With this holiday season's "Red Tag Sales Event," a Buick LaCrosse will be priced like a 4-cylinder Camry. Which would you rather have, the 6-cylinder Buick, or the 4-cylinder Camry? Think twice about this one, especially with the redesigned Buick interiors.
Interesting point. How many people actually realistically cross-shop those? Regardless, I suspect at least 4 out of 5 people would want the Camry. Why?
- Buick = damaged brand (think rental fleet)
- Camry = bland styling, but Buick = even worse.
- Toyota's perceived superior quality (initial quality may be equal, but Toyota is better in the long term)
- No
compelling reason to take a risk vs. a Camry
Having said that, you're right in that the differences are much smaller than people perceive them to be.
Now the Solstice -- that's a car they did a good job on. Clearly targeted the Miata, but made it
compelling via styling.