Fiberglass is old tech, but in this application it's the only tech. No one makes one off body panels in ABS, the cost is prohibitive. The main draw of fiberglass is that it's easy to make, modify, and repair. You can custom build a 1 off kit. Downside is that it breaks a little easier than ABS or poly. Then again, fiberglass is much easier to repair. On an SUV, fiberglass has less issues than on a low car. Less likely to run into a curb and take out a bumper.
And OP, there's almost no point in making a mold. You're never going to recoup your costs on it for various reasons. As a point of compare, for the first gen, there is 1 aftermarket bumper available. It's only $500+shipping, has been around for years and they've sold like 5-6. Everyone says how great it is and they want it, but no one actually buys it. Imagine how many people are going to buy a $7K fiberglass Vettel replica. It's going to be maybe zero. That kind of money for body kits is only commanded by the well known companies, not a one off fabricator. How many people have bought the crazy Russian kits for similar money?
So if you want the kit, just have it built. Don't bother trying to sell it, the market just isn't there.
And OP, there's almost no point in making a mold. You're never going to recoup your costs on it for various reasons. As a point of compare, for the first gen, there is 1 aftermarket bumper available. It's only $500+shipping, has been around for years and they've sold like 5-6. Everyone says how great it is and they want it, but no one actually buys it. Imagine how many people are going to buy a $7K fiberglass Vettel replica. It's going to be maybe zero. That kind of money for body kits is only commanded by the well known companies, not a one off fabricator. How many people have bought the crazy Russian kits for similar money?
So if you want the kit, just have it built. Don't bother trying to sell it, the market just isn't there.
- Car
- 09 FX50
Lol, I love how you skipped over all the parts where I proved your points invalid. Since you didn't like the "essay" - here's a numbered list:
1) I never said that I had any "hardcore modifications" - all I said that is if you were to copy the Vettel edition FX, you might as well match it's power in the very least - which is an additional ~30hp (matching the Macan S you apparently would have chosen if you "wanted to go fast and furious")
2) You made this thread to advertise that the shop would want to sell this kit - so when you say it wouldn't be realistic to make an ABS mold for a one-off, you're contradicting what you were saying in the first place, that they would make this replica kit available for us to purchase. What people have said that even if they did make a few available for sale, it would not be preferred to use fiberglass which is considered to be "old tech" as far as body kits go. (and like I said, at least our "cheap" aero kit isn't fiberglass.) Since you consider the aero kit "cheap" at it's $2kish price mark, you probably don't understand that most people on this forum do not want to spend that kind of money for these sort of modifications. Not everybody has $10K+ to spend on their newly (and not yet delivered) FX50 to change the body and exhaust right away, so you should try and better understand your fellow FX owners a little better. I've been on this forum for a while and I think I understand the market pretty well, especially since I've modded both my old FX and my present one.
3) I'm glad you contacted the dealership regarding the bodykit, and although you mention it won't effect mechanical systems or its warranties in "any way", I am not sure that is correct, since you will be changing the way the front of the car is open to the elements - so if you run into issues later with something that happens to be in that lower front area, you may be in trouble with the warranty coverage. You should make sure that all factory supports are kept intact as well, to make sure that if you end up rear-ending somebody your insurance will still cover it because sometimes if you alter the factory bumpers insurance will not cover the damage since you "tampered" with safety aspects of the vehicle. AU laws may be different, but I know in the US people sometimes run into problems when they change around the bumpers, etc.
4) I do not have a problem with you - I try to contribute to everything on here and that includes giving my person opinion. If you don't like my personal opinion, that's fine. You don't need to try and act like an internet tough guy by saying you would ask me to "step outside" - why, because I'm saying you're wrong about a few things and contradicted yourself a few times? That seems "mature" and non teenage at all, right "mate"? You seem to think that your opinion is the only correct one. Soon you'll realize your Vettel knockoff is just the same as mercedes owners that slap the AMG badge and wheels on their non-AMG models and call it the former, without the performance to back up the looks... at least that's how it would appear to me.
5) Like I said, I support projects that people do to pioneer new mods for the FX. What I don't support are when people can dole out their opinions but then cannot take anybody else's opinions that differ... "you can dish it out but can't take it" I understand you seem upset because I made a few points that probably offended you, but your attempt to retaliate by insulting my performance modifications that I pioneered for the FX50 community seems a bit stupid for somebody just joining. You should understand that the small hp# I've gained is only the beginning of an ongoing attempt to pioneer even more power adders for the VK50VE, a new nissan motor, so that others who wish to improve the performance of their vehicles can do the same in the future. (if you recall, you looked to my exhaust threads and videos during the process of choosing the correct setup for your own vehicle, did you not?)
That all being said,
This will be my last attempt to respond to your nonsensical argument. I'll check back in once you update your progress and will continue to voice my opinion during the process. I'm looking forward to seeing a replica Vettel FX built, because I think it will be cool to see one besides the ones in press shots although it seems unfortunate that the owner is such a bogan, to use an Aussie term. G'day mate
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- Car
- 2004 FX35
- Name
- Jeff
I agree vettel kit is too ricey for my taste
I like the idea and its very cool
Who cares about performance or mechanical upgrade. Its what you like that matters.
