Why are body kits so expensive? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

sandalscout · 09-10-2009, 08:29 AM

Okay, I can understand a $1000 price tag on some high line body kits, or even a middle of the road FULL bodykit, but I cannot understand why the body kits of the smart, not TRUE body kits, but lip kits, are so expensive. They are smaller than any other kit I've seen, and so much more expensive!!!!

My Hyundai Accent has only a small selection of body kits available, and only 1 lip kit that I've ever seen, and it runs $325 SHIPPED. I don't get it. I'm not saying that I think any one is trying to rip us off, or that even the kits out there are too much, but why are there no more affordable selections? I'd KILL for a $400 lip kit that was subtly styled. Even less cash would be nice.

Heck, for comparison, a site I'm on offered a custom kit that had a new mold designed and was limited to 60 kits, the guy was doing it because he wanted a kit that hadn't been manufactured for 15+ years (JDM factory kit) and the complete kit with FULL front bumper, FULL rear bumper, spoiler, and side skirts was only $1300.

sato7 · 09-10-2009, 08:38 AM

the cars are smart.... but the owners tend to be suckers for overpriced items... and before you jump down my throat, I'm one of them that got suckered ONCE.. not again though. I guess as demand wanes prices fall, look at the woofer enclosures under the dash... started at 499 now you can get the box at around 129.

John_H · 09-10-2009, 09:48 AM

In the US especially, the aftermarket for smart-specific parts is pretty small. The Hyundai Accent, for instance, has a significantly larger base market to work toward, allowing the significant tooling costs to be amortized over a greater number of shipments. So smart-specific stuff will cost more than for the average car.

ADilwicius · 09-10-2009, 09:57 AM

supply and demand people... There aren't the many smart cars compared to every other car. Body kits can be mass produced for other models but how many smart body kits are selling. Since there aren't that many people making and selling they can charge a premium. I wish the prices would drop I really want one... luckily I'm cheap!

sandalscout · 09-10-2009, 10:34 AM

Okay, sure, I can sort of buy the supply versus demand thing, except that the Hyundai Accent Lip kit was only $500 three weeks after the car was released world wide. It did come down $200 over the next two years, but it's still a lot cheaper than any smart kit. In addition, as I said above, the custom limited edition 60 limit Mirage Cyborg body kit was in HIGH demand and very low supply and still was only a bit more than the cheapest smart kit, and came with a bit more stuff.

I guess it's a bit of low demand (although smart owners seem to largely be into modifications, compared to other cars I've owned), high end companies making the parts, and suckers. Maybe now that the smart is for sale in China, we'll see more affordable aftermarket parts rolling down the line.

John_H · 09-10-2009, 11:19 AM

It's not so much typical "supply and demand" market dynamics as much as an "amortizing $350k tooling over 1k units" kind of issue.

SergMadness · 09-10-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

It's not so much typical "supply and demand" market dynamics as much as an "amortizing $350k tooling over 1k units" kind of issue.

Nail on the head

Then add in others costs ...advertising, shipping etc...

I would just remind folks that even the stock valances look pretty good color matched with the body. Its not a "kit" but will certainly add some style points.

Keep in mind also that fitment on the available kits are great...hopefully the ill-fitting knock off versions dont surface but if for some reason there becomes a market for them we may start to see $300 full kits that fit like junk and actually cost you more in the end because of all the prep needed to make them fit right.

Turbo42 · 09-10-2009, 03:31 PM

I agree they are way over priced but the vendors can do that supply and demand. Try looking over seas thats where I get all my parts and they are cheaper even including the shipping to the US.

1800WattsRMS · 10-12-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybenz

I agree they are way over priced but the vendors can do that supply and demand. Try looking over seas thats where I get all my parts and they are cheaper even including the shipping to the US.

Can you suggest some "reliable" overseas websites to check out?