Car Commercials, the good, the bad, and the annoying!

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure the PC crowd would argue against those, they waste imported oil, space, they're overkill, blah blah blah.

    Pfft, get what you want. The economy needs those frivolous purchases.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    For kicks, I found Time's top 10 mistresses, though it's hard to find what car they drive even with more than one search engine.

    Any how...

    Jaimee Grubbs (Tiger Woods) had a 2004 Ford Mustang. What, no Buick? Heck, even Tiger didn't have a Buick.

    María Belén Chapur drove S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford around in a gray Peugeot. So much for getting lost hiking, though no one will doubt Peugeot's Navi is REALLY bad.

    Rielle Hunter - she was driving around in a BMW registered to Young (John Edwards’ former Director of Finance). You go, girl!

    Monica Lewinsky rolled the Explorer.

    Others were Marilyn Monroe, Ashley Dupré (Eliot Spitzer), Anne Boleyn, Lucy Mercer, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Amy Fisher.

    Could not find info on the others, but feel free to add any.

    I have yet to find a single one who owns a Lexus. :P
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    You could have just got a 328 cabrio, those didn't have those fuel delivery problems right? The retractable tops worry me a little too - but at the same time, in the climate here, I don't want a cloth top. No cabrio for my daily driver.

    I like the Flex too, it is unique and not an SUV. Maybe the closest thing to a traditional wagon made by the big 2.5 now.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    There's a difference between showing a car with a bow in front of an unrealistic house with an unrealistic family or couple around it compared with showing the same bow with a version of Santa or otherwise. Heck, the local MB dealer had bows on cars too - but CPO models, probably dismissed with a turned up nose by the trophy wife entitlement set.

    The mistress thing amuses me, Lexus aren't cars for mistresses - that would be Maseratis and SLs etc. The swoopy L is for materialistic lame insensitive never worked wives, and boring old men :P
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    People need to lighten up, have a sense of humor on these Lexus ads. Of course the current national political scene makes it harder to do when we have a president conducting class warfare, continually disparaging the upper income folks for "allegedly" not paying their so-called "fair share".

    The one Lexus ad that has not be run or updated in a while is the young girl getting a pony, growing up and then getting a Lexus. There are many, many Americans in horse country that can relate to that and can have a laugh.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    retractable tops worry me a little too

    Yeah, it would have had to be CPO for sure.

    A neighbor has one, his daughter played hoops with my kid. I think his was a 335i.

    Even CPO, though, those came out in 2007 IIRC, my NC is a 2008, so they'd only been out for a year or so.

    New they were $43k and up, but really it was hard to find any much below $50 grand. CPO were just a year old and still in the $40s.

    I paid about half that, $22k actually.

    Of course I got half the seating capacity! :D

    They're probably in the high $20s/low $30s now, though, maybe I'll go try one out.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    There's a difference between showing a car with a bow in front of an unrealistic house with an unrealistic family or couple around it

    Don't know your neighborhood, but scenes in Lexus commercials with husband, wife, kids, house, front yard, driveway are all very realistic right here in many, many places in the badly run State of Illinois.

    Does anyone think that people would believe Lexus ads in a setting of slums in Chicago, Harlem, LA, NO, or other apartment building/condo areas in poorer parts of big cities?

    The Lexus settings are 100 percent appropriate.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I had no idea Obama was responsible for all those bows on cars this time of year. :D
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Go take a photo of your street and show it here. I wanna see this. Oh, and poor people don't live in NYC anymore :shades:

    I like that people are being too harsh on the Lexus ads too, when the same people complain about ads showing cars playing around on dusty roads or salt flats or crazy special effects about tearing doors off. Logic?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    And you have better longterm resale too, one thing Miatas do is hold value and demand. You'll have no problem finding a buyer when you want to move on.

    Not many modern cabrios leave me feeling want at all.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    There's a difference....

    You're splitting hairs. Anything with a bow is a gift, the setting doesn't really matter.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Go take a photo of your street and show it here. I wanna see this.

    The Lexus ads, people, settings are 99.999 more realistic than the stupid ads showing cars sliding sideways in sand, in desert. What kind of fools do this kind of driving?

    The only realistic ad of performance driving in recent memory was last summer when Cadillac showed footage of a CTS on a paved race track in Germany. And, it was not sliding around. Any sliding, on a paved road (race track), loses increments of time on a lap and is to be avoided by using proper tires, suspension, driving skill.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Does anyone think that people would believe Lexus ads in a setting of slums in Chicago, Harlem, LA, NO, or other apartment building/condo areas in poorer parts of big cities?

    Fiat already did that, or they faked it anyway, with JLo in the Bronx.

    Didn't work. ;)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2011
    And you have better longterm resale too, one thing Miatas do is hold value and demand. You'll have no problem finding a buyer when you want to move on.

