I've come across a couple of Mugen hardtops in the various For Sale Sections. They LOOK the same but are referenced to differently ...... Mugen style, Mugen FRP, Authentic Mugen FRP, Mugen Style, VIS Mugen ........ Here are a few posts from the For Sale Section .......Take a look

Mugen-Style-Hardtop $1100

Mugen FRP Hardtop $3300

Authentic Mugen FRP Hardtop $3200

Mugen Style Hardtop $1100 (no Window)

VIS Mugen Hardtop $1600

 

there is an Authentic Mugen hardtop that is made by the brand Mugen.

There are MANY replicas in carbon fiber and fiberglass.

 

Basically there's the real Mugen hard top, which is offered in either FRP and Carbon Fiber. And then there are many companies that make a replica of it. Replicas are cheaper since they don't have to pay for the R&D, and the fitment isn't as good, although the one from Spyder562 is supposed to be pretty good in fitment.

What's strange is that the replicas are actually lighter sometimes, but that might be because they aren't as strong. I heard that the CF version of the Mugen was made in a honeycomb pattern to make it really strong, and I highly doubt that the replicas do that. On the other hand, I heard that the way Mugen makes their hard tops is a very cheap way, which is why the replica companies can make it lighter. Who's right? I have no idea, but Mugen quality is near OEM, and buying a replica is just like buying a counterfeit product from China. In my mind, if the companies that make replicas can do it so well, they should just design their own product instead. GT Motoring made a CF version of the OEM hard top after all, and while they copied the design, at least they brought a product that nobody else had on the market.

 

also note the hardtop mounting equipment used. mugen uses oem hardtop hardware ($$$). Replicas typically use their own custom creations.

 

orignals, replicas, different materials

 

Imho I don't see why someone would pay $3500 for a top, when you can get one for half the price that fits almost just as well. I have a VIS mugen hardtop and it fits like a glove even without OEM hardware. One reason the authentic ones are more expensive is because it comes with OEM hardtop hardware with it, and that is a good $600 or so. Even with the solid 1 peice brackets I have with the VIS top is sits flush in the rear, and has no leaks or anything. I have spyder562's upgraded seals and everything and it all worked out great. I'm just selling it now since I have a civic project i'm working on and need funds to finish it.

P.S. Spyders replica hardtops fit just like the VIS ones which is awesome fitment. You can get the VIS or spyders in the Sponsor section for $1275 shipped. Spyders also includes upgraded seals and your choice of a tinted rear lexan window which is nice. Then if you really want you can buy the OEM hardware for it but really isn't worth it imo.

 

Why pay for a real S2000 from Honda for 34,000.00 new when you could've gotten a knock off Made in China for 17,000.00?? What if it performed just as well and you couldn't even tell???

Why pay $8,000 for a Rolex Submariner when you can get a knock in the streets of Taiwan for $90? (And trust me, 99% of people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a genuine and knock off).

The reason is people can appreciate "The real thing." They last longer, are better quality, have higher resale value, oftentimes carry warranties that knock offs don't, etc. Some people just don't want to put knock off/fake products on a nice car like our S2000.


....but to each their own.

 

FRP hardtops such as VIS and spyders I bet will last just as long as an authentic..It's not like there is stress on the part all the time, and isn't in the way of road rash and such so it's not like it will easily get damaged. Plus people like Spyder stand behind their products 100% and if you ever have problems, will help you out. Of course the authentic will have a higher resale value, but it's because you paid way more for it. I have many many people interested in my VIS top, I just can't ship it and live in the middle of nowhere so it's harder for me. I've spent a little over $2k on my top including all of the upgraded seals and paint and such, and i'm selling it for $1600 and have had offers of $1800 if I shipped it to them. So the resale value on these tops are also good, you make almost everything back that you spent on it. Just because it's a knock off part doesnt mean it doesnt deserve to be put on an s2000, if it fits great, looks great, and does its job whats the problem? We drive a Honda you can buy for $10k, it's not like we are all driving $100k cars or something.

I also have other priorities other than my car, some people want a part but doesn't have the $3500+ they will need to get the top, paint it, ect.. I have even had people ask if my top was authentic since it fit so well, and I always just tell them it's a VIS replica, it's not like i'm trying to pass it as the real deal even though there would be a very small difference. If you want to waste your money on everything authentic, be my guest. I'll have my knock off top that looks just as good and will last just as long as your authentic you paid more than double what I did. That sure is something to be proud of.

P.S. I'm not at all saying only get replicas over authentic. There are some parts that it's better off getting the real thing, but imo is worthless to pay WAY more for something that has so little difference. The main issue with replica parts is fitment, and mine fits great. The only other thing your paying for is a Mugen badge on the inside of it and OEM hardware which isn't important to me.

 

I don't like almost. I like perfect.

Once you've owned an authentic top, you'd never even consider a replica.

 

Different strokes for different folks. Even some authentic parts take some work to get them to fit 100% perfect like you want, and if a part fits just as well as the authentic there is no point. At that point your paying for a logo nobody will ever see anyways.

I bet I could park my S with the VIS top next to one with an authentic top and they would have a hard time comparing to see how they are different even with my cheap VIS hardware. Then you could say ohh well mine is authentic and his is a cheap replica, then what? Good for you, you spent double on a part that you can get for cheaper and look just as good and will last just as long as the other one.

I'm not trying to argue, that's my opinion. Nobody has to agree with my opinion but I work hard for my money, and I am 100% happy with the VIS top since it looks and does exactly what the authentic would do for half the cost.