Unfortunately there's no need for something for me yet Toasty... but I'm sure at some point in the future there will be a 2nd Montero in my driveway again.

Plus since my front frame horns were modified, you'd need my rig there in order to build a front bumper that would fit it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />



$5 is obscene price for lemonade as is most of the prices paid by buyers at that event. That said, I can't knock those willing to pay that cost for a product, so long as that means eventually prices will drop low enough that it makes sense for me to purchase them later on down the line. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I honestly don't think we'd have any of the cheap products we have now if it wasn't for the small number of 3%'ers who were willing to pay $$$$ for them when they first hit the market. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Toasty, not to be a wet blanket, but there aren't enough Montero and Montero Sport owners combined to make a viable business out of this and that is irrespective of the fact that the vast majority of owners either don't have any money to spend or refuse to spend any money. People don't buy Monteros or Montero Sports as status symbols - they're looking for cheap transportation. That's not the type of buyer that has a lot of discretionary income.

And by 'viable business', I mean an actual business, not some garage hobby. If you're just trying to contribute to the group and make a few bucks, that's great and more power to you, but as an actual business idea - respectfully, this is a failure waiting to happen.

Making the 'Montero the easiest most cost effective 4x4 to build'? Again, respectfully, this isn't a goal, this is a fantasy. Even with HUGE VC cash, this is impossible. There aren't enough Monteros and Montero Sports COMBINED to even compete with one or two YEARS of the Jeep, Chevy, Ford, or Toyota market individually, let alone combined.

And, those 'high prices' you guys think you see for stuff? It cost money to produce products. The vast majority of the businesses out there - and not just automotive - only make a few % in profit. They're not 'getting rich off stealing from the public' - they're just barely scraping by.

I applaud the 'getting the first product to bankroll the second' and so forth. Good idea and I can point at several 4X companies that have (reasonably) successfully followed that model. But, they went into markets with a believable number of potential customers.

Again, sorry to sound like a wet blanket and I'm not trying to be critical, but I've been in startups for 20 years and if someone approached us with this as a business idea for funding, neither my business partner nor I would even bother talking to them. I LIKE the idea and I wish it WOULD work - in fact its MY IDEA from almost 15 years ago - but its not viable.

If you have data that you think would convince me otherwise, feel free to PM me, but it better be good.

Edward

I have a good job, not looking to start a business I can get rich with. I'm looking to buy some things, use the money made to buy some more things that WE want and just keep it rolling and getting more stuff at great prices.
I can't fail, worst case Az Crew will become larger and more built. I know this because that's what happens, basically every time. I can't help but keep trying, sometimes I feel like going all John Baker but I never will.

^^^ <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I said "keep me posted." Didn't know you were moving this quick. I may have to wait until later. Looking for PWCs now for the cottage, and also looking to do the 5-spd swap with OldColt this summer. Late summer I'll have a lot more discretionary coin when the annual bonus comes in...

Don't worry, nobody has committed yet. I need a minimum of 5 to order, but i'll place the order when there are 4 for sure because i can always hold on to one until someone needs it.

Do you have an an idea of the cost?

It might sway me to convert the montero for the trail use I built the Isuzu for - one of the things I dislike right now is the lack of accessories available for both vehicle, but I already have all the 'rare' stuff for my Isuzu and it is not a good camping weekend vehicle.

EDIT: whoops I missed the post in the previous page. Very tempting indeed... I have to wait till mid june to commit to this after some decision making.

$550

There will be shipping from my house to yours, i don't think it'll be too bad.

Official pic!

Works for me!

Edward