exactly, so we mine as well benefit from it.

 

^Somebody bought it already. Go back a few pages


This is all well and good but no side skirts or rear? Just tha knockoff bumper wont work

 

I already knew where this thread going before I clicked on it. HAHA. Theres a huge thread on Shine Auto Project over on VIP section, this thread sounds like a continuation of that thread. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/vip...o-project.html

Hopefully, this thread doesn't get locked like the other one but I do see it going in that direction.

I agree and disagree with most of the comments here. As a authentic AutoCouture kit and wheel owner, I hurts me to see other companies profiting from the AC design. These companies obviously don't care about honoring other people's creativity and only interested in the profit. Unfortunately in this economy, the lower price always wins regardless of the quality.

Why don't Shine put the time and effort build a Shine kit? Because it takes that much more time and money to do, they would rather just improve upon a product that is already produced. Like all things in this world, nothing is perfect, Shine does a good job in pointing out the flaws which are minimal and taking advantage of the fact that not everything is absolutely 100%. I can also attest that the AC kit is 97% on point with the fitment. Needs some few shaves here and there but, all in all, very minor work.

Although it might be true that a replica "can" look as good as an authentic and Shine Project has proven this with their previous replicas. The people who buy these replicas tend to cut more corners to build their cars than someone who buys the real deal. The people who buy the real deal kits, spend their hard earned money not only on the kit itself but also on quality paint which sometimes cost MORE than the kit. Their cars tend to come out higher quality because they pay more attention to detail than someone who buys a replica who most of the time cut a lot of corners and shows at the end product. I have seen a few exceptions where the replica look exactly like the real thing but these cars are far and in between.

So those owner's who have the authentic AC, don't fear because the owner's who buy knock-off, the quality of the car are far from being the same. IMO, not to offend those who buy copies. Just that those who wait and save tend to be more proud of their cars than those who put on a "lesser product".

-D

BTW, Auto Couture FTW!!

 

+1
Those who have the reals just know that you guys got the original Shiznitz. Id be way more proud of having the original than the replica.

On the other hand... i cant wait to see how the replicas come out. Im poor so im interested in this. I just want my car to look nice.

 

ok,ok the real AC fits better.but i see how guys on here defend the real AC kit.like they get a check in the mail for every real AC kit sold.not everybody has $2400-$2500 to spend on fiberglass.if the knock off $695+shipping does the job.so be it.with the rest of the money $1800 or so.can go for boostin or money for a swap will be really great.then the guy with the knock off kit on boost(or swap)will blow off the real AC kit off your car.then i dont think you will hold your head up high after getting smoked.so leave the knock off guys alone.if we all had money none of us would drive lexus SC.think about it.

 

so let company A sue company B.let them fight that in court,for copy right.thats not our problem.maybe if company A wasnt so worried in getting rich so fast.then maybe we can afford it.and not buy company B.hey as long as we all get along,and our cars look good "how cares".we are not going to change the world.today this is about a kit.but this goes for everything.

 

You obviously did not read the thread. I think I am sounding like a broken record.

AIT RACING DOES NOT PRODUCE A FULL REPLICA AUTOCOUTURE KIT FOR $695. THEY ONLY HAVE THE FRONT BUMPER FOR $285. FOR $695, THE VERTEX REPLICA SIDE SKIRTS AND REAR BUMPER WILL BE INCLUDED.

SHINE AUTO WILL BE THE ONLY COMPANY THAT WILL RELEASE THE FULL KIT, AND THAT BE PRICED AT $1200

 

im not saying anything about what you said.its the others with this knock off issue.i did read it.whatever AIT sells or Shine is a replica,a knock off right?

 

Oh cool, I am just clarifying for everyone because I am sure many are still stoked, thinking that the complete AC replica kits only 695 lol.

 

Listen to yourself, you are trying to justify someone paying $695 for a knock off instead of the real kit because they can use the rest of the money they would have spent on getting a real kit to get a turbo kit or swap. What turbo kit installed and tuned can you get for $1800? What swap can you get installed and tuned for $1800? Also with $695 you will probably double that with paint and install if the kit fits properly. I'm yet to get smoked by someone with a knock off body kit and I will gladly run any SC in the area with a knock off body kit that saved money by going with their knock off and put it towards boost. Your 98 SC300 looks nice and clean with good mods not sure why you're all caught up with knock offs.

