Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
4Motion, good looks, great price Phaeton, (by Volkswagen)
The S500 dead last huh? Thats interesting considering all the categories you say it topped. What exactly did they say as to why it placed last?
M
Jaguar's situation really isn't surprising when you actually look at it. For one the X-Type never lived up to expectations. It was a fwd car made awd to be sold as Jaguar. No one was fooled by this. Saying it has awd was a joke because obviously if Jaguar was serious about AWD they'd offer it on their other sedans also. Everyone knows that this was done to prevent a fwd Jaguar from being sold here, though now there is a fwd X-Type in Europe. The S-Type was introduced for 2000 and since then the entire class in which it competes has been done over. Every other car in the class is newer. The XK as pretty as it is, is as old as time itself. It uses a chassis from a car that dates back to the 70's. The XJ while modern and nice can't do it alone. Jaguar's situation like Mercedes' is crystal clear to me. Jaguar's is old cars and/or cars that aren't up to Jaguar specs...the X-Type. A wagon isn't what Jaguar needs. People who want a wagon look at Volvo, Audi, Mercedes, not Jaguar.
Jaguar needs a crossover or an SUV, but that won't happen according to Ford. Land Rover and Volvo have those covered withing the PAG.
I don't think past reliability problems are their problem at all, they've always had that yet sold pretty good until their space got crowded. I'm curious though to know why you think Jaguars are so reliable now? Where did the XJ place as a model in the precious surveys?
M
Of course if it had been a Lexus wearing 17" and Germans wearing 18"+, any poor Lexus results would have been claimed by one germancarfan or another to have nothing to do with wheels and tires.
The next XK will use the new XJ's aluminum chassis. It will have to meet new European pedestrian safety regulations. The new XJ is reliable because it uses relevant technology (unlike the new 7 series), the factory just builds them better, and I've talked with several owners of the new XJ who have said it is reliable. Please check the following link:
New aluminum Jaguars
IMHO the R should offer optional 7 or 8-person seating...lack of such an option will limit its appeal among soccer moms...certainly my wife, anyway.
M
The new XJR and Super V8 both have high-quality Brembo brakes. The brake pads were changed last year. Perhaps when you see an owner of a new XJ, just ask them how reliable has it been.
Isn't this against all the Lexus principles/preaching about them being seperate from Toyotas? Sorry couldn't resist that.
Seriously though I expect that HPX concept to come to market, unless it didn't get a enough attention on the stand a few years ago. That concept is exactly what you'd be looking for. A Sienna based Lexus isn't going to happen. That HPX concept was based on the new GS platform.
M
Sienna ? Lexus would never build a minivan !!! That should remain part of the Toyota family of products.
M
If forced to get one I'd get either a Touareg or a FX. Then again I generally despise SUVs, but based mainly on styling I like those mentioned above, and the Touareg and FX based on styling and driving because these are the only two I've driven for any length of time and liked doing so.
M
"Last summer...BMW, Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp. joined together to recommend gasoline that meets a higher standard for detergents than the one set by the EPA. Those making the "Top Tier" list for all grades of their gasoline: Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips' brands of Conoco, Phillips 66 and 76, QuikTrip, Entec Stations and MFA Oil. According to the car makers, the EPA standard is minimal and, in many cases, isn't sufficient to keep engines clean." source: WSJ
So much for those old Mobil ads touting "detergent gasoline".
I've noticed the ML getting good reviews, but imho MB really shouldn't have taken out the 3rd row option...after the all, the new vehicle is 6 inches longer than the old. Also, even if it had a 3rd row, there is no way I am going to buy an MB in its first year of production, despite management's quality assurances.
I know that the G is going to have a third row, but it isn't clear how the G is going to be priced. And I read that it is going to be really long (like 2.5 inches shorter than a Suburban...which would make the G 24 inches longer than an LX)...too long for me, anyway.
