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Comments
Just my opinion
Scott
That's been the way that Audi has been operating. The S6 is about $10K less than the M5, and the RS6 is probably going to be at least $10K more. RS cars are much more rarefied events than M cars, and especially AMG cars which M-B is constantly churning out. R63 anyone? I'm pretty sure that to date there's only ever been one RS available during any given MY in the US. Supposedly Quattro GmbH is going to step it up a bit, but we'll have to see what happens.
-moo
Edit: Just read some of TG's posts as well. He's on the ball. I don't even know that I quite agree that the X5 is better than the Cayenne, but it depends on what you're focusing on. Let's hear your thoughts esf!
It's one think to like one vehicle more than another, but it's another thing for it to actually be the better vehicle, and even if so, by what margin?
I know it makes perfect sense for esf to consider the X5 to be superior, afterall he put his money where his opinion is, but I am not convinced that the difference is as profound as he has suggested. And I now see that you agree.
TM
USA
For generations, driver’s licenses have been tickets to freedom for America’s 16-year-olds, prompting many to line up at motor vehicle offices the day they were eligible to apply.
Behind the Wheel No longer. In the last decade, the proportion of 16-year-olds nationwide who hold driver’s licenses has dropped from nearly half to less than one-third, according to statistics from the Federal Highway Administration.
Reasons vary, including tighter state laws governing when teenagers can drive, higher insurance costs and a shift from school-run driver education to expensive private driving academies.
To that mix, experts also add parents who are willing to chauffeur their children to activities, and pastimes like surfing the Web that keep them indoors and glued to computers.
link title
JAPAN
Unlike their parents' generation, which viewed cars as the passport to freedom and higher social status, the Internet-connected Japanese youths today look to cars with indifference, according to market research by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and Nissan. Having grown up with the Internet, they no longer depend on a car for shopping, entertainment and socializing and prefer to spend their money in other ways.
A survey last year of 1,700 Japanese in their 20s and 30s by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan's biggest business newspaper, discovered that only 25% of Japanese men in their 20s wanted a car, down from 48% in 2000. The manufacturers' association found that men 29 years old and younger made up 11% of Japanese drivers in 2005, roughly half the size of that group in 1993.
lWALL STREET JOURNAL
Great price for such a desirable looking car.
I was wondering what the developments on your car have been.....Did you trade the broken one?? Tony
Well Feburary is under your belt, so now March starts and that is four month or so away from the decision...Luck you...Although your present car is just perfect (other than maybe not changing the oil more frequently)......I have been driving the Chevy (smallish car, maybe volt) and it drives much better than any other chevy I have driven in a long time....It wouldn`t be good on a long trip, but around Miami it is fine...One thing is the auto volume control really works, and much superior to all the fancy cars I have had the pleasure of driving lately....Agreed the sound proofing in the Chevy is medium, and the faster you go the more noise, but you can hear the radio over it all, so much so that the radio sound drowns out everything else...No need to try and talk over it....When you stop , it goes right back down to the level it was set at and you think it may be broken, or your hearing has failed...I wish it were the new Malibu, as I think that car has a future.....Your Friend Tony
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
I whole-heartedly disagree. Facing pressure from BMW, Merc and Lexus, all of which are about $55K, I think Audi will lower the price of the RS4 to about $60K. It just wouldn't be competitive to make it any higher.
I hope the new 3.0T isn't off with every fiber in my body...
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
Am I to understand that you went from an Audi A8 to a (gulp) Chevy?
I have been an occasional reader here of late, leaving behind many unread posts as I zoom ahead to the most recent ones, when I can find the time.
Pardon me if I missed something you may have already discussed about the Chevy.
I guess the only thing remaining to ask about this is WHY??? :surprise:
PS: When I brought my 545i to the dealer for a new battery, he sent me on my way in a dirty white Impala. That rather stupid move cost him a customer, as I would never lease a vehicle from them again.
Not to mention the obvious things--more luxurious, less expensive, better-looking (by any sane person), more spacious and its free maintenance.
