Originally posted by MPM77
So let me get this straight. You are willing to argue that BMW and Mercedes customers don't care for value! Are you insane? Last time I checked, these cars offer high quality and value. You mean someone buying a >$40K 5-series, who most likely is well educated and has done some homework does not care for value? If this "fact" of yours is true than how did Mercedes and BMW get the "higher status"? True, some people would by a brand name for the status. However, the status must offer something in return. Have you ever driven a BMW or Mercedes? The fit and finish is far superior to Acura/Honda or any other brand with the exception of maybe Lexus. Yes, Mercedes quality has decreased over the last few years. But this is quality in terms of repairs/problems not build quality. For example, does an RL have leather on the whole door panel. No. Does an S-Class- YES.
Oh gawd. First, the S class and RL is totally different class. :slap:
MB and BMW are higher status than Acura. They command a larger premium. I don't quite see the value in a $52+k E320 that has the same equipment as a $43k RL. The quality can be debatably be better in a MB/BMW, but this does NOT imply that Acura's fit/finish it poor. And actually, the MB's C-class does have issues with quality.
Back to the value thing, let's compare.
MB E320: $47,615 (automatic, 221hp)
does not include sunroof ($1500), leather seats ($1,440), heated seats ($650), D changer ($400), Xenon HID lights ($1150)
BMW 530i: $43,070 (automatic, 225hp)
does not include heated seats ($600 package), leather seats w/front seat lumbar support ($1,850), CD changer ($400?), Xenon HID lights ($500), Fold down rear seats ($475!)
RL: $43,650 (automatic, 225hp)
Standard heated leather seats w/lumbar support, CD changer, sunroof, HID lights.
MB and BMW has always been aimed at the premium in the North American markets for decades, this is why they're "higher status". Plus, they do not carry a mainstream brand like Honda/Toyota/Nissan/GM/Ford does, where product overlapping and platform sharing is quite common.
Your statement regarding the people buying Mercedes and BMW can afford to just blow away thousands more for status actually contradicts a study that was performed on millionaires. The study showed that most millionaires do not own a suit over $400, most likely have a sears credit card over Neimann Marcus, etc. Therefore, when you have the $$$, your not worried about status. You have nothing to prove.
Oh sure. I'm working at a client's corporate headquarters and looking straight out my window at the parking lot, I can see the executives parking lot which includes many premium brand vehicles, many costing over $50k. The cheapest one I see is 1 single Toyota Avalon, which probably belongs to the admin of the CEO.
Here's a tibbit for you, guess what the CEO of our client drives everyday? Answer: he doesn't drive anything. There's a Lincoln Town Car Limo escorting him everyday. He has several cars he owns drives, but he has a limo because he needs and wants to be on the same level playing field of status amoung his peers (the one with at least 7 figures in there accounts to their disposal).
I've spoken with some of the executives and they do not shop at Sears. That is a f*cking joke and the most ridiculus statement I have ever read. I was just talking to an executive manager of operations of our client the other day, and our conversation was on the subject about the brand new Nordstrom store in our city and how he will probably switch from shopping at Mark Shale to there more often.
Oh, and I call
on this "study" you speak of.
Example, On MTV Britney Spears has a convertible Sebring. It's not a status symbol; in fact it’s a piece of ****. The people who buy a Mercedes or BMW for status are more likely to be the people who can barely afford it and want to feel rich. Which consumer are you?
And do you think Britney still lives in her trailer park too??? Even if Britney has a sebring, do you think that is her one sole car in her possession??? I'm not even going to research anything about Britney or your claim of her Sebring, but all I have point to is watch
MTV's Cribs. Tell me if you see ONE person that has a much more than comfortable amount of $$$ that has 1 single non-premium brand automobile in his/her driveway. It is outragous the amount of wasteful spending these people spend on materialistic items. Who needs six $80k+ cars and SUVs in their driveways? For gawd-sake, John Travolta has basically an airport and his own jumbo jet in his name. You're a joke if you think these people shop at Sears. :slap: