"But that still doesn't tell us who you are. A guy with 32 cars isn't exactly "inconspicuous". Are you some kind of famous celebrity lawyer.?"
Here goes. I'm a middle-aged trial and real estate attorney turned probate court judge. I did the whole Ivy League education thing twice. I made my small fortune amassing huge amounts of settlements for my clients, both big and small. Over the years, I've(and my teams) won some great cases, and lost some really tuff ones(big tobbaco owns Washington if you get my drift)
Prior to our downturn in the stock market and the economy, I made some really good investments into the early dot com boom, tech sector, and other private sector industry.
I also married into an hugely wealthy family, My wifes folks are drowning in "old money" that they have no idea to do with, except to keep passing it down.
My dad, believe it or not, was a rancher. He farmed when farming was a great source of income w/ little government intervention except in emergency situations only. He owned about 900 acres of land here in NY and another 500 in WI for the dairy farm. We had a great way of life because of his hard work. He was also a WWII vet, Mason, and a Shriner. He was also a sort of phlanthropist. He would give his last if that meant it would save someones life. A very great man..
So that's me. And yourself?
That's a great idea. Since we all bicker with each other like were all brothers. why don't we all give a brief look into our lives. I know a little bit about Tag and few other longtime posters.
" I am sure you have stong, loving memories of you dad, and think of him often, with so many of those incredible cars to remind you of him."
You know, sometimes I can go out into the garage and sit for hours looking at particular cars that he and I worked on together. And in that exact instance, I can recall conversations word for word, him telling me "boy, don't sand so hard" or "you're gonna have to have some help with that door to line it up properly". Just the small things like that are hard sometimes.
I'm sure you can say the same. You look at how well you're doing for yourself, wife, and kids and can say to yourself: Because somebody pushed as hard as ever, you can appreciate the things you have.
Man, I don't know if I should shake your hand or hug you after that statement. Amen to that brother.
"My theory is that she will allow my XK convertible and let me drive it throughout the New England winter."
All I can say is, "why did you have to say XK" Man I miss that car!! They are a joy to drive. I can see you driving to Wellesley everyday, even if there is 10" of snow on the Mass Pike with 20 miles of back up. :P
Sorry to invoke the misty, watercolored memories regarding the Jag! Nice bio, I was assuming that you were Ralph Lipshitz (sp?) brother...
Upon birth, I was held high to the sky and a pronouncement was made, "Today is born a lawyer! To carry on the great tradition established by his grandfather, speaking for those who can't speak for themselves. To right wrongs and seek justice both in the eyes of the law and the heavens! It shall be so!"
Oops, not quite... :sick:
My FWD TL could barely manage 2" of snow (pre-winter tires), doubt the Jag would fare better! But, a lovely thought. So, I'd probably have to make the Jag the summer car. Maybe grab a Carrera 4S for the winter... Or, keep the TL, continue to pay off the mortgage, kids summer camp bills, gas company, Macys, Saks, Talbots, Kohls....
Life's good.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Married into money? Wow! That's something women dream of all the time, you lucky dog! :P Great life story, though. I'm even more jealous.
Me? I grew up in a small, poor, back-woods town to a poor family. We scraped by and often couldn't make it from paycheck to paycheck. My dad worked at a sawmill and my mom was a cook while I was growing up. As bad as it sounds, I still had some fun growing up. I always new I HAD to get out of that town! Paying for college was out of the question, and we didn't know what PEL grants or student loans were. My only escape was the military. I had several family members that had served in various branches of the military on both sides of the family, and both my older brothers served in the Army. So that's what I did. Joined the Army, and didn't look back when I got on the bus. Spent 10 years in the Army and served in Washington state, Korea, and Okinawa. Turns out my grandfather had served on Okinawa during WWII. I knew he was in the war, but I never new he had been on Okinawa. I never got to hear any of his stories. From what I'm told, anytime someone would ask him about it, he'd just say it was bad and get really solemn.
Anyway, during my stint in the Army, I got married and had two kids. The marriage ended up in ruins, and I'm now 8 years divorced. All in all, I've had a mundane and not very gratifying life, and have virtually no story to tell.