I used to like the Cayenne a lot, but now I'm not so sure.
'08 BMW X5 4.8i • '06 Audi A3 2.0T DSG • '05 Audi S4 Cabriolet
LOL... I guess I read too many of your AutoSpies posts, and was confused. :confuse:
TM
The base price of the old RS4 was $66,720. If Audi drops the price of the new one by even a dollar, I'll eat my hat. It's going to be a $70K car. I'd peg the new RS6 some where around $90-95K. The last one was $85K, and the A6 is more expensive than it used to be.
There that`s better....Nah I just rented the car they rent and this time it was the Chevrolet....What I was trying to point out, is that they have been improving the car...GM treated me poorly a long time ago, so I won`t re visit them again, but others may be impressed ...The Audi and bmw are fine, and it will unfortunately still be a while before I look to trade....Further there is no reason to trade, as like you, the present cars are fine....Most of the old gang still is here, and post on occasion, and your posts are appreciated.....As I recall you had some falling out with the dealer, and I gather you are now annoyed by the loaner. Maybe he will give you the best deal to make up
You should be happy to know, Tony, that the Audi A8 is rated by them as number one in the "super luxury car" class! The Lexus LS and Mercedes S Class are tied for second, in their opinion.
I'm still not sure what I will be driving late this summer.
On BMW's website, they actually list a bike carrier attachment option for the 1 Series, which would be nice. However, some review I read mentions the precious lack of headroom for tall folks in the 1 Series and goes so far as to say tall drivers should not get one with a sunroof. The front seating is also mentioned to be rather "cozy". I saw a photo of a guy driving one and his knees looked like they were almost touching his chin! :surprise:
The 1 Series is supposed to be at dealers on March 22nd. I will check one out for myself. Who knows? Maybe I will like it and somehow, miraculously fit in one comfortably. I will also be checking out the 3 Series Coupes and Sedans at that time. Interesting to drive comparable 1 and 3 Series Coupes-looking forward to that.
I have a rather strong hunch that the 128i Coupe will be much more entertaining than the 328i Coupe.
I don't think I could be happy with an SUV, having driven incredible-handling BMW sedans since 1993. I believe the shock could kill me! :surprise:
They call him Mr. T.
I don't think there is a vehicle out there that matches the Cayenne for performance. I also think the X5 looks dated and feels dated.
Yes, there are some cool options on the BMW that are not available on the Cayenne. Yes, it's less expensive, but there are things that you can get on the Cayenne that aren't available on the BMW as well.
Performance? I have a feeling that this falls underneath the personal taste. I think the ride on the Cayenne is firmer and sportier. Very little body lean.
Exhaust note? With sports exhaust, nothing sounds like a Cayenne. Even without it, I still don't think the BMW even falls in the same realm.
Better looking? Personal taste.
More spacious? You have a 3rd row in that BMW that takes up space and is only suitable for Lilliputians. That's personal taste as well.
Free maintenance? Well, nothing is free.
I don't think I've broken any new ground with this post, but I just wanted to spar back and forth a little bit on the vehicles. I don't personally think the BMW is a definite winner by any means.
Any thoughts?
-moo
I know that you have a professional bias but I believe that Porsche will be better served improving their offerings in the other classes and leaving SUV's to everyone else.
As a disclaimer - I own a Porsche and have always loved the commitment to motorsports that Porsche has built much of their legacy on.
Cheers!
Indeed, I do have professional bias. However, I have never been excited by the X5. My wife, however, has owned an X5 in the past and loves them.
Your opinion, as a Porsche owner, is not unusual. You may be surprised to know that we have a 3 day stock of Cayennes. These are selling like crazy right now. And the dealership I work for is 7th in the nation for volume. They are a large profit center for Porsche right now.
It's an incredible SUV though. Performance wise, it's amazing to take turns going 80 mph with virtually no body lean. SUV's aren't supposed to handle like that!
