Miata NC Full LED Tail Lights Project Details: We need your input!

[CarbonMiata]

Hey!

So this topic has been discussed a million times already but I am very near from a solution. We all know the NC tail lights don't have the best design and that we would like something more appealing but also more efficient in terms of performance, design and safety.

Now I discussed with many suppliers for this project as it's a difficult and time consuming one. Moreover, the tooling fee being extremely high, there is no room for mistake. This first project is for NC2/3 only but if it goes as planned, we will do the NC1 molds shortly after.

INSTALLATION:

We basically want to offer a complete plug and play replacement. You will need to remove your tail lights and fit ours. No core exchange or anything like that. They will come pre-wired and with connectors.

DESIGN:

This is the most important step. The design has to be appealing and modern for most of people. This is the design we think is the nicer and would go well with the NC lines. This is a rendering of the LED locations.

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/261388705076956673851168.jpg

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/913488766690358165542986.jpg

And to give you an idea of the finished product, it would look like those pictures:

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/692062maxresdefault.jpg

http://img15.hostingpics.net/pics/394117image827.jpg

PRICING AND DISCOUNT:

We would like to offer this set at 485 USD/pair + shipping (around 40-50 USD for worldwide shipping) for people who can place a deposit now and help us in this project. Later on, they will be retailed at 600 USD a set + shipping.

FEASABILITY OF THE PROJECT:

So I will attach a poll to this thread and please try to answer as honestly as possible. It would help a lot in the decision making process. The best would be to get deposit from the most people but I know it's also not easy to commit to a product you didn't see in the flesh.

We basically would need a 50% deposit from you guys which is 250 USD and if we reach a convincing amount, we would start immediately. The delivery time would be around 3 months.

Thank you for reading! Please don't hesitate to answer with any suggestions/ideas.

Marc@CarbonMiata

[kung fu jesus]

I appreciate the initiative and tooling costs. Is the design of the LEDs cost driven? I certainly wouldn't want to step on any toes, but the first 3 gens share distinctive, even signature patterns.

It would be disappointing to have the lighting look dated or too similar to other makes. Sort of how everyone copied the Altezza design and became so common, it looked disingenuous in a short amount of time.

Case in point:

http://www.moma.org/collection/works/91740

[MLambert19]

I no longer have an NC, so at this point I'm not a buyer. When I did, I was disappointed that there wasn't an LED option available. The RX8 had them... why couldn't the NC?

However, I'd much rather see a round LED pattern that integrates more with the stock light-housings (Like the RX8). The rendering shown reminds me of so many Dodge/Chrysler products that currently have LED's. It IS a Miata after-all, it's not a big deal to keep it looking like one, simply to improve on what came as stock equipment.

[CarbonMiata]

UPDATE!!!

I went to see 10 suppliers and talked for hours with each one of them. They can do the product and reach the quality we are looking for but the mold fees are so high (8 molds in total)... I didn't give up on making them. Just need more time to gather the investment needed.

Sorry to let you guys down. :(

Here is the design we are about to offer. I picked up the first set yesterday and installed it on our NC. The left side is 100% perfect. We need to modify a bit the mold of the right surround though. I will post a video ASAP. I did one with my phone but it's too different than the actual result that I don't want to post it now.

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/636958666047326086119877.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/673335529842380266860190.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/894155699920871565357711.jpg

http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/530390897190351142019809.jpg

[Greasemonkey2000]

They look great Marc! :drinkto: That is a good looking NC as well.

Kind of unrelated but I really like how Mazda continues to give the miata, mx5, stronger lines so that it doesn't look so feminine. :rofl: I need a NC or ND...

[bootz]

Can they be adapted to the NB, they could be what I'm looking for.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Can they be adapted to the NB, they could be what I'm looking for.

You mean like this: https://www.carbonmiata.com/shop/mazda-mx-5/vintage-led-dual-tail-lights/ :)