The contrast between you and Hemi is everywhere. Is life something that happens to us, or can we write our own story? It's a combination, of course. We don't pick our parents certainly, and our earliest years can have a profound impact on us throughout our lives.
Once must of us are independent, however, there are many roads to choose from, and largely we make our own way. Sometimes our best intentions, however, can backfire. Sometimes our unanswered prayers are actually the best outcome.
Joys and sorrows. Health and sickness. Gains and losses. Who ever said life is like a roller coaster wasn't too far off.
Born to a very religious family. I rebel and go on to play rock&roll for a living [touring drummer].
I toured through out the United States, and beyond, on, and off for almost 20 years. I retired from the road, and sell my beloved Audi's in downtown Dallas.
I married a sweet sugar momma [Anesthesiologist] and we raise 4 stray dogs, and are looking to adopt a little girl from China possibly.
I do some autocross racing when I can. I'm a big film, history, and book lover.
My advice is that make sure you get to see the actual kid and most importantly, spend some time with her, before you sign any major paperwork. I've heard some horrible stories and trust me, you don't want to go through that.
Is Hyundai on a roll or what? They kept this car as close to concept as conceivably possible.
But I do have some coveats though. I am seeing a LOT of G37 Coupe in this car and is it too late for Hyundai to be taken serious at this level? And what the heck is with that interio?. It looks uninspired and the materials don't look impressive.
Just as the Veracruz looks like the RX with a slightly bigger shadow, this car recalls a lot from some of Nissans products.
But of course final judgement must be reserved for in-person visual tests.
I am digging the Genesis Coupe. Would I buy one? Probably not. But I'll recommend this car to any of my friends or family members who are looking for a car in the $20k to $30k range.
As for the interior, hemi, this will be a sub $30k car so I wouldn't expect too much "luxurious" touch from it anyway. As the G37 is the poor man's 335i coupe, I see the Genesis Coupe as the poor man's G37.
". . .not very gratifying life, and have virtually no story to tell."
Not a chance. You just told a very compelling story, and clearly take pleasure in/from your cars and driving, as do we all here. My story is much closer to yours than Mr. Hemi's, and on a bad day I feel pretty hard done by for a variety of reasons. I'll never be able to live in a place that I enjoy or take pride in -- I'm stuck in the miserable ever-more-crowded, always dirty & (duh) incredibly hot desert. No hope of getting out.
But every day we wake up is a good day, and every day we can spend driving something enjoyable is a better day.
You better be careful, too... cause I'm heading down your way tomorrow. The start of an "in-state" Spring break. I'll be on the lookout for a good-looking shiny black IS350.
Oh yes, dark blue. VERY dark blue... And to make sure it's really you, I'll be looking for your license plate 6CC - - - - . (last four digits intentionally left blank!)
BusinessWeek - Lexus: Too Japanese for the Japanese
Why Toyota's luxury lineup is getting little traction at home—while German brands remain an obsession
When Toyota (TM) introduced its Lexus brand in Japan three years ago, the company was hoping drivers like Masayoshi Haku would swoon over the luxury lineup. The 46-year-old doctor is a car lover with a $110,000 BMW 750 sedan and a $60,000 Porsche Boxster, so he should have been a prime customer for Lexus. But Haku hasn't taken the bait. Why? Lexus is too Japanese for his tastes. "Lexus makes excellent cars. But if you ask me whether I'd buy one, the answer is no," says Haku. "Foreign brands have more individuality."
For most Japanese car buyers, "foreign" really means "German." Although Lexus hit American showrooms 19 years ago and has been the top-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. since 2000, it didn't arrive in Japan until 2005. By that time German brands dominated the high end, and Lexus has had a tough time getting a toehold, reaching only 60% of Toyota's initial sales projections. In 2007, Lexus moved 34,800 cars—about what it sold in December alone in the U.S.—and sales so far this year are down.
