I used to own a hot vw /porsche tuning shop in the 70's and remember big prices for stuff like roller cranks , stroker kits etc but am amazed at the current prices 4 things like an intake manifold
1200-1700 or exhaust system etc. I will probably be told that just is the way it is and there's been a little inflation since the 70's

just my 02

 

Well, compare it to VW tuning for a Bug and Porsche tuning for a 911-S.

Civic exhausts/intakes/turbos etc. are about 40% to 50% of the price of similar items for the S2000. Most of this is driven by demand but some is no doubt gouging. Add to the fact that a lot of the nicer pieces aren't really sold here but have to be imported "to order" from Japan in small lots and that really helps to get that price moving towards the stratosphere.

Oh, that and there has been a little inflation since the 70's

 

I think it's just gouging of a customer base by venders who feel an S owner must crap $$$ every day. It's shameful.

 

 

The higher prices are most likely due to volume of parts being produced and sold. There aren't many S2000's running around compared to VW's and Civic's. The cost of goods may be the same but when you amortize the tooling and development into a small quantity of deliverables, the price increases.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GEARHEAD
[B]The higher prices are most likely due to volume of parts being produced and sold.

 

Well i know all that stuff guys, this thread wasn't to try and understand it as much to say $1700 jeeze thats alot of bucks for a lump of aluminum with no moving parts!! i also think and no insult intended that people should try and refrain from teaching people things on internet sites that are pretty obvious.
remember i started out by saying that i owned a speed shop 30 years ago

 

I understand the volume argument, but it's not the sole explanation.

Not to widen this thread, but there's a whole mentality out there, especially for services, that basically says "Charge the customer what you think they can afford". That's especially true for building contractors and service folks like plumbers, electricians, etc, but it can apply to salepeople, mechanics and others.

For an auto example, when I enter any dealership in a T shirt and shorts, I may be ignored indefinitely. If I wear a suit to same dealership, the maggots are crawlin' all over me. I can strike a much better deal dressed as surferdude (no offense surfers) than as a suit. They think I can barely make the payments so they're more likely to "give me a deal". BTW, I don't dress to deceive salespeople, but it's happened to me so many times I know it's not coincidence.

Don't misunderstand me, everyone should get paid a fair price for there skills, but charging different rates for the same work is wrong in so many ways.

Sorry for the OT rant.