RZ2 Z Tower Upcharge

[Coach]

I have been hearing more and more that the upcharge on the Z tower is going to be $2000. I am having a hard time with this, and I think Tige is making a huge mistake. This is a kick *** looking tower but from my research of other boat builders none of them had this type of upcharge on a different tower (most don't have a difference in price, example Malibu). Material wise there is not a lot more there. One less down tube and billet is replacing the up tube. The foot is larger so a larger back plate is necessary (which is not a big cost). Now I am going to make the assumption that the $2000 is apples to apples with the C Tower (or whatever they call it) with swivel racks. I have a coach who ownes 3 machine shops and figured that the cost to make the upright is not that much. I think that the public thinks that billet is some very expensive deal, it is not. This is assuming that Tige is using the hardest Al which is the most expensive of the metals. I wouldn't think twice about ordering a Z tower if it was $500 more, but for $2000 I am going to put it in the stereo. My guess most new Tige owners are going to have the old tower because they don't want to pay that much more and most dealers will order it with the old tower to keep costs down. Do you like the Z tower (I do), and will you pay $2000 for it. I think Tige needs to know they are screwing up a good thing with the release of the RZ2 and Z tower. I have a feeling we will not see many of the Z towers this next year unless Tige is willing to come up with a reasonable upcharge. What are your thoughts?

[Lucky 275]

The only way I can get it would be with the Z tower... the other one won't fit in my garage. I really don't like the E tower, either.

Interest rates, the Z tower and the friggin' price of trailers may keep me from pulling the trigger, as much as I want it. I have a hard time trying to justify paying that premium.

I may just keep my 22V. It's an ok boat, I guess

[Griff]

Lucky,
The 22V is a great boat! What year?

[xpjim1]

Spend the money. Look at the whole boat as a package and then negotiate harder. Remeber the cost upcharge is MSRP and not what the dealer pays.

In 02, I went in to order an 03 22V. Dealer had a fully loaded 02 20V that I liked. He tried to sell me that boat but price too high. As we were finalizing my 22V order over the next few days, he made me a killer offer to buy the 20V which I did. Boat was perfect for us 1st time solo boatowners. I made a note to myself that if I was to ever get another boat I would order what I wanted because now I knew what I liked and disliked.

In 05 took my boat in for service. Had the dealer take my wife and I for a demo in the 24V. We both liked the extra room, storage and how well it handled the large chop which is common on our lake on weekends.

Well I asked the dealer to get me prices on a 24V with the Samson Razor tower, Which I really liked and wanted. It had the swivel board racks, collapsed easily and looked a little bling. We negotiated and came up with a good price.

All set to place my order....

Then he has the nerve to offer me a boat that he had in the dealership. Had everything I was going to order except it had a diferrent tower. He made a great offer again and threw in the extended bimini and other items and was going to sell my old boat at no cost to me. Price was too good to pass up, It was a few thousand lower than ordering a new boat.

I look back and wish I would have spent the money and got the tower I wanted. In the grand scheme of time, the cost was minimal. I have been very happy with my boat overall. I have thought about changing the tower but it is semi cost prohivitive since I would need a new bimini, boardracks and fiberglass work.

Thats my story and I am sticking with it!!

[Lucky 275]

griff

it's an '06

[Matt Garcia]

I agree with xpjim.

I also have to say that the Z series tower is one of the best looking towers. That tower makes the boat.

[Griff]

After seeing it in person, the Z tower is a must for the RZ2.

[Coach]

I agree with all of you about the Z tower. It makes the boat and really should become the only Tige tower for all of the boats. But will you pay $2000 for it? If people are going to pay the upcharge then Tige will not make any change in the pricing. If people will opt for another tower then Tige might re-think the pricing. As much as I like the tower it is not work $2000 more.

[Griff]

For a 15 year loan, it is about $19.00 per month. You make the call.

[Carter13]

xpjim1,

I understand your misgivings.

We have a 06 22V with the razor tower and I believe it is the best tower on the market bar none. You are right, it is so easy to lower, raise and it is so stought. Not to mention the tower speakers are quick release.

Notch another one up to Tige for overpricing their products.

Everyone should order their Tige's with aftermarket towers and tell the boat shops to pass on the word for their distain for the $2000 upcharge for the Z tower. Besides you guys can do way better than the inferior made Tige towers.

Long live the V.

[Coach]

Griff and xmjim1, I am not sure if you guys have that kinda money laying around or not but when I see something that looks wrong I want to fix it. I don't have a problem with the RZ2 and price my dealer has set for it. It is very comparable to all the other dealers with equally equipped boats. But none of the other dealers are charging more for a tower (options on the tower but not the tower). Then when Tige puts out all of the initial pictures of a boat with the Z tower and gets everyone excited about the RZ2 and then I hear I will have to pay an additional $2K for the tower I wanted to knock someone out. Like I have said before the upcharge would be ok if it was within reason. I don't think it is with in reason. If I am paying over $60K on the boat don't try to maximize your profit with what should be the standard tower for the RZ2. I don't look at anything as what it will cost me over 15 years. I will not have this boat in 15 years (10 maybe). Maybe I am the only guy here out of the 100+ that has viewed this that feels that Tige needs to reduce the upcharge and the only way it will happen is if people on this board are vocal about it. The more comments like "just pay for it" will not change anything. If you are willing to pay it and so are the majority then I am wrong in my argument, but I really don't think that is the case. Trust me the powers that be are reading this and if you state things that you like or don't like changes might happen. If not I will be putting an Xplosion tower on my boat and putting my extra $2000 into my stereo and new equipment for boarding (not back to Tige and their product)

Ok I am getting off of my soapbox now.

[Lucky 275]

Stay on your soapbox, and incorporate the Teak into your campaign.

One more question. Why is there a upcharge for the speedset? It's std on other manufacturers / no charge, and is already built into the engine electronics...

[talltigeguy]

Tige has learned how to make money.

I agree 100% with coach. I know the tower looks cool and all, but I won't buy it. There are other options that are more cost effective and look nice as well.

It may be that they list it as a $2000 option and then you feel good when the dealer says he'll only jack you $750 for it. I think they call that shock and awe or something like that. Then you walk away smiling when you paid a lot for something that is usually free.

When Tige sees more boats coming out of the factory without towers, they will listen, but not until then. They have to make money.

Coach, I asked on my other thread and I don't recall anyone telling me the answer or even the rough estimate...How much is it to put an Explosion tower on?

[Redlined]

Tige overcharging for 2G's for a top of the line tower? Might want to do some research, because the towers I prefer, START at over 3g's for the "entry level" model-Plain Jane-installed-with bim. You want the "bigboybillet" (yes please) model, well, you can imagine the price.
Nickles and dimes aren't worth much these days, and two g's for a SIC tower is nothing, when you putting it on a boat of that caliber. Come on. 58k or 60k, is like arguing over how much to tip when you get the check. Were not discussing a fishfinder on a Basstracker or toilet lids on Partybarge. This is part of the statement your rig makes when your sitting in the a q u a.
Can't have the cake and eat it too.

[Lucky 275]

2 g's is a 42" plasma hanging on my wall, or a nice mountain bike.