I'm not going to be one of those people who says "I don't care what you think" One of the goals I have is for a seasoned FD owner and modifyer to see my car, and say "damn - that's nice" some day. I would like your honest opinion:
If I were to get Rotary Extreme parts instead of the real FEED, Scoot, or RE Amemiya, would that cause me to lose respect in the RX7 community? Does a brand name mean that much?

 

What does it matter?

Are you building your car for you, or for other people?

Get what you want.

 

That, and also as long as the replica is a quality part. Just don't try to pass off the replica as the real thing if people ask. Do you have any loss of respect for Nocab72's car? I sure don't:

http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/Mi...Compact_Craze/

 

If you can achieve the same look for a lower price, without sacrificing quality... I say go for it.

IMHO, the best FD's are left alone...

 

Sweet...I was worried for a second

I really do care what other's think. I mean, if I have to spend more to earn respect, I will. I'll be going with a lot of Rotary Extreme parts, then (FEED style spoiler, RE style Diffuser, FEED style front). Thanks

 

The only RE part I've ever got to examine up close is the the replica headlight kit. He could have put more effort into the clear lens cover IMHO. The FG parts he's sold seem to have generally good reviews.

 

the whole reason that people don't like replicas is because usual the quality is crap compared to the original. If you go with someone who does quality work such as rotaryextreme, then it is all the same and you get to save yourself some money, and theres nothing wrong with that.

 

as long as the quality is the same, it dont matter, some replicas are better then the originals. then again, some times they are crap.

 

I bought what I thought was a genuine Knightsport CF hood about a yr ago for $1200. I had expected @ that price it would be the real deal, until I was informed that the real ones have a screen already fitted on there. The fact that they gave me chicken wire and made me get my own bolts to force it on there pissed me off.
It finally bugged me off to the point that I sold it for $900 about 6 months later
The fitmet was fine on mine, too; I just thought I had paid for the real thing

 

You don't get "RX-7 respect" by spending money on your car.

You get respect by "knowing" your car and by "treating your car right".

 

Great point!
The first one I am trying to learn how to do, the second I've been doing since I bought it

 

hey if you can fool everyone else

 

If ya want respect, u gotta beat a NAWS'd veilside FD in a blitz bodykit'd eclipse....

"...if I win, I get the money AND the respect; to some, that's more important"

 

Nothing wrong with Veilside, hey now.

 

Fool everyone else?

How many people care when they see a car driving down the road, whether or not the body kit is a replica or original?

Not everyone has an unlimited budget for their cars. I'm sure not everything you own is "top of the line". You don't wear designer clothes, tailored just for you, everyday do you? Eat at 5 star resturants for every meal.. etc... There is nothing wrong with replica parts as long as you understand what you are getting. IMO, if you have to skimp on parts for your car, better to do it on the outside than the engine bay.


With body parts/kits, the main thing is fitment. Even some originals are not great fits. Search for Chuck (from Rotary Extreme) where he details the problems of the original Scoot hood he received. In his case, he fixed the problems with his replicas so they are better than the original (at least the original he received).

That's not going to be true for all replica body kit parts. However, any part can look like crap if it's not installed well (leaving huge gaps, ect).

IMO, if you are purchasing a replica, you might expect to have some extra work done to the parts to make them fit better. Considering the price of some replica parts to the originals, you will still come out ahead even with some extra work done to them. I do believe it's naive to go into the purchase of any body parts and expect them to "just fit". Just expect a little more work with replica parts.

 

It's a tough question. Would you rather spend twice as much for a genuine part, or would you rather give money to someone who is stealing someone else's design?

Think of it like this, do you think it is okay to buy stolen products, and do you think you should encourage that person to steal more by supporting him? If so, buy the replica parts, everybody does it.

Wade

 

I somewhat disagree with you Wade (for a first).

Does everyone buy the original maker of carbonated beverages?

Does everyong buy the original maker of soap?


I agree that if the difference of the replica is within 10% of the original, it's pointless to purchase a replica just to save a few bucks. However, many replica prices are WELL below 10% of the original so it's hard not to go that direction. Plus, a lot of originals need to get shipped from Japan and I know one member who had a chip taken out of his side skirts so US Customs could verify it wasn't made out of cocaine or some other illegal drug.

Unforunately, the body parts I would like to add to my car don't have replicas... DOH!

 

Yeah dont ever say your fake ***** is REAL... Thats a good point.

Also some places you will pay more for a replica then the real thing, LOOK AROUND a little..

 

Hey, just as long as it's good quality, looks good and fits good.
You'll be saving money buying a replica over a real one.

 

Depends on where you get it.. On the items he mentioned I know where you can get the real ones over the fakes ones for pennies more

 

And where would that be?

 

really your only saving yourself a few hundred bucks. Its not stealing(im sure chuck a rotary extreme had to get permission to do what he does). If I had a replica bumper and somebody asked me what kinda of bumper it is, do you think im going to say its a "replica" (**** no!! ). Do whatever the hell you like, stand up for car and if somebody dis the **** put your foot up there ***
This has been debate for the longest about "original" and "replica" . Why the hell would you want to pay almost 2k for some fiberglass ????
save yourself some money

 

I don't care what I use, so as long as the item (replica or original) is of good quality.

Usually, the brand name stuff will have a better reputation than a replica item. Good exmaples are amps. Do you think a noname amp will have anywhere near the quality sound output or the long life of a high quality brand name amp? With electornis, I always try to stay with the brand name stuff.

Body kits are the same. Noname stuff tends to have **** fitment issues. Not to say brand name stuff is always perfect, but it's usually better.

Now, if B company comes along and makes A company's product better, then I'm shooting for the B company item, even it if doesnt carry the brand name. I'll still shoot for them if they can make the exact same product but cheaper. Of course, I would prefer to buy it from the original company, but if they can't sell those items for the same price where I am at for whatever reason, then I'm going for the cheaper one.

Name alone won't give you quality.

 

Yeah - I guess Erebuni is a prime example of that

 

I figure get what you want if you got the car to show off to people i dont think you should have it. so in other words just give it to me