i was always under the impression, that "rice" cars, where those that where more focused on comestics, and the looks did not really reflect the speed of the car, ie, the neons, 5 inch tach, stickers, kits and the rest.
I myself have been called rice, but i dont take offence to it cause thats what my car is at the moment, an NA skyline that has a kit neons, but no huge tacho, all things that i have done to my car as i wanted to. Modding a car is personal expression, its up to u to decide what u like and do it without having to car what others think. Soon my car will go fast, and no longer be just rice, but ive been happy with it so far.
Bottom Line, if u like it, DO IT!
Just my 2c's
Cheers
John