New Truck Purchase with STS Kit; financed!

[farmtruc]

Hey Guys, I wanted to get your opinion.

I'm working with a local dealership to start offering STS kits on new trucks. It's been decided that a couple trucks will recieve the SS ground effects, wheels, etc, and an STS kit this summer.
The trucks will be regular cabs 5.3L/4.8L. There is talk of another option, a HD Series with a 6.0L.
Discussion and plans are still in the works. I'm not one to jump the gun, but I wanted to see how many of you guys would actually be interested in adding an optional STS Turbo system to your new truck. The turbo and tune would be financed along with the truck.

Is a turbocharged truck from the dealer something you would be interested in?

thanks for your input.

allen

[pewter99]

Honestly if I was looking and had the money I would really consider a turbo package on a truck! Great idea!

[vv8]

that would be a sweet deal if you can get that to work, as long as its not like the jgp truck price is.

[yeary03SS]

Would the tranny be upgraded? Sounds really good if everything can be warrantied!

[kinjo1977]

Well lets see, $3995 if you go get it your self, $10,000 if ya get it add to a new truck and have to finance it over 5 yrs. I wouldn't be interested, because even if I were to stroke a check right there at the lot I would have to leave knowing they probably marked it up 2 grand just because I got it installed by the dealership.
But I won't lie, that would be sweet if you could get a deal like that going.

[Defunct SO]

Allen, I tried to get a dealer to bite on an idea like that, but he couldnt get past the warranty. The dealer was Lynn Smith Chevy and he is into hotrods. He even got me to take him for a ride. I told him he could have a "Smith Sport Truck" or SST,
but he had warranty written across his forehead. Oh well...

[farmtruc]

Thanks for the responses so far, we're going to give it a try this summer and see what happens. The guy who runs the place already got the go ahead from the owner.
I'd like to see a reg cab 5.3L with the SS style ground effects and 20's.

If they don't sell, oh well, we tried, if they do, I think it's going to be an awesome option. I know some dealerships are offering the Radix as an option, and it's still 5K from the dealer or purchasing it on your own.

We discussed warranty and it isn't a problem.

The trans won't be upgraded, I think with a nice easy shift, nothing harsh, and leaving some TM in there, the truck will last for a while. Just like th Radix trucks do. I even think the turbo is a little easier on the trans compared to a whipple or Radix, it just doesn't hit as hard initially.

thanks again,

allen

[rosscob]

Hmmm. I have actually been thinking about his believe it or not. Here is my opinion.

If your kit is a dealer installed option at one dealer your market is extremely limited. In order to really get market exposure and sell some kits you would have to come up with a package that could be sold by any dealer. Take the Joe Gibbs Silverado for instance.

He has gotten a lot of press lately, and there have been lots of tuners in the past that have produced performance models to be sold thru dealers. Maybe my understanding of how this works is not accurate. Please let me know if it isn't.

Is the way to make it available to all dealers to start with a specific dealer?

Nelson Limited Edition Turbo Silverado. It's got nice ring to it!!!! You would probably have to make something else special about the truck. Badging? Custom Cluster? Seat Stitching?

I guess the point is... There are tons of people out there willing to pay a premium for something a little extra special. I also believe that you have to find a way to open the market beyond one area to really achieve the sales exposure you need to make significant $$ in this endeavor.

[farmtruc]

Originally posted by rosscob@Jan 7 2005, 11:03 PM
Hmmm. I have actually been thinking about his believe it or not. Here is my opinion.

If your kit is a dealer installed option at one dealer your market is extremely limited. In order to really get market exposure and sell some kits you would have to come up with a package that could be sold by any dealer. Take the Joe Gibbs Silverado for instance.

He has gotten a lot of press lately, and there have been lots of tuners in the past that have produced performance models to be sold thru dealers. Maybe my understanding of how this works is not accurate. Please let me know if it isn't.

Is the way to make it available to all dealers to start with a specific dealer?

Nelson Limited Edition Turbo Silverado. It's got nice ring to it!!!! You would probably have to make something else special about the truck. Badging? Custom Cluster? Seat Stitching?

I guess the point is... There are tons of people out there willing to pay a premium for something a little extra special. I also believe that you have to find a way to open the market beyond one area to really achieve the sales exposure you need to make significant $$ in this endeavor.

Ross, thanks for the input, why do have to be so smart, lol?

That is something to consider though, I figured I'd post this and get some feedback on it, that is exactly what i wanted.
I know it had to be different, slapping a turbo on it isn't enough, but adding special touches will finish it off.
This is still in the beginning stages, it won't be called nelson anything, i wish, lol, but it will have something on the truck to identify it.
We're going to install the kits for sure this summer, if they don't get picked up , oh well, but if they do, I'd like to see how it turns out.

thanks,

allen

[bud8fan]

cool...me tooo..i would like to see how this is gonna go...