I disagree. There is such thing as "rice" in the car world. Generally speaking (at least in the sense it is generally used in the US) it is a derogatory term used to describe gaudy modifications to a car such as larger touring style wings, body kits, and euro style taillights. Often these products are of low build quality (not all the time, but often they are). Rice is also used, as you pointed out, to describe outrageously colored cars or parts even. It's just a term to describe something. I actually don't always use the term in a derogatory way either. I've seen nice looking "rice". I've seen bright orange cars.... that look good. I've seen cars with body kits... that look good.
If I use the term rice in a derogatory sense, I'm usually referring to the quality of the part and the quality of the install combined. If a car is cheaply done: ie. Maaco neon green paint, unpainted white mis-matched bodykit, neon blue washer nozzles, a ten-inch tall metal spoiler, and 17 inch yellow wheels with a stock ride height; then there is a chance I might exclaim, "Eek... rice..."
Every once in awhile I might also say somethign along the lines of, "Wow... that's kind of ricey, but I like......"
Rice is mostly just an opinion. It's like calling something ugly. Someone might call my car ugly. I think it's beautiful and the ideas I have for it will make it even more beautiful. Some might not like the mods I plan for it. Some might think it will end up looking too stock, some might still call it rice (I've been called a ricer just because I drive a Honda lol). So it really doesn't matter.
I'm not modifying my car with stock USDM parts, but I am adding on some EDM and JDM parts. Why? Because I wanted a clock there, for one. Because I don't like a gaping hole in my dash that just collects dust. Maybe I like my headlights... except I wish they didn't have that amber bar at the bottom in the turn signals. Oh, solution, SiRs overseas often had the lights I describe. Right off hand, the USDM parts I've added to my car are '99-'00 coupe taillights (didn't want the amber in the taillights like the '96-'98 coupes have) and painted Si sideskirts (other trims have unpainted, rough blalk ABS sideskirts - which means sanding, prepping, and painting - a friend got these sideskirts and they were already my factory color for cheaper than doing all that work - I can't paint btw). I trust the quality of Honda parts, and if I happen to find exactly what I want made by Honda, then if the price is right I'm going to jump on it.
I like the ideas you posted about your car. We'll have to see how it turns out.
There's a Pepto Bismol 2G Eclipse in Dover, DE. Yes, exactly Pepto Bismol colored. Besides that all it seems to have is completely blacked out taillghts and even the backup lights are blacked out. Oh, and I believe a canister muffler. I'd call it rice. It's not the worse I've seen, but I definatly know the car doesn't flow very well and the paint could look better (quality-wise, not just the tone). There's also a bubble gum pink 6G Civic coupe in Dover, DE. It has a vanity plate, CUPCAKE, and is driven by a skinny blonde girl. To me, it's just a rolling stereotype, and that's why I don't like it. It's not so much that it's pink, it's the bubbly pink girl's car cliche that throws me off on that car. I still don't think I'd call it rice. It seems like it's not cheap. has a good paint job, clean tint, and decent wheels last I remember. I just don't like it.
