Ask the Car People.SM


Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 828 of 1034

#8271 of 10338 The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. by hpowders

Sep 02, 2006 (11:12 am)

First, the BMW 5 Series continues to trounce sales of the "made to out-perform" Infiniti M35/45.
 
Sales of the 5 Series in the USA were up 2% over the last year through August 31, 2006 and sales of the M were down 19%.
 
Now in the latest issue of MotorTrend, the Infiniti G35S came in second to the BMW 330i.
 
Problem is second was last place in this comparo!
 
Looks like Infiniti's dream to "outperform" BMW is nothing more than sheer fantasy.

#8272 of 10338 Re: M sales down also [sfcharlie] by hpowders

Sep 02, 2006 (11:40 am)

Replying to: sfcharlie (Sep 01, 2006 8:57 pm)
Actually closer to down 19%.

#8273 of 10338 US Sales Data Comparison by hpowders

Sep 02, 2006 (12:00 pm)

One year August 2005 through August 2006:
 
MB E Class: -21.1% BMW 5 Series: +2%
 
YTD through August 31, 2006:
 
MB E Class: -5.8% BMW 5 Series: +11.3%

#8274 of 10338 College Football = LPS Cars? by purplem46

Sep 02, 2006 (1:02 pm)

I just got off of a college football bulletin board. Lot of taunting between teams. You know, "we're better because we won this, etc. etc...
 
I just realized coming back to this one, there seems to be alot of that going on here too. Frankly, it's kind of funny.

#8275 of 10338 Re: The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. [hpowders] by lexusguy

Sep 02, 2006 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Sep 02, 2006 11:12 am)
Looks like Infiniti's dream to "outperform" BMW is nothing more than sheer fantasy.
 
Which is more important, sales numbers or comparison tests results? The M won the majority of the comparison tests against the 5. The new G has lost one comparison test thusfar, we'll see what happens with the rest. In any case, the G35 will continue to trounce the 330i in sales.

#8276 of 10338 Re: The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. [lexusguy] by dewey

Sep 02, 2006 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Sep 02, 2006 1:10 pm)
Oh c'mon Lexusguy the M won comparison tests against a old and dated 225 Hp 5 series. The M45 won a comparison test against a BMW530i (unfair advantage for Infiniti in terms of displacement.
 
These tests mean nothing today with the new and improved engines that currently exists in the 5 series.
 
Independent of sales the 5 series and 3 series remain benchmark vehicles as they have for decades.

#8277 of 10338 Re: US Sales Data Comparison [hpowders] by cstiles

Sep 02, 2006 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Sep 02, 2006 12:00 pm)
Don't forget that the G35 is considerably less expensive than a comparably equipped 3-series. BMW rocks, but the G is a helluva value. The comparison results are also pretty close. It's like comparing chocolate ice cream vs. vanilla ice cream.
 
Speaking of college football, watch out for my Oregon Ducks! (But our uniforms are the ugliest if you're over 21 years of age. If you're young, "they are phat" according to my kids.) Here's hoping Notre Dame goes down in flames.
 
Carry on with the trash talking.

#8278 of 10338 Re: The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. [dewey] by james27

Sep 02, 2006 (2:33 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 02, 2006 2:00 pm)
Sales figures are only one way to look at what is "best". Personal preferences, whether founded in fact or perception play a huge part in that decision. Look at all of the people that perpetually buy Kellogs Corn Flakes verses another brand...just because they're happy with it...same with the person that buys a Chevy because their parents had one and their grandfather bought one. People tend to overlook the bad points and amplify the good points once they've made up their mind that something is the "best" Everyone' needs are different, whether because of price, physical size, passenger space, trunk space, towing capacity, etc. A big component of what people will buy is also based on how convenient a dealer is and what the "snob" factor is. This may be based in fact, or not, but again, it depends on each individual's needs and desires.
 
To blatantly state that one thing is the best and that everyone else is dumb if they don't agree with you, especially based on numbers (BMW has been around as a brand for a long time and has a much bigger dealer network to have built up brand loyalty). It took Toyota a long time to become a leading seller. Things like Ferrari, Maserati, etc. may arguably be better performers, but will never reach the sales levels of BMW. Can you say that BMW is absolutely the best under just sales volume?
 
Your rationalization that Infinit won those comparisons because they used vehicles with larger, more powerful engines, and compared it to a "lesser" vehicle doesn't hold if you factor in the somewhat relevant price per performance factor. Match up a Porche with BMW, and you might not win, either price be damned. So, I find it somewhat childish to always hear one thing must be best because it sells more. I'd rather keep it to why one is better, not just blatant blather that is MUST be better because it sells more.
 
Many people will buy a brand to make a statement, whether it is a good product or not. Not saying that BMW is a bad product by any means, just that it is not "Best" for all for many reasons. Let's focus on trying to ferret out WHY one is perceived better, not the childish MINE IS BETTER THAN YOURS because more people buy it.
 
That argument may very well have flip-flopped in another 25-years once the Infiniti brand has been around a bit longer. Look at where Japan was 50-years ago, little industry left (not to discount what happened in Germany, but the level of consumer goods started at significantly different levels) and look at it now...

#8279 of 10338 Re: The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. [james27] by dewey

Sep 02, 2006 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Sep 02, 2006 2:33 pm)
Sales figures are only one way to look at what is "best". Personal preferences
 
James that is exactly what I wrote on my last post. Sales does not indicate much in terms of a car's excellence.
 
If you read my last post I wrote:
 
Independent of sales BMW 5 and 3 series remains benchmark vehicles.

#8280 of 10338 Re: The Bad New Continues For Infiniti. [dewey] by lexusguy

Sep 02, 2006 (3:27 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 02, 2006 3:02 pm)
Independent of sales BMW 5 and 3 series remains benchmark vehicles.
 
Perhaps, but you must admit that having the G and IS nipping at the 3's heels only benefits the 3 series buyer. Would there even be a 335i if not for the G35 and IS350 having 306hp and being able to smoke the 330i in a drag race?

Messages Page 828 of 1034

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement