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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

#8712 of 10007 Re: Horsepower forum? [fonefixer] Audi woes of biblical proportions [domenickamarc] [markcincinnati] [cstiles] by 530ir1150r Nov 09, 2006 (1:02 pm)
Replying to: cstiles (Nov 09, 2006 12:42 pm) I also believe the manufacturers at the bottom also reimburse less to the dealers.
#8713 of 10007 Re: Horsepower forum? [fonefixer] Audi woes of biblical proportions [domeni by lexusguy Nov 09, 2006 (1:20 pm)
Replying to: cstiles (Nov 09, 2006 12:42 pm) The average owners of Lexus, Buick, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lincoln, and Mercury are also older, more mature, perhaps more conservative, and certainly more likely to visit their dealer based on the recommended service cycles.   I don't think owners of the above cars are more mature or more likely to take better care of their cars than Mercedes or Land Rover owners. Replies to this message: cstiles (Nov 09, 2006 8:58 pm) domenickamarc (Nov 09, 2006 9:35 pm)
#8714 of 10007 Re: Horsepower forum? [fonefixer] Audi woes of biblical proportions [domeni [lexusguy] by cstiles Nov 09, 2006 (8:58 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Nov 09, 2006 1:20 pm) Possibly Mercedes, but I doubt it as far as Land Rover is concerned. I question whether Land Rover appeals to relatively older drivers, or even enjoys strong loyalty or repeat customer purchase patterns, at least in the U.S. market. It's more of a trendy vehicle that appeals to uber-rich soccer moms, relatively younger nouveau riche, urban professionals, athletes, and "athlete wannabes."   Watch the Land Rover owners come out of the woodwork to rebut these controversial comments!   Another correlation can be drawn with insurance rates. Although higher in insurable value, average insurance costs for Lexus, Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln, and Mercury are historically lower on a percentage basis, compared to cars at the bottom of this ladder (whose insurable values are much, much less). This phenomenon can be attributed to two main factors---more conservative (ie: safer) driving behavior, and higher credit scores/characteristics, for those who drive those brands. Jaguar used to enjoy this status, when more of their sales were represented by XJ and other larger models or higher end coupes. With the advent of the down market S-Type and X-Type, insurance costs have risen due to the fact they have appealed to a younger and more diverse clientele whose driving behaviors are not necessarily as stellar on a historical basis.   As the saying goes, "you are what you drive."   Land Rover insurance costs are also much higher than average, and it's not because these vehicles are driven off road or in an African safari. Draw your own conclusions, but high theft rates would be a good place to start. Replies to this message: domenickamarc (Nov 09, 2006 9:35 pm)
#8715 of 10007 Re: Horsepower forum? [fonefixer] Audi woes of biblical proportions [domeni [lexusguy] [cstiles] by domenickamarc Nov 09, 2006 (9:35 pm)
Replying to: cstiles (Nov 09, 2006 8:58 pm) "The demographic snapshot of a Land Rover customer is an executive or entrepreneur with an income around $100,000 plus."   The average Land Rover buyer is 43 years old. Sixty-six percent are male, 75 percent are married, and less than 40 percent of owners have children.
#8716 of 10007 Re: VW and Audi [sfcharlie] by reality2 Nov 12, 2006 (7:24 pm)
Replying to: sfcharlie (Oct 21, 2006 2:33 pm) You should check out the latest Consumer Reports "recommended" list for new cars. You will find Audi has the most most models recommended easily besting BMW, MB (none recommended at all), and Lexus. The A3, A4, A6, and S4 are all on the highly recommended list. You can see that in the link below.   http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/types/a-to-z-index.htm   This is an important aspect for the future as the unreliablity argument does not hold. As for dealers, all the Audi dealers in my area are either stand alone, becoming stand alone, and are all going through major build-outs and rebuilds. So, let's move forward and let the old misconceptions die as that is all they are- misconceptions. Replies to this message: lansdownemike (Nov 13, 2006 6:40 am) sfcharlie (Nov 16, 2006 7:16 am) sfcharlie (Nov 13, 2006 8:54 am)
#8717 of 10007 Re: VW and Audi [reality2] by lansdownemike Nov 13, 2006 (6:40 am)
Replying to: reality2 (Nov 12, 2006 7:24 pm) Many thanks for bringing that link to our attention. It suggests another point, that facile comparisons of "the Germans" or "the Japanese" just don't hold any more. As you note, Audi is very well represented among the "highly recommended" (good drivers, reliable, good crash tests), and not a single MB is even "recommended." Replies to this message: sfcharlie (Nov 16, 2006 7:16 am)
#8718 of 10007 Re: VW and Audi [reality2] by sfcharlie Nov 13, 2006 (8:54 am)
Replying to: reality2 (Nov 12, 2006 7:24 pm) I had to go back to Oct 21 to read what I had written.   It wasn't intended to be at all pessimistic about Audi. Mainly, in so far as I commented on Audi, it was to make the point that it hasn't always been to Audi's advantage to be part of the VW conglomerate, but that Audi was doing very well, worldwide, despite that handicap.   Recently, the head of Audi was named as head of all VW, which, hopefully, will allow Audi to actually buy ad space to boast about how good it has become. The new sexy dealerships are also a good sign. This is a brabnd for which I have been rooting over the years, somewhat like the Red Sox fans before 2004. The brand has definitely begun to emerge from its underdog status to being seen in the way that kbb wrote about the new A6: "In the world of premium performance sedans, the Audi A6 is a thinking person's choice. Placed against such powerhouse names as the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the A6 stands proudly as an equal capable of delivering on every level...The real difference between the A6 and its rivals can be found inside the car. Envied for its warm, inviting interior, the A6 offers its occupants a world of fine leathers, high-quality wood detailing, pleasantly accommodating seats and an array of sophisticated conveniences that leave little for the driver to do except enjoy time behind the wheel."