A big problem was the initial lineup. The company started with just three models: the $52,000 GS sports sedan, the $68,000 SC convertible, and the entry-level IS sedan, starting at about $40,000. All three had previously been available in Japan under the Toyota nameplate—for about 20% less than the Lexus models.
Worse, the buzz Toyota created for Lexus may have benefited the Germans. Following the Lexus launch, rivals say they saw increased interest as customers then visited BMW, Mercedes-Benz (DAI), and Audi (VLKAY) showrooms to compare. "The introduction of Lexus is energizing the luxury car market," says Ashvin Chotai, an independent auto consultant. But few customers have steered away from the German makes. Chotai says 80% of early Lexus buyers were former Toyota drivers; only 5% came from Mercedes or BMW. "Getting Lexus accepted as a bona fide luxury brand seems to be a lot harder in Japan than in the U.S.," says Chris Richter, an auto analyst at brokerage CLSA. "It's one of the rare times Toyota has stumbled."
Japan's German-car obsession shouldn't have been news to Toyota. Wander through Tokyo's upscale wards and you'll find no shortage of expensive German models, even though they're often too big to comfortably navigate Japan's narrow streets. And many of them have the steering wheel on the left, the European standard, rather than on the right, Japan's norm. "I wanted to drive an authentic BMW, like the ones in Germany," says Yoshihiro Nakahashi, who runs a Web site for BMW fans and pilots a left-hand-drive BMW 320si.
Still, few are giving up on Lexus in Japan. After all, Toyota has 45% of the car market there, it has built 160 plush Lexus dealerships at an estimated cost of $10 million each, and it has booked tons of prime-time TV ad slots. Most important, Lexus added the latest version of its flagship, the $77,000-plus LS sedan, to its lineup in September, 2006. Last year it accounted for more than half of Lexus sales in Japan.
Toyota says Lexus' fortunes are improving. In the segments where Lexus competes, the company claims it outsells German rivals. Mercedes' numbers, Toyota notes, include its A-class small car, and BMW sales figures count two SUVs. Lexus doesn't sell an SUV in Japan, though the mid-size RX is due in 2009. And Lexus last year topped buyer surveys by researcher J.D. Power & Associates (MHP). "It's going to take Lexus three to five years to create a brand image to rival Audi, BMW, or Mercedes," says Hiroaki Kihara, editor of magazine Autocar Japan. "But they took many years to establish their brands in Japan, too."
Off to a mystery birthday (mine, although she got some nice presents...) date with my evil, yet lovely, wife. She's driving, I know not where we go... Maybe the Jag or Audi dealer! We shall see...
Interesting bios some posted. I guess not everyone here is Elmer Fudd-like ("My name is Elmer Fudd. I am a millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht..."). My story of creative and professional under achievement has been alluded to previously. Maybe I'll expound later. Kinda vanilla, though. Anyone having trouble sleeping?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The new TSX, hit with an ugly stick, down a couple of horsepower when it didn't have any to lose, and a new "this is supposed to be a luxury car?" interior that's yet another low point for the brand. Frankly the new Maxima's interior blows this out of the water.
I have pondered this question ever since Blkhemi made his eloquent statement...
I am a product of boarding school from the fourth grade
Served in the Air Force reserve for six years, after which I went into the securities business back in the later sixties, and am sixty nine year old..I have been fortunate in my work career, but am not what I would consider rich, but have enough to not have to worry about myself so much as I worry about my Grandchildren
I consider Charleston S C my center place and have two other homes one in N.C. and the other in Miami Fl. I have owned starting in 55 a Ford Fairlane, Chevy Vette, Parsche Targa, Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus ,Jaguar, Miata, to name a few...The car I most wanted was the old Jag 120 I think....When I think back the Jag x6---first one---drove so much better than the American Cars, I was most impressed with it...For fun the Miata beat them all ( except the Jag 120 which I never owned) The Porsche delivered all a person could want, but imo is too powerful wheras the Miata demands the gears be used....Further a person needs to be on the young side for the sportier cars.....I see older people driving a Porsche-Miata- and they just don`t look right in the car...Wish I were twenty years younger, but that`s the way it is....I`l look forward to TagMan`s party and shaking everyone`s hand Tony ps Make that thirty years
Well, let me say that your personality is younger than your actual age.
I must also mention, though, that the idea that age has anything to do with driving a sports car is a self-created roadblock. If you feel like enjoying a sports car, then you should do so at any age. No reason to deprive yourself! Paul Newman has set an example for all of us.
Gosh, I guess I better call you "sir".
BTW, I'm no spring chicken, but having a teenage daughter and an eight-year old son keeps me young. The Porsche keeps me young, too!!
Yeah, I agree. I just bought one of what I guess will be the last of the old ones, possibly as an interim until the diesel TSX arrives and settles out. OTOH, if this is what the interior is going to look like on the diesel, that'll mean I'm more likely to be awaiting a 2.0 or 2.5d 3-series.
Tag - Now that you've had the new toy for a few days what are your thoughts? Any regrets? What have been the biggest surprises? Do you have a constant grin while driving it?
The only thing worse than the interior is that signature cheese slicer nose. That is why I would fire everyone there! It took a real genius to come up with that one.
The sad part is that Acura/Honda does make a pretty good product. It just looks like crap.
Now, to your question... I love the 135i, and I think it is quite possible that it will be one of my all-time favorites. But this will be the honeymoon for a while. Live with her past that and things can change!
I am on a Spring break getaway with the family so I am suffering from "seperation anxiety"... LOL. It's true!
LOTs of positive initial impressions with only a couple of negatives, one of which is that understeer that's been reported. I don't want to post my overall impressions until I get back the beginning of April... but make no mistake, the BMW 135i is a marvel! And folks can say whatever they want about the price. The car is a steal... and the 3-Series is one of life's special treats as well, IMO.
So... how about you? What's the latest?
TM
Gee, I waited all this time, and now can't drive it... sigh.
I just got back from a spirited Easter Drive in the Cayman S, it is a beautiful day in New England today.
I'm glad you love the 135, it should bring great fun as the summer opens up and you break it in. Don't let your wife know that you are thinking about driving it all of the time that you're supposed to be spending with the family on vacation.
The BMW dealer called to say that my 335 Cab will arrive at the port on the 27th, it will probably be at the dealer a week later. I don't know when I'll pick it up as I am scheduled to be down with my wife in Florida the first weekend of April.
She is still mad at me for getting the new car as she thinks 5 cars are excessive - she's probably correct but I have no real bad vices so we'll see how it goes.
After much debating back and forth between the wife and I about what SUV to buy, we have came back to our original considerations, the RR s'chged or the GL320 or 550(why the heck the 450 was nixed is beyond me)
As of now, I have a lot of pull at our Jag/Landie dealership. I can get the $92k RR for about $15k under invoice plus a number of other cost-cutting deals, while I don't have that much luck at MBZ. Our dealership was just taken over by a new owner as my very good friend that previously owned it packed up and went back to Greece to live the life.
The GL320 CDI won't be available here(NY) until this spring, with a much needed power boost. BUT, there won't be any deals at all on this thing. But, the GL550 is sitting on dealers lots as the market has stalled for these rigs(and the Escalade, H2, LX/LC and others). I was offered $75k out the door for a fully-optioned and ext-warrantied GL550. Well, of course she was ready to cut the check, but I just wanted the well respected opinions of all posters here.
What do ya guys think? Landie or GL? I personally still like the styling of the RR, but it's design is way older than the GL, it's mechanicals are still questionable at best, and it's resale value tanks faster than Bear Stearns in a housing market slump.. :P
As Tag and others tear up the coasts and highways and by-ways, I have been airing out the Z06 here in the Hamptons for quick tee-off and inspecting the vacation house for this Spring and Summer.
As gratifying as this car is, I can not wait to get my hands on that ZR-1 , but not more than that R8 though...
