hi everyone. I am planning to buy a CF Hardtop for my car and after doing some research, i found that there are 3 different prices for hardtops. the Mugen CF Hardtop is like $5000. The Seibon CF Hardtop is around $3200 and there are some companies who sell the same thing (don't know the brand though) for $1990. Why is there so much price difference. I live in forida and don't need a hardtop but i like the look of it so do you think i should go with the cheap one?? Or do you think i would have problems with the cheap one?? Why is there this much price difference??

BTW can someone post a CF Hardtop picture on Sebring Silver??

 

I just had a close look on both Mugen and Seibon's Hardtop last month. The difference in my opinion is only the brand name and some different thread size (2x2) used on Seibon than Mugen's (1x1). Both hardtops are light weighted. When I mean light I really mean it. You can put your hardtop by yourself in the S with no problem.

I believe the reason for having the price of Mugen Hardtop so high is because it was the only aftermarket hardtop with a different design than OEM when it was released. Since Seibon created a hardtop as well it is very logical to sell it less than Mugen's in order to attract sales. As for the pictures you should check the gallery. Plenty there.

By the way, there is also another type of CF Hardtop which is called MoonRock. Check it out...

 

What you fail to realize is the Seibon or Cwings 2x2 CF hardtops dont look that great (from what I have seen) and arent the actual same dimensions or quality as the authentic Mugen. So with that said they are their own hardtop. They are totally different animals all together. BTW do you guys think the Seibon CF hardtop will change to yellow like their hoods in time in the Sun?

I look at it, if your on a budget then go the Cwings or Seibon route.

If money is no object than go Mugen, Mooncraft, or Amuse/CF OEM style...

Again I dont want to start a debate here. Just stating my opinion/observation..

 

Mugen hardtops are now $6000.The Mugen 1X1 weave does looks better but it also is the only one made in an autoclave so everything is super tight and clean.Another difference is the inside of the mugen is super clean and safe!The inside of the Seibon roof looks OK but the other non-Mugen brand roof looks like total s**t on the inside,and god forbid if you get into an accident you'll end up with a million fiber glass mat peices in you!Plus Mugen uses a special UV coating to protect against discoloration.

 

If your going to paint it, it doesnt matter

 

Thats funny a lot of guys think the same thing, but it will still look odd because the dimensions/size is different than the actual Mugen piece. So owners of the Mugen piece can/will tell the difference...

 

with this statement........and it's the reason Seibon will not get any more business from me.

The issue I'm having now is knowing if authentic Mugen will fade the same or turn yellow also. Cause if it does.....then it definately makes sense to go with a fake.

Anyone with authentic Mugen that can speak up on the color and fading issue?

Tim

 

same reason why you can buy bootleg dvds for $1 in china as opposed to $20 in the states.

it costs time and money to develop a new product, especially serious ones like mugen who wind tunnel tests all of their aero. Coupled with a tighter weave pattern and better fit and finish you have some of the reason why the cost difference is there.

Imagine Mugen doing all of the research and development, they have to pay their engineers and for the entire process/tools/facilities somehow.

Imagine Seibon doing absolutely nothing except making a mold, a company that's never seen a wind tunnel in their life.

Of course part of the price difference is premium brand tax, but I suspect not as much as people think. Mugen could probably lower their pricing but it won't make a difference because retards will always go for the cheap one. $6K vs $3K people will buy the Seibon, if Mugen lowered to $3K Seibon will be able to lower to $1500 and it'd be the same situation but both companies make less.

Personally I never buy replicas regardless of quality difference, because I think the replication companies are thieves and I despise the idea. In all honestly I lose repect for owners of these products. I know not everyone has enough money to afford "the real deal", but I rather have nothing than a crap replica.

 

I saw the seibon and Mugen side by side it doesn't really look that much different except the pattern that's all ......... and of cause the $$2800.00 different

 

Seibon and C-wings did the same thing, they bought a Mugen top from king motorsports and used them to make a mold. So this whole proportions are off is stupid. They used the real mugen top to make the mold, so it cant be very far off. (i actually looked at the real mugen top when Seibon got it from King)

Companies hard work and research have been stolen and re-manufactured since the beginning of time. Do you not buy Walgreens brand band-aids or Cough Syrup because you feel bad for the original inventor? Im sure you only buy kleenex brand tissue as well dont you? The "I only buy authentic cause i feel bad for them getting ripped off" argument is lame, because most of you only apply that logic to your car.

I personally am going to get a C-wings, put a glass rear window in and paint it! If the real mugen owners think im a "poser" i dont really care. Atleast I didnt fork over an extra 4G's for a name.