So so sad! :(

[saiven]

So I have been gone from the forums for a while now working and studying.
I have been so excited about this car.

I look and OMG they updated the page!!!! I am EXICITED MORE!!!

Then I see it... THE FRONT of the car...
I am speechless... I am hoping for moreupdates, more info, something to save me.
none...

I am so sad, the front end looks... blah
the slope of the hood... the front bumper.... the way it all works together... :(
ugh

The car loooks AMAZING.... but the front....

idk maybe it will look better in person

maybe it will grow on me...

maybe the coupe version will look better...



i had to vent

i look forward to seeing what happens

[wallace18]

Maybe it will help for you to know that everyone who has seen the car in person raves about it.

[kach22i]

Maybe it will help for you to know that everyone who has seen the car in person raves about it.
What flavor Kool-Aid were they serving?

[PhyrraM]

I thought we were past all of this?

[jlahl3160]

I like it. I do not need you to approve of my liking it.

If you don't, move on to the next.

John

[NicksPapaw]

Saiven, no biggie. If you don't like the car, there are plenty of other kits on the market. This one probably isn't for you. I don't think they will be redesigning the front of the car. I could be wrong. Hope you find what you are looking for.

[Movieman]

The "look" of a car is subjective. What is 'hair on fire" for one person may be blaise to another.
That's just how it is. I like blue, someone else likes red..That's fine with me and should be to everyone else.

[Zodiac]

we all have a right o our own opinion but do we really need ANOTHER thread on this? that's whats sad in my opinion

[Turboguy]

I can see the points Saiven is trying to make, but I will also say that -just like car design involves compromise- so, does buying and building our own project. In reality, our choices are limited so sometimes we have to learn to love it, or customize it our self.


Looking at the GTM (both the "original" pre-production car that some of you may not be familiar with, and the radically different "final" version) as well as the new 818, I would say that FFR designs are VERY strong from the A-pillar back. However, forward of the A-pillars both cars could be described as "awkward" at best. If I was a betting man -and I am- I would bet that the same person penned both these cars, as --other than the well integrated headlight assemblies on the 818-- these 2 cars share the exact same design "problems".


FFR has achieved great things from it's partnerships with outside technology firms. One more area they could perhaps explore, would be bringing on some outside design help even if just for feedback purposes. Perhaps while the 818S undergoes test builds and the 818R track testing -- or maybe just for their next project. Anyway you slice it, FFR is definitely at the pointy end of the American automotive industry. If these guys were running GM, Ford & Chrysler it's unlikely the public would have to bail out the US auto industry every 30 years or so.


All that said, on the whole I feel the 818 is a great car. I --like many of you-- anted up and ordered one on the first day they were available. I appear to be 3rd in line to get in on an 818R, and am totally STOKED to get this project in my garage. So stoked, in fact, that I'm selling my Italian exotic to free up the garage space the 818 needs. I have thoroughly enjoyed building my MK3 roadster, and am sure I'll enjoy this adventure even more!!



To address the comments some have voiced in this thread and others, rather than stomping on some people's opinions and perhaps stifiling what could be constructive criticism, every time someone posts a dissenting opinion about the 818 design, perhaps we could create an "818 suggested design improvements" thread where parties could rationally discuss it? This would allow people to talk about changes they'd like to see, and share their own renderings, etc. It would also give Dave @FFR a consolidated place to quickly view "open source design" suggestions that might be out there, and put a much more "positive" spin on things.

[Rasmus]

Plenty of other Kit Cars on the market. You don't have to "settle" for an 818.

[Oppenheimer]

FFR has achieved great things from it's partnerships with outside technology firms. One more area they could perhaps explore, would be bringing on some outside design help even if just for feedback purposes.

To address the comments some have voiced in this thread and others, rather than stomping on some people's opinions and perhaps stifiling what could be constructive criticism, every time someone posts a dissenting opinion about the 818 design, perhaps we could create an "818 suggested design improvements" thread where parties could rationally discuss it?

Good ideas.

FFR has already partnered with the Rhode Island School of Design for assistance with the 818 appearance. These are tallented students, and an industry professional instructor. So FFR is already on track with your advise here. Could they do more? Of course. In time I'm sure that will happen. Lets all remember that this is just the first 818. They plan to have others. Don't like this one, maybe you will like the next one more (the first next one is likely a coupe version of the current 818S, so will likely have the same nose - but if these sell well, and all indications are they will, then FFR will likely build more variations, completely different bodies for the 818 - Dave has more than hinted at this).

The griping about negative comments is only because of the history. It got pretty nasty here for a while, to the point that FFR shut down the communication path with us for a time. So some of the comments here are touching some sore spots that haven't quite healed fully yet. There will be a time when constructive criticism of the 818 appearance is wanted, and even negative criticism is not only tolerated, but welcome and honestly considered. That time hasn't arrived yet. I think that time won't happen until after the first compelted 818's hit the streets and receive some industry evaluation.

[Turboguy]

Understood.

I wasn't aware of the problems it created with FFR and their release of information. That type of problem has to be avoided at all costs.


This could be even more of a reason to have a place to direct people to go to discuss it, with of course a STIRCT caveat that it is to be constructive discussion, not just bashing and criticism.

[Xusia]

If such a thread were made, it would need to be a sticky so it would be seen and hopefully prevent new posts on that same topic.

[C.Plavan]

I agree, The front is not perfect, but who cares- Its going to be a fun car!

[RM1SepEx]

Perfection doesn't exist (Jessica Alba is close however... Jada Pinkett Smith's close too... hell there is plenty of "stuff" that's close) venting doesn't help, don't buy a product that you don't like, design your own, get out the fiberglass and modify...

I don't think you can approach this car's capabilities and looks for the $

PERIOD

[Mechie3]

FFR has already partnered with the Rhode Island School of Design for assistance with the 818 appearance. These are tallented students, and an industry professional instructor.

ORLY?!?! Is this a (rather) new development? Any idea if this is intended for a first release or a follow up? As long as body panels aren't too expensive and are all backwards compatible. It'd be cool to be able to pick up a new from bumper for $200 if you don't like one, or like a newer one better, or want different looks for different times.


I wasn't aware of the problems it created with FFR and their release of information. That type of problem has to be avoided at all costs.

Dave went silent for a little while. Thus all of the "OMG Dave speaks!!" comments at times.


If such a thread were made, it would need to be a sticky so it would be seen and hopefully prevent new posts on that same topic.

The good thing about stickies is that they stay at the top. The bad thing about stickies is that everyone scrolls past them to the first active thread. :lol:

[BipDBo]

People want the 818 to look like this,..
13887

even though it costs the same as this:
13888

[Mechie3]

Don't forget that it performs like this. It'd be easy to make it look like an expensive ferrari for the cost of a versa if it was a piece of crap performer and all of the $10k for the kit went into looks.

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/images/12/2010/07/porsche_918_spyder_production.jpg

[GTV-TS]

To the OP, and all the other whiners, seeing as you don't own the company, are not shelling coin out for the car's development, and don't have the vision to put a package together that addresses the performance and costs of a race car maybe your opinion is irrelevant. Sure your entitled to it but don't expect it to get you anywhere.

FFR has done what no one else in the market has or would do. Designed, prototyped, and offered an economical performance kit car; twice. Thanks Dave! I personally am looking forward to my kit.

[flytosail]

I agree, The front is not perfect, but who cares- Its going to be a fun car!

1. It is a kit car. If you do not like how a component looks you can make it to how you like it. I am sure if you buy a high end car you can do the same thing. For example, in the inner cities they buy an Escalade and then buy 22" rims for it. Looks silly by my standards, but for them it is what they like.

Welcome to America.

2. If it is the last photo, that you do not like then please note:

The only thing to see the 818S from that point-of-view is a bug right before it hits the grill.

3. I really thought we were past this.

[Evan78]

ORLY?!?! Is this a (rather) new development? Any idea if this is intended for a first release or a follow up? As long as body panels aren't too expensive and are all backwards compatible. It'd be cool to be able to pick up a new from bumper for $200 if you don't like one, or like a newer one better, or want different looks for different times.This is not new, they were involved during the design competition and built the reduced scale models if I remember correctly.

A search for Road Island and RISD should yield some info.

[timmy318]

What people tend to forget are a number of things; that this car only costs $10K, it isn't a production car, and finally that this is a kit car. People who are unhappy with this design that FFR has chosen can find another kit, buy a Ferrari or Porsche to meet their needs, or just customize it for a little extra $$$$. I agree with people who say that the front bumper doesn't satisfy the eye, but, I do not keep bringing it up, there are already numerous threads that were/are created for bringing new ideas to surface for the 818. Maybe FFR will redesign the front end, but in all likelihood they will not which is fine by me. What Dave Smith and the team at FFR have done is already above and beyond the expectations I had for a kit car that would cost $10K. If you truly despise the kit, then either A: Don't buy it, I'm sure that there're many other kits out there in the market or B: Customize it to your liking so you can be happy.

[Jeff Kleiner]

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/MWSPHOTO/bth_deadhorse.gif

Sigh... Hoping that when THOSE OF US WHO ARE SERIOUS actually start building this nonsense will end.

Jeff

[timmy318]

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/MWSPHOTO/bth_deadhorse.gif

Sigh... Hoping that when THOSE OF US WHO ARE SERIOUS actually start building this nonsense will end.

Jeff

Love it!!!!!!!

[blueoval_bowtie_guy]

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/MWSPHOTO/bth_deadhorse.gif

Sigh... Hoping that when THOSE OF US WHO ARE SERIOUS actually start building this nonsense will end.

Jeff

I love it too!

[Rasmus]

Whee! The 818 is SUPER fugly and the 5mt case is cast from glass.
http://i41.tinypic.com/dcybvd.jpg

[Mechie3]

The case is glass? Crap, I heard the gears were glass. I was hoping I could just swap gears, but now I have to buy a whole new case too. Drat!

lol

[riptide motorsport]

I like it.

[flynntuna]

This horse must be a zombie, ya can't just beat it ,ya got to shoot it in the head. LOL

[narkosys]

don't forget the double tap :P

P

[timmy318]

don't forget the double tap :P

P

I'm always extra careful man, triple tap for me (ammo waster)! :p

[Flashburn]

http://www.unoverse.com/factoryfive/VenomFront2b.jpg

[David Hodgkins]

enough.