Watch-out for Shine Auto Project
Theres a difference between replica and just plain ****ty. Understand that most people cant afford or are not willing to pay $2000+ for a kit. It just is what it is. For me personally I like the real thing but if someone wants to run a knockoff who cares its not affecting what you do so let it be. So many people protect the "Real" manufacture as if they care about you or even know who the hell you are for that matter.
Oh contraire…..many manufacturers actually ask me to monitor knock off companies.
Hate to bump this thread but the Shine Auto Project knock off kit for the SC300/400 is nearing production and is causing quite a stir in the SC Forums. I don't care who rocks what kit but it looks like Shine is promoting their product by claiming to improve the minor imperfections the AC Kit has and everyone that wants one is now in turn bashing the authentic AC Kit talking about "bad fitment AC Kits". Great marketing if you ask me but the reasoning and justification by some of the people buying the kit cracks me up.
I just drove down to Shine Auto Project with a buddy to pick up the AutoCouture replica kit for my SC.
I was the first one to pick one up and the quality seems top notch and I chatted it up with Ken for an hour or so. Ken and them are great guys and gave me a tour of the facility and explained the manufacturing process in great detail. Quality control is top notch since all of the parts are not mass produced.
I was the first one to pick one up and the quality seems top notch and I chatted it up with Ken for an hour or so. Ken and them are great guys and gave me a tour of the facility and explained the manufacturing process in great detail. Quality control is top notch since all of the parts are not mass produced.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: TX
original art vs. print. band vs. cover band. if the knockoff companies had the vision to accompany their ability they wouldn't be making copies.
as far as fitment, i cook pancakes. you pour syrup. i did 99% of the work, your 1% tastes better.
* are cool guys? let's see how cool they are with their hands in your pocket.
if consumers were ethical there would be no knockoff companies. if the knockoff companies were ethical there would be no knockoffs.
it can be justified 1,000,000 ways. cost and fitment being the major ones cited, cost being the reality. if the originals were the cheaper of the two people would accept minor fitment issues. unfortunately, cost is directly related to the amount of work put in so the company who started from scratch is going to be the higher of the two, with the company who tweaked it coming in much lower with much less effort. there's no magic involved, all the knockoff company did was the work any quality body man could do. then they stole it.
but it is what it is. it's out there, it's been out there, and it's going to be out there. if you can justify it then do your thing. just don't be mad when i clown your knock off trash. the line was in the sand and you made your choice. rep yourself.
as far as fitment, i cook pancakes. you pour syrup. i did 99% of the work, your 1% tastes better.
* are cool guys? let's see how cool they are with their hands in your pocket.
if consumers were ethical there would be no knockoff companies. if the knockoff companies were ethical there would be no knockoffs.
it can be justified 1,000,000 ways. cost and fitment being the major ones cited, cost being the reality. if the originals were the cheaper of the two people would accept minor fitment issues. unfortunately, cost is directly related to the amount of work put in so the company who started from scratch is going to be the higher of the two, with the company who tweaked it coming in much lower with much less effort. there's no magic involved, all the knockoff company did was the work any quality body man could do. then they stole it.
but it is what it is. it's out there, it's been out there, and it's going to be out there. if you can justify it then do your thing. just don't be mad when i clown your knock off trash. the line was in the sand and you made your choice. rep yourself.
word is born....You can't claim VIP with a knockoff kit...I dont care how much janky produce or made parfame parts you have. A knockoff kit with real VIP curtains, fusa, knot, and neck pillows...pretty gay.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: TX
it aint even vip exclusive. rockin knockoffs says something about you regardless of what it is or what style of car you drive.
and just to make it clear: not everything it says to me is necessarily bad, but my stance on the issue will not allow me to do it or give props to those who do. for example, i can dig someone wanting to get the most for their money and i can dig someone not so into labels (even though i am) that they feel the need to buy name brand. what i can't dig, and what overshadows all that, is the plain and simple fact that it is a knockoff.
ot: hows that gs lookin speed? got a current thread? haven't seen it in a while and it was one of my favorites a while back.
and just to make it clear: not everything it says to me is necessarily bad, but my stance on the issue will not allow me to do it or give props to those who do. for example, i can dig someone wanting to get the most for their money and i can dig someone not so into labels (even though i am) that they feel the need to buy name brand. what i can't dig, and what overshadows all that, is the plain and simple fact that it is a knockoff.
ot: hows that gs lookin speed? got a current thread? haven't seen it in a while and it was one of my favorites a while back.
The main problem I have with the 'name brand' kits is that they're too fcukin' expensive. $4000 for an unpainted kit is ridiculous. No other market pays that much for a perfectly fitting body kit. These manufacturers are just raping us because we want to be 'vip'. I won't buy any if their overpriced junk nor will I rock any knockoff stuff and be perfectly content with a sik *** ride with or without vip status.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: TX
not true at all. check out the high end euro companies and then look at the vip brands. they won't look so bad after that.
it's a "luxury tax", not just a "vip tax". it's easy to forget that these are flagship cars since you can get the older models for pocket change these days. if you had the $50k+ to buy a new one then the $4k (usually closer to $2-3k before international shipping takes it's toll) isn't really an issue. it's those of us who spent 4 digits on a used one are the ones that have problems.
that's the right attitude.
i don't even want a kit for my 2 1g platforms, much less want one bad enough to buy a knockoff.
it's a "luxury tax", not just a "vip tax". it's easy to forget that these are flagship cars since you can get the older models for pocket change these days. if you had the $50k+ to buy a new one then the $4k (usually closer to $2-3k before international shipping takes it's toll) isn't really an issue. it's those of us who spent 4 digits on a used one are the ones that have problems.
i don't even want a kit for my 2 1g platforms, much less want one bad enough to buy a knockoff.
