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Luxury Performance Sedans

10006 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 6:59 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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


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#8597 of 10006
Re: CR and Passat [domenickamarc] by pg48477
Oct 19, 2006 (3:49 pm)
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Replying to: domenickamarc (Oct 18, 2006 8:38 am)

Let’s put it this way, most of the people will not be able to tell the difference in driving dynamics between Accord and Passat, may be Camry (because it’s softer). Passat belongs in family sedan category, the emphasis is on FAMILY, therefore little difference in road feel will not make any difference. Why would anyone pay 4K more for potentially unreliable VW? And what innovative engineering, same old FWD FAMILY sedan, just like anything else out there?
 
The problem with Passat is not CR it’s the price. VW priced the car in entry luxury segment and expecting it to sell like Accord, whoever is in charge of pricing and marketing has to be fired?
#8598 of 10006
Re: CR and Passat [pg48477] by domenickamarc
Oct 19, 2006 (8:25 pm)
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Replying to: pg48477 (Oct 19, 2006 3:49 pm)

I agree, mostly.
 
I guess I didn't frame my post clearly. The intent of "total fantasy" was to alert forum participants that I was about to make up a statement about a car (not my assessment of the car) that, if CR published it, would have an impact on its readers. The point was, and this I believe to be true, is that CR's withholding recommendation (which it gives almost totally on basis of counting number of repairs) pushes some readers to eliminate a car. I was offering that as an alternative to framing a discussion of CR's influence in the language of "does or doesn't anyone buy a car only because CR tells them to?".
 
Also, while I agree that VW would have to lower its price to compete with Accord and Camry, I don't agree that no one buying a "family" sedan would factor in fun-to-drive. Nor do I know how we could really decide how many buyers can or cannot tell the difference between how a Passat drives and an Accord drives. Certainly, all the auto mags depend on readers believing that their (the auto mags') differentiations among comparo cars' driving dynamics will be felt by those readers (although that doesn't tell us how many consumers would make those same differentiations).
 
Anyway, I wasn't really intending to catalyze a discussion about the Passat.
#8599 of 10006
Re: CR shapes the American dream [lexusguy] by sfcharlie
Oct 19, 2006 (9:31 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 17, 2006 9:32 pm)

The last half dozen or so posts, taken together, probably paint a more accurate picture of car buying than any one alone. Some people might buy out of pure passion for one car, some out of brand habit/loyalty, some as a result of test-driving all the cars in a particular category. Similarly, some will not consider the Passat, if they find it priced $5K above the Camry and Accord, but some will, because the look and feel is compelling to them.
 
I doubt that we'll identify "the" car buying strategy that non-enthusiasts will employ unless an enthusiast takes them on a test-driving tour, or for that matter, even "the" decision-making process that "lot buyers" would eventually use if a more flexible and/or knowledgable friend took them around and they test-drove all the LPS cars.
 
That's why I agree that CR, while unlikely to be the 100% deciding factor in any car purchase, probably plays a significant role in the decision-making process of one segment of car-buyers.
#8603 of 10006
winter tires for Caddy STS by mnjasper
Oct 20, 2006 (7:14 am)
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Help! I have a 2005 Caddy STS4 (all wheel drive) with the luxury performance package. Here's my problem: I can't find any snow tires to fit because the car has different tire sizes front and back. Front is 255/45ZR18; back is 235/50ZR18. what can I do? The stock tires turn on a dime on dry pavement but are utterly useless in Minnesota snow.
#8604 of 10006
Re: winter tires for Caddy STS [mnjasper] by pat HOST
Oct 20, 2006 (7:41 am)
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Replying to: mnjasper (Oct 20, 2006 7:14 am)

Check back on your first post: mnjasper, "Snow/Ice winter tires" #531, 20 Oct 2006 8:10 am. You have some replies there. You also may want to visit our Cadillac STS/STS-V board.
 
Welcome to the Forums.
#8605 of 10006
Re: CR and Passat [pg48477] by mariner7
Oct 20, 2006 (9:02 am)
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Replying to: pg48477 (Oct 19, 2006 3:49 pm)

The problem with Passat is not CR it’s the price. VW priced the car in entry luxury segment and expecting it to sell like Accord, whoever is in charge of pricing and marketing has to be fired?
 
VW made many, many mistakes Toyota and Honda never ever make. As you said, pricing is wrong, VW can't make up its mind whether Passat should compete in the Camcord segment or ES/TL/A4 segment.
 
Second, remember how long VW left the previous Passat on the market. Eight years, I believe, double the Camcord cycle.
 
I think the current Passat's styling is terrible. It looks more Buick-like than Camry. Styling used to be VAG strength. A4 used to be the most stylish in its class, but not anymore.
 
The Japanese automaker VW most resembles in NA is Mazda. Very good, quirky cars that find loyal fan base, but never a threat to the big boys! Blame VW, don't blame CR!!!
#8606 of 10006
Re: CR and Passat [mariner7] by carnaught
Oct 20, 2006 (9:15 am)
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Replying to: mariner7 (Oct 20, 2006 9:02 am)

I think the current Passat's styling is terrible. It looks more Buick-like than Camry.
 
Looks are completely subjective. You're right though on Passat resembling Buick (Lucerne). But, the Lucerne came after the current Passat.

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