Saturn Outlook Forum banner

2009 Outlook XR, Before & After photos

36K views 22 replies 8 participants last post by  alexanderc 
#1 ·
Whats up ya'll, I just purchased a used semi-fully loaded 2008 Outlook XR last week primarily for my wife. i was looking on the boards and cardomain for inspiration but unfortunately it was hard to find. I just finished ordering all of my initial mods, the list is as follows;

  • LED license plate light
    Hyper White Fog Lights
    Additional Wood grain kit including all upper vents and DVD player
    Chrome Pillar Post
    Limo Tint for the back 5 windows – already installed
    Chrome Running Boards
    Chrome front Bull Bar
    Buick Enclave side vents/portholes
    Molded Mud flaps
    Additional chrome accents- installed

    Future

    Backup camera
    Black out the red portion of the Saturn emblems
    Might remove the "outlook' badge in the rear
    Maybe an LED interior light kit

I can't wait to share the before and after photos. The tint has already recieved a possitive response. It totally makes the D pillar dissapear and look like one solid black glass in the rear.
 

Attachments

See less See more
3
#2 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

Welcome to the forum :welcome:

That's a nice list of mods; but I think there is a 10 post minimum before you can upload pics

Post often and we look forward to seeing you around
 
#3 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

kslaughter33, :welcome:


Whoa, that's a 78U :eek:. AA/78U and you will get along just fine ;). Looks like a nice list you have going. Be careful of the bull bar as it hangs a little low (under the air dam), I dented mine pretty good at a McD's on vaca in FL and have since taken it off for repair (if I get around to it ::)).
 
#4 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

Nice pics :thumb:; you don't see many Outlooks in that color; I have only seen one here locally
 
#5 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

Okay, so my mods are 95% complete, the only thing left to do is to black out the Saturn Emblems (or replace them with chrome GM emblems lol). As I mentioned earlier, I wanted the Outlook to have the rugged urban cruiser look with an extra touch of luxury inside. The wood grain kit makes a huge difference on the interor, I would definitely recommend it.

As far as I know, I'm the only outlook with Enclave portholes on the hood. All the aftermarket ones looked cheap or were knock off Escalade vents. The Outlooks hood has the same contour as the Enclave, so the portholes were a know brainier. The running board installation was really tricky, Dee Zee boards require patience to install. Here's a few before shots, more after shots to follow...

-K
 

Attachments

#6 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

After
 

Attachments

#7 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

After part 2. Hopefully these shots will gve you an idea of what the wood grain kit looks like installed. I got it from www.carid.com
 

Attachments

#8 ·
Re: 2008 Outlook XR, just getting started

After part 3
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Oh yeah, I installed Chrome Pillar posts but the result wasn't the look my wife and I really wanted. They weren't cut exactly to shape of the window pillar and the there were some slight ripples that showed and it made it look sort of cheap. We also liked the continuous window look, instead of the chrome pillars which broke it up. So I grabbed the blow dryer and a plastic spatula and removed them. I wanted to post a pic in case anybody was interested. I also had to remove the limo tint, it was just too **** dark inside. t made the interior seem small and closed in, and it was way to dark to see out of after dusk.

-K
 

Attachments

#11 ·
:thumb: I like the look of the additional "wood grain". Although I know I would not have the patience to do all of that.
 
#13 ·
The wood grain installation took about 2.5 hours. I'll try an get a night shot of the LED lights in the back. Any thoughts on the Enclave Ventiports? There's a good article in Motor Trend about the history of the Ventiports.

http://www.motortrend.com/classic/features/1006_buick_ventriports_the_early_years/index.html

Buick Ventiports: The Early Years
From the June, 2010 issue of Motor Trend


With Buick enjoying a surprising renaissance in the American market, it's a good time to take a look at the brand's most iconic design cue. Officially called "ventiports," but better known as portholes, Buick uses them to signify the number of cylinders under the given model's hood. The Lucerne Super has four ventiports on top of each front quarter-panel to signify its V-8 engine, while the V-6 LaCrosse, Enclave, and Lucerne have three on each side. Four-cylinder models Regal and base LaCrosse have two on each side.

So how do you explain the three- and four-porthole models from 1949 to 1958, when all Buicks had either inline-eight or V-8 engines? Here's how:

Buick Ventiports 1948 Roadmaster Convertible
Click to view Gallery
1948: Claiming fighter-plane inspiration, Buick designer Ned Nickles cuts holes in the sides of his personal 1948 Roadmaster convertible and installs amber lights attached to the distributor. The lights flash on and off to suggest an unusually powerful engine with exhaust flames. GM executive vice president Harlow Curtice orders ventiports (sans lights) on 1949 Buicks just seven months before production.