-moo
If SUV's aren't suppose to handle like that and their sales keep growing then i think its wrong to say
Porsche will be better served improving their offerings in the other classes and leaving SUV's to everyone else
Hasn't porsche done enough to prove it took SUV's to another level of handling and still it has to proof it self :confuse:
by the way my first choice is the x5 but i still think cayenne is done a great job.
Since i dont know so just asking not even LEXUS?
As i said before i like bmw's in every way but since i've heard things like cars dead in the middle of nowhere with just 5000m driven taken to the dealer gets started and he doesn't know what the problem is and electronic problems software
thats the only reason i have started thinking abt lexus or any other ,
X5 better than the Cayenne? ... Well, bottom line here is that it has been shown that the '08 Cayenne has plenty enough merit to hold its own with the X5 and it isn't realistic to call the X5 leaps ahead of the Cayenne any more.
Good discussion.
TagMan
In the 1990s when BMW and Audi were struggling, Lexus' reputation for quality was absolutely flawless. Not anymore. Things started going downhill with the '03 GX470, but they recently had their first major disaster with the new GS, with both the 300/350 AWD and 430/460 having serious quality problems. There's also been other recent issues such as the transmission problems on the ES and LS.
Lexus simply doesn't have the enormous quality advantage that they used to. Brands like Audi, BMW, and Jaguar have made huge quality strides in the last few years, while Lexus has been either stagnant or slipping. That can only go on for so long before the quality gap is erased entirely.
TM
BMW would not have been able to achieve its current exalted level of success if it was building vehicles that consistently break down.
My 3 BMW's have been models of perfection. The only problem I had since 1993 was a prematurely weak battery. BMW did not manufacture that battery.
What bothers me about BMW is not the reliability of its product, but the alarming (to me at least) increase in complicated technology where it is absolutely pointless:
1. The ridiculous, tedious steps one must use to change a radio station input through iDrive.
2. The new, ugly steptronic shifter where one has to push it forward to move the vehicle backward-absolutely counter-intuitive.
3. The idiotic turn signals which resist one's moving them up or down.
4. The retarded ignition system where one must insert a card in a slot and then press a button, thus requiring 2 steps instead of simply just being able to turn a key in one step.
I have been turned off by all this and will most likely bypass BMW for my next vehicle, thus ending a 15 year relationship.
Sadly, BMW has managed to severely offset driving pleasure with technological frustration. Hence, I'll test drive 'em, but I won't buy or lease 'em any more.
Those of you whizzing around in your X5's apparently have a lot more patience with this absurd, pointless technology than I have.
If you have been used to the BMW driving experience, I doubt whether you will be happy with Lexus. However, Lexus technology is refreshing compared to BMW's.
I do agree from what I have personally experienced from various test drives that the Lexus "experience" at the dealership is superior to BMW's.
Looks like my mission must now be to vault Acura into the top tier of automakers by July 2008! :surprise:
Anyhow, good luck with your pursuit!
In the April issue of CR and based on CR's own testing, not surveys, they list the best cars for 2008:
1. Best Green Car- Toyota Prius
2. Small Sedan- Hyundai Elantra SE
3. Family Sedan- Honda Accord
4. Upscale Sedan- Infinity G35
5. Luxury Sedan- Lexus LS 460L
6. Fun to Drive- Mazda MX5 Miata
7. Small SUV- Toyota Rav 4
8. Mid-size SUV- Hyundai Santa FE
9. Mini Van- Toyota Sienna
10. Pick-Up- Chevrolet Silverado
These are not just the most reliable but includes a combination of road testing, safety, and reliability. As you can see, there are no German cars represented.
Any prudent person would have to admit, that while no mag is ever completely unbiased in their tests, CR is apt to be the least biased.
As for reliability by itself, the top ten makes are as follows according to CR:
1. Honda
2. Acura
3. Scion
4. Subaru
5. Toyota
6. Lexus
7. Infinity
8. Mitsubishi
9. Porsche
10, Buick
18. BMW
22. Audi
31. Volkswagen
33. Mercedes
36. Land Rover (Last Place)
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Too much rum cake, or it's Forida heat stroke. :surprise:
What would you get from Acura? You just posted a little ways back that you would not go for an SUV. Surely, you would not choose an Acura sedan over a BMW sedan or coupe.
