Replica body Kit?

kenchan · 07-22-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raizon

I wonder how many people would actually buy the authentic Amuse kit if no replica exist in this world. I can't imagine it being a whole lot more then they have sold now.

I bet most people would never even consider getting a body kit if they had to spend $6k+ on any authentic kit so even if replicas doesn't exist, JDM wouldn't necessarily be getting that much more orders on their kit.

Buy a replica wheel and they will eventually find out how bad they are versus the authentic wheel. But when replica kits are getting same or better fitments than the authentic kit, then its even harder to justify spending more on the real kit.

Like most people said, pricing needs to be more reasonable in this economy or its too hard for most people to justify spending that much money on a kit.

Cant afford it, don't buy it or work harder and make the income you need to achieve your goal. You faux buyers lack ambition and buy shortcuts at the expense of the true designers.

. Well, just voicing my thoughts.

Personally, I don't think the amuse kit looks all that great. Only the side pieces I'd consider if that was the style I wanted. If I wanted that kit on my Z, it would have already been installed 2 yrs ago.

TypeOne · 07-23-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Cant afford it, don't buy it or work harder and make the income you need to achieve your goal. You faux buyers lack ambition and buy shortcuts at the expense of the true designers.

. Well, just voicing my thoughts.

Once again... the hard truth of the world we live in. If people didn't buy them, they wouldn't exist. Plain and simple.

I guess buying the legitimate authentic part deal means a little more to some people than it does to others. To whoever mentioned something about the Zele body kit... just wait... I'm sure it's coming.

Rui Z · 07-22-2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haddy98

Hey guys. I just want to ask your opinions about replica kits. I'm planning to get a replica body kit. What do you think about it? The ori is way too expensive for me. What is the difference between the replica and the ori?

Thanks in advanced

Don't get fakes. Buy original.....it has more soul.

hdskull · 07-23-2011, 12:41 AM

The American dollar isn't really worth anything, otherwise, the JDM parts would be more affordable. The standard of living is higher over there.

KamiSpeed · 07-23-2011, 11:42 AM

The reason companies like Zele and Amuse refuse to meet American customers half way is because they're doing perfectly fine in Japanese markets at their current price and have no major interests to sell stateside aside from the few guys who buy (and they figure it'll likely be less replicated since its more expensive to buy). Even so the US standard is based off price, while the Japanese one is based off quality, meaning that a cheaper product usually beats out a quality one here. I understand fitment could be improved in replicas, but have they been tested? idk so I can't say. All I do know is that Japanese companies usually test their products with race teams... as feedback comes in they tweek and add on to their design.

So what am I saying? Well I don't hate on ppl who buy replica or companies that make replica, to each their own. I just don't understand ppl who complain about not having enough options stateside when Japanese companies are basically afraid to sell here. It'd be great if American companies started making their own parts... but once again why go into business making original when its much easier and cheaper to make replica? Haha unfortunately its a cycle that will probably never end... not because of replica companies but because of the market itself. I obviously support the Japanese side of things, but after all these years of the same issue I've learned to not fight it haha.

kenchan · 07-23-2011, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamiSpeed

The reason companies like Zele and Amuse refuse to meet American customers half way is because they're doing perfectly fine in Japanese markets at their current price and have no major interests to sell stateside aside from the few guys who buy (and they figure it'll likely be less replicated since its more expensive to buy). Even so the US standard is based off price, while the Japanese one is based off quality, meaning that a cheaper product usually beats out a quality one here. I understand fitment could be improved in replicas, but have they been tested? idk so I can't say. All I do know is that Japanese companies usually test their products with race teams... as feedback comes in they tweek and add on to their design.

So what am I saying? Well I don't hate on ppl who buy replica or companies that make replica, to each their own. I just don't understand ppl who complain about not having enough options stateside when Japanese companies are basically afraid to sell here. It'd be great if American companies started making their own parts... but once again why go into business making original when its much easier and cheaper to make replica? Haha unfortunately its a cycle that will probably never end... not because of replica companies but because of the market itself. I obviously support the Japanese side of things, but after all these years of the same issue I've learned to not fight it haha.