Buick Ventiports 1949 Roadmaster
Click to view Gallery
1949 model year: Four ventiports identify the Roadmaster with its 320-cubic-inch inline-eight. Three ventiports mean it's the Super with a 263-cube I-8. Production of the Special model doesn't revive until summer 1949. It has the same wheelbase as the Super, a shorter body, a 248 I-8, and three ventiports.

Buick Ventiports 1953 Four Ventriports
Click to view Gallery
1953 model year: Four ventiports for the Roadmaster with its 188-horse, 322-cubic-inch V-8. Three on the 170-horse (Dynaflow), 322 V-8 Super and on the I-8-holdover Special. The Skylark has no ventiports, 1953 or '54.


Buick Ventiports 1954 Four Roadster
Click to view Gallery
1954 model year: Four on the roadmaster with its 200-horse 320 V-8. Three on Super, which now shares the Roadmaster's body, but with a 188-horse (Dynaflow) 320. Three, also, on the new B-body Century with the Roadmaster's 200-horsepower engine (the "banker's hot rod") and three for the 264-cubic-inch V-8 Special.

Buick Ventiports 1955 Ventriports Roadmaster
Click to view Gallery
1955-'57: Four ventiports, Roadmaster, Super, and Century, which all get 236-horse 320- cubic-inch V-8s. Three on the Special, with its 264-cube V-8.

1958-'59: Buick scrubs ventiports


Buick Ventiports 1960 Electra 225
Click to view Gallery
1960: Ventiports return, with four on the Electra 225 and Electra, three on the Invicta and LeSabre. Until the modern era, the ventiports would come and go, tied into model hierarchy rather than engine size or power.

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/classic/f...orts_the_early_years/index.html#ixzz0x6L0pb4T
 
#15 ·
A LOT of wood on the interior! Reminds me of conversion vans. As for the exterior, I agree....looks better without the chrome window pillars. Don't understand putting the Enclave ventiports on, that's like putting a Cadillac badge on a Chevy, which I know many people do. BUT, nice to see you like them (should have bought an Enclave if you like that and the wood dash trim :poke:) Wood dash trim looks well done, seems to match the factory wood pretty good. (Even the steering wheel cover, which should look cheap, seems to work well with the rest of it). (Why not put on the Enclave's wood steering wheel while you are at it... ;D) Since you got rid of the other badges, perhaps put on Buick ones (just kidding!)

Keep up the good work, looks good.
 
#16 ·
I'm impressed with it. I thought about getting some vents put on as well. And I think you helped my decision. This may sound dumb but are those real Enclave vents and if so how much did they run you? I'm also feeling the running boards you got as well. And the grille guard looks nice. The nicest I've seen on an outlook. :thumb:
 
#17 ·
Unfortunately the Ventiports were sort of pricey at $85 a piece, but they're authentic. The Enclaves are nice, but overall the body is to round for my taste, and the ventiports, wood grain and extra $10k weren't enough for me to justify the purchase. I prefer the body lines of the Acadia and the Outlook, especially since my wife and I will both be driving the truck. @09Enclave - Even though the ventiports are a signature Buick accessories, too many vehicles have vents and portholes these days I didn't feel It was out of the question to add on. I think the Escalade and M3 raised the overall car community's awareness of the side vents. However, many of the stick-on aftermarket ports look cheap. I did look at the Enclave outer steering wheel, but it was way to much $.

K
 
#18 ·
I never thought such a small modification could make such a big difference, but blacking out the red portion of the Saturn logo has mad a significant difference in the appearance of the front fascia. The rear, not so much but the front has a totally different feel without the red portion of the Saturn logo drawing your attention too it. It was my wife's suggestion and I have to admit she made the right call, it just seams right. I'll post better photos later. I wonder if Ford or Chevy will ever get rid of the Blue Oval or the Yellow Bow Tie.

-K
 

Attachments

#20 ·
I taped off the emlbems and sprayed it with a paint specifically for plastic. A few more pics, my cousin blacked out the Ponitac emblem on his G8 and it looks great.
 

Attachments

#22 ·
Great! It definitely adds a strong look to the SUV.

The bull also called a Nudge Bar is Westin, STAINLESS NUDGE BAR 2.5 INCHES GMC ACADIA 2007-2010
Purchased on Ebay from a seller named Intrigued for $150

The Running Boards are Saturn Outlook Dee Zee Running Boards Running Boards Outlook
Qty: 1.00 Price: $221.02 & the Mounting Kit for $79
www.car-stuff.com


Good luck, don't forget to pick up 4 Molded Mud Flaps to complete the look and protect the truck.

Kieron
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top