Comments
Here goes. I'm a middle-aged trial and real estate attorney turned probate court judge. I did the whole Ivy League education thing twice. I made my small fortune amassing huge amounts of settlements for my clients, both big and small. Over the years, I've(and my teams) won some great cases, and lost some really tuff ones(big tobbaco owns Washington if you get my drift)
Prior to our downturn in the stock market and the economy, I made some really good investments into the early dot com boom, tech sector, and other private sector industry.
I also married into an hugely wealthy family, My wifes folks are drowning in "old money" that they have no idea to do with, except to keep passing it down.
My dad, believe it or not, was a rancher. He farmed when farming was a great source of income w/ little government intervention except in emergency situations only. He owned about 900 acres of land here in NY and another 500 in WI for the dairy farm. We had a great way of life because of his hard work. He was also a WWII vet, Mason, and a Shriner. He was also a sort of phlanthropist. He would give his last if that meant it would save someones life. A very great man..
So that's me. And yourself?
That's a great idea. Since we all bicker with each other like were all brothers. why don't we all give a brief look into our lives. I know a little bit about Tag and few other longtime posters.
snake oil
TM
Uh Oh...
TM
You know, sometimes I can go out into the garage and sit for hours looking at particular cars that he and I worked on together. And in that exact instance, I can recall conversations word for word, him telling me "boy, don't sand so hard" or "you're gonna have to have some help with that door to line it up properly". Just the small things like that are hard sometimes.
I'm sure you can say the same. You look at how well you're doing for yourself, wife, and kids and can say to yourself: Because somebody pushed as hard as ever, you can appreciate the things you have.
Man, I don't know if I should shake your hand or hug you after that statement. Amen to that brother.
"My theory is that she will allow my XK convertible and let me drive it throughout the New England winter."
All I can say is, "why did you have to say XK" Man I miss that car!! They are a joy to drive. I can see you driving to Wellesley everyday, even if there is 10" of snow on the Mass Pike with 20 miles of back up. :P
P.S.> Better knock on wood!!
Hemi, hope your wife is on the mend. Give her a big hug tonight and count your blessings.
Later,
TM
Upon birth, I was held high to the sky and a pronouncement was made, "Today is born a lawyer! To carry on the great tradition established by his grandfather, speaking for those who can't speak for themselves. To right wrongs and seek justice both in the eyes of the law and the heavens! It shall be so!"
Oops, not quite... :sick:
My FWD TL could barely manage 2" of snow (pre-winter tires), doubt the Jag would fare better! But, a lovely thought. So, I'd probably have to make the Jag the summer car. Maybe grab a Carrera 4S for the winter... Or, keep the TL, continue to pay off the mortgage, kids summer camp bills, gas company, Macys, Saks, Talbots, Kohls....
Life's good.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Me? I grew up in a small, poor, back-woods town to a poor family. We scraped by and often couldn't make it from paycheck to paycheck. My dad worked at a sawmill and my mom was a cook while I was growing up. As bad as it sounds, I still had some fun growing up. I always new I HAD to get out of that town! Paying for college was out of the question, and we didn't know what PEL grants or student loans were. My only escape was the military. I had several family members that had served in various branches of the military on both sides of the family, and both my older brothers served in the Army. So that's what I did. Joined the Army, and didn't look back when I got on the bus. Spent 10 years in the Army and served in Washington state, Korea, and Okinawa. Turns out my grandfather had served on Okinawa during WWII. I knew he was in the war, but I never new he had been on Okinawa. I never got to hear any of his stories. From what I'm told, anytime someone would ask him about it, he'd just say it was bad and get really solemn.
Anyway, during my stint in the Army, I got married and had two kids. The marriage ended up in ruins, and I'm now 8 years divorced. All in all, I've had a mundane and not very gratifying life, and have virtually no story to tell.
Once must of us are independent, however, there are many roads to choose from, and largely we make our own way. Sometimes our best intentions, however, can backfire. Sometimes our unanswered prayers are actually the best outcome.
Joys and sorrows. Health and sickness. Gains and losses. Who ever said life is like a roller coaster wasn't too far off.
TM
I toured through out the United States, and beyond, on, and off for almost 20 years. I retired from the road, and sell my beloved Audi's in downtown Dallas.