This is a good post. JDM is JDM. They don't really care about the outside and I think this is very true...can be said about a lot of smaller j-companies. they are doing fine without our business. Does make one look silly defending them... I'm just voicing my opinion on supporting original designers regardless of JDM or origin.

nuTinmuch · 07-23-2011, 12:24 PM

I've got to side with Kenchan on this one.

I'm certainly not a fan of most JDM products. I think they are overpriced and that they aren't really worth the money. With that said, I really don't like replicas. No matter how you want to dress it up, it is someone copying and profiting off the R&D of another company.

I understand why certain companies make replicas, but I honestly can't help but shake my head at them. They are profiting off someone else's work, and that's all there is to it.

Shadowx2x · 07-23-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuTinmuch

I've got to side with Kenchan on this one.

I'm certainly not a fan of most JDM products. I think they are overpriced and that they aren't really worth the money. With that said, I really don't like replicas. No matter how you want to dress it up, it is someone copying and profiting off the R&D of another company.

I understand why certain companies make replicas, but I honestly can't help but shake my head at them. They are profiting off someone else's work, and that's all there is to it.

tabrams31 · 07-24-2011, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowx2x

At the end of the day - It's a Fiberglass Body kit... Just a body kit.. Too funny reading everyone's post on how passionate they are to have "Real" JDM body kits!!

I'm guessing everyone that has the "Real" JDM body kit - goes around telling everyone that it's real too..

Again guys - we are talking about a body kit!!! Spend your money on JDM wheels so your don't die in your car going over a pot hole. And JDM performance parts so your engine does not blow up! And if you want spend your $$ on real JDM body kits then do so - but don't think you are cool or your helping some kind of cause by doing so.. IT'S A BODY KIT!!!!

nuTinmuch · 07-24-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabrams31

At the end of the day - It's a Fiberglass Body kit... Just a body kit.. Too funny reading everyone's post on how passionate they are to have "Real" JDM body kits!!

I'm guessing everyone that has the "Real" JDM body kit - goes around telling everyone that it's real too..

Again guys - we are talking about a body kit!!! Spend your money on JDM wheels so your don't die in your car going over a pot hole. And JDM performance parts so your engine does not blow up! And if you want spend your $$ on real JDM body kits then do so - but don't think you are cool or your helping some kind of cause by doing so.. IT'S A BODY KIT!!!!

What does it matter if it is "just a body kit"?

I'm not talking about the quality of the piece. I'm talking about the creativity and design sense it took to make it. There's nothing stopping any of these replica companies from making their own kits -- but they don't. They rip the design of someone else.

370Ztune · 07-28-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamiSpeed

The reason companies like Zele and Amuse refuse to meet American customers half way is because they're doing perfectly fine in Japanese markets at their current price and have no major interests to sell stateside aside from the few guys who buy (and they figure it'll likely be less replicated since its more expensive to buy). Even so the US standard is based off price, while the Japanese one is based off quality, meaning that a cheaper product usually beats out a quality one here. I understand fitment could be improved in replicas, but have they been tested? idk so I can't say. All I do know is that Japanese companies usually test their products with race teams... as feedback comes in they tweek and add on to their design.

So what am I saying? Well I don't hate on ppl who buy replica or companies that make replica, to each their own. I just don't understand ppl who complain about not having enough options stateside when Japanese companies are basically afraid to sell here. It'd be great if American companies started making their own parts... but once again why go into business making original when its much easier and cheaper to make replica? Haha unfortunately its a cycle that will probably never end... not because of replica companies but because of the market itself. I obviously support the Japanese side of things, but after all these years of the same issue I've learned to not fight it haha.

This is pretty accurate! However, with regard to Zele and Amuse, it's a bit more than this actually. Zele in particular has no interest in making any new aero anytime soon. This is what they told me directly earlier this year when I was hanging out with them at Tokyo Auto Salon. Their reasoning is that while their sales are slow to fair domestically, they're afraid of the amount of replica parts companies out there. Even though Zele is cautious of export markets due to knock-offs, they still have to export because they need the revenues. As one of the biggest Zele dealers outside of Japan, we bring in quite a lot of it, but for every customer, we try to do our due-diligence to make sure parts don't end up in the hands of somebody that's going knock them off.

