Do you think carbon fiber is played out?

[baynsac]

Do you think that carbon fiber is played out or still in?? I ask because I see alot of people doing the carbon fiber thing and whenever alot of people do something I like to go a different route....
Just wondering how other feel about it

 

[socalx]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

My opinion is carbon fiber is far from being played out. I think you will see more and more of it as manufacturing processes improve and costs come down.
Evidence

Ferrari... you can no longer order a ferrari f430 or 599 without carbon/ ceramic brakes. use of carbon components (seats, door panels trim, mirrors of 430 scuderia , 360 challenge, f50, enzo)
Chevrolet.. corvette a few years ago with just a carbon hood, then zo6 with carbon fenders and now zr1 with carbon fenders, hood, roof, b pillar, rear fender extensions, rocker extensions, carbon ceramic brakes, rear spoiler.
BMW using carbon in the roof of m6 and now m3
honda, carbon hood in nsxr and carbon wing.
chip foose special 150 car run of hemisphere coupe. (carbon body)
porsche- all carbon carerra gt

only expect more of it in the future.

what is played out is cheap carbon (wet layup carbon over fiberglass ) ricer hoods, decklids and spoilers. but high quality dry carbon (functional carbon) is only now becoming a reality.

 

[mickeylex]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

My opinion is carbon fiber is far from being played out. I think you will see more and more of it as manufacturing processes improve and costs come down....

what is played out is cheap carbon (wet layup carbon over fiberglass ) ricer hoods, decklids and spoilers. but high quality dry carbon (functional carbon) is only now becoming a reality.

I'd agree w/ this. Carbon fiber isn't really "played out". It's just ovedone in the aftermarket. By overdone I mean, CF shift knobs, windshield washer nozzles, overlay kits, etc, etc. Of course, to each his own, but the carbon-look stuff is a little too much for me.

 

[Synthesis]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

I'd agree w/ this. Carbon fiber isn't really "played out". It's just ovedone in the aftermarket. By overdone I mean, CF shift knobs, windshield washer nozzles, overlay kits, etc, etc. Of course, to each his own, but the carbon-look stuff is a little too much for me.

exactly. otherwise, what's "played out" about it? it is quite obviously a superior material in terms of strength and weight.

carbon fiber played out? no.
carbon fiber look played out? maybe.

 

[dave22]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

Easy:

Functional- super
Cosmetic- silly

 

[ChopsJazz]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

Do you think that carbon fiber is played out or still in??

Are you asking about the "bling" factor or it's role structural/performance part? If you are referring to the latter, then I think it has a long way to go.

 

[m3456y]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

Check out a 2007 M6 center console.

 

[jond]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

How can a material be "played out". Unless you're building a show car like a lamborghini material are used for a PURPOSE.

Last I heard, manufacturers are looking for ways to mass produce carbon fiber instead of making it by hand. When they perfect a way, it will be EVERYWHERE. The only thing wrong with it right now is its cost.

 

[NSX GT]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

I don't think CF is played out. If it is, it sure is super expensive still. I sure hope not, I just installed a set of exterior carbon fiber B pillars. I also just picked up an C.F. NSX-R type rear spoiler.

 

[JeffShoots]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

Must be.............it's now stock trim on the new Super "Vett"

 

[Ski_Banker]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

I'm pretty sure (although I'm by far not a CF expert) that the CF cost is in *labor* and molding/setup/engineering. Assuming that labor is most of your marginal product cost, you should expect to see more and more of it. Just takes expertise and manufacturing capacity, both of which I'm sure China is working vigorously on.

I'm more of a Ti fan, but I guess that's leftover from my old cycling days...lol

 

[Ski_Banker]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

Must be.............it's now stock trim on the new Super "Vett"

That's what IMO is kind of cheesy... carbon fiber is totally unnecessary for non load bearing components. A dashboard... plastic (with a nice covering of course :wink: ) works fine for about the same weight. As most know... CF is tremendous due to it's strength to weight ratio, but strength isn't really necessary in many places on a car.

 

[5inchfatlip]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

If its done tastefully, such as interior accents, steering wheel, and little stuff, it will never be played out. Just like a wood interior it still looks classy and luxurious.

When you go into full hoods, fenders, mirrors on rice rockets, then yes.

 

[rasir_x]

I think the new in "bling" thing is going to be Kevlar Armid

 

[Hugh]

Do you think that carbon fiber is played out?

Would you want to be seen in public with your wife or g/f wearing this?