    Yeah, a buddy sold a similar one and got something like $18 grand back. That's 3.5 years for just $4k or so depreciation. Crazy.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The Germans have (successfully) cashed in on Nurburgring heritage and Autobahn images even when we had 55 mph speed limits.

    There needs to be no connection to realism. These brands, all of them, try to make an irrational, emotional connection to a machine to get you in stores to spend your money.

    And the funny thing is, it works!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    IMO the setting means a lot in the context of what is seen in that 30 seconds. The surroundings and people are as important as the car.

    At least we can agree neither of us care for these ads ;)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    edited December 2011
    For me anyway the chances of me spinning around on a dusty lake bed are infinitely more realistic than being hitched to an expensive consumerist, buying ostentatious digs, with a car to match :shades:

    Boredom doesn't sell. Grandpa doesn't sell - for most, grandpa doesn't even want grandpa. Some idea of being sporty or youthful or dynamic or solid sells.

    The Ring is technically considered to be a public toll road ;)
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Some idea of being sporty or youthful or dynamic or solid sells.

    So sporty and dynamic are associated with driving stupidly on sand, on dry lake bed?

    A lot of other ad themes are used by auto, truck makers that also sell. An ad that appeals to mainly teen age boys and wanna be racer guys in their 20's does not necessarily register with the 40-60 demo that would like to be young again.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    edited December 2011
    I'd say "stupid" in this case is subjective. Harmless on a dry lake bed or salt flat, to be honest. It's not like cars are spinning around on a public road with a bunch of preschoolers on one side and a bunch of centenarians on the other.

    Looking at the sales of these cars with their racy ads (aka: up and up and up) says something is registering with someone.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Looking at the sales of these cars with their racy ads (aka: up and up and up) says something is registering with someone.

    So, you're saying "correlation"?

    Now, I can see someone in my area on first snowfall going into a parking lot, not church, without curbs and before plows arrive to "carefully" try out their vehicle in the snow to regain their snow feel. That kind of sliding around is useful, makes sense.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Probably a greater correlation than showing some dour old suit of questionable ethics driving his soft sled down an interstate at 58mph complaining about kids and class warfare, yes :shades:

    Advertising has little to do with sense.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Now, I can see someone in my area on first snowfall going into a parking lot, not church, without curbs and before plows arrive to "carefully" try out their vehicle in the snow to regain their snow feel. That kind of sliding around is useful, makes sense.

    Heck no - that's the best time to go hooning!! None of this carefully trying to regain my snow feel. It's all about power slides, 4 wheel drifts and e-brake turns.

    Even in a church parking lot - it's usually on of the biggest ones in town!!

    Remember, life isn't about reaching the pearly gates with a well preserved mind and body. It's about sliding in sideways, whipping off your googles and shouting "WHAT A RIDE!"
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's all about the message for me.

    They all say, "let's be materialistic and give a $40k gift right in the middle of the 2nd depression". :sick:
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It's OK when you label it under the guise of "driver training". ;)

    Actually, learning skid control is important. Every should understand how their car behaves at the limit, even beyond.

    I do it in the snow because tires ain't cheap!
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I dunno. I often see a lot of Lexuses and other luxury cars parked in front of rundown rowhouses in marginal neighborhoods. I'd like to see a Lexus commercial that set it the 'hood! :P
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,056
    They all say, "let's be materialistic and give a $40k gift right in the middle of the 2nd depression".

    Well, we gotta spend our way out of a recession, right? Keep America rolling, and all that fun stuff... :surprise:
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,546
    my daughter is just starting to drive. And first time we get a few inches, I plan to take her to a parking lot to experience the thrill of sliding. Though it is a lot less fun now, not like when I was doing it in a duster with baldish tires. no electronic nannies on that baby. Heck, there wasn't even any power options.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    I often see a lot of Lexuses and other luxury cars parked in front of rundown rowhouses in marginal neighborhoods.

    Wouldn't it be nicer, better to be out in Bucks County somewhere rather in the depressing Philly?
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Some people like sterile and some people like exciting. I gather lemko prefers the latter.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Thank you! I love the city despite some of the perils and drawbacks. To live in the suburbs with its endless swaths of malls, chain restaurants, and mind-numbing sameness would be a slow death!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2011
    I also see a lot of very nice, luxury cars in the MPDU neighborhoods. A surprising amount, actually.

    MPDU = Moderately Price Dwelling Units

    I wonder if any lux brands pay for product placement in rap videos? FWIW I heard that Snookie (sp?) got a free Bimmer to drive around on her show.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,389
    Actually, learning skid control is important. Every should understand how their car behaves at the limit, even beyond.

    That's why I sent my 17 year old son to two performance driving schools.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Kudos to you.
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,389
    edited December 2011
    Kudos to you.

    Thanks, I just believe that it is absurd for a parent to think that a few hours riding shotgun with his/her kid qualifies him for a drivers license. One of the kids at my son's school drives a 2011 Mustang GT. No way would I let my son pilot a 400+ bhp car solo- even AFTER his driver training...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    At my previous house the kid across the street got a Mustang SVT, one of those purple/green color changing ones. I told the parents they were crazy.

    He wrecked it. So predictable.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2011
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nVMEJ9Xirrc

    "Handcrafted". More like, taken from the end of Toyota's assembly line, then we put on a velvet glove.

    Check out the wrinkles in the leather at about 1:25. Funny. It's a Toyota minus the quality control. ;)
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MH53lxfzUkE

    First Audi, now Aston. The music picks up in the middle and really starts to sound like the sound track from the "Made in Detroit" ads.

    Even the city scenes seem to copy Chrysler.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2011
    5 most-watched car ads of 2011, per Automotive News, are....

    VW The Force - 63 million views
    Fiat JLo song - 27m
    Imported from Detroit - 22m
    Kia Share Some Soul - 13m
    Bridgestone friendly creatures - 11.4m

    For me the only surprise is Fiat, that campaign was awful. Maybe people like seeing a train wreck? :D
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    Yay, the Hyundai dealer nearest me is airing a similar ad to the insanely annoying one from last year:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY6qM1UhEgs

    Makes me want to go out and buy one!
  • toomanyfumestoomanyfumes Member Posts: 1,019
    Wow that Hyundai commercial is annoying. Now we have the "Gucci" ads for the Fiat 500. Are they trying to assure no men will buy this car?
    2012 Mustang Premium, 2013 Lincoln MKX Elite, 2007 Mitsubishi Outlander.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I couldn't even watch the whole thing. Hopefully they do get fired.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You may remember the rap spoof "Getting Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot" with DJ Dave, which includes a Prius.

    Well, now he's got a TV commercial for Kia. I only caught a fragment of it, and could not (yet) find it on YouTube, but here's the one he did in a Prius (not official Toyota, obviously):

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UFc1pr2yUU

    Could not find his new one, but I did find this new Kia ad with Blake Griffin, kinda funny:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkW4fh6O2sc
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    I could have predicted that more or less even before the very female themed ads came around. Abarth will be the only thing to try to save it, and I predict those will sell dozens a month anyway.

    I think the Smart "uncar" theme is insane, too - although honest, I saw one of those trying to navigate down a crowded freeway at 65mph, and it didn't look particularly fun.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,353
    After using CGI to land a jet airliner in the bed of a pickup truck, Nissan has paid the animators even more to make it look like one of their vehicles (Pathfinder?) can go down a ski hill like a snowboarder. Trouble is, they make it appear as if someone actually did it, as a driver gets out after the thing comes to a stop.

    I can hardly wait for the first numbskull to try the same thing in reality.

    Nissan ads have gone from bad to worse. Never thought that was possible.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,056
    Wow, that Hyundai commercial is horrible. It's like the creators watched a Quiznos commercial and a South Park episode, and then took it from there. And the dude who seems to be into infantilization and puppy play is truly disturbing.

    Suddenly I'm getting a flashback to "The Shining", but I think that was supposed to be a bear!
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    edited December 2011
    I can hardly wait for the first numbskull to try the same thing in reality.

    So, we have had a proliferation of dumb commercials of cars sliding around in the sand, on dry lake bed. Now, in winter time, we get a stupid commercial of a red Nissan truck coming down a snowy mountain. At least the Nissan folks put in warnings in the commercial to not attempt the stunt.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Good common sense and pleasing commercial from VW shows their new car from many angles so that a potential buyer can see the shape and size, changes made. The driver, and his woman companion, start out in the city and drive "sensibly" on city streets and then country roads. I suppose that teen-age boys will find this commercial boring.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    image

    1922 Olds right here in DC:

    http://www.shorpy.com/node/11993
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,389
    edited December 2011
    Good common sense and pleasing commercial from VW shows their new car from many angles so that a potential buyer can see the shape and size, changes made. The driver, and his woman companion, start out in the city and drive "sensibly" on city streets and then country roads. I suppose that teen-age boys will find this commercial boring.

    VW is now trying to build cars that appeal to non-enthusiast FWD appliance buyers, and this ad is a fine example. No driving entertainment wanted here...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,525
    That reminds me, there are these dorky VW commercials where people are test driving some Passat or Jetta, and kind of hijack the salesman. It's so unrealistic! Nobody is just going to drive to Vegas on a test drive or leave the salesman in the car once they get it home. How dare they put these untrue images on our television screens :shades:
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