Import Aftermarket

[GT40FIED]

Ok...we all know the imprt aftermarket is huge. What I'd like to know is if there are any companies in this country that sell import "tuner" cars? I've never seen one. I'm not talking about companies that sell and install parts, but companies that sell their own modified cars. If you need an example, you can use Saleen Steeda, Roush, Lingenfelter, Henessey, SLP, etc. So what's the deal? Why don't I see any tuner imports?

[pdiggitydogg]

Oh crap...um....whats it called...I do know one...they also import Skylines into the US....damn it ...does anyone know who Im thinkin of?

[Racing Rice]

Motorex is the one your thinking of, I think.

Well, there are factory stuff like Mazdaspeed, Nismo, etc.. But as for actually companies.. Im not sure.

[96coupe]

a lot of performance shops will build a car to show off to customers and whoever else, then when they are done with it and move on to a new project they will sell it.
i don't know of any companies that just sell cars they have modified, but their are a couple who will import cars from japan, motorex being the most widely known.

i just found this place in florida, don't know the quality of work, but you take one of the cars they have and tell them every part you want on it, from intakes to motorswaps

www.xatracing.com

[ChrisCantSkate]

well... the type-r and type-s versions are kinda like SVT of ford.

[GT40FIED]

Originally posted by ChrisCantSkate
well... the type-r and type-s versions are kinda like SVT of ford.

This is true, but I'm not talking about in-house stuff. True, SVT has put out a few cars that could even shame Saleen or Steeda but they're still part of Ford. As for a company that imports Skylines...where does the line start? Of all the imports I've ever seen (baring, of course, Italians and European exotics) I like the Skylines best. It's just a shame they gave Paul Walker one for the next installment of The Bi & The Curious. He sullies everything he touches.

[pauls-si]

Here's motorex's site
www.skylinegtr.com

[Racing Rice]

I found one today I wasnt aware of.. M2 performance in California will do a WRX package.

This includes:

M2 Stage 3 Engine Package
M2 40mm Coil Over Suspension Package
M2 4-Wheel Performance Brake Package
18" O.Z. Racing Wheels (Choice of Toyo T1-S or RA-1 Tires)
M2 Gauge Package
M2 Short Throw Shifter
"M2" Badges and Floormats

Resulting in:
0-60: 4.8 Sec.
1/4 Mile: 13.1 Sec.
60 - 0: 102 Ft.
Slalom: 73.6 MPH


For a grand total of: $36,950.00 (Including the car)

http://www.m2performance.com/

Ive actually read Car and driver ran a 12.9 in the 1/4 @ 107 mph and 0-60 in 4.4 sec. Not to bad really.

[ChrisCantSkate]

well... the mugne s2000 would be one, or a hks skyline, i think that c-west has built cars for sale in japan. problem is, 99% of these arnt available in america

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by ChrisCantSkate
well... the mugne s2000 would be one, or a hks skyline, i think that c-west has built cars for sale in japan. problem is, 99% of these arnt available in america

But do they build to cars and sell to customers or just build them for show and advertising?

[oc civic]

to my knowledge what he is asking is answered with NO, and i THINK i know why... MOST people that "hook up" imports are NOT older rich men who desire to have something pre hooked up. in other words lack of market..... we don't have a "DC Sports civic" because there is no market.. YET... i just read the other day that we are going to start to have places to get "crate motors" from.. this is VERY new to the honda camp... we could ALWAYS have a motor built and all, but never have a company who has built motors on supply.. i think that our faction of automotive tuning will change greatly over the next several years.. and MAYBE then you will see a pre packaged integra for sale...

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by Racing Rice
But do they build to cars and sell to customers or just build them for show and advertising?
i know that there are mugen s2k's for sale. its all if the dealer wants to sell one to kingmotorsports and buy it back(thats how dealerships get those cars 99% of the time) i remeber reading about it in car and driver about a year or so ago. price was 54k. it had a full mugen kit, and fully mugen built. but since the sk2 motor is so tuned from the factory i think it picked up 40 or 50hp better handling and a kit. oh and the 18'mugen wheels that are $$$ righ thtere

[Racing Rice]

Yeah, I know about the mugen stuff.. I was talking more about HKS, C-West, etc.. Sorry.

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by Racing Rice
Yeah, I know about the mugen stuff.. I was talking more about HKS, C-West, etc.. Sorry.
i'd have to look more into it, but im PRETTY sure nissan and toyota had japanise cars built like that.

[Shot 2 Hel]

i think www.suprastore.com has some company built supras but i dont really see the point in doing that, takes away from the experience of building it yourself, but i guess it takes away the problems too

[Racing Rice]

Originally posted by Shot 2 Hel
i think www.suprastore.com has some company built supras but i dont really see the point in doing that, takes away from the experience of building it yourself, but i guess it takes away the problems too

Some people just have to much money..;)

[JamieS697]

i think they are trying to do something like that with dodge and the new neon srt-4 ofcourse its no import but it is a decent ride that as u can see isnt like the stock neon but still far from all aftermarket but its a start rite??

[GT40FIED]

I'm actually very anxious to see the potential of the SRT-4. I can't stand Neons but the SRT-4 reminds me very much of the older '84-'86 Mustang SVOs. A 4 banger turbo motor putting out just over 200hp. Sure...Dodge is almost 20 years late but I'm still intrigued. Not too wild about the looks...it's still a Neon and I doubt it will handle nearly as well as an SVO but we'll see how it does at the stoplight Grand Prix.

[ebpda9]

i think it will take a while to get a honda sport car or a v8 from them. unlike any other manufacurer honda is foucsed on gas saving, and clean environment. All the other import companies are focused more in power and you can see that in nissan, where almost of their models beats the 200 hp mark, and most of their infinity cars are closing in and going over the 300hp mark.

as for the srt-4 it looks good and performance wise looks quite promising.