We are going through a period of excess in styling that is similar to the 50s. Will the Bangle trunk lid, craggy surface terrain, and oddly-shaped lamp treatments of all manufacturers become nostalgia as did Cadillac fins? Who cares. Just get them out of here and we'll decide later!!
At least Caddy fins were caricatures of rocket ships. Most of today's cars are just fruity.
New BMWs look good?
Thanks, but no I decided to pursue other things in order to make the money to be able to afford at least some of the cars I like so much. I just like all things about cars, and despite my preference for German autos I truly get a kick out of driving anything new from any maker. My passion actually was in race car driving but that is whole different story. That is what I would have been if circumstance allowed.
I also like keeping up with the industry too, contrary to popular belief. I read the auto industry news each and every day. I just don't put to much stock in non automotive publications as the bible on automotive news, like the WSJ or FT. They don't have the full scope of the automotive industry nor do they fully understand it imo. Everything isn't balance sheets. They're good on the corporate side at times, but the whole picture I prefer the carconnection, automotivenews and others.
I enjoy the News and Views topics a great deal also. There are some real impassioned folk over there with a lot of great ideas. I truly believe that with the right business person as a partner I could turn MB, GM, Mitsu or any other troubled car company around in less than 5 years. Nissan's success being the blueprint to follow, with minimal changes imo.
...And of course you'll see me in any and every Mercedes topic....
M
I like the current E-Class wagon a lot more than the previous design. The E500 4Matic Wagon is swiss army knife of a car.
M
M
is rumored to be mulling a crossover to replace the X-Type.
M
I surely hope Jaguar doesn't make a crossover suv, like just about every other luxury car maker.
New aluminum Jaguars
M
This S-Type reminds me of the 2003 Jaguar RD-6 and the 2001 Jaguar R Coupe. Please feel free to comment about the new aluminum Jaguars in that new thread.
IMO, a Jaguar is not an everyday car like a Mercedes or BMW, because I personally don't know if I'd want to drive something that wears its styling on its sleeve like that. I mean a Jaguar always stands out. Most of the German sedans blend in unless you take that second look, well the MB CLS or BMW 7-Series do grab attention from the moment you see them, the latter of which isn't a good thing. Jaguars are flamboyant, provocative and I'd imagine to drive one everyday is to be center of attention most of the time. Not something I'd personally want. They sure are purrrty though.
The business case - Jaguar needs a mainstream hit like the next S-Type to fund all of their other projects. That F-Type sports car would be a nice competitor to the SLK/Z4/Boxster class and could form the basis for a true rwd sedan to take the place of the X-Type. Sharing the XJ's platform with the next S-Type and XK is a brilliant move imo. State of the art technology shared. Trouble is will Ford give them the money to do all of this. I think so up to the next X-Type/F-Type idea. They may wait and see how the aluminum triplets do first. Jaguar can be saved imo. If Ford can spend on Land Rover and Aston-Martin they should be able to find a spare billion here or there to make Jaguar right again.
M
Well I've never done anything like this myself, but if you have concrete ideas, here's a thought:
Put your ideas for turning around MB on paper, and send separate snailmail letters to DCX's CEO and to the DCX board of directors. You could also send something to The Detroit News (or whatever the biggest paper is in Detroit) as an op-ed piece (though that would have to be shorter, whereas a board version could be as long and as detailed as you like).
If you're lucky your ideas might even have an impact, and you'll be helping out your favorite company. And if you're very very lucky maybe a job will come of it.
Another idea:
Back 20+ years ago I had a summer job at IBM, and they had a formalized system for accepting ideas from anyone (employee or outsiders) on any subject (like, one guy suggested painting the fire hydrants neon yellow or something, and the idea was adopted). There was a specific form to fill out and a department to send it to, and they would eventually send a written reply. The company would even pay cash rewards in some cases. Don't know if DCX has anything similar, but you could try calling their PR dept to find out.