And im +1 whatever and however!
When ur ready im sure ull put a v18 engine or whatever fits ....
Me personally? If i could have a fx with. a 4 cylinder ill be happy save some gas money~~~
We all here to enjoy the beauty
A
AusFX50s
Guest
Thanks for the second volume of your epic self righteous saga Mr jbaker! I hardly read a word of it. Again, I don't value your opinions or your attitude, nor do I appreciate your repeated low-blows directed at my country and my cultural identity. Such comments express a profound level of ignorance and paint a pretty solid picture of your character. You consider yourself a pioneer for gutting your exhaust system?........ Christ, you're my hero. Best of luck to you champ.
Thanks to everyone else for your constructive opinions and feedback, I just picked up the car and have been driving all day; absolutely love this car! Seems I made the right decision. Yet I've already started to question whether or not the car needs any kind of body kit at all, now that I've spent some time with it I've come to appreciate it's stock lines. I'm still going to head south to find out how much the Vettel will cost as a one off fiberglass build, if it's in the vicinity of $7k i'll likely go ahead with it. But any more and I simply won't bother. There's no other kit that I like even partially. I never had any intention of selling the kit, the suggestion was raised by somebody else (guess who) and I was curious to see if there was demand; which there isn't for anything less than an ABS production at a reasonable price-point.
But, i'm still going ahead with the exhaust and the black plasti-dip to the chrome and wheels. That will likely be all i'll do to the car. Time will tell, thanks for the feedback.
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- Car
- 2004 Infiniti FX35 Supercharged
A
AusFX50s
Guest
Hi Zebra, that link is to a set of wheels; not the body kit. Those images are of the actual Vettel edition, they're just selling the wheels.
I like the idea of a Vettle replica and if you want to do it, go for it, it's your car so who cares what anyone else thinks. However if you do go through with it, do it for yourself and not with the expectations to sell copies of it to others. I would be interested in a Vettle replica but like others have mentioned 7K is really pricey. I don't think I would spend that type of money on a kit unless it was guaranteed to fit with no issues or any extra modification other than possibly painting it. Even with just painting and mounting it, could the end result be possibly 9K? IMO 7K and upward of that, is the type of money I would spend to have someone fabricate a kit that would be exclusive to my FX. If it will cost you that much maybe you should consider trying to design and fabricate something custom that would be as subtle as the Vettle kit. Everyone has their own taste, for instance I really don't like the OEM kit, while the majority of others do. To each their own.
I'll never understand why people come to forums and get upset by another persons opinion. Do what makes you happy, at the end of the day, no one else is paying for it and they don't have to live with it, you do.
I'll never understand why people come to forums and get upset by another persons opinion. Do what makes you happy, at the end of the day, no one else is paying for it and they don't have to live with it, you do.
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A
AusFX50s
Guest
Thanks, I appreciate your perspective. You're right, and if i was going to go through with the kit it would be for the right reasons. But to be honest, it may not be worth all of the drama or the expense.
I might just replace my mufflers and do my plasti-dipping and that'll be the end of it.
I might just replace my mufflers and do my plasti-dipping and that'll be the end of it.
- Car
- 09 FX50
Exactly on point. Well said.
Glad you're coming to your senses....
Although you may not read this, and you'll probably respond with some more snarky comments,
I didn't say anything about pioneering "cutting up" my exhaust.... I'm the first to fit test pipes to the FX50 as far as I know, and have a few other things in the works that are all firsts for the FX50, such as true cold air intakes, camber kits for our 2nd gens which are not available, as well as coil over options besides megan/BC that won't break the bank. I've been working with a few companies to get things made for sale to us owners, for instance - test pipes/HFCs - so people don't need to go custom. However, just like the issue you've run into with your 'bodykit" - it's expensive to be the lab rat, and I'm in school so it's not like I have all this cash or time to throw around, so it's a process.
I'm glad you've actually taken delivery of the car and get to see it's beauty in person, and have started to appreciate the stock lines and it's performance. This will help you understand why so many FX owners don't really go for crazy kits that often, among other things. - and why some still want to squeeze a little bit "more" out of it.
Keep us updated with your progress.
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- Car
- 2004 Infiniti FX35 Supercharged
The replica kit was available on this website, as I noticed in post. The member from Asia posted a link here before for a full replica kit, the link is expired now.
A
AusFX50s
Guest
Such a condescending little prick, how many times has your jaw been broken? It's no surprise that people like you gravitate towards the security and safety offered by the internet.
---------- Post added at 02:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:16 PM ----------
So for future reference, is this jbaker character the resident troll whom exists only to light fires? Seems your community has a thorn in it.
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- Car
- 09 FX50
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- Car
- 2004 Infiniti FX35 Supercharged
This thread reminds of "Chicago GT-R guy"(BTW he sold his ride 6 month later).