I agree with this. A lot of these JDM companies are boutiques. Small facilities. I doubt they have the money to employ physicists and aerodynamics engineers to help design and wind-tunnel test these body kits.

What's happening is we're paying a premium for parts based on what car we drive.

Look at exhausts for the GT-R. Titanium exhausts for that thing cost more than $5k. Compare that to a titanium dual for S2k at 2500.

Come on. Making a profit is one thing, but raping due to perceived benefit and "elite" status is another.




Yes..........business is business. That's the result of a free market economy. I'm not a big fan of knock-off quality on a lot of things, but sometimes I just can't justify spending insane amounts on normal parts.

$1500 for a 4 cylinder header? Seriously. Give me a break.

 

It's not the editor's choice what ads are sold.

And the magazine has to pay the bills right? You don't see Spoon or Mugen spending on advertising, or Veilside, or ASM, etc.

 

great point and there is definitely some legit testing going on there

 

I understand it may not be the editor's choice, but his comments in initial timing should then address his concerns with regards to what is going into his magazine as well (ads).

 

the more I think about it the more angry I get. our culture is consumed with supporting a foreign market who is doing nothing to expand its effort or develop the community here. why are we expected to maintain strong product ties with companies that have little interest in the state side scene?

 

Yeah that's bad ass, and they even left the C-West mirrors on the stock one when they tested it, they could've probably picked up a little better figures on top of it

Also (unrelated to the post I quoted), you can not compare some of these parts you are comparing. The APR bumper is practically a knock-off, is not wind-tunnel tested, and guaranteed does not have the same build quality as Powerhouse Amuse. Plus, they're made in the USA, so there are no costs associated w/ shipping and customs (which can sometimes be a very large part of the price).

Honestly, if you go to Japan and buy these parts there, most of them are very similarly-priced to comparable parts made in the US (excluding some of the very high end shops, i.e. ASM, Top Secret, etc., but even that stuff has a large price increase due to shipping and customs duties). It's just that we don't have a lot of "comparable" shops doing the same quality work in the USA.

Remember when Comptech was around (I know they're starting to come back now, but their full part line isn't back up yet)? They were charging $1100-1400 for their header, and they didn't have to ship it halfway around the world and pay customs duties on it. But it was quality, much better quality than Megan, for example. Comptech also made side skirts that were very expensive, but the quality and fitment was definately better than most American companies (who make import parts).

My point is that it's not just a bunch of Japanese companies taking advantage of people, it's the simple fact that you get what you pay for. The APR widebody is nice, but is it a track-proven widebody that has been wind-tunnel tested and raced at the highest levels of competition on some of the fastest cars in the world? NO. It's just perspective, most people don't need the function of an Amuse or Tracy Sports widebody kit, they just like the look, but for people who do actually care about the function of the parts, these companies have proven it. APR does make nice parts, I would definately put them on a higher level than Seibon, but they are nowhere near Amuse or Tracy Sports and I'm sure they would agree.

 

I'd have to say I 100% disagree with the magazine article. People should be free to buy whatever they want. As long as there are people on a budget, there will be companies that find a way to seperate them from their dollar. "Knockoffs" as everyone has called them, keep a lot of people in our industry and help inspire future generations of tuners and the like.

How many people on this forum upgraded from an Integra, Civic, old Mustang, or any other "performance" possible car lower-end car to an S2000? Than how many people upgrade from the S2k to Vettes, NSXs, Evos, Supras, etc? The point is, if a 16 year old with a civic can drop some aftermarket parts on his car that are "knockoffs" (Seibon, Rota, etc) and keep him interested in the import game, after that kid gets a stable job or a career, he is the one buying the big ticket items for his new big ticket car, Mugen, Amuse, J's, PWDJDM, etc.

The people like Veilside, Amuse, Top Secret are NEVER gonna be a big player here in the states. Like previously stated, we NEED companies in the states that are here for the real thing. A great example is AEM. If every 16 year old jumped into the import game and couldn't find a CF hood for under $1000 and wheels sub $2000, how many would migrate over to the Mustang/F-body band wagon or a bike? We need knockoff companies to bridge the gap, just like we need Wal-Mart and department stores like Sears and Belk.

Everyone can't afford Fendi, Prada, Gooci, etc, but damn if a lot of people don't enjoy Polo, Abercormbie, Express, AE and the likes.

 

[QUOTE=zbrewha863,Oct 10 2008, 07:55 PM] Also (unrelated to the post I quoted), you can not compare some of these parts you are comparing.

 

check back for updates... Lets keep this thread going.

 

just thought you would all like to see this:

JDM Innovation:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry14540778

Winds of Change:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...&#entry14540767

Our downfall:
Amuse Style Urethane Front Bumper Comming Soon (Pages 1 2 3 ...8 )
2ND PAGE NOW UPDATED W/ PICTURE
Started by: Gruppe-S On:13 May 2008

Total Views.... 12936

People are interested, wake up folks!