GTM Price Increase

[crash]

I always thought it was a little cheap for what you get, but I never would have thought they would increase the price by 25%!

WOW!

[timmy318]

Sad face....... :(

[rev2xs]

I think this is a just a price increase to attract attention to the 818. Probably to slow production of the the GTM so that they can perhaps allocate resources to the 818. I dont think it'll work as someone who wants a GTM will probably be unlikely to change their mind and get the 818. You dont buy these cars with your "common senses" tingling, you buy them with your heart. And if someone has their heart set on a GTM, the 818 will do little to nothing to attract you. Especially since the GTM looks SO much better. And, the boxer sound has nothing on the rumble of those LS engines ;)

[narkosys]

You don't buy these cars with your "common senses" tingling, you buy them with your heart. ;)

That is so true! :D

P

[LCD Gauges]

Received the e-mail as well...I wonder if the windshield will fit on these newer, more expensive kits?

[Movieman]

Personally I always thought the GTM was priced incredibly cheap considering that a well built one is a true world class supercar.. JMHO

[GTM]

I was definitely disappointed to see this as I was saving my dollars for a GTM. The car has always struck me as amazing and the 818, although a great idea, is not what i WANTED. Just as rev2xs has said. During the research phase I have seen the finish price of these cars go up and up and have wondered where I would land. But now looking at a 25% increase in the start price is pretty hard to swallow. I saw this about a week ago when I checked the website. I thought maybe I missed something but then got the announcement email today. I know that they've worked their way through some things to make it a great kit. And the Gen II is a great revision to the original. They still managed not to increase the price as Dave has said. Now with that lower price also came some of the headache and frustration that so many of the builders have faced in both the generations of the kit. Now with this price increase I can't help but wonder if they really have made any changes for the better? Or will we still face the same issues but at an increased start price? I've been closely watching another kit out there and the appeal there is that although the initial cost is higher (still nearly double) a lot of the headache of fitment, symmetry, suspension geometry is no longer there. It's already done for you when it leaves the factory. I still prefer the GTM on certain fronts: looks (resembles a street car), street-ability (roll up and down windows). But the drawbacks: massive amounts of bodywork, somewhat correct suspension geometry (caster, etc.) make me want to explore other options, especially with the price gap narrowing.
Guess I just need to keep planning and watching developments...

P.S. Hope no one takes this as a knock to the GTM, because quite frankly I still love the thing and keep getting drawn back to it.

[WIS89]

Hey folks-

I have read the comments here, and while I empathize with some of the pain many of you have expressed, I have a somewhat different view on the price increase than some of you. While I know the increase is hard to swallow for many, I think it is a smart move by FF. A couple of times in the e-mail Dave mentioned the fact that the GTM was the "Flagship" car. I think you might be able to infer from this comment that they are trying to position this car as the very high end of their available kits, which I certainly think it is. They are going to place the 818 at the entry-level end of their line-up, and the rest of the kits all the way up to the GTM at the top.

So, if it is really the best of their line-up, it only makes sense that it's price point be in the higher end of the range as well. In order for people to place a premium on the product, it must be priced at a premium as well. I think the price increase further separates the GTM from the rest of the cars. I think few would argue that the GTM is the highest end kit that FF offers, and therefore, it seems logical that it would be priced at a premium to the other kits to signify as much.

On another front, most of the people that are going to buy the GTM will not be phased by the "modest" (it's not modest to me, but to the folks building this kit) price increase on the kit. Yes as a percentage, it is significant. However, when you look at the overall "cost" of the kit when it is completed, it is little more than a rounding error. People are spending some serious money putting these cars together, and a few more dollars to get started won't deter most of the folks in the crowd who are considering buying this car. Yes, there will be some, but not in the numbers that will impact FF in a significant way (in my opinion). This is a very high end build as every finished GTM that I have seen demonstrates, and people are spending a great deal of money to get these cars completed. But let's be real, some people are spending more on their accessories than this price increase represents!

Again, feel free to take exception to any of my points, and you won't hurt my feelings, as they are only my opinion. I only ask that you don't attack me while you attack my ideas. I may be flat-out wrong about how Dave wants to position the GTM, and the impact the price point may have on future sales. I have a hunch I am not too far off, but I may be mistaken.

For anyone getting ready to build one of these amazing machines, I don't think you can go wrong even if you have to spend a few more bones to get started. I know there will be a few folks hurt by the increase, but the rest of the target market for these cars will be unaffected.

I wish all future GTM builders success at any price!!

Regards,

Steve

[cob427sc]

I agree with steve, above. Having built an early first Gen GTM, it was a bear at times but an amazing car when completed. The changes incorporated since the initial offering make up for a big portion of the price increase when compared to the early edition. I believe that in most cases, the price increase will not deter the majority of builders, many of which spend thousands on engine/tranny upgrades, thousands on stereo systems (that you can't hear when driving), etc. It will be the flagship of FFR and as such, considering the complexity of the kit, is still a reasonable buy. My 2 cents.

[JayStockE30]

Received the e-mail as well...I wonder if the windshield will fit on these newer, more expensive kits?

Could somebody post the email, or forward it on to me, as I did not receive it?

Thanks,

[Movieman]

Just thinking and I wonder if people have taken into account costs and the value of the dollar.
Anyone that buys anything today can see what is happenning.The dollar is worth less and to keep even businesses are upping prices.
Heck, look at food costs. Up I'd guess app 30% in the last 18 months.
Heating oil almost killed me this winter in NH.
For decades one great British pound was equal to $2.50 USD..Last I looked it was at $1.60
I just don't want people thinking that FFR is sitting down there in Mass with an evil grin thinking about the "Extra Five G's"
My bet is just the reverse. Mr. Smith has probably been watching his costs rise and rise and said 'It's time to bite the bullet" and get back to where we should be.
From 40 years in business I know that most companies absolutely hate raising prices as they are afraid of chasing customers away.
Again, JMHO

[Kempo]

When I received my kit I did the inventory of all the parts included. After I was done I sat and looked at all the boxes full of stuff, chassis, body etc and the first thing that crossed my mind after looking at all that as a whole was "how can they send all this stuff and still pay labor to all the employees,equipment,utilities etc and for $20K?" To be honest I'm not surprised with the price increase taking into account all that you get in the kit and how much costs have gone up in the last few years.