and because in a capitalistic free market society, they can. 
Why does vararam cost $350?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,895
Likes: 0
From: Monterey California
Why does vararam cost $350?
This is a can of worms but....
Im wondering why exactly vararam costs $350? It appears to me that the pricing on this unit is way off. At that price R&D would have been paid off shortly after its release and left room for a large price intake.. can anybody argue that the build quality is anywhere near the Ligenfelter or Callaway intakes? I understand the vararam is trying to be the best bang for your buck.. but if that is the case, $250 max..as the LPE is selling for 349 shipped direct from the retailer now.
The corvette tax is outta control, and unfortunately when we keep giving in to ridiculous overpriced items nothing changes.
Im wondering why exactly vararam costs $350? It appears to me that the pricing on this unit is way off. At that price R&D would have been paid off shortly after its release and left room for a large price intake.. can anybody argue that the build quality is anywhere near the Ligenfelter or Callaway intakes? I understand the vararam is trying to be the best bang for your buck.. but if that is the case, $250 max..as the LPE is selling for 349 shipped direct from the retailer now.
The corvette tax is outta control, and unfortunately when we keep giving in to ridiculous overpriced items nothing changes.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: Spring TX
i'm not sure why everyone says the build quality is subpar. mine is very durable and sturdy. what is missing? the only thing i could see being included would be a replacement for the accordion baffle that other intakes come with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 1
From: NJ..."the way I saw it, everyone takes a beating sometimes."
A company can charge as much as someone is willing to pay.
There are intakes out there that cost $500-600. Now that is f-ing rediculous, but if someone is willing to pay that price then there aren't too many convincing reasons to lower it. If you disagree with the price you don't have to buy it.
There are intakes out there that cost $500-600. Now that is f-ing rediculous, but if someone is willing to pay that price then there aren't too many convincing reasons to lower it. If you disagree with the price you don't have to buy it.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,895
Likes: 0
From: Monterey California
Again.. im talking about current pricing, not 2006 pricing
Last edited by bdking57; Jan 19, 2007 at 06:36 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,912
Likes: 33
From: S.D. CA
if its not pretty enough for you send it out and get some wild paint job
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 10,436
Likes: 4
From: Everett Wa
I don't really think its price is really out of line with almost any intake system out in the market place reagarless of vehicle. Take the Mustang. There CAI kits run anywhere from about $150 on the low end to $350 on the top. And few if any of them are ram air.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 1
From: CA
This is a can of worms but....
Im wondering why exactly vararam costs $350? It appears to me that the pricing on this unit is way off. At that price R&D would have been paid off shortly after its release and left room for a large price intake.. can anybody argue that the build quality is anywhere near the Ligenfelter or Callaway intakes? I understand the vararam is trying to be the best bang for your buck.. but if that is the case, $250 max..as the LPE is selling for 349 shipped direct from the retailer now.
The corvette tax is outta control, and unfortunately when we keep giving in to ridiculous overpriced items nothing changes.
Im wondering why exactly vararam costs $350? It appears to me that the pricing on this unit is way off. At that price R&D would have been paid off shortly after its release and left room for a large price intake.. can anybody argue that the build quality is anywhere near the Ligenfelter or Callaway intakes? I understand the vararam is trying to be the best bang for your buck.. but if that is the case, $250 max..as the LPE is selling for 349 shipped direct from the retailer now.
The corvette tax is outta control, and unfortunately when we keep giving in to ridiculous overpriced items nothing changes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,727
Likes: 711
From: Bergen County, NJ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Understand these other devices are designed in a lab by PHD's and assembled by guys that got a BA os MA degree in engineering (calculus 1-4, differential equations, linear algebra, advanced calculus, Physics....) while a guy that opens a garage to tinker on vette gets $100/hr to install one of these over-priced pieces of plastic.
Now as a applicant college professor I was offered about 18 and hour to start at the brooklyn campus of Polytech University. I becamse a police officer since it wound up being the higher paying job.
Plastic Vs a device that recieves satelite signals in digital form and converts them to an analog signal for audio and upscans the video signal for a picture.......
Now a set of Oakley sunglasses can cost 350 too. Thank God most of these uys dont manufacture televisions. Can you imagine the cost of a Lingenfelter widescreen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 2
From: Goleta CA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Good point Spin, but you're forgetting economies of scale. Not to mention that these pieces can't be cranked out a couple hundred at a time for the same cost as 1 the way that IC's can. But I agree that they're overpriced. A few more ponies isn't going to make my car much more enjoyable, so I'll stick with my factory piece. 