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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16252 messages,  Last post on Jun 19, 2013 at 4:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1565 of 1626

#15635 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by flightnurse

Feb 08, 2013 (9:36 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 08, 2013 7:44 am)
I'll have to assume that pushing the Mercedes marque down the ladder with the CLA is taking a page out of GM's marketing book. "Hook them on a low priced Chevy (in Mercedes' case, a CLA), and move them up the model ladder".
 
Aren't BMW and Audi doing the same thing with the 1 series and A3 ? Acura is doing it with the ILX too.

#15636 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [flightnurse] by graphicguy

Feb 08, 2013 (11:55 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 08, 2013 9:36 am)
FN.....good point. I guess the lux marks see gold to be mined where Accords and Camry sometimes play.

#15637 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by sweendogy

Feb 08, 2013 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 08, 2013 11:55 am)
Camry and accord comment - true pricing might be the same- but again how can we call these cars Elpps- they don't offer much lux in standard form and performance is less then the mentioned accord.

#15638 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by flightnurse

Feb 12, 2013 (12:29 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 08, 2013 11:55 am)
This is a great question, so would you buy a Acura ILX or a fully loaded Camry?

#15639 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [sweendogy] by flightnurse

Feb 12, 2013 (12:37 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Feb 08, 2013 12:20 pm)
Sweeny the typical buyer will not understand what ELLPS means and they really do not care. Most buyers buy by monthly payment, and if they can afford a Camry XLE with all the bells and dodad's then they will buy it. Why do you think that most dealership bring out that "worksheet" and ask you what you want to spend a month.
 
Car segments are changing, and some cars in which YOU do not think fit in the traditional ELLPS, but they do. It will be interesting in the next 3-5 yrs what will be considered ELLPS.

#15640 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [flightnurse] by graphicguy

Feb 12, 2013 (5:38 am)

Replying to: flightnurse (Feb 12, 2013 12:29 am)
FN.....I can't even remember the last time I drove a Camry....at least 2-3 generations ago. And, I've never driven an ILX. So, not sure if I can answer your question.
 
Would I look at them? Sure! But, as most of us here are, I'm a car fanatic. I'm interested in all cars.
 
Generally speaking, the customer for a Camry probably wouldn't consider any Mercedes for no other reason than they think maintenance and repairs are too costly and frequent. That perception can be debated. But, perception is reality in most people's minds.
 
I know the 2 years I've owned my 335i, I haven't spent one nickel on maintenance due to BMW's 4 year "no maintenance cost" plan. The GF got a 4 year maintenance plan for the S4 where everything is covered. That was extra cost, and I can't remember what it was. When she asked me about it, it seemed reasonable at the time so it wasn't anything extraordinary.
 
I've had the BMW in once for warranty work. The driver's leather seat had an area that was discoloring. They didn't re-dye it. They actually replaced the entire seat cover. Aside from oil changes and I think a software update they did for IDrive the last time I had the oil changed, that's been in.
 
The GF's S4 has only had an oil change and tire rotation. That's it.
 
Will a Camry be the same? They have a reputation as being trouble free. But, it sure seems like I read about a whole lot more recalls the last couple of years regarding Toyotas, than I hear from Benz, Audi, BMW or Acura.
 
I don't pay much attention to Lexus or Infiniti. So, I don't know if an inordinate amount of recalls extend to those brands or not.
 
I see the CLA's customer as being a young (20s) person not really looking for performance. But, one who's looking for an entre into the German marks and the alleged status they bring to the table (whether that status is real, or imagined).
 
For a little bit more than a Camry, they can have a Mercedes, regardless of whether a CLA is or is not the better performing car.
 
Something tells me you're going to see dealers back load those cars with the crazy wheels, spoilers, etc that make most of us cringe. But, that's the type of customer the CLA will appeal to. Dealers better get ready for a whole new type of tire kickers entering their showrooms once the CLA is released.
 
Personally, I like the looks of the CLA. That might change when I see one in person. But, given that I put a higher priority on overall performance with my lux, I doubt I'll consider a CLA as something that would sit in my garage.
 
I'm betting a Camry SE with a V6 will out handle and out accelerate a CLA. Yet, they won't be cross shopped by that same 20 something.

#15641 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by flightnurse

Feb 12, 2013 (8:46 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 12, 2013 5:38 am)
Graphic, I believe the CLA will get the AMG treatment, which will give it some performance. I agree that the CLA will bring a whole new type of customer to MB, just like GT-R brought a whole different buyer to the Nissan Dealer. Lots of changes happening and it will be interesting to see how the dealers will change.

#15642 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by stickguy

Feb 12, 2013 (10:49 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 12, 2013 5:38 am)
the real question though is if the CLA will be grounded to the ground.

#15643 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [stickguy] by graphicguy

Feb 12, 2013 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Feb 12, 2013 10:49 am)
the real question though is if the CLA will be grounded to the ground.
 
Love it....made me grin, stickguy.
 
FN...Be real interesting to see how the CLA dealers handle the onslaught of the "hat backwards" crowd.
 
I saw one of the funniest sights I can reacall in quite some time. Saw an older Altima last night with what looked to be cheapo LCDs haphazardly strewn in the headlight casing. I let him get in front of me, and sure enough, he had LCDs in each headrest, playing some video, but no one was in the back seat to see it.
 
That always makes me chuckle.

#15644 of 16252 Re: Another ELLPS enters the ring.... [graphicguy] by sweendogy

Feb 12, 2013 (3:54 pm)

Replying to: graphicguy (Feb 12, 2013 2:16 pm)
"hat backwards crowd?" - how they are handled by the dealers...throw in the Altima story and we have a red flag.
 
I think they will do just fine "accepting" this crowd. Do all German cars some with a snob option or is that extra- like the premium paint?

Messages Page 1565 of 1626

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