I use a Makerbot replicator 2 at work and I have a reprap mendel at home. I prefer the Makerbot especially with the software it uses, but it also costs 4x as much and it doesn't print ABS. I think the slicer software sucks, you can't rotate around the z axis among other things, and it's just not user friendly compared to the Makerbot software.
I did design and print a gauge pod for my other car. A two gauge pod (pod only no pillar) took about four hours on standard resolution on the makerbot. I printed it in black and it could be installed as is, but it definitely needs sanding and painting to finish.
