so sorry to confuse you, i'll try to clarify, as i have done my research on this. first, i perfectly understand the original, equipment, and the manufacturer part of OEM. how am i to know the place you are getting them from is getting them pre-painted at that price? all parts through honda are available as primer only, as well as pre-painted for certain pieces, such as mirrors, moldings, garnishes, and spoilers/lips. just because you can get OEM parts already painted DOES NOT MEAN you have to get them already painted.

but since we on this board are mindreaders, i should have summoned up my genie and asked him which OEM parts you were going to order from this company you referred to. maybe i should have inquired which OEM parts you were talking about before i suggested the cost of paint...but i didn't. oh well.

i work in the parts department of a honda dealer. i order this stuff every day. i've done my research. thanks for checking though.

as for your rude comments toward zoso...some people can't just buy all that outright, and would like to have it as part of their monthly payment. some people do feel the need to tie it all into their initial dealer purchase, just as some people, as you said, do not.

would i ever buy the performance package? no. would i need to have it tied into my monthly payment? no. but some people would, the same way some people would rather go buy a new kia for the price of a used accord. i'd never do it, but people do. they like knowing it will all just work, and if it doesn't, that someone (the dealer) will fix it for free. your aftermarket parts are not warrantied. the honda FP package is. if your shit breaks, too bad. if it breaks other parts of your car, too bad. you pay for it. many people don't want that hassle.

we are the minority, don't forget. most people don't want to design their own custom setup in their car. they want to go to a dealer, point at a picture, and say "i want that" and get it. no thinking, no wondering, no waiting. they want the car delivered and done. end of story. i'd want to custom build it, but most people don't.

don't believe me? how many customized cars do you see on the road compared to bone stock? not many.

try to appreciate the fact that your way is not the only way to go, especially before you criticize others on it.