The iM78 generated a lot of hype among the knowing, I think.? I remember a Peter comment about how amazingly many ski review cards he got for the iM78 in its second year, because usually the shop people are only looking at new products.? Also, the first ski swap where I tried the sell my iM78's, one of the ski patroller's commented that he had been trying to explain to people what a good ski the iM78 was, so there was awareness even if it wasn't a particularly great East Coast ski.? At the next ski swap I tried they were gone 2 hours after I dropped them off.
What amazes me is that a ski manufacturer will have a successful ski with a recognized name and then decide to change the name from iM78 to Peak 78, and the rumor mill then circulates that the Peak 78 has a layer of metal removed when compared to the iM78 (which, at least for this year, Peter's web site says wasn't true).
The sad part is that my iM77's sold almost as quickly (but for less money), and I didn't thinkthey were a very good ski at all (it was part II of my awakening to the problems of too stiff skis).? They were wide and attractive topsheet (and the $5 bindings that Lynn sold me were a good color match).? Caveat emptor.
But Mike, I think you raise an excellent point as to the incremental cost vs. the incremental value of these really high end skis.? I was absolutely amazed at how pervasive they were at Aspen; it almost made me cry to see such good skis masquerading as beat up rental skis.
Of course, I have to admit that I am very happy with my Toyota and wouldn't spend the extra money for a Cadillac or Mercedes (or Maybach).
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