Below are Lone Star’s answers to the Words of Wisdom. These questions are intended to help you determine what questions should be asked. These questions are important and should be key subject material in your research. Sadly, many people researching replicas find themselves lost in an unorthodox form of information gathering and become frustrated and confused. We believe the Words of Wisdom can be used as a standardized list that people can use to keep the facts straight so not to be sucked in by advertising hype.
Q: *Important* Have you read and reviewed ALL of the company’s product information?
A: Highly recommended!
Q:How long has the company been in business?
A: Almost 19 years.
Q: Do they have a good reputation with their customers?
A: Yes. It is very difficult to find Lone Star LS427s for sale even with 95% of them completed making Lone Star Classics the manufacturer with the highest completion percentages.
Q:Does the company have a history of ever temporarily closing or going out of business?
A: Never. We continue to grow every year in sales and size.
Q: How far is the factory from where you live?
A: ?
Q: What are the individual shipping prices or will you be picking up at the factory?
A: ?
Q: What is the lead time on a kit from the day you place your order?
vOn average it is 2-4 weeks.
Q: When you called the company with questions were you treated with respect and politeness?
A: We certainly hope so!
Q: Do you have to pay a long distance fee to call them?
A: No. (Toll-Free)
Q: Have you determined your level of building abilities?
A: Level 3.
There are three builder levels to consider:
Level 1 builder has never worked on any type of car beyond average car maintenance such as oil changes, changing of brake pads, head & tail light bulb changes, etc.
A: 180-200 hrs
Level 2 builder has worked on cars enough to be able to remove and replace components, tune engines, and perform any type of performance upgrades.
A: 130-150 hrs
Level 3 builder is a mechanic capable of restoring classic cars or air planes and is very knowledgeable with tools. This builder can usually assemble engines.
A: 80-120 hrs
Q: Have you determined what the expected build time is for each builder level for each of the companies?
A: Yes
Q: What builder level does the company cater to?
A: 1
Q: What time of the day/evening will you be doing the majority of assembling?
A: ?
Q: What time does the company you are considering close in YOUR time zone?
A: Our phones turn off at 6pm central standard time
Q: Does the company offer a product designed specifically around your needs? (week end pleasure driving, racing, competitive car show, etc…)
A: ?
Q: How supportive is the company in providing you with answers to questions not covered in their advertising materials?
A: We hope the most that could be expected.
Q: Does the company offer any type of warranty with their products?
A: Yes. One year on all parts.
Q: Have you ridden in or at least sat in the company’s product you are considering?
A: ?
Q: What size deposit is required?
A: $5,000
Q: Component cars most important features are its frame, body, and suspension. Most of everything else is made else where such as the drive line, wheels, windshield, electrical, etc. How would you rate the quality of the products being manufactured by the replica manufacturer?
A: We have been told countless times that Lone Star made products are premium grade when compared to others offered in the component car industry.
Q: Are any parts included in the kit used or remanufactured?
A: Absolutely not.
Q: *Important* Does the company seem to focus on quantity or quality?
A: Quality is our # one goal.
Q: Does the company offer all of the parts needed to complete their kit? (less engine)
A: Yes
Q: Are donor parts required to complete their kit?
A: No
Q: Will you be using used donor parts or new aftermarket parts?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Have you determined the cost of the donor parts?
N/A to LS427s.
Q: Have you considered the reconditioning process of used donor parts?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Have you found a source for a donor vehicle?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Have you factored in the time it takes to remove the parts from the donor car?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Do you have a place to store the donor vehicle?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: What will you do with the unused parts of the donor vehicle?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Are any of the recommended donor parts going to affect the aesthetics of your replica?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Do you have enough space to build your car?
A: ? Need at least one car space. 2 are ideal.
Q: Have you considered the resale value affects of donor built vs. new built replica?
N/A to LS427s.
Q: Does the company show a good verity of products that would indicate a prosperous future?
A: Yes. LSC offers a variety of some of the most popular body styles in the market. LSC is also a debt free company which allows it to offer an above average quality kit at a competitive price.
Q: Have you obtained a list of every item needed to complete the kit?
A: ?
Q: How difficult will it be to find and purchase these parts?
A: N/A to LS427s.
Q: Is there any part of the kit that does not appeal to you?
A: ?
Q: If so have you contacted the company and asked if this part can be changed or modified?
A: ?
Q: Have you considered your physical dimensions to make sure you will sit comfortably in the company’s replica?
A: ?
Q: What was the price of the company’s kit four years ago?
A: The same as it is today. We have not increased our prices at all.
Q: What was the price of their kit two years ago?
A:
Same
Q: What is the company’s inflation rate over the course of four years?
A: 0%
Consider that a company’s history is the best reflection of its future.