The same goes for Amuse. Matsui (the new president of Amuse) earlier this year told me directly that he very much wants to make new aero. However, it's a double-edged sword... Since the export markets are becoming much more important to Amuse's survival than even the domestic Japanese market, they need to sell here. However, they're afraid to make new body parts because they don't want their pieces to end up being copied abroad (the US is actually the biggest source of replica automotive aero companies, even more-so than China or Taiwan). This is especially true because of the high sunk costs in producing aero parts in Japan. It's virtually impossible to copy an Amuse exhaust exactly versus copying a fiberglass body panel, so that's where their main revenue stream is going towards.

As for the companies that produces replicas of high quality; why don't they start designing their own, completely original parts? Not "inspired by," not a modification to a kit that already exists from another manufacturer, but something totally original. It's most definitely cheaper to make aero in the US than in Japan, so if these companies produce their own designs that look good, they'll capitalize on the market because the parts will be affordable and good looking. However, this is not the case; these companies knock-off other designs because it's just "easier" than doing their own work.

-Kris

Isamu · 07-29-2011, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Ztune

This is pretty accurate! However, with regard to Zele and Amuse, it's a bit more than this actually. Zele in particular has no interest in making any new aero anytime soon. This is what they told me directly earlier this year when I was hanging out with them at Tokyo Auto Salon. Their reasoning is that while their sales are slow to fair domestically, they're afraid of the amount of replica parts companies out there. Even though Zele is cautious of export markets due to knock-offs, they still have to export because they need the revenues. As one of the biggest Zele dealers outside of Japan, we bring in quite a lot of it, but for every customer, we try to do our due-diligence to make sure parts don't end up in the hands of somebody that's going knock them off.

The same goes for Amuse. Matsui (the new president of Amuse) earlier this year told me directly that he very much wants to make new aero. However, it's a double-edged sword... Since the export markets are becoming much more important to Amuse's survival than even the domestic Japanese market, they need to sell here. However, they're afraid to make new body parts because they don't want their pieces to end up being copied abroad (the US is actually the biggest source of replica automotive aero companies, even more-so than China or Taiwan). This is especially true because of the high sunk costs in producing aero parts in Japan. It's virtually impossible to copy an Amuse exhaust exactly versus copying a fiberglass body panel, so that's where their main revenue stream is going towards.

As for the companies that produces replicas of high quality; why don't they start designing their own, completely original parts? Not "inspired by," not a modification to a kit that already exists from another manufacturer, but something totally original. It's most definitely cheaper to make aero in the US than in Japan, so if these companies produce their own designs that look good, they'll capitalize on the market because the parts will be affordable and good looking. However, this is not the case; these companies knock-off other designs because it's just "easier" than doing their own work.

-Kris

part of the reason these companies produce replica's instead of making original designs in my opinion is this: They are copying designs they KNOW will sell, versus making something cool and original on the chance it won't sell.

I have been designing aero for a few years now, and I have only had one kit produced.. and bites on alot of my ideas... and unfortunatly for me, I didn't have the funds up front to buy stake in it, now, it's being sold, and I see nothing from it.

I have a few designed for the 370z and even a hood, but i need a company who wants to be original to help me out.

370Ztune · 07-29-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isamu

part of the reason these companies produce replica's instead of making original designs in my opinion is this: They are copying designs they KNOW will sell, versus making something cool and original on the chance it won't sell.

I have been designing aero for a few years now, and I have only had one kit produced.. and bites on alot of my ideas... and unfortunatly for me, I didn't have the funds up front to buy stake in it, now, it's being sold, and I see nothing from it.

I have a few designed for the 370z and even a hood, but i need a company who wants to be original to help me out.

Contact us. We're currently producing aero for GT-R and Evo X, I'd be interested in seeing what kind of designs you have and if we can work together.

TypeOne · 07-29-2011, 12:44 PM

If they are for the 370, I would support original designs and such from you guys!

w00t!

gaveup · 07-27-2011, 05:01 PM

Personally, I see nothing wrong with buying replicas. Not for engine components, but anything visual, it's fair game. If product A is JDM and $1600 shipped to my door and product B is a replica with the same fit and finish for $600 shipped to my door, it's going to be hard for me (personally) to not buy the replica and pocket $1000 for other mods.

Importing JDM anything is a complete ripoff for the product you are buying. I don't care how anyone wants to justify it, it's overpriced. If there wasn't a demand for these replica kits, there wouldn't be replica kits. Not everyone want's to pay $800 for a lip..but they see no problem paying $250 for it.

07-23-2011, 12:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
hdskull Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 680 Drives: '10 Black 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 17	The American dollar isn't really worth anything, otherwise, the JDM parts would be more affordable. The standard of living is higher over there. __________________ ^ Kenwood DDX616 \| Polk DB6501 \| Llumar 23% tint \| STi-R Clear Lens SSR Type-F \| F.I. 18" CF \| Stillen Gen 3 \| KW V3

07-23-2011, 11:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
KamiSpeed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 5,888 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 26	The reason companies like Zele and Amuse refuse to meet American customers half way is because they're doing perfectly fine in Japanese markets at their current price and have no major interests to sell stateside aside from the few guys who buy (and they figure it'll likely be less replicated since its more expensive to buy). Even so the US standard is based off price, while the Japanese one is based off quality, meaning that a cheaper product usually beats out a quality one here. I understand fitment could be improved in replicas, but have they been tested? idk so I can't say. All I do know is that Japanese companies usually test their products with race teams... as feedback comes in they tweek and add on to their design. So what am I saying? Well I don't hate on ppl who buy replica or companies that make replica, to each their own. I just don't understand ppl who complain about not having enough options stateside when Japanese companies are basically afraid to sell here. It'd be great if American companies started making their own parts... but once again why go into business making original when its much easier and cheaper to make replica? Haha unfortunately its a cycle that will probably never end... not because of replica companies but because of the market itself. I obviously support the Japanese side of things, but after all these years of the same issue I've learned to not fight it haha. __________________ KAMISPEED \| SHOP 370Z PERFORMANCE PARTS & MODS \| SUPPORT@KAMISPEED.COM KAMI SPEED REVIEWS \| FINANCE YOUR PARTS WITH US \| MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS PRE-ORDER DEPOSIT PROGRAM \| HKS MASTER SELLER

07-23-2011, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
nuTinmuch A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,092 Drives: PG 7AT 370Z Rep Power: 18	I've got to side with Kenchan on this one. I'm certainly not a fan of most JDM products. I think they are overpriced and that they aren't really worth the money. With that said, I really don't like replicas. No matter how you want to dress it up, it is someone copying and profiting off the R&D of another company. I understand why certain companies make replicas, but I honestly can't help but shake my head at them. They are profiting off someone else's work, and that's all there is to it. __________________ nuTinmuch! -- Platinum Graphite 370Z -- Check out my Gallery thread here!

07-27-2011, 05:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
gaveup Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tamarac FL Posts: 324 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 181	Personally, I see nothing wrong with buying replicas. Not for engine components, but anything visual, it's fair game. If product A is JDM and $1600 shipped to my door and product B is a replica with the same fit and finish for $600 shipped to my door, it's going to be hard for me (personally) to not buy the replica and pocket $1000 for other mods. Importing JDM anything is a complete ripoff for the product you are buying. I don't care how anyone wants to justify it, it's overpriced. If there wasn't a demand for these replica kits, there wouldn't be replica kits. Not everyone want's to pay $800 for a lip..but they see no problem paying $250 for it. __________________ 2010 Magnetic Black Metallic 370Z 6M stillen gen 3 CAI - topspeed test pipes - invidia gemini CBE - UpRev tune 301whp (HP Logic Mustang Dyno)

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07-29-2011, 12:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
TypeOne A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 2,682 Drives: BSM 370 Rep Power: 1851	If they are for the 370, I would support original designs and such from you guys! w00t!