I'm not trying to steer you in any one direction. Think about this. With the Mazdaspeed kit, you can install it yourself with a Phillips screwdriver and (I think you may need) a socket wrench set. The replica kits are made, mostly, of fiberglass. This will crack if someone bumps you in the parking lot or you drive into a curb. The Mazdaspeed kit is made of Melon (the spelling is off) and is flexible. It is much more resistant to breakage.

 

(edit: it's metton I believe, stronger and more flexible and it fits better than any replica ripoff can ever hope for, but whatever, if you want to ruin a nice car with cheap parts knock yourself out)

 

yes metton is the word. hahah maybe alfy could show us an example of a bumper made out of melon hahaha

 

well you got to admit spending over 4000 dollars is a little nuts for a body kit (although I do understand its the ideal quality blah blah blah) But I just spend 900 on a shine and I can do the paint work and installation myself so ill be looking at a grand total of 1000 to 1100 (including buying the paint).

I have to admit I'm glad I saved the 3000 dollars and from all of my research on this forum and others, pretty much everyone is happy with the fitment.

 

And just cause its not mazdaspeed (which looks good but not the best by far) does not mean you are going to ruin your car. Go the way you want to post some pics and tell us your total cost.

 

Shine makes really good replicas,, which one did you get...
I have the authentic Burnout CF chinspoiler, but Im gonna go Shine with the sides and rear because of the lack of funds to finish it in authentic style plus I cant wait three months again for it to come over and clear customs

 

yes, spending over 4k would be nuts, which is exactly why I did not spend anywhere near that on all of my authentic parts. (patience and bargaining actually work sometimes)

I was not implying it has to be Mazdaspeed to make your car look good by any means, there are plenty of other LEGIT options out there that look awesome, what I'm saying is you're taking a nice car and cheaping it out, (and this is nothing personal towards you, I see it all the time on here) which in turn is ruining it. I bet you've probably seen those people that spend 5k on wheels for a 500 dollar car, well, you're basically doing the same thing only in reverse. My whole thing is, why spend 30k (or whatever) on a car, then skimp on parts for it? I've been modding cars for almost 20 years now, I cannot stress enough that you get what you pay for in parts (and most other things as well),for example, a 400 dollar kit is just that, and for them to sell it at 400 and make a profit means it cost them a lot less to make, which means they had to use cheaper materials, and cut corners somewhere else as well. Cheap wheels are cheap wheels, cheap tires are cheap tires, and cheap kits are cheap kits, and when you put cheap parts on a car it ruins it, by buying a knockoff kit you're actually paying money to downgrade from stock, since your stock parts are probably made significantly better. That's your perogative and my opinion, but my opinion has been formed by almost 20 years in the car show and car customizing and automotive aftermarket scene, so at least I have something solid to back it up somewhat. That's all I'm saying, and that's why I rag knockoffs so hard, it has nothing to do with some stupid elitist status or "being jdm" or whatever other ridiculous excuse people try to use, it has everything to do with not wasting money(and I've wasted thousands over the years learning this lesson) or ruining a nice car by supporting shitty products and shady companies.

(I might add I don't have/make a lot of money, I got beat down financially by a horrible life changing event 4 years ago, if you want something bad enough, you figure out ways to make it happen regardless of circumstance. I'm not sponsored or anything either, I'v gotten some help from friends on my car, but it hasn't been free by any means, if I can afford and wait and wind up with real parts, on a daily driven show car no less, there really is no excuse for other people out there )

 

Ok well that all makes alot of sense then and like you I am not sponsored either and have a slow income. I listened to you all somewhat when it came to buying a kit cuz I almost bought AITs mint replica for a little under 600 dollars for all 4 pieces. I know I still went with a knock off but I'm hoping this isnt going to turn out to be a lesson learned experience.


anyways the parts I got from shine are:

Side skirts from RX-8 Se3P Type-II Lip Aero Body Kit

Front Bumper from RX-8 Se3P Spec-A Aero Body Kit