WTF is considered "luxury" these days?
03-08-2016, 03:02 AM
#41
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03-08-2016, 06:04 AM
#43
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A TLX is not a luxury vehicle just like a ES or GS Lexus isn't either while the LS is. No Honda will ever be a luxury car. I'd say the addition over time of power windows, leather, heated seats, GPS, and etc. do not make a luxury car but a near-luxury car better equipped. It's still a sow underneath in the end.
03-08-2016, 06:32 AM
#44
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03-08-2016, 09:19 AM
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A TLX is not a luxury vehicle just like a ES or GS Lexus isn't either while the LS is. No Honda will ever be a luxury car. I'd say the addition over time of power windows, leather, heated seats, GPS, and etc. do not make a luxury car but a near-luxury car better equipped. It's still a sow underneath in the end.
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03-08-2016, 09:24 AM
#46
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So, besides for Saintor, I assume everyone agrees the TLX is not a luxury vehicle? Just a more premium vehicle? So the next time I hear someone call their TLX a luxury car, I can yell at them, right? 
03-08-2016, 10:06 AM
#48
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03-08-2016, 10:08 AM
#49
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
You don't already do that?
03-08-2016, 10:45 AM
#51
Safety Car
The traditional luxury brands have degraded themselves and is why we are having this conversation.
For years, they have been burning the roof that keeps them warm. Aggressive leasing, and releasing ever cheaper cars dilutes their brand. They are coasting on the strength of their name brand, but eventually the brands will become so ubiquitous they will lose their luster.
I don't blame them because in this world, investors are constantly pushing for growth.
The one defining factor of luxury is price. This is the same for anything. There is not one set of features you can say makes something a luxury good, except something cheap and accessible can never be a luxury. Therefore a luxury brand must cultivate exclusive pricing and inaccessibility.
But you can't just take a car and slap a huge price on it and expect it to sell as a luxury car. You need to make the car seem worth the inflated price by adding features and styling that sets it apart from something most people can't obtain. So the features don't define a luxury car. It is just that a lot of luxury cars have the same set of features that the buyers of these things have come to expect.
I bet the buyer of a brand new S-Class is getting that car because it is an S-Class. Not because it has some amazing new feature. That's just a talking point to justify the purchase. Nobody was lured into a showroom because of laser cruise control at that level.
For years, they have been burning the roof that keeps them warm. Aggressive leasing, and releasing ever cheaper cars dilutes their brand. They are coasting on the strength of their name brand, but eventually the brands will become so ubiquitous they will lose their luster.
I don't blame them because in this world, investors are constantly pushing for growth.
The one defining factor of luxury is price. This is the same for anything. There is not one set of features you can say makes something a luxury good, except something cheap and accessible can never be a luxury. Therefore a luxury brand must cultivate exclusive pricing and inaccessibility.
But you can't just take a car and slap a huge price on it and expect it to sell as a luxury car. You need to make the car seem worth the inflated price by adding features and styling that sets it apart from something most people can't obtain. So the features don't define a luxury car. It is just that a lot of luxury cars have the same set of features that the buyers of these things have come to expect.
I bet the buyer of a brand new S-Class is getting that car because it is an S-Class. Not because it has some amazing new feature. That's just a talking point to justify the purchase. Nobody was lured into a showroom because of laser cruise control at that level.
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Costco (03-08-2016)
03-08-2016, 12:15 PM
#53
Safety Car
But we're talking about luxury goods and they fall outside of this.
03-08-2016, 12:56 PM
#55
GEEZER
Complete and total luxury can only be had in a car with a completely silent reverse gear.
03-08-2016, 05:05 PM
#56
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Yeah. You don't want everyone thinking your transmission is shot
03-08-2016, 06:24 PM
#57
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This is true luxury
Last edited by 04WDPSeDaN; 03-08-2016 at 06:26 PM.
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03-08-2016, 06:26 PM
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^^^
Even the potatoshopping is poverty!