I married a sweet sugar momma [Anesthesiologist] and we raise 4 stray dogs, and are looking to adopt a little girl from China possibly.
I do some autocross racing when I can. I'm a big film, history, and book lover.
Life is good!!!!!!!!!!! [most of the time]
Maserati GT 1
Maserati GT 2
And I don't think there's a car guy on the 'net who hasn't heard this. Who says those itty-bitty guys sound better than V8s??
My advice is that make sure you get to see the actual kid and most importantly, spend some time with her, before you sign any major paperwork. I've heard some horrible stories and trust me, you don't want to go through that.
Best of luck with it though.
Regards,
OW
Cool vids!
TM
TM
To me its very strange adopting a girl from china maybe because there are poor people there is that the reason?
If you want to adopt or help people why not from a country Myanmar where people are dying daily from hunger.
By the way guys don't you think this has become a chatting room more than only cars chat anyway its fun.
Apparently it stole the limelight at the NY Auto Show. Video included.
Genesis Coupe at NY Auto Show
Genesis Coupe will be featured in movie with GT-R
Detailed Genesis Coupe Info and dozens of pics
306 Horsepower.
TM
But I do have some coveats though. I am seeing a LOT of G37 Coupe in this car and is it too late for Hyundai to be taken serious at this level? And what the heck is with that interio?. It looks uninspired and the materials don't look impressive.
Just as the Veracruz looks like the RX with a slightly bigger shadow, this car recalls a lot from some of Nissans products.
But of course final judgement must be reserved for in-person visual tests.
310 with premium gas!!
I am digging the Genesis Coupe. Would I buy one? Probably not. But I'll recommend this car to any of my friends or family members who are looking for a car in the $20k to $30k range.
As for the interior, hemi, this will be a sub $30k car so I wouldn't expect too much "luxurious" touch from it anyway. As the G37 is the poor man's 335i coupe, I see the Genesis Coupe as the poor man's G37.
Not a chance. You just told a very compelling story, and clearly take pleasure in/from your cars and driving, as do we all here. My story is much closer to yours than Mr. Hemi's, and on a bad day I feel pretty hard done by for a variety of reasons. I'll never be able to live in a place that I enjoy or take pride in -- I'm stuck in the miserable ever-more-crowded, always dirty & (duh) incredibly hot desert. No hope of getting out.
But every day we wake up is a good day, and every day we can spend driving something enjoyable is a better day.
Thanks for sharing (as "they" say), seriously.
Nah, I'm just goofin. Man, we've got some great people here. Party at my house, drinks are on me! :shades:
We all know it ain't about money... It's about the drive... in real terms, our life's journey. (although driving's pretty damn good, too).
TM
I heard that! Sign me up.
Strange as it may be, I find Edmunds a real touchstone as I travel and sit in strange hotels around the world.
I'll leave it at that.
Be careful there, I am only 5 hours away you know...
TM
If you are looking for a black one then you'll never find me.
PS. It's dark blue.
TM
Why Toyota's luxury lineup is getting little traction at home—while German brands remain an obsession
When Toyota (TM) introduced its Lexus brand in Japan three years ago, the company was hoping drivers like Masayoshi Haku would swoon over the luxury lineup. The 46-year-old doctor is a car lover with a $110,000 BMW 750 sedan and a $60,000 Porsche Boxster, so he should have been a prime customer for Lexus. But Haku hasn't taken the bait. Why? Lexus is too Japanese for his tastes. "Lexus makes excellent cars. But if you ask me whether I'd buy one, the answer is no," says Haku. "Foreign brands have more individuality."
For most Japanese car buyers, "foreign" really means "German." Although Lexus hit American showrooms 19 years ago and has been the top-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. since 2000, it didn't arrive in Japan until 2005. By that time German brands dominated the high end, and Lexus has had a tough time getting a toehold, reaching only 60% of Toyota's initial sales projections. In 2007, Lexus moved 34,800 cars—about what it sold in December alone in the U.S.—and sales so far this year are down.
