- #8582 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [lexusguy]
by merc1
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Oct 15, 2006 (9:04 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 13, 2006 12:44 pm)
You know what, I've been reading Consumer Reports lately it is seems that only thing holding them back on recommending a Mercedes is reliability. They seem to like the E,R,SL,S and GL a lot, but of course can't recommend them. I knew they liked the S, but I had no idea about the rest. Very interesting. They really seem to like Mercedes a lot, but....
M
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- #8583 of 10006
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Re: BMW and Toyota/Lexus: Vision and Future [domenickamarc]
by merc1
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Oct 15, 2006 (9:05 pm)
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Replying to: domenickamarc (Oct 15, 2006 6:31 pm)
Interesting since Mercedes builds even more variants of their cars and has more models. I guess this is more about one plant's flexibility?
M
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- #8584 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [lexusguy]
by merc1
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Oct 15, 2006 (9:11 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 13, 2006 10:13 pm)
Yeah, I can see that. I think what CR is trying to say is that while we didnt necessarily like the car, owners say its reliable, so if you like it, by all means. Perhaps they should change the "recommended" tag to "reliable" or something like that. Something to further differentiate the reliability score from the overall score.
I agree. I guess having 2 lists of cars, one that they can recommend and one for cars that they like a lot but can't would defeat CR's purpose huh?
M
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- #8585 of 10006
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Re: BMW and Toyota/Lexus: Vision and Future [merc1]
by domenickamarc
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Oct 15, 2006 (9:40 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Oct 15, 2006 9:05 pm)
<"Interesting since Mercedes builds even more variants of their cars and has more models. I guess this is more about one plant's flexibility?"
Merc, I have no idea how BMW and Mercedes compare, along the specific dimension Business Week emphasized, which was ordering a vehicle with a customized set of individual options. I also wasn't quoting Business Week in order to praise BMW as the brand offering the most flexibility, only to add to the forum discussion an interesting contrast of brands offered by the CEOs of the two companies being contrasted. Unfortunately for Mercedes right now, when I read about its CEO being interviewed, he is always forced to defend the brand against the assault that CR and JDP have mounted against it.
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- #8586 of 10006
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Re: BMW and Toyota/Lexus: Vision and Future [domenickamarc]
by merc1
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Oct 15, 2006 (9:53 pm)
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Replying to: domenickamarc (Oct 15, 2006 9:40 pm)
Oh I didn't take it that you were hyping BMW up, sorry if you read it that way. I was just posting, thinking about that aloud. Yeah Mercedes' execs are still dogged by that as well as they should be until things show a marked improvement.
M
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- #8587 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [merc1]
by lexusguy
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Oct 15, 2006 (10:18 pm)
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Replying to: merc1 (Oct 15, 2006 9:04 pm)
They like a lot of BMWs and Audis too. CR does seem to be able to understand what makes a car "fun to drive", but they will really blast a car if they think the control systems are too complicated. (Witness the 7 series last place ranking).
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- #8588 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [lexusguy]
by merc1
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Oct 15, 2006 (10:26 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 15, 2006 10:18 pm)
Yeah really intersting to me. They say the 7-Series completely misses the point or idea of what a luxury car is supposed to be. Scathing. I wonder what the impact would have been if MB/BMW/Audi had been recommended by CR continuously all these years?
M
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- #8589 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [merc1]
by lexusguy
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Oct 16, 2006 (10:46 am)
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Replying to: merc1 (Oct 15, 2006 10:26 pm)
I wonder what the impact would have been if MB/BMW/Audi had been recommended by CR continuously all these years?
Good question. The Passat has for a long time either been their top rated family sedan, or 2nd place behind the Accord, but its sales are only a tiny fraction of what Camry and Accord ring in. It also often misses the "recommended" mark. I wonder if the two are related.
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- #8590 of 10006
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Re: BMW and Toyota/Lexus: Vision and Future [domenickamarc]
by james27
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Oct 16, 2006 (9:29 pm)
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Replying to: domenickamarc (Oct 15, 2006 6:31 pm)
WIth today's computer controlled assembly line programming, it really shouldn't be hard to allow the customized assembly. All of the manufacturers have gone to packages of options that, to me, prevents me from buying some of the cars I'd like. If a customer is willing to wait for a car to be built to his specs, you should be able to get one with the options you want!
Being tall, and having a long torso, I just don't have many cars I can sit in comfortably that have the seemingly mandatory sunroof. To get some of the basic nice things, almost none of the LPS cars can be had without one, which severely limits my choices. Building a car with just the desired specs would open up the possiblities greatly.
The US dealers like the instant sale and don't want the trouble of opening up the issues of so many options...well, they lost my business.
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- #8591 of 10006
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Re: CR shapes the American dream [lexusguy]
by merc1
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Oct 17, 2006 (10:25 am)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 16, 2006 10:46 am)
Well I've always thought the Passat's biggest problem was price. I think a lot of people like the Passat and even go to test drive it, but at the end of the day the 5K or so premium over a comparable Camry/Accord might be too much for a lot of folks. The Passat has always been IMO, the best car in its class that is priced out of its class.
M
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