#8719 of 10007 Fun Demographics from JD Power by sfcharlie Nov 13, 2006 (9:56 am)
Audi A6 Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * Law & Order     * CSI     * Sports   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Entertain at Home     * Health Club ------------------------------------------------ Mercedes E-Class Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * CSI     * Law & Order     * American Idol   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Entertain at Home     * Gardening   --------------------------------------------------------   BMW 5-Series Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * CSI     * Law & Order     * Sports   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Gardening     * Entertain at Home   ------------------------------------ Infiniti M Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * Sports     * Desperate Housewives     * CSI   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Health Club     * Gardening   ----------------------------------------------   Lexus GS Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * Law & Order     * CSI     * Sports   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Health Club     * Entertain at Home   --------------------------------------------- Cadillac STS Buyer Demographics   Favorite TV Shows**:       * CSI     * Law & Order     * Sports   Favorite Sports or Activities**:       * Walking for Exercise     * Gardening     * Movies Replies to this message: lansdownemike (Nov 13, 2006 11:11 am) markcincinnati (Nov 13, 2006 1:04 pm) rockylee (Nov 13, 2006 3:40 pm)
#8720 of 10007 Re: Fun Demographics from JD Power [sfcharlie] by lansdownemike Nov 13, 2006 (11:11 am)
Replying to: sfcharlie (Nov 13, 2006 9:56 am) But you left out the best of them:   Volvo S80 Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Masterpiece Theater     * News Hour with Jim Lehrer     * Julia Child reruns    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Walking for Exercise     * Wine Tasting Parties     * Environmental Activism Discussion Groups
#8721 of 10007 From the FBMI (Federal Bureau of Miscellaneous but not true Information) by markcincinnati Nov 13, 2006 (1:04 pm)
Replying to: sfcharlie (Nov 13, 2006 9:56 am) I am pretty certain this stuff is false. . . .   Audi A6 Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Modern Marvels     * Southpark     * Mr. Wizard or Futurama    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Waiting for Godot     * Being entertained at someone else's home     * Competitive "little ball" arena-style bowling ------------------------------------------------ Mercedes E-Class Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * The History Channel     * The Love Bus     * American Idol    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Walking around the MB service department for exercise     * Entertain at Home     * Napping    --------------------------------------------------------    BMW 5-Series Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Buffy the Vampire Slayer     * Smallville     * Lost    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Not Walking     * Vole trapping     * Pretending to be Michael Knight    ------------------------------------ Infiniti M Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Heros     * Desperate Housewives     * Wonderfalls    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Grilling out during a sudden cold snap     * Bar hopping     * Skiing through revolving doors    ----------------------------------------------    Lexus GS Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Two and-a-half Men     * Six feet Under     * CSPAN-2    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Walking as Little as Possible     * Health Club Avoidance     * Napping    --------------------------------------------- Cadillac STS Buyer Demographics    Favorite TV Shows**:        * Lawrence Welk     * The Sopranos     * Matlock or Murder She Wrote (tie)    Favorite Sports or Activities**:        * Watching people walk     * Watching people garden     * Wishing for a nap   From the looks of it, I might be in the market for an STS next time -- other than the fact that I don't really care for Lawrence Welk.   From the looks of the original JD Power study, CSI seems to be pretty much a common denominator. I wonder what that means. Replies to this message: rockylee (Nov 13, 2006 3:40 pm)

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