Also, you indicated that you were interested to check out the 1er and the 3er.
Previous to all of that you indicated that you were perfectly satisfied with your silver streak 5er.
The pressure of having to make a real-life decision soon is starting to mount up , isn't it? 15 years of perfection is hard to beat. I can't imagine changing course if I had a perfect track record like that.
I'm guessing that you are tossing all your alternatives around in your head right now, and that it is possible to convince yourself of almost anything if you look at it in a certain way. The important thing is that you do not want to regret your decision after you make it. Get what you know you like.
TagMan
I turn a key to get the vehicle started and move the shifter backward to put it in reverse. My frustration is with the 2008 BMWs. The absurd useless innovations are simply getting worse. I'm sure there are many BMW customers like me who are dismayed by what they are seeing coming out of BMW.
Yes. One option is to keep the 545i. This move would put an end to my reliable and bottomless rum cake supply. I'm sure I could live with this. Alcoholic blackmail at its worst.
The wife wants me to get an SUV. I drove the MDX and found it acceptable. Its driver's seat was actually more comfortable than the 545i's comfort seat which was an extra add-on. I could get used to it, though I would have to take a big hit on the acceleration-at least 2 seconds to 60 mph. But then again, in the MDX everything works normally and is where it should be. No surprises. I could get used to that.
I could always buy aluminum strips and cover up the pseudo-wood.
Let's examine some facts here, before we misinterpret this information.
Firstly, Consumer Reports is well-known for it's "lightweight" evaluations of automobiles. Just look at the corresponding videos that accompany their top 10 list. I just watched the one on the LS, and it's nothing short of PATHETIC. This geek drives around and even admits and states in his own words that the LS isn't a good handling car, but instead of handling well, it rides like a magic carpet. Oh boy! A magic carpet!
Car & Driver, on the other hand, has it's top-ten list for '08 and only 4 out of the ten are Japanese. Three are German. Three are American. And some of the Japanese cars are American-built. 60% are non-Japanese, a large difference than CR. Car & Driver does not also test toasters and blenders, and their vehicle tests are more extensive than CR's.
With regards to the reliability... it reminds me of something that happened with my son recently. He was with a group of other kids his age, and the kids were all put in a long line, with the shortest kids first and the tallest kids at the end of the line. Surprisingly, ALL the kids in this group were very close in size, but ultimately there were taller and shorter kids, of course. The difference between the shortest and the tallest was minimum.
This reminds me of your CR reliability list. The differences between first place and middle place are not very significant, and the differences between first and near last are small. The last place is however significantly worse than the rest, so it is important to know just how to interpret that list.
The New England Patriots had one of the best winning seasons of record, yet they lost the Super Bowl. How is that possible, if they were the most reliable winners?
These examples help to place the CR list in real perspective, and there are other top-ten lists beyond the C&D list that would greatly differ from the appliance folks over at CR. Thanks for the information. It has merit, but it should not be used to mean more than it does.
TagMan
I'm not talking about the Hyundai Elantra, or value or economy. Lexus has a reputation for building flawless, unbreakable cars. To paraphrase an old Honda ad, "you can weld the hood shut and drive it forever". The GS has badly tarnished that reputation. Both the AWD version and the V8 had terrible first MY quality, with the 300 RWD having just mediocre quality. According to CR, quality for the second MY of the GS AWD got much worse. That's never happened to a Lexus before. Ever.
Quality for the first MY A6 and 5 was a huge improvement over the first year '98 A6 and '97 5 series, and they have continued to improve, with the '07 A6 in particular earning basically a perfect score. A new A6 is likely to be more reliable than any version of the GS, including the RWD version which can't match the Audi's perfect scores.
