Where do you buy your mods?
all i can say is buy used! Usually everything used is in great shape and way cheaper then retail pricing. things like exhaust/downpipe etc buy used or else you're wasting lots of money.
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22,776
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Car Info: '13 BRZ Limited / '02 WRX
Big items I buy locally and/or used. However, I think if I had a brand new car I was going to mod, I would buy everything new. Yes, you can save money by buying used, but all parts experience wear and tear, and I would like the piece of mind knowing everything new.
If you buy used and it doesn't fit perfect... did it come that way from the factory or did the previous owner(s) do something to it?
If you buy new and it doesn't fit perfect... you can call of the retailer/company and get the problem sorted out.
Basically in the consumer market, and especially prominent in the automotive industry, there seem to be two schools of thought. There are the people that know quality costs more, but also that quality is going to give you fewer headaches. Then there are the people that want to save a buck, so they buy used and figure they'll deal with problems when they arise later.
I believe that quality costs money, and for a good reason. I had a friend who wanted to save a buck at every turn so he always bought used, his car was broken more than anyone else I know.
I mean, if you're going to spend $800 on an exhaust setup, why not save up $200 more and get peace of mind, quality, and a warranty.
If you buy used and it doesn't fit perfect... did it come that way from the factory or did the previous owner(s) do something to it?
If you buy new and it doesn't fit perfect... you can call of the retailer/company and get the problem sorted out.
Basically in the consumer market, and especially prominent in the automotive industry, there seem to be two schools of thought. There are the people that know quality costs more, but also that quality is going to give you fewer headaches. Then there are the people that want to save a buck, so they buy used and figure they'll deal with problems when they arise later.
I believe that quality costs money, and for a good reason. I had a friend who wanted to save a buck at every turn so he always bought used, his car was broken more than anyone else I know.
I mean, if you're going to spend $800 on an exhaust setup, why not save up $200 more and get peace of mind, quality, and a warranty.
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Car Info: '13 BRZ Limited / '02 WRX
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Car Info: 2005 LGT wagon
I buy from the manufacturer whenever possible . That way i get the best pre-purchase information,the best help with any problems during installation,and the best help and information with any issues after installation. The fewer middlemen,the better.
I don't mean to full out bash, like for example, to start a thread dedicated to it. I wouldn't say that they are bad guys, or out there to screw people over, but their continually shotty work has caused me to shop elsewhere.
Order 1:
Initially I purchased a Cobb TBE system before the new year. Roughly 2 weeks after ordering I was contacted by the guys at maperformance. They informed me that they didn't in fact have the product, it was backordered and that it would be drop shipped and would arrive sometime in the next 3 weeks. I couldn't cancel my order and place it elsewhere because Cobb's 10% off promotion had ended. If I had randomly chosen any other Cobb vendor, or been informed of the stock issue before the new year, I wouldn't have had to wait an extra month. I realized that although they could have done a better job of keeping me informed, these things happen, so I did business with them again.
Order 2:
After buying my TBE I decided I would like to add the Cobb turbo heat shield, so I ordered that as well. After I placed my order I received no email invoice, which is odd because I got one from the TBE. I knew the order had been made because I could see the charge on my card. About a week after placing my order I called in to see if I could get some tracking info or verification of shipment. The customer service representative told me that he was holding the package in his hand and that for whatever reason, they had forgotten to ship it. There was no complimentary rush delivery or anything to compensate for the delay.
Order 3:
I ordered front and rear Kartboy drop links. Miraculously they arrived in about a week. I opened up the box to see STi links, great. On the website I indicated "WRX" as reflected by my invoice, however they failed to communicate this to Turn In Concepts, who was actually shipping out the product. I alerted customer service at maperformance of the error and they told me that a pre-paid shipping label would be printed and sent to me. No such label was ever sent, nor were the correct links, until the wrong ones arrived. Although they did end up reimbursing me for the shipping, I was still left with an un-driveable car for nearly 3 weeks because they refused to send me the correct links before the wrong ones arrive, and my oem link had broken.
Hopefully this narrative can be seen as an acceptable way of sharing my experiences with this vendor without "vendor bashing"
Order 1:
Initially I purchased a Cobb TBE system before the new year. Roughly 2 weeks after ordering I was contacted by the guys at maperformance. They informed me that they didn't in fact have the product, it was backordered and that it would be drop shipped and would arrive sometime in the next 3 weeks. I couldn't cancel my order and place it elsewhere because Cobb's 10% off promotion had ended. If I had randomly chosen any other Cobb vendor, or been informed of the stock issue before the new year, I wouldn't have had to wait an extra month. I realized that although they could have done a better job of keeping me informed, these things happen, so I did business with them again.
Order 2:
After buying my TBE I decided I would like to add the Cobb turbo heat shield, so I ordered that as well. After I placed my order I received no email invoice, which is odd because I got one from the TBE. I knew the order had been made because I could see the charge on my card. About a week after placing my order I called in to see if I could get some tracking info or verification of shipment. The customer service representative told me that he was holding the package in his hand and that for whatever reason, they had forgotten to ship it. There was no complimentary rush delivery or anything to compensate for the delay.