Even the potatoshopping is poverty!
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03-08-2016, 06:30 PM
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03-08-2016, 06:51 PM
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Well I do admit that the contrasting of the driver's and passenger's (er, I'm sorry, "operator" and "distinguished guest") seats being tuxedo noir black while the plebeian seating in the rear is merely robust smoked parchment, like the remainder of the vehicle, does exude a certain level of luxury not commonly found in run-of-the-mill vehicles.
03-08-2016, 07:52 PM
#61
In my mind, it's the service and experience more than about the cars themselves. Sure, you can get a Kia or Hyundai with more options, features and a bigger engine than Acuras, Lexus's and the like for tens of thousands cheaper, but at the end of the day, you still won't get a loaner when you bring it in for a complimentary oil change. That's what separates BMW, Audi and MB and Lexus from everything else. Walk into a Acura dealership and than a Lexus dealership. It's the experience that's very different. Free snacks, drinks, breakfast, etc.
Brought my girlfriend's 7+ year old 3-series in for service. She knows the advisor so maybe that's why, but even then she just needed brakes. They let her choose her loaner and she got a brand new 528i. We've put about 2500 miles on it in about two weeks, and we have it for another week
Just gotta pay for gas.
03-08-2016, 08:21 PM
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03-08-2016, 08:37 PM
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03-08-2016, 08:45 PM
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03-08-2016, 08:48 PM
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03-08-2016, 08:51 PM
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03-08-2016, 09:02 PM
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Choo-choo!!!
All aboard; this thread is about to leave the station...
...next stop: return trip to Ramblings!
All aboard; this thread is about to leave the station...
...next stop: return trip to Ramblings!
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Doom878 (03-09-2016)
03-08-2016, 09:09 PM
#69
Suzuka Master
Features used to be what differentiated the premium luxury brands to non luxury brands in the past. It no longer is the case as most of the features have made their way down the chain. I think what still makes a difference at least in my opinion comes down to the quality of materials used, ie. leather used extensively in the cabin to cover the dash, doors, suede headliners, cabin insulation, active and passive suspensions etc. I remember a Mercedes salesperson violently slamming the doors to show me the build quality vs his competition. The quality of the service departments also goes a long way seeing as how each brand treats their clients...
I think it's great that the lines are getting blurry as not only it offers value at lower prices but because it forces the ''luxury'' brands to innovate and push the envelope further each time. It's a marketing term but the consumer comes out with a better bang for their buck.
I think it's great that the lines are getting blurry as not only it offers value at lower prices but because it forces the ''luxury'' brands to innovate and push the envelope further each time. It's a marketing term but the consumer comes out with a better bang for their buck.
Last edited by nokiaman; 03-08-2016 at 09:11 PM.
03-08-2016, 09:23 PM
#70
Registered Abuser of VTEC
I actually think this is a great way to define luxury.
A luxury car is never purchased by looking for the best value for the dollar or combination of important features at a price point.
In other words, my TLX is a premium vehicle (entry luxury doesn't exist, vehicles are either economy, premium, luxury, or super/hyper cars), because the vast majority of its buyers shop for it on that feature/price point basis. Same thing goes with a Lexus IS (which I also cross shopped), or an MB C-class. Once you get into E-class and S-class territory, as well as BMW 7-series, Lexus LS (not the GS, that's still shopped on price point), then you're into the luxury segment. Because at that point, people will spend more money for the presence of the car and the brand, as well as for things like exclusivity. A base S-class is still luxury vs a loaded E-class (AMG), even if the prices approach each other, which they do.
Economy class is where buyers generally shop by value over ride quality, features, and road presence. Some cars can be both economy and premium. For example, the Honda Accord LX is an economy car, while the Honda Accord Touring is a premium car. In fact, so is the Civic Touring from 2016 up.
03-08-2016, 09:45 PM
#71
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If you want an extreme example, the LaFerrari and McLaren P1 were announced and orders taken well before either company had any kind of concept in hand.
People were dropping $1M+ just to pre-order a car who's features were a complete mystery, sold solely on the strength of brand names.
People were dropping $1M+ just to pre-order a car who's features were a complete mystery, sold solely on the strength of brand names.
03-08-2016, 10:03 PM
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If you want an extreme example, the LaFerrari and McLaren P1 were announced and orders taken well before either company had any kind of concept in hand.
People were dropping $1M+ just to pre-order a car who's features were a complete mystery, sold solely on the strength of brand names.
People were dropping $1M+ just to pre-order a car who's features were a complete mystery, sold solely on the strength of brand names.
03-08-2016, 10:09 PM
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03-08-2016, 10:33 PM
#75
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Yup.
Brought my girlfriend's 7+ year old 3-series in for service. She knows the advisor so maybe that's why, but even then she just needed brakes. They let her choose her loaner and she got a brand new 528i. We've put about 2500 miles on it in about two weeks, and we have it for another week Just gotta pay for gas.
Brought my girlfriend's 7+ year old 3-series in for service. She knows the advisor so maybe that's why, but even then she just needed brakes. They let her choose her loaner and she got a brand new 528i. We've put about 2500 miles on it in about two weeks, and we have it for another week
Just gotta pay for gas. I've put quite a few miles on the 3-series and 4-series rentals my local dealership has given me. However, acura has done the same exact service for me providing me with an amazing rental every time, just not as often 
Having a rental car in this day and age is something that shouldn't be a luxury. Folks NEED their car to go to work, come home, etc, esp in cities that don't have any sort of public transport. It somewhat bothers me that automakers expect consumers to pay for a rental car when the product that was built failed within the warranty period. Had a friend with a new ecoboost ford that had to pay for a rental for a week even though the car was under the 3 year factory warranty. In addition to her monthly car payment, she spend over $150 renting a basic car for a week.
03-08-2016, 11:31 PM
#76
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I've put quite a few miles on the 3-series and 4-series rentals my local dealership has given me. However, acura has done the same exact service for me providing me with an amazing rental every time, just not as often Having a rental car in this day and age is something that shouldn't be a luxury. Folks NEED their car to go to work, come home, etc, esp in cities that don't have any sort of public transport. It somewhat bothers me that automakers expect consumers to pay for a rental car when the product that was built failed within the warranty period. Had a friend with a new ecoboost ford that had to pay for a rental for a week even though the car was under the 3 year factory warranty. In addition to her monthly car payment, she spend over $150 renting a basic car for a week.
What is not reasonable is that Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, et. al. rarely give loaner cars even under those circumstances. Your vehicle is going to be in the shop for 3 days? Too bad for you.
My dealership (Acura) only has ILX's, one I4 TLX, and one base model RDX as loaners, while the Mercedes-Benz dealership has E-classes and C-classes as loaners. That's kind of the luxury vs premium difference. If you're lucky to get a loaner at a Nissan dealership or Honda dealership, you get a Micra or Fit.
03-08-2016, 11:39 PM
#77
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03-08-2016, 11:44 PM
#78
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Dealerships up here only give loaner cars when your repair is going to take longer than a work day. Otherwise it's the shuttle. This is true of all dealers outside of the very expensive ones. Lexus, Acura, MB, BMW, Audi, none give loaners unless your repair is more than a day. I see the BMW shuttle driving around near my work every day. To me, this is reasonable.
What is not reasonable is that Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, et. al. rarely give loaner cars even under those circumstances. Your vehicle is going to be in the shop for 3 days? Too bad for you.
My dealership (Acura) only has ILX's, one I4 TLX, and one base model RDX as loaners, while the Mercedes-Benz dealership has E-classes and C-classes as loaners. That's kind of the luxury vs premium difference. If you're lucky to get a loaner at a Nissan dealership or Honda dