sdsc

To preface, I own a 991.2 GTS and have modified many cars in the past (as I'm sure may of you have as well).

Aside from a few exceptions, the Porsche "tax" is outrageous. Here are just two notable offenders.

1) Numeric Racing's shifter: ~$700

Comparable quality shifter for another cable trans vehicle: ~$350 .

And I don't buy the story that there was sunk development cost that needs to be made up over a small production run. This one part fits multiple chassis and is one of the most popular modifications I've seen on this forum.

2) Fabspeed headers: ~$2300.

Genuine equal length headers using a true merge collector for another platform: ~$1200.

Handmade-to-order turbo manifolds for a V8 platform vehicle: $1200

Heck, I had a custom header made for my other car, where the fabricator took into account camshaft specifications, displacement, etc to make me a header to maximize power (120whp/L, naturally aspirated). Two of those would be in the same ballpark as the Fabspeed or Soul headers.

Meanwhile, the Fabspeed and Soul headers (namely the former) look a lot like the throwaway "shorty" headers I would buy off eBay for $150 to hop up a friend's Honda (this is 304SS, by the way).

3) And Soul doesn't get off on this either--selling dump pipes for 1200? . This is, at most, a $400 part, if you include the addition of sensor bungs and if you value the ability to interchange tips. Those tips, by the way, are $400. Clamp on exhaust tips (4" double wall) are all over the web for 50-100, depending on the quality of finish.

I'm sure I've angered many forum sponsors here, but what gives. It's only fair at this point to call out the ridiculous pricing (and pricing creep) of Porsche aftermarket parts. I'm sure many here are of the means to afford these parts, but everyone should demand value for their dollar, regardless of disposable income.

Bxstr

Ferrari is even higher. I guess since people pay the prices, they continue to charge.

In general, I take a longer time to modify a Porsche compared to a BMW due to the parts prices. It's unfortunate.

DaveGee

What’s even better is the “invisible” Porsche tax. Ever have a contractor come to your house and try and make a deal after he sees what’s in your garage? It’s real my friends. I avoid at all costs exposing my garage to anyone working at my house until after the price has been settled.

DaveGee

Catharpin

I get what you are saying. I have replaced the factory shifter in most every car I have owned. Got "bolt action" feel every time for a few hundred. Well worth it. Despite the reviews, I am struggling to justify the $1200 price on Numeric with cables. I will probably propose it as a gift, since I normally buy what I want. My gift list is stuff I wouldn't buy myself but would like to have.

B Russ

Go with minimal mods and call it a day.

Catharpin

True, true, true. My dad taught me this early on. We would go look at cars in a rusted out beater rather than the nice cars. I only open my garage after the contract is signed. I had some guys out today for warranty work, so no problem. It happens if your neighborhood smells like money, I have had some ridiculous quotes, probably due to lack of experience. I don't own the most expensive house.

edirtaynine

pcar tax is very real. sure, other exotic brands have even higher like ferraris mentioned earlier, but still doesnt make it "ok" in my opinion. "OEM quality" or not, $900 for f'n chrome exhaust tips is ridiculously hilarious to me, as are the $600-1000 aftermarket options... for f'n exhaust tips. LMAO!

tgavem

Don’t get me started on wife’s Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthday list expectations...............

barncobob

i had my own service business, i always took my work truck to their houses for estimates, not my nice truck...p car stayed in garage except for social..

PJ Cayenne

100%, shut your garage tight. The "cha ching" bell must go off in their heads as soon as they see a Porsche.

AnandN

I feel the Porsche tax when I get my car serviced at the dealer. 400 bucks for an oil change; 900 bucks for oil change + brake fush + cabin filters; 200 bucks for mounting and balancing tires etc. About 2-4x more compared to our Volvo. 4th year service for my 991.2 4s due next summer is about 2k. Haha...But I knew that beforehand and have reserved about 15k for maintenance and repairs for the prospective 7-8 yr ownership should I keep my car past its 4 year factory warranty period. I am OK with the 911 but I don't think I would be fine with these prices for a Porsche SUV.

GP20

A set of tire pressure sensors at Porsche dealers in Vancouver, Canada, $1300 CAD (or roughly $1k USD).

Comparable tire pressure sensors at local BMW dealers, $400.

Tier1Terrier

Yep, We've been working on some home renovation projects and I have to keep my car outa sight.

But to address the main point of this thread, I agree in part but there's also the element of supply & demand coupled with operating costs. A company that caters to a small/niche auto market is going to have higher production cost than a company that caters to the greater masses. Think of how may P cars there are out there compare to others like American & Japanese cars. Then realize that only a small percentage of of P car owners mod their vehicles. Heck, I just completed a roughly 3000 mile road trip through the Southeast US and saw only one 911 in almost 10 days and maybe a Macan or two. I realize it's different in cities like Miami, Atlanta, etc where you may see a dozen or more in a day, but we P car owners are a small market.

I'm happy for a business that can make a product that people want bad enough that they're willing to pay good money for it - even if it means people will overpay. That means the business is doing something right. Nobody is putting a gun to anyone's head to buy and if someone can make an equal or better for less, then they should go out and do it.

ramb44

"here-here!" No kidding, its a rip-off

NJ991

this is very true. I have hidden cars, keys anything, when I was looking for a contractor to remodel our house. The guy I hired was a legit guy and wouldn’t have mattered, but your statement is true.