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Sedans High End Luxury Cars
24700 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.
A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.
Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.
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Replying to: designman (Jan 08, 2006 10:35 am)
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Replying to: ljflx (Jan 08, 2006 9:51 am) One thing, let me say here. I won't align myself at the expense of truth with one "camp" or another. I won't place myself in the "Lexus camp" or the "Mercedes camp" or any other camp. I will not criticize or defend a brand just because of the brand. I've seen too much of that in my opinion. If it quacks like a duck, I'm calling it a duck. So, to answer your question, YES, but I have not seen these similarities until recently. I have said that Lexus designers are snipers with powerful scopes, and that they now have BMW in their crosshairs. Further, while these similarities are somewhat skin-deep, the consumer may ultimately think beyond that, depending upon upcoming marketing by Lexus. (And I am predicting a further assault on BMW here, too.) Just watch. TagMan
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Replying to: designman (Jan 08, 2006 10:31 am) 
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Replying to: ljflx (Jan 08, 2006 10:39 am)  A little story. In the famous Jet Super Bowl, a college buddy was a rabid Jet fan being from Queens. If I recall correctly the Jets were getting 16 points. I had casually mentioned that I thought it was a decent bet for the Colts. He said oh yeah? I'll tell you what, I'll take the Jets even. I bit. Who wouldn't? The rest is history. Lordy, that was 36 years ago 
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 08, 2006 10:39 am) In my mind Lexus still targets MB as its number 1 competitor. Just read this link to C&D. Not even a mention of BMW when talking about the specs of the car and note the Lexus speaker confirmation on the 8 speed. The whole spin on BMW with the GS and IS was a spin on improved performance - mainly GS. The LS needs no spin given its market position. http://automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0601_lexus_ls/ |
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The long wheelbase version of the new LS sounds interesting, but some of the comments on the Lexus forum are almost drunken in nature, comparing the back seat to riding on a private jet, for example, and also declaring the beginning of the end to the German car. All a bit extreme? Of course that is the Lexus forum, and wouldn't we expect that kind of self-stroking and mutual reinforcement? I've already gone on record to say that I think the new LS is going to be successful, but I've got to say that you "Lexus guys" crack me up with your extremism.
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 08, 2006 11:24 am) That's in the Lexus press release.
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Replying to: tagman (Jan 08, 2006 10:48 am) No, they’re not idiots. And I really don’t blame Bangle. Rather, it’s the owners, the Quandts. As a creative director and designer, I’ve seen charges by major decision makers to be different. It rarely works when you force it and focus only on being different, then approach deadlines which force your hand. It can be easy to be different. It is VERY hard to be different and better. Yes I do believe they have plenty of borrowed motifs, and that their styles are hardly different and definitely not better. Just my opinion. When the E60 5-series came around I predicted they would be giving them away at the end of the year. I was wrong. You could be right, so I encourage you to look into that crystal ball. But I still don’t like the new BMWs and believe they would have created considerably more demand had they been better. By the way, BMW is not the only culprit. I think most companies are groping to be leading edge and creative. In my opinion, most of them don’t succeed. And sales do not validate styling because cars are utilities first, then a potpourri of many other variable elements that influence buying decisions.
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Replying to: ljflx (Jan 08, 2006 11:34 am)
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Replying to: designman (Jan 08, 2006 11:45 am) Sometimes they go out on a limb . . . sometimes to their death. But they get lots of criticism when its bad, and all the credit when its good. Thank goodness they keep taking some risks so that we get to enjoy the innovations that come our way. |
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