 

I usually don't respond to threads defending a product that is based on someone else's work to compare differences between products. However, i must introduce another perspective. Let me begin by stating to those who don't know, I am the type of person to go the extra mile and $$ to spend on a SUPERIOR product...I don't cut corners because my ideology is if something is done correctly the first time there is no need to do it again. For example, I bought clk parts (mirror/housing) from the dealer when that benz first came out and had it "combined" with the stock sc mirror. That project cost hundreds of dollars and time at a point when buying cheap turn signal mirror "slipon" look alikes from ebay or wherever was not an option. The difference in quality cannot compare to what I've done,and it shows...I have a very firm stance on quality and workmanship, for me it is not a question of economics... I would pay anything for a SUPERIOR product regardless of the name and if this "Shine" or "AIT" replica kit is made from better,more durable materials I would not hesitate to purchase it. I've considered buying an AC kit a long time ago,but for my needs-i want something as close to being as durable as stock or it's a deal breaker...if these "questionable" products offers that, i will have my first body kit.

**edit** :It is unfortunate that these companies use a design that has already been established but personally, i would slightly modify it to my liking for a more customized look as i would the AC kit if i purchased it...

 

Forreal dude, that was some ignorant talk right there. It's all about doing your car right, not about cutting corners here to save money there for performance mods. Typically, those that cut corners on a build will continue to cut corners throughout the build. If you're a drifter or a racer of some sort and you run through bodykits all the time, I can totally see buying a knockoff since you'll be thrashing it anyways. The problem is, most guys on this forum aren't drifters and they're probably not gonna buy the kit knowing they're going to thrash it anyways. Most people will buy it because:

A) They love the AC kit but can't afford it, this is the closest they'll get to the AC look, so they don't mind supporting a knockoff brand.

B) They want to fake the front and pretend they have the real deal when they don't.

Either way, I just know people are gonna buy this kit and tarnish it like they did with the Vertex kit. They're gonna cheap out on it by not buying the body moldings, leaving the grill off, cheap fog light options, keeping it unpainted, ect. Almost all the AC kit owners I've seen did it right the first time around. They compliment the kit with nice wheels, lower their car, nice paint job, completing the whole look. Nobody can speak for all the tuners out there, you guys know people are gonna ruin the AC look for the rest of us, which sux imo.

 

I agree, so would I. But I'm also logical enough not to overspend for something just because of the name tag, either.

A lot of the replies in this thread is more about ego than anything.

It sucks because this thread was started simply as a member saying "hey look, someone's making an AC replica" and sure enough, as on all car forums, the fanboys come out and defend the crap out of the original like their lives depended on it. [Disclaimer: I don't know most of you personally, and some of you people might be cool in real life, but IMO a lot of the replies above are very defensive and 'fanboy'ish - to the point that some even made personal attacks]

So someone spent $4k+ on a body kit, good for you. If someone else spends $200ish for a replica front bumper that might look like yours, why do people feel the immediate urge to begin the usual "my **** is real therefore it's better and your copy sucks and you're not a real car enthusiast but I am because I got mine first blah blah blah" every single time something like this happens?!!?!

Example: If someone rolled out in fake Works that looked like mine, does that mean I have to reply in their thread? No, unless I'm on a high horse and feel the urge to respond to anything threatening my "feelgoodness" about dropping the $ I did for quote/unquote "real" wheels.

Wheels are wheels, some cost more and have better fitment, some cost less and have FF offset. Do you see the same hostility in those threads where people are rocking +38's or some $1000 wheel/tire package?

Yet when it comes to aero, people start acting like girls, all emotional and defensive simply because something is threatening their "OG-ness."

Truth is, if someone wants to sport the Shine bumper, they will do it no matter how much the AC owners ***** and whine. If you're an AC owner that didn't ***** and whine, then I'm not talking about you.

Again, not defending replicas, and not defending name brands. Just pointing out how butt hurt some people get the second that their "OG-ness" or "exclusiveness" gets challenged or threatened. If this post offends you, then you're exactly who I'm talking about.

...the best part is, there's STILL no post yet of the actual "Shine bumper installed" and look how many defensive peeps chimed in. LOL

How about everyone just wait for a photo, that way there's actually SOMETHING to nit pick or comment about?

 

Holy crap these posts have logic and are based on actual experience! I wish I could say the same about the other posts. Leave it to those with no experience with the AC kit to say it has poor fitment based on what they heard. But what do we know, it's not like any of us have had any experience with the kit.

The authentic AC kit is something like $1800 or $1900 shipped. Great job Hansel, you saved $400 for a fake kit.

 

LOL "Hansel"