That's the point I was making. The '98 GS was a country mile ahead of the '97 5 and the '98 A6 in terms of reliability, and it was flawless on day one. It didn't take Lexus 3+ model years to get it right. Reliability between the '08 5 and the '08 GS is a toss-up, and the Audi A6 is likely to be more reliable than the Lexus. Just as Volvo is no longer the safety king, Lexus is no longer the reliability king. The IS and LS may still have an advantage over the 3/A4 and 7/A8, but how much smaller is that gap compared to what the flawless IS300s and LS430s had over the old 3/A4 and A8/740?
What is that all about?
We've had a love fest going on here for weeks about how great Audi and BMW are but let someone present some hard facts where they don't look so good and suddenly it's OMG, NOT THIS AGAIN! Sorry, just keeping it fair and balanced!!
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Who doesn't look good? More Audis and BMWs than ever are recommended cars, and yet the GS lost the red check because of bad quality. Admit it, Lexus totally blew it with that car, in more than just reliability.
Then I assume you are talking about reliability. Please take a look at the second list which is reliability only. It is well documented that, in your opinion, Acura is not very reliable, however CR ranks Honda/Acura 1 and 2 in reliability. This is based on surveys and testing. What is your opinion based on?
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
You did nothing to create a spin. You posted one soure of information, which is fine, but it is reasonable for me or anyone else to post another source that does not agree with the source you posted. I did not place a spin on the C&D information.
I did, however, use two analogies, to help interpret the deeper meaning of the positions on the reliability list. From a theoretical standpoint, and your friend brightness would have argued this as well, the differences between the positions on the reliability list do not have to be large at all. In a list like that, a middle position can theoretically be almost equal to the top position, but since they are shown sequentially, priority is then given to any incremental difference, and therefore a list of that nature inherently has sequential priority assigned to every member of the list. That is why the kids in line was a good analogy.
Afterall, what would be the difference in two lists if on list one the first kid was 1/8" taller than the second kid, or if on list two the first kid was 1 foot taller than the second kid? In both lists the first kid is taller, but the DIFFERENCE between the heights of kid #1 and kid #2 is not so great in list #2.... just like many of the positions on the CR reliability list.
And please... no apologies necessary... you've done nothing to apologize for.
I, too, am keeping it fair and balanced.
TagMan
OK, since the focus here is on luxury cars and reliability, let's take a look at that category. The GS450h is the VERY TOP rated car in this category Numero Uno. Even the Acura RL is in fifth place, way above any Audi, BMW, or Mercedes on the list.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
We care mostly about performance, design, features, prestige etc...
If you want the cheapest toaster that works every time then check out Consumer Reports. :lemon:
If you want great cars then stop by your neighborhood German car dealer. I am now going to pop the cap on a cold Warsteiner and watch the sunset. Cheers Houdini.:shades:
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
The GS450h, like Honda's hybrids, is specially built in a special factory. It receives far more personal attention than the run of the mill GSes, which is why the 450h is reliable and the regular GSes are not.
The initial year RLs were plagued with both mechanical and electrical problems. To Acura's credit, they have fixed most of the issues. It used to be though that pretty much any Japanese luxury car was "safe" to buy in the first model year, while any German luxury car was not. That just isn't true anymore.
In general, German cars are much more reliable, Japanese cars are the same or less reliable, and the Germans are still much better to drive (with the exception of Infiniti).
Then you must not think much of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. CR rates the regular rwd GS 6 cylinder above all of those in reliability.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
"A LEXUS LETDOWN"
"Intended as a powerful sport/luxury sedan the $60,000 GS450h doesn't live up to its "sport" or "luxury" billing. And its 340-hp hybrid powertrain is designed to optimize performance rather than fuel economy; its 23 overall mpg is only 1 mpg better than the equally quick BMW 535i".