Order 3:
I ordered front and rear Kartboy drop links. Miraculously they arrived in about a week. I opened up the box to see STi links, great. On the website I indicated "WRX" as reflected by my invoice, however they failed to communicate this to Turn In Concepts, who was actually shipping out the product. I alerted customer service at maperformance of the error and they told me that a pre-paid shipping label would be printed and sent to me. No such label was ever sent, nor were the correct links, until the wrong ones arrived. Although they did end up reimbursing me for the shipping, I was still left with an un-driveable car for nearly 3 weeks because they refused to send me the correct links before the wrong ones arrive, and my oem link had broken.
Hopefully this narrative can be seen as an acceptable way of sharing my experiences with this vendor without "vendor bashing"
I don't mean to full out bash, like for example, to start a thread dedicated to it. I wouldn't say that they are bad guys, or out there to screw people over, but their continually shotty work has caused me to shop elsewhere.
Order 1:
Initially I purchased a Cobb TBE system before the new year. Roughly 2 weeks after ordering I was contacted by the guys at maperformance. They informed me that they didn't in fact have the product, it was backordered and that it would be drop shipped and would arrive sometime in the next 3 weeks. I couldn't cancel my order and place it elsewhere because Cobb's 10% off promotion had ended. If I had randomly chosen any other Cobb vendor, or been informed of the stock issue before the new year, I wouldn't have had to wait an extra month. I realized that although they could have done a better job of keeping me informed, these things happen, so I did business with them again.
Order 2:
After buying my TBE I decided I would like to add the Cobb turbo heat shield, so I ordered that as well. After I placed my order I received no email invoice, which is odd because I got one from the TBE. I knew the order had been made because I could see the charge on my card. About a week after placing my order I called in to see if I could get some tracking info or verification of shipment. The customer service representative told me that he was holding the package in his hand and that for whatever reason, they had forgotten to ship it. There was no complimentary rush delivery or anything to compensate for the delay.
Order 3:
I ordered front and rear Kartboy drop links. Miraculously they arrived in about a week. I opened up the box to see STi links, great. On the website I indicated "WRX" as reflected by my invoice, however they failed to communicate this to Turn In Concepts, who was actually shipping out the product. I alerted customer service at maperformance of the error and they told me that a pre-paid shipping label would be printed and sent to me. No such label was ever sent, nor were the correct links, until the wrong ones arrived. Although they did end up reimbursing me for the shipping, I was still left with an un-driveable car for nearly 3 weeks because they refused to send me the correct links before the wrong ones arrive, and my oem link had broken.
Hopefully this narrative can be seen as an acceptable way of sharing my experiences with this vendor without "vendor bashing"
Order 1:
Initially I purchased a Cobb TBE system before the new year. Roughly 2 weeks after ordering I was contacted by the guys at maperformance. They informed me that they didn't in fact have the product, it was backordered and that it would be drop shipped and would arrive sometime in the next 3 weeks. I couldn't cancel my order and place it elsewhere because Cobb's 10% off promotion had ended. If I had randomly chosen any other Cobb vendor, or been informed of the stock issue before the new year, I wouldn't have had to wait an extra month. I realized that although they could have done a better job of keeping me informed, these things happen, so I did business with them again.
Order 2:
After buying my TBE I decided I would like to add the Cobb turbo heat shield, so I ordered that as well. After I placed my order I received no email invoice, which is odd because I got one from the TBE. I knew the order had been made because I could see the charge on my card. About a week after placing my order I called in to see if I could get some tracking info or verification of shipment. The customer service representative told me that he was holding the package in his hand and that for whatever reason, they had forgotten to ship it. There was no complimentary rush delivery or anything to compensate for the delay.
Order 3:
I ordered front and rear Kartboy drop links. Miraculously they arrived in about a week. I opened up the box to see STi links, great. On the website I indicated "WRX" as reflected by my invoice, however they failed to communicate this to Turn In Concepts, who was actually shipping out the product. I alerted customer service at maperformance of the error and they told me that a pre-paid shipping label would be printed and sent to me. No such label was ever sent, nor were the correct links, until the wrong ones arrived. Although they did end up reimbursing me for the shipping, I was still left with an un-driveable car for nearly 3 weeks because they refused to send me the correct links before the wrong ones arrive, and my oem link had broken.
Hopefully this narrative can be seen as an acceptable way of sharing my experiences with this vendor without "vendor bashing"
If it was around December alot of manufacturers has issues getting product out and keeping it in stock because of christmas and post-black friday sales.
If you need anything let me know directly, I am the sales manager here at MAP and can get you taken care of directly instead of going through the website and going through 3 people.
Thank you,
Adam Brunson
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,644
From: SJ
Car Info: 94 Integra beater: one Slow 3 Series RIP EvoX
I've purchased the majority of my parts from GST, actually A LOT of parts ha ha
They are great as a local vendor and even though I can get some things a little bit cheaper, I'd rather support the local suby vendors. You can't go wrong with GST.
As far as online vendors---CVR motorsports is really good with fast shipping and very good follow up.
They are great as a local vendor and even though I can get some things a little bit cheaper, I'd rather support the local suby vendors. You can't go wrong with GST.
As far as online vendors---CVR motorsports is really good with fast shipping and very good follow up.