Having exposed carbon fiber showing anywhere on your car is ten times worse.
Nothing screams "I'm a wanna be boy racer" louder than carbon fiber, not even 30 sponsor decals, not even a shiny new 12" diameter Pep Boys muffler, not even an ironing board rear wing.

 

[nsxn8]

Hugh,

I have to agree 100%.

 

[Synthesis]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

I'm pretty sure (although I'm by far not a CF expert) that the CF cost is in *labor* and molding/setup/engineering. Assuming that labor is most of your marginal product cost, you should expect to see more and more of it. Just takes expertise and manufacturing capacity, both of which I'm sure China is working vigorously on.

I'm more of a Ti fan, but I guess that's leftover from my old cycling days...lol

the materials aren't cheap either....

 

[Synthesis]

Re: Do you think carbon fiber is played out???

If its done tastefully, such as interior accents, steering wheel, and little stuff, it will never be played out. Just like a wood interior it still looks classy and luxurious.

When you go into full hoods, fenders, mirrors on rice rockets, then yes.

i think wood interior packages look like garbage, but mostly because it's plastic that looks NOTHING like wood. if it were the real deal, it might look ok. (same goes for cf parts)

again, i think the "carbon look" is cheesy, not if it's the real deal (depending on what/where it is.... ). tell me this looks "boy racer" :tongue:

trust me, there are worse things you can do to your car than have exposed carbon (ie, paint random parts of your car yellow, have chrome trim everywhere, put spinning doors on it, etc.)

 

[Dhalsim]

Would you want to be seen in public with your wife or g/f wearing this?

Having exposed carbon fiber showing anywhere on your car is ten times worse.
Nothing screams "I'm a wanna be boy racer" louder than carbon fiber, not even 30 sponsor decals, not even a shiny new 12" diameter Pep Boys muffler, not even an ironing board rear wing.

wow.........so much hate for an inanimate object??

So you hate the NSX Type R then becuase it has an exposed CF wing?

I agree with many others that if used as an accent it can be a great look........if used for functional reasons then even better.

Not saying this applies to you but I find in life that when most people "Hate" on things its becuase they cant afford it and so it becomes a jealous hate.........just like some people hate on the NSX becuase its something they can never obtain........

 

[nsxtasy]

wow.........so much hate for an inanimate object??

So you hate the NSX Type R then becuase it has an exposed CF wing?

I agree with many others that if used as an accent it can be a great look........if used for functional reasons then even better.

Not saying this applies to you but I find in life that when most people "Hate" on things its becuase they cant afford it and so it becomes a jealous hate.........just like some people hate on the NSX becuase its something they can never obtain........

I don't see hate in Hugh's post. Only an opinion presented with good-natured humor.

Sounds to me like you like the carbon fiber look, and you are fabricating excuses in your own mind about folks who don't, rather than simply admitting that most folks have a different opinion from yours. I'm sure Hugh, and just about any NSX owner here, could afford putting carbon fiber accents on their NSXs. Most people don't because they don't want that look on their car, either because they don't like the way it looks, or because they associate it with the 17-year-old drivers of beat-up Civics among whom it is so popular, or for whatever other reason they may have. Inability to afford it is not a likely reason among NSX owners.

 

[damthatbeaver]

From my experience...the carbon fiber look is definately pure Ricer...or Racer! A full-fledged race car with carbon fiber makes sense...but as far as a driver goes - it goes over as a bit tacky! I see the NSX in the same realm as Lamborghinis and Ferraris...and I never see those cars with mods like carbon fiber hoods!! To me - it takes away from the physical beauty of the NSX. I personally like a modded NSX - especially the wide-body kit, Stacey's body kit and the Wings West body kit (which I have :biggrin: ) but the carbon fiber hood is a bit too much for me.

Personal preference does exist though...lol

Hey Hugh...how is the beast holding out?...when do you think that you will reach 300,000 miles?

Dam

 

[NSXDreamer2]

In my little weird head, it's really blurry in terms of defination of "Bling"...

To most people, even those who's going to race track for fun... Carbon Fiber parts, REAL deal or not, are just making one feeling better that he had a superior part... 90% of those PCCB brakes, Carbon brakes owner won't use those items in the full potential...

Real deal R wing or Downforce... Most are only for looks.

I guess what's really played out is if the part is fitting well and tastfully done.

 

[KANE]

Ya its definitely only for boy racers, definitely played out. Pagani Zonda, Ferarri Enzo, Blue Devil

 

[AR]

Both NA1 and NA2 NSX-R had CF interior accents.

 

[KANE]

more played out cars, Lamborghini, Chrysler ME 412,Pagani.