Oh, by the by, the 535i is NOT a hybrid. Which trunk would you rather have? :P
Now let me eat my rum cake in peace while I still have it coming my way. :shades:
The difference between the Audi and Lexus (the V6 RWD that actually works) is basically insignificant. This is what I've been saying. Lexus' quality gap vs. the competition is either shrinking or gone. How'd that ES350 do, by the way? Infiniti also walks all over them in terms of reliability, and yet manages to produce cars that drive like the Germans. I don't think much of Mercedes, but that's another story :sick:
But, the Lexus vehicles need to stand on the merits of features, handling, performance, driving dynamics, cargo capacity, fuel economy, price, and the more typical factors that are used to compare vehicles... not just reliability. That card is much too diluted nowadays to mean as much as it once did.
So, when using those other criteria, the Lexus vehicles still have merit, but not in every case, as LG has pointed out. The GS isn't the best in its class, and the RX really isn't all that terrific anymore, IMO either. I still believe the LS isn't up to the S-Class, but its a credible luxury car, that's for sure.
I just wish the S-Class had that massage chair, and the LS would get rid of that self-park gimmick. They both need headrest monitors with the rear entertainment, like the good 'ol Jaguar XJ offers.
BMW isn't perfect, but goodness, they offer some outstanding cars and SUVs... that are freakin' fun to drive.
Audi is on the right path, and doesn't deserve much criticism at this point. Beautiful cars, inside and out, and terrific performance as well.
Cadillac has become the domestic shining star, and rightly so.
It's all changed, and without the reliability card all to itself, Lexus now needs to increase their performance a notch... they know this and that's why their "F" will become more well known over time. As they will need to increase the driving dynamics, so have the Germans increased their reliability. That's the way it should be... and that makes sense to me.
TagMan
Agreed.
Performance is fairly cheap to come by. Witness your Honda SI and WRX. These cars can run circles around most German cars.
Great cars such as Lexus are much more than the sum of their parts. They are great performers, bullet proof, and luxurious. Plus they have the Obama factor. German cars...not so much. That is why the LS is acknowledged as the #1 luxury car in the world. Period.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I do plan on testing the Hyundi out when it comes....It may be a good car...Another interesting challenge could be gas milage, with reasonable handeling and ``pick up``...My wife`s bmw with the streight six has that...Something is going to come along and strike your fancy, and not cost a hundred thousand...In the meantime the `streak` sounds good, but from comments over the years, you want something new----now---..... It`s a shame our economy is `tanking`, right when your lease is up
LOL!!!! In the world? Sorry, I don't believe that for a split-second! Who said so? You? :P
edit: Are you drinking Kirin beer or sipping sake tonight?
TM
Are you drinking Kirin beer or sipping sake tonight?
Beats being part of the wine and cheese crowd. :shades:
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
What's the best car, the one you want if you can have only one? Related questions: What's the best car company in the world? The best auto executive? The runner-up in this competition might be Toyota, with its super-reliability and a great profit machine. BMW? It's the ultimate driving experience. Honda is more fun than Toyota. Nissan is great because it's a great comeback story. Chrysler is a dark horse. All five are very profitable.
But my answer is Porsche. Are there any of you out there who wouldn't want to own a Porsche or Porsche stock? Over ten years Porsche's stock is up 1,700%, which comes to 35% annualized if you include dividends. No big auto company comes close to that.
No, Porsche is not small. Any company making a billion euros a year counts for me. Porsche Group's pretax profit in its last fiscal year (ended July 31, 2004) was the equivalent (at today's exchange rate) of $1.3 billion. That came to 17% of revenues, the best profit margin in the auto world.
For the six months through Jan. 31 pretax profit at Porsche was $272 million, up 7%, on revenue of $3.6 billion, up 3.9%. Porsche predicts a record year in unit sales for fiscal2005, at least 80,000. Toyota profit in the latest quarter was down 17%.
Nobody's perfect. Porsches are so expensive that the mere mention of the brand conjures up an image of an arrogant owner, probably someone on Wall Street. (Q: What's the difference between a porcupine and a Porsche? A: A porcupine has the pricks on the outside.) Porsche ranks 32nd on the new J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, ahead of only VW, Land Rover, Mazda and Suzuki (note that foreign nameplates dominate the bottom of the list).
