Ok stupid ? time... If they're plug and play, how are the drl's powered? I think only the trucks sold in the northern most nether regions get drl from the factory, eh.
As much as an advocate i was for these i wouldn't advise to jump on them, first off we need to establish what the actual price is and i also wouldn't put up that much money to wait 3 months for them. I would wait until they are in stock and can be shipped out the same week, if you just want to be on the list that's fine but i am going to wait and see how this plays out.
It's not unusual for pre-release orders to offer a discount so it isn't necessarily a discrepancy in my brain. 20% is a pretty good savings... and it does give a clue on the retail mark up. also, what does the fine print show in terms of an escape clause, i.e. should you opt to cancel? I'll bet 10% -ish.
ahhh! note that when I fake ordered, I saw that in addition to the $865, there is an additional $80 to me as I live in WA state (sales tax). the lowest shipping offered is through FedEx Ground which is $76.... for a grand total of $1022. big whoop. but wait....there's more....
heading over to the Morimoto site, when I fake ordered, the first pre-order batch has sold out (so it says) so the delivery date is pushed back even further. On top of the $1038, Morimoto assesses an addional 10+% on me for WA state sales tax ($104), plus another $60 for slowest shipping for a grand total just under $1200. Add another $20...plus $9 if I want insurance coverage and signature release on the shipment.
so for now, I'll pass.... and live with my Katanas and/or finish my bixenon projector build (left unfinished on the project bench which will only cost me about $500)
note: if you fake order on Morimoto site and then cancel before clicking the BUY button, the Morimoto gremlin will try to hook you back in by sending you a promo code for a $50 discount. (it may still be less expensive by $150-200 if you purchase through Z1 though )
side note: pre-release production orders aren't always bad. there is some degree of trust and speculation (like the stock market). last year I paid and ordered a CNC plasma cutting table for $2900 out the door....while the regular production price was $3500. I waited 6 months and the delivery schedule was met.
Z1 reply to my questions: " Hi Raymond, We fully expect stock to be available September-October. You are welcome to cancel anytime for full refund as long as it is prior to shipping out to you. No penalties will occur in that case. Once notified tat you chose to cancel we are swift at resolving and issuing refund. I will email you a quote you are welcome to make payment on if you chose to purchase for your convenience. Have a great day!"
Not bashing Morimoto here because they make good stuff (I used to have their Type-S fog lamps, excellent) and I do like how these headlamps look... and I'm sure they'll be very good as an upgrade for a totally bone-stock Frontier with OEM halogen headlamp bulbs and OEM halogen fog lamps.
But yeah, gonna pass here too. TBH I already get great coverage with $48 Katana LEDs and $260 Rigid Industries D-Series Driving Lamps (so that's what, a pinch over $300 for my current upgrade); dropping around $1200 for these headlamps most likely will just give me a marginal gain, like a flatter cutoff at the top or something (I don't get flashed by oncoming drivers with my current setup)
Plus I can come up with so many other things for my truck that I'd rather spend $1,200 on LOL
Not bashing Morimoto here because they make good stuff (I used to have their Type-S fog lamps, excellent) and I do like how these headlamps look... and I'm sure they'll be very good as an upgrade for a totally bone-stock Frontier with OEM halogen headlamp bulbs and OEM halogen fog lamps.
But yeah, gonna pass here too. TBH I already get great coverage with $48 Katana LEDs and $260 Rigid Industries D-Series Driving Lamps (so that's what, a pinch over $300 for my current upgrade); dropping around $1200 for these headlamps most likely will just give me a marginal gain, like a flatter cutoff at the top or something (I don't get flashed by oncoming drivers with my current setup)
Plus I can come up with so many other things for my truck that I'd rather spend $1,200 on LOL
This long wait has allowed me to really think of my headlight needs. I do agree, if not for the Katanas, I may be more excited about this. AND.... to be 100% honest, most of my "man I wish I had more light" moments are on hunting trips up north and or off road adventures, so, not the failure of the OEM headlights.
I’m really considering these as a big upgrade to my stock original 09 headlights with absolutely shot covers. Do you guys think this preorder price of $865 I’m seeing is heavily discounted from what they will be once regular retail is available?
I would hope that’s the price no matter what, they aren’t worth more then that. They said in the past this was there price point from the beginning. With tax and shipping it’s like a grand or more anyway
I would imagine that with the Morimotos, the biggest 'hook' is the aesthetics, such as having an integrated daytime running lights. The LED output remains to be seen, especially when compared to the $50 Katanas. We tend to equate cost with quality but we're months away from dis/proving this. For a unique look that would cause just about every Frontier driver to spin their heads when you pass by can be appeal to one's vanity, I imagine. I could bring the kids to Disneyland and blow the same amount or more and be left with just memories. At least with the Morimotos, I could recoup some of the investment if it's resold.
So I figured what-the-heck and just put in my order through Z1.
Weird thing about fashion: last year I wanted a Grand Seiko watch which was no longer in production. A broker tracked one down in a shop in Tokyo for $4300 (below US pricing). I never regretted the purchase even though a Casio displays the time for 10% the cost. Kind of a variation on a theme of what "Curly" said in City Slickers...that's up to each person to figure out.
I could bring the kids to Disneyland and blow the same amount or more and be left with just memories. At least with the Morimotos, I could recoup some of the investment if it's resold.