A big problem was the initial lineup. The company started with just three models: the $52,000 GS sports sedan, the $68,000 SC convertible, and the entry-level IS sedan, starting at about $40,000. All three had previously been available in Japan under the Toyota nameplate—for about 20% less than the Lexus models.
Worse, the buzz Toyota created for Lexus may have benefited the Germans. Following the Lexus launch, rivals say they saw increased interest as customers then visited BMW, Mercedes-Benz (DAI), and Audi (VLKAY) showrooms to compare. "The introduction of Lexus is energizing the luxury car market," says Ashvin Chotai, an independent auto consultant. But few customers have steered away from the German makes. Chotai says 80% of early Lexus buyers were former Toyota drivers; only 5% came from Mercedes or BMW. "Getting Lexus accepted as a bona fide luxury brand seems to be a lot harder in Japan than in the U.S.," says Chris Richter, an auto analyst at brokerage CLSA. "It's one of the rare times Toyota has stumbled."
Japan's German-car obsession shouldn't have been news to Toyota. Wander through Tokyo's upscale wards and you'll find no shortage of expensive German models, even though they're often too big to comfortably navigate Japan's narrow streets. And many of them have the steering wheel on the left, the European standard, rather than on the right, Japan's norm. "I wanted to drive an authentic BMW, like the ones in Germany," says Yoshihiro Nakahashi, who runs a Web site for BMW fans and pilots a left-hand-drive BMW 320si.
Still, few are giving up on Lexus in Japan. After all, Toyota has 45% of the car market there, it has built 160 plush Lexus dealerships at an estimated cost of $10 million each, and it has booked tons of prime-time TV ad slots. Most important, Lexus added the latest version of its flagship, the $77,000-plus LS sedan, to its lineup in September, 2006. Last year it accounted for more than half of Lexus sales in Japan.
Toyota says Lexus' fortunes are improving. In the segments where Lexus competes, the company claims it outsells German rivals. Mercedes' numbers, Toyota notes, include its A-class small car, and BMW sales figures count two SUVs. Lexus doesn't sell an SUV in Japan, though the mid-size RX is due in 2009. And Lexus last year topped buyer surveys by researcher J.D. Power & Associates (MHP). "It's going to take Lexus three to five years to create a brand image to rival Audi, BMW, or Mercedes," says Hiroaki Kihara, editor of magazine Autocar Japan. "But they took many years to establish their brands in Japan, too."
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_13/b4077072420049.htm?chan=autos- _autos%20--%20lifestyle%20subindex%20page_top%20stories
Off to a mystery birthday (mine, although she got some nice presents...) date with my evil, yet lovely, wife. She's driving, I know not where we go... Maybe the Jag or Audi dealer! We shall see...
Interesting bios some posted. I guess not everyone here is Elmer Fudd-like ("My name is Elmer Fudd. I am a millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht..."). My story of creative and professional under achievement has been alluded to previously. Maybe I'll expound later. Kinda vanilla, though. Anyone having trouble sleeping?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Happy birthday dada!!
We're in L.A and still no sign of Lou's dark blue IS350!
BTW, the most speeders we encountered were driving a Honda Odyssey!! By far!! Go figure!!
TM
That's the biggest problem that Lexus has in Japan right now I think. That, and Lexus to the Japanese is a bit like Lincoln to us - "not cool".
That's not true, the new IS and LS were introduced in Japan as Lexus from the very beginning. I am not sure about the GS though.
I have pondered this question ever since Blkhemi made his eloquent statement...