But Porsche owners love their cars, and love is deaf to a few squeaks. I recall a review of the Carrera GT in AutoWeek, which read: "I am stunned by the realization that it is merely the greatest car ever made. Earlier I had assumed it was the single greatest item in the history of the known and knowable universe." The Carrera price was $449,000 as tested: "It's the best bang for the buck ever made. It just takes more bucks. Go buy one." That's love.
Porsche ignores rules. No globalism. This is a German company building German Porsches. It doesn't pay homage to anyone. The company even got kicked out of a German exchange index because it doesn't want to report quarterly.
The strategy revolves around the famous 911 and variations on the theme: 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, 911 Turbo S coupe, 911 Turbo S cab. But when its customers go someplace else, Porsche is willing to take the risk to follow. The Cayenne SUV made the point. It may be an SUV, but it's still a Porsche, 450hp for the Turbo (and $90,200 list).
In the U.S. Porsche sells four 911 models running from list prices of $69,300 to $141,200; two Boxsters from $43,800; three Carreras from $69,300 and the GT at $440,000; and three Cayennes running from $42,200 to $90,200. Coming: the Cayman, which starts with a Boxster cabriolet and adds a roof and power. Another vehicle, maybe even a four-door sports sedan, is under study. Expect howls of indignation from Porsche traditionalists, but believe me, if it comes, it will be something wicked.
The history of the company is instructive. Ferdinand Porsche, designer of the VW Beetle, and son Ferry started the company in 1948, and it is still controlled by the descendants. Porsche nearly died after the 1986 boom year, when 54,000 were built. Business collapsed to 14,000 in 1993 as the muscular deutsche mark crippled U.S. sales.
In those desperate days Porsche hired a string-bean engineer as chief executive, 38-year-old Wendelin Wiedeking. He had managed the paint-and-body shop at Porsche and gone on to head a German auto parts maker. I think he's the best auto executive in the world.
Wiedeking, now 52, hired Japanese experts and took their advice. He rebuilt the entire Porsche production system, slashing costs and raising quality. He got the unions and suppliers to join in. He was willing to take risks and expand the line with new products, and he is still taking risks.
Now for the point of all this: When Porsche hit bottom, the directors hired someone who knew something about building a better company, not just juggling a balance sheet. He understood change had to come from inside, not by squeezing down the prices of partsmakers. The key people are product engineers who want to build the best product in the world, not just M.B.A.s. It's not easy to remake an auto company, but Wiedeking did it.
Jerry Flint, a former Forbes Senior Editor, has covered the automobile industry since 1958!!
TagMan
Yes. Hyundai is coming out with a luxury vehicle to compete, supposedly with the LS. If memory serves me after 2 potent rum cake slices, I believe it will be called Genesis. They are barking up the wrong tree on this one, in my opinion. A good portion of what makes up a desirable luxury vehicle comes from the charisma and snob appeal associated with the company's name. Luxury vehicles by their very nature are supposed to be expensive and hence, out of reach for most people. Can anyone seriously mention Hyundai's name in the company of top of the line vehicles from Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and even Lexus? I feel they have over-extended their reach on this one.
If you are planning on making the scene at Augusta National this April in a Hyundai Genesis, may I suggest using the rear gate? :surprise:
In very early July, I plan on floating a price for my 545i at my BMW sales guy in order for him to CPO it and for me to buy it. The price will be several thousand dollars under the residual value in my BMWFS contract. If BMW refuses, I still have several weeks to get my butt into an MDX-easy to do, since Acura essentially makes 3 versions of the vehicle. All I would have to do is name my color, indicate whether I want "base", "technology" or "sport" and pick one up. Should be very easy to do before I am left car-less on July 31st.
There is quite a demand for 2005 5 Series vehicles with low miles coming off lease, so the dealer could very well refuse my proposition.
Nothing out there excites me at this time.... cars, that is to say.
Going down to 63 degrees tonight Tony. Time to bundle up!