Patriot,
Simply stating it, you are probably right and I am probably wrong.
I do NOT know what their actual expenses were nor what is involved in marketing these programmers. I am merely basing my conclusions upon what I perceive to be price gouging. Seriously. Maybe someone can just explain to me how I am wrong? Please keep it simple if possible?
What tremendous R&D expense? Isn't the basic Predator Flash Tuner exactly the same whether you are connecting it to a 2003 Yukon or a 2003 H2. The performance "tunes" are different. But does this justify charging 40% more for it? An additional $170 bucks?
The Predator #998917 unit works with the following GM vehicles and lists for $425:
1999-2002 Camaro/Firebird - LS1
1999-2002 Corvette - LS1
1999-2002 GM trucks/SUVs - 4.8L to 8.1L
The Predator #995917 unit works with the following GM vehicles and also lists for $425:
2003 GM trucks/SUVs - all gas engines
But, the Predator #990917 for the Hummer H2 costs $595.
It would seem like there is a world of difference between a truck with a 4.8L enginge and the same model truck equipped with an 8.1L engine... Different horsepowers; different torques; different transmissions and gear ratios. But,
they are all priced at the same $425 amount.
Just in 2003 alone, GM offers trucks/SUVs with:
4.3L, 200hp with 260 ftlb of torque
4.8L, 270hp with 285 ftlb of torque
5.3L, 285hp with 325 ftlb of torque
6.0L, 300hp with 360 ftlb of torque
6.0L, 315hp with 365 ftlb of torque
6.0L, 316hp with 360 ftlb of torque (Hummer H2)
6.0L, 320hp with 365 ftlb of torque
6.0L, 345hp with 380 ftlb of torque (Escalade)
8.1L, 340hp with 455 ftlb of torque
and probably others...
Okay, so I'm probably wrong about price gouging? But the way it looks to me is that this is a clear cut and obvious case of overcharging H2 owners and blaming it on R&D expenses which seems totally lame.
Do you REALLY believe, as you say, that the price of Hummers will decrease in 2004? Based upon what? When was the last time any automaker announced price reductions from one model year to the next? Maybe a better question would be have they ever reduced prices?
But to answer your question, no, I wouldn't gripe about paying less for an H2. But, if the prices for H2s went up 40% next year for the same vehicle, just a new model year --- and the prices of all other GM vehicles went up say 2% or 3%, I would definitely scream bloody murder if I wanted to buy one. Of course that is a silly example. GM Corp. isn't stupid and I doubt very seriously that they would do something so bizarre...
So, maybe you can explain to me how charging 40% more is only fair, and how the programmer took thousands and thousands of R&D dollars to develope for the H2. But, remember, the programmer that Granatelli sells for the Hummer H2 doesn't do anything that the other models don't do... Right?
Ed