I am a product of boarding school from the fourth grade
Served in the Air Force reserve for six years, after which I went into the securities business back in the later sixties, and am sixty nine year old..I have been fortunate in my work career, but am not what I would consider rich, but have enough to not have to worry about myself so much as I worry about my Grandchildren
I consider Charleston S C my center place and have two other homes one in N.C. and the other in Miami Fl. I have owned starting in 55 a Ford Fairlane, Chevy Vette, Parsche Targa, Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus ,Jaguar, Miata, to name a few...The car I most wanted was the old Jag 120 I think....When I think back the Jag x6---first one---drove so much better than the American Cars, I was most impressed with it...For fun the Miata beat them all ( except the Jag 120 which I never owned) The Porsche delivered all a person could want, but imo is too powerful wheras the Miata demands the gears be used....Further a person needs to be on the young side for the sportier cars.....I see older people driving a Porsche-Miata- and they just don`t look right in the car...Wish I were twenty years younger, but that`s the way it is....I`l look forward to TagMan`s party and shaking everyone`s hand Tony ps Make that thirty years
I must also mention, though, that the idea that age has anything to do with driving a sports car is a self-created roadblock. If you feel like enjoying a sports car, then you should do so at any age. No reason to deprive yourself! Paul Newman has set an example for all of us.
Gosh, I guess I better call you "sir".
BTW, I'm no spring chicken, but having a teenage daughter and an eight-year old son keeps me young. The Porsche keeps me young, too!!
TM
Yeah, I agree. I just bought one of what I guess will be the last of the old ones, possibly as an interim until the diesel TSX arrives and settles out. OTOH, if this is what the interior is going to look like on the diesel, that'll mean I'm more likely to be awaiting a 2.0 or 2.5d 3-series.
And a real shame. How is this even possible?
Honestly, I would fire a number of people at Honda/Acura. There is simply no excuse!
If this is any indication of the future... :lemon:
TM
The sad part is that Acura/Honda does make a pretty good product. It just looks like crap.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Firstly, Happy Easter to you and everyone here!
Now, to your question... I love the 135i, and I think it is quite possible that it will be one of my all-time favorites. But this will be the honeymoon for a while. Live with her past that and things can change!
I am on a Spring break getaway with the family so I am suffering from "seperation anxiety"... LOL. It's true!
LOTs of positive initial impressions with only a couple of negatives, one of which is that understeer that's been reported. I don't want to post my overall impressions until I get back the beginning of April... but make no mistake, the BMW 135i is a marvel! And folks can say whatever they want about the price. The car is a steal... and the 3-Series is one of life's special treats as well, IMO.
So... how about you? What's the latest?
TM
Gee, I waited all this time, and now can't drive it... sigh.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
IF she liked the idea, she'd do better with a 128i automatic. As far as red goes? That would be up to her, of course!
TM
I'm glad you love the 135, it should bring great fun as the summer opens up and you break it in. Don't let your wife know that you are thinking about driving it all of the time that you're supposed to be spending with the family on vacation.
The BMW dealer called to say that my 335 Cab will arrive at the port on the 27th, it will probably be at the dealer a week later. I don't know when I'll pick it up as I am scheduled to be down with my wife in Florida the first weekend of April.
She is still mad at me for getting the new car as she thinks 5 cars are excessive - she's probably correct but I have no real bad vices so we'll see how it goes.
Happy Easter.
Now to my post....
After much debating back and forth between the wife and I about what SUV to buy, we have came back to our original considerations, the RR s'chged or the GL320 or 550(why the heck the 450 was nixed is beyond me)
As of now, I have a lot of pull at our Jag/Landie dealership. I can get the $92k RR for about $15k under invoice plus a number of other cost-cutting deals, while I don't have that much luck at MBZ. Our dealership was just taken over by a new owner as my very good friend that previously owned it packed up and went back to Greece to live the life.
The GL320 CDI won't be available here(NY) until this spring, with a much needed power boost. BUT, there won't be any deals at all on this thing. But, the GL550 is sitting on dealers lots as the market has stalled for these rigs(and the Escalade, H2, LX/LC and others). I was offered $75k out the door for a fully-optioned and ext-warrantied GL550. Well, of course she was ready to cut the check, but I just wanted the well respected opinions of all posters here.
What do ya guys think? Landie or GL? I personally still like the styling of the RR, but it's design is way older than the GL, it's mechanicals are still questionable at best, and it's resale value tanks faster than Bear Stearns in a housing market slump.. :P
As gratifying as this car is, I can not wait to get my hands on that ZR-1 , but not more than that R8 though...