Now I've never written DCX itself about their Mercedes division so that is a good idea. Maybe they'll respond a little differently than me writing Mercedes-Benz in New Jersey directly. I'll do that when I get some really good ideas together. It has been a few years since I've written any car company.
About GM pulling their adverstisng, they're the biggest cry baby in the automotive world. This isn't the first and probably not the last time they'll do this. They pulled their advertising from Automobile Magazine like in the early 90's or late 80's because Automobile called a Chevy "junk", which btw it was. Eventually though everything is forgiven and adverstising resumes. This time however it might be a long time since GM needs to save money.
M
I'll suggest you partner up with Len (ljflx) on this. Methinks that will be a great combo, really. You with your automotive passion, Len with his great wizadry of numbers and everything corporate. See, that is a winning combo when it comes to strengths-v-strengths.
I'll just say you and Len find a big financier to sell this idea to (Len may know quite a few already), and buy out DCX, then you install yourself as the Head of MB get rid of Chrysler (you don't particularly care for the merger afterall), hire Designman to put some nice design touches around the cars, while Len controls all things financial at the new MB, and voila.... 5 years from now, MB is top dogs all over again, and Lexus disappears from the face of this planet.
Ooppssss.... just woke up. It was all a dream....
:)
ljflx,
I think you and I would wrangle all the time over you not letting me add that more expensive trim or that mega hp engine to an upcoming product, but overall I think we'd do a good job....lol. Would you still let me have my many model variants? Very interesting..........
M
Just kidding guys. Merc, I encourage you to keep writing letters and pursuing other creative methods if you are so inclined. Life is what you make of it. You certainly have recognizable and admirable abilities, one of which is writing. A little story for you
NYC has a sports talk radio station called WFAN. There was a long time sports fan who called in regularly make that incessantly. He wound up getting his own show, is now one of the most popular hosts on the station and continues to grow as a media celebrity. His name is Joe Benigno.
Of course education and experience is a necessity unless you are an natural-born entrepreneurial genius (and I have known and heard about many who are like this). After that I am a firm believer in the power of natural talent, intuition, desire, and the ability to get places by unconventional means. I have even gone against convention and successfully hired several people who fall into this category.
A good career is about LOVING YOUR JOB—not always easy. But the key is when you love something, make it your job. I once had a boss who could spot a person who hated his job a mile away and refused to hire them. I also had a boss who hired me not only on my experience but, as he put it, I had the "eye of the tiger." Of course I am not assuming you are unhappy with your job. However it is quite clear what your predilection is by your participation around here.
Alright I'm off the soap box. Heck, you guys brought it up.
BTW Merc how about contributing to that Sports Car thread once in a while now that you started it. What, does your screen name preclude this for some reason?
;-)
Designman, the story about the talk show host is interesting. And of course, the good ol' nature advice about loving whatever you do, is all true as well. You'd think some car company personnel are monitoring these online talk shops and getting lots of good ideas and suggestions from ordinary car fans. Hopefully they do, otherwise it would have all been for naught.
Merc1, keep up the good work. And take the advise. Who knows, you may get to run an auto company sooner rather than later. Not that Schrempff or Lutz or Wagoner, or Smith, or Iacocca or any of these guys are any smarter, are they ?
Merc1 - you really do have a great passion for the car business and knowledge of it that is pretty widespread and a great understanding of its past as well. By widespread, I mean knowledge of halo effect cars (on the fringe) to general knowledge of the crucial underpinnings ( in the mainstream) and then a good handle of the views of the consumer side. Certainly it's not too late to get some business education in it. Then what is a hobby that certainly gets a lot of your leisure time becomes a passion and fun job to make money with. Keep those letters going and keep those options open. By the way - if I had ever known the pressures and responsibilities I would eventually get on my old job when I took my initial position I'd have run for an exit door on the interview. But what I would have been afraid of turned out to be what I had the greatest passion, ability and personality for. Sometimes people can miss out on what they would have done best. Thankfully I didn't.