowing what car I have!!

Is it an Accord coupe? Or is it a Kia Rio? You just dont know anymore! Suckers!!!

guess what I drive??

blumpkin · 04-29-2005, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powered by Honda

I debadge aswell. I debadge because I dont want anyone knowing what car I have!!

Is it an Accord coupe? Or is it a Kia Rio? You just dont know anymore! Suckers!!!

guess what I drive??

a debadged Rio?

Powered by Honda · 04-29-2005, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblazinboot

a debadged Rio?

I actually forgot what it is since the badge was taken off in 2001!

blumpkin · 04-29-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powered by Honda

I actually forgot what it is since the badge was taken off in 2001!

"accord coupe EX V6 2001"

ya geek

lamster · 04-29-2005, 11:57 PM

Debadging obviously makes the car different, however it removes the luxury look from the car. If you're doing it so that it'd be difficult for someone else to "guess" what kind of car you drive, it's pointless. You're doing it because of other people!

Depending on the car, debadging may help making the car looking cleaner. But the TSX looks very clean already, IMO. No real need for removal of Acura's logo and the model's name "TSX.

Just my 2 cents.

Tunaboy · 04-30-2005, 12:04 AM

The emblems used on all Acura corresponded vehicles are made out of pure lead which adds quite a burden to the vehicle. According to research out of Super Street Magazine debadging any Honda (Acura) vehicle adds up to 20+ HP since the emblems cause so much friction to the rear wheels when more downforce is needed. The emblems weigh over 50 pounds... Why need forced induction when you could just debadge.... people these days.

sleeper · 04-30-2005, 12:09 AM

i just wanted to add something to my mod list.

actually, i just wanted to see what cops put on my ticket(s)....

dzuy · 04-30-2005, 12:18 AM

i saw a ford pickup with a lexus ls430 emblem on it today.

debadging > weird badging.

Winterwaves · 04-30-2005, 12:44 AM

Can you actually get pulled over by cops for not having the badge on?

Does the law (I guess it might vary from state to state), require that you have the badges on, for ID purposes so that, you know, people can identify your getaway car after you knock over a bank?

gabedabomb · 04-30-2005, 1:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterwaves

Can you actually get pulled over by cops for not having the badge on?

Does the law (I guess it might vary from state to state), require that you have the badges on, for ID purposes so that, you know, people can identify your getaway car after you knock over a bank?

That's called a license plate

Dude, I have a 2000 Accord EX-V6, and I've got everything from Civic to Acura. Whatever, ppl won't know either way.

Since I have a Honda, I have no qualms about debadging. I just spent 4 hours detailing it (go to .net if you wanna read my post) so I'll link some pics tomorrow.

drunkenbuda · 04-30-2005, 1:17 AM

Clean baby, thats what i want....clean looking car.

NJ TSXer · 04-30-2005, 1:32 AM

I went for the clean look. Also wanted people to guess what car i was driving. lol like someone else said in this thread, ILL be modding my TSX up alot more so.

drunkenbuda · 04-30-2005, 1:49 AM

HAhah, this remind me. I was eating at this Mexican place and some people park rite next to my car. The passenger came out and walked around my car, dude didn't know what type of Acura it iwas....LoL, while all of this was happening, i was enjoying my food watching from the window. Good that people don't know what car i'm driving.

TSX Cman · 04-30-2005, 2:52 AM

i debadged mien for the horsepower as some members had mentioned

Bass Mechanic · 04-30-2005, 8:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drunkenbuda

HAhah, this remind me. I was eating at this Mexican place and some people park rite next to my car. The passenger came out and walked around my car, dude didn't know what type of Acura it iwas....LoL, while all of this was happening, i was enjoying my food watching from the window. Good that people don't know what car i'm driving.

HAHAHAHA! that is so funny!!! makes me want to debadge my car so everyone will wonder around looking stupid and cant tell what kind of car i have HAHAHAHA. that is so funny i cant stop laughing! HAHAHA that is some funny shit man!
good one!!
i guess i better join the debadging club

Winterwaves · 04-30-2005, 9:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabedabomb

That's called a license plate

Dude, I have a 2000 Accord EX-V6, and I've got everything from Civic to Acura. Whatever, ppl won't know either way.

Since I have a Honda, I have no qualms about debadging. I just spent 4 hours detailing it (go to .net if you wanna read my post) so I'll link some pics tomorrow.

OK, well yeah I knew the license plate obviously has to be there, but I wasn't sure whether the badges were required too, so people could report a "Silver Acura TSX, license # blah blah, heading South on the 405..."

lamster · 04-30-2005, 9:22 AM

Unless you modify you car in a major way (underbody skirt, bumper, racing hood, rims, etc.), simply debadging will not make your TSX any harder to recognize as much as you want it to be. People who cannot even recognize a TSX or tell the difference between a Honda/Acura/Kia/Toyota/Lexus should not be considered your main reason for doing it. Again, like I said it's pointless.

RMATIC09 · 04-30-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mechanic

HAHAHAHA! that is so funny!!! makes me want to debadge my car so everyone will wonder around looking stupid and cant tell what kind of car i have HAHAHAHA. that is so funny i cant stop laughing! HAHAHA that is some funny shit man!
good one!!
i guess i better join the debadging club

he wasent trying to be funny dick , cut out the attitude shmuck. No ones telling you to do something you dont want to do.

To each their own.

joerockt · 04-30-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mechanic

HAHAHAHA! that is so funny!!! makes me want to debadge my car so everyone will wonder around looking stupid and cant tell what kind of car i have HAHAHAHA. that is so funny i cant stop laughing! HAHAHA that is some funny shit man!
good one!!
i guess i better join the debadging club

What a fuckin tool...

I like the look of a debadged car. I dont give a shit what other people think.

I think some badges are just as bad as having stickers on your car.

elduderino · 04-30-2005, 11:45 AM

Ask a car designer t design a car, and unless they draw in a BMW grille shape under orders, it doesn't have badges on it. Badges are required from a branding point of view, but they have nothing to do with design - design is supposed to have more to do with art than commerce.

Bootlegged · 04-30-2005, 1:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Mechanic

HAHAHAHA! that is so funny!!! makes me want to debadge my car so everyone will wonder around looking stupid and cant tell what kind of car i have HAHAHAHA. that is so funny i cant stop laughing! HAHAHA that is some funny shit man!
good one!!
i guess i better join the debadging club

Hey Look...i'm a BASS MECHANIC who likes to instigate on Acura TSX Forums!!! HAR HAR HAR!!!!!!!!! I guess i better become one too!! HAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Powered by Honda · 04-30-2005, 3:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblazinboot

"accord coupe EX V6 2001"

ya geek

Well actually, some guy who seemed to know alot about cars said, "nice M3 buddy" while I was walking back to my car? I guess the debage worked!

Dan Martin · 04-30-2005, 3:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powered by Honda

Well actually, some guy who seemed to know alot about cars said, "nice M3 buddy" while I was walking back to my car? I guess the debage worked!

He should not be allowed to comment on cars ever again.

MoFocker · 04-30-2005, 4:05 PM

i dont know why, but everytime i see a debaged car i assume it was rear ended and the body shop forgot to put the badges back on. i guess ive seen too many repaired back ends that the body shops put the badges on the wrong side, upside down, crooked etc.

i think i saw an old lady in a pathfinder once and the pathfinder badge was going sideways across the back as if it was a photoshop creation

dralph. · 04-30-2005, 4:29 PM

This may be a silly discussion, but I'll throw in my

anyhow.

I hear folks asking "Whats the purpose of debadging?" but nobody's asking "what's the purpose of badging?".

I can't really say there's a good reason to debadge (other than the HP gains, of course), but I challenge anyone to give me any thing resembling a logical reason for having the badge on your car in the first place.

Who really gives a flip if folks have debadged or not?

Seriously?

kenji4861 · 04-30-2005, 5:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeRS

debadging adds 10+ HP

Agreed! Debadging will reduce the weight on the car. Making it go faster.

Ok.. now back to reality.. I actually like my car with the badge. Makes it look more expensive than without it. But everyone has their taste.

A Honda or Toyota can be debadged.. but Acura/Lexus/Infiniti.. I prefer it not to be debadged.

Bass Mechanic · 04-30-2005, 7:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenji4861

Agreed! Debadging will reduce the weight on the car. Making it go faster.

Ok.. now back to reality.. I actually like my car with the badge. Makes it look more expensive than without it. But everyone has their taste.

A Honda or Toyota can be debadged.. but Acura/Lexus/Infiniti.. I prefer it not to be debadged.

im with this guy.

Winterwaves · 04-30-2005, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dralph.

I hear folks asking "Whats the purpose of debadging?" but nobody's asking "what's the purpose of badging?".

If you mean why do dealers do it in the first place...One word: Marketing. Same with just about anything you buy, from shoes to TVs to whatever. The brand name or logo is on it.

Or if you mean, "Why would owners think there is a purpose for it?", well it's most likely:
1. Marketing (some owners want to advertise the brand, if it's a prestige car).
2. Looks (some owners like the badged look, or think it looks strange or "cheaper" with the badge off).
3. Laziness (too lazy to take on the project to remove it, even if they want to).
4. Ineptness? (too technically clumsy to do a debadging).
5. Probably some other reasons I missed....

04-29-2005, 7:29 PM	#2
taxidriversingh Banned Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bellevue, Washington Age: 21 Posts: 179	To make the back to look cleaner. You dont have to do it, there is no law, dont worry about it. It cleans up the back and gives it a nicer look, IMO.

04-29-2005, 7:30 PM	#3
Canyonball Apex Clipper Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: So-Cal Age: 31 Posts: 609	I think it just looks cleaner. And it adds to the "what is that car" factor...

04-29-2005, 7:38 PM	#4
Winterwaves Life's a beach Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SoCal Age: 49 Posts: 845	Ah, that's sort of what I thought. The "what's that car" factor is actually a cool reason to do it, especially since I'll be modding mine a bit.

04-29-2005, 7:41 PM	#5
gabedabomb Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 94	Adds symmetry to the car. Though I must admit, I get pissed when I see an S class debadged...I keep wondering is it a 430? 500? 600?

04-29-2005, 7:42 PM	#6
calitsx Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2004 Location: cali Age: 27 Posts: 332	I told my dealer to debadge the car before i even took delivery of it, i always have and always will debadge all my cars unless the name has an M/// or 55 in it

04-29-2005, 9:41 PM	#7
Bass Mechanic Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Age: 39 Posts: 905	personally i think its stupid, and i also dont give a crap what anyone thinks about how my car looks. i used to care what everyone else thinks. then after i turned about 30 i realised the only person that cares about what i have or how my car looks is me. IMO i think people make their cars look different because they want to be different and be noticed. as much as i enjoy my TSX, its my car, i make the payment and i could care less if anyone thinks it looks cool or not.

04-29-2005, 10:03 PM	#8
Winterwaves Life's a beach Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SoCal Age: 49 Posts: 845	Well, I agree with that. It's whatever you think is cool that matters.

04-29-2005, 10:06 PM	#9
TypeRS Got Ramen? Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Irvine, CA Age: 27 Posts: 798	debadging adds 10+ HP

04-29-2005, 10:33 PM	#10
leftride i want to ride my bicycle Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver, CO Age: 29 Posts: 3,365	i debadged my car for two main reasons: 1) i think it looks cleaner, i say the less things stuck to the car the better 2) i know what kind of car i bought, why do i need a label on it i think it is like buying a shirt that says the clothing companies name on it, i know where i bought it, why do i need to advertise it.

04-29-2005, 10:51 PM	#11
daniel1113 Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Williamsburg, VA Age: 25 Posts: 491	I saw a debadged G35 the other day, and it looked a lot cheaper to me. I can't explain why, but the lack of the silver badges seemed to give the paint a more plastic-like look rather than a sleek metallic look. BTW, it had a black exterior.

04-29-2005, 10:56 PM	#12
blumpkin o-qua tangin wann Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 2,450	its slick had it debadged since i got it cuz im slick

04-29-2005, 11:04 PM	#13
Powered by Honda Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada Age: 27 Posts: 881	I debadge aswell. I debadge because I dont want anyone knowing what car I have!! Is it an Accord coupe? Or is it a Kia Rio? You just dont know anymore! Suckers!!! guess what I drive??

04-29-2005, 11:57 PM	#17
lamster Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 264	Debadging obviously makes the car different, however it removes the luxury look from the car. If you're doing it so that it'd be difficult for someone else to "guess" what kind of car you drive, it's pointless. You're doing it because of other people! Depending on the car, debadging may help making the car looking cleaner. But the TSX looks very clean already, IMO. No real need for removal of Acura's logo and the model's name "TSX. Just my 2 cents.

04-30-2005, 12:04 AM	#18
Tunaboy Who Dis Is? Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: East Coast Age: 24 Posts: 1,642	The emblems used on all Acura corresponded vehicles are made out of pure lead which adds quite a burden to the vehicle. According to research out of Super Street Magazine debadging any Honda (Acura) vehicle adds up to 20+ HP since the emblems cause so much friction to the rear wheels when more downforce is needed. The emblems weigh over 50 pounds... Why need forced induction when you could just debadge.... people these days.

04-30-2005, 12:09 AM	#19
sleeper Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: nerdlingerton Age: 30 Posts: 2,236	i just wanted to add something to my mod list. actually, i just wanted to see what cops put on my ticket(s)....

04-30-2005, 12:18 AM	#20
dzuy Troutslap Mod-DUH-rator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 8,179	i saw a ford pickup with a lexus ls430 emblem on it today. debadging > weird badging.

04-30-2005, 12:44 AM	#21
Winterwaves Life's a beach Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SoCal Age: 49 Posts: 845	Can you actually get pulled over by cops for not having the badge on? Does the law (I guess it might vary from state to state), require that you have the badges on, for ID purposes so that, you know, people can identify your getaway car after you knock over a bank?

04-30-2005, 1:17 AM	#23
drunkenbuda Got Phó? Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Say WA! Age: 27 Posts: 1,932	Clean baby, thats what i want....clean looking car.

04-30-2005, 1:32 AM	#24
NJ TSXer CLUBBER LANG Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Paramus, NJ Age: 27 Posts: 91	I went for the clean look. Also wanted people to guess what car i was driving. lol like someone else said in this thread, ILL be modding my TSX up alot more so.

04-30-2005, 1:49 AM	#25
drunkenbuda Got Phó? Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Say WA! Age: 27 Posts: 1,932	HAhah, this remind me. I was eating at this Mexican place and some people park rite next to my car. The passenger came out and walked around my car, dude didn't know what type of Acura it iwas....LoL, while all of this was happening, i was enjoying my food watching from the window. Good that people don't know what car i'm driving.

04-30-2005, 2:52 AM	#26
TSX Cman Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 783	i debadged mien for the horsepower as some members had mentioned

04-30-2005, 9:22 AM	#29
lamster Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 264	Unless you modify you car in a major way (underbody skirt, bumper, racing hood, rims, etc.), simply debadging will not make your TSX any harder to recognize as much as you want it to be. People who cannot even recognize a TSX or tell the difference between a Honda/Acura/Kia/Toyota/Lexus should not be considered your main reason for doing it. Again, like I said it's pointless.

04-30-2005, 11:45 AM	#32
elduderino Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portland OR US Posts: 4,606	Ask a car designer t design a car, and unless they draw in a BMW grille shape under orders, it doesn't have badges on it. Badges are required from a branding point of view, but they have nothing to do with design - design is supposed to have more to do with art than commerce.

04-30-2005, 4:05 PM	#36
MoFocker Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 292	i dont know why, but everytime i see a debaged car i assume it was rear ended and the body shop forgot to put the badges back on. i guess ive seen too many repaired back ends that the body shops put the badges on the wrong side, upside down, crooked etc. i think i saw an old lady in a pathfinder once and the pathfinder badge was going sideways across the back as if it was a photoshop creation

04-30-2005, 4:29 PM	#37
dralph. Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 43 Posts: 23	This may be a silly discussion, but I'll throw in my anyhow. I hear folks asking "Whats the purpose of debadging?" but nobody's asking "what's the purpose of badging?". I can't really say there's a good reason to debadge (other than the HP gains, of course), but I challenge anyone to give me any thing resembling a logical reason for having the badge on your car in the first place. Who really gives a flip if folks have debadged or not? Seriously?