I hope the best for them. That being said, and I know the development of an engine, especially with FAA certification, is an amazing expense. I have always had serious concern regarding their seeming business plan.  When I first started paying serious attention to them, IIRC, they were looking at the low $30,000 range for the 190-200 hp model. While I thought that was high to compete with a Lyc, I figured they took that type of thing into consideration and figured it would work out.  As time went by I understand the price ballooooooned to $60k <yikes>.

 

I was lucky that I got one of their intakes (through the efforts of my buddy Dave Staten) back when they toyed with the experimental market.  That avenue seemed to have dried up ages ago.  It always seemed to me that some sales is better than no sales....and my intake was kinda pricey at just over $2k.  For me it was worth it as my and Dave's attempt were and would have been less than stellar.  The Mistral intake is beautiful, IMAO.

 

As has been stated, it seems that some sales in the experimental market, perhaps in the mid/high teen price range (donno if that is realistic, but a new engine is only around 6k from Mazda...add on there special stuff...but still donno), especially if, as purported, they were using some Mazda parts (housings, rotors, eshaft??) for DEVELOPMENT (My intake fits my 2nd gen turbo nicely).  Seems as if this would have been a GREAT way to wet the appetite of a potentially willing market while providing some cash flow and proving themselves.  I do understand some risk with unique installations and the possible PR (or possible civil liability) damage of others mistakes when using your product.  However, most products incur some risk and much has to do with how it is handled and mitigated.  As is, until new information/money is found, they are dead in the water .  Seems I saw a picture of some intakes etc sitting in a warehouse collecting dust.....again, it seems, collecting cash is better than collecting dust.  I know when I practiced law full time as a solo practitioner, cash flow was critical.  It could keep me up at night....now as a cop, cash flow is usually steady.  I sleep better now <g>

 

I hope they were not victims of the pride/arrogance that can accompany engineers who KNOW they have the best technology and product.....and/or pressures from investors....thus assuming the price point will.....uh, fly...so to speak <g>

 

So it goes.......

 

All the best,

 

Chris Barber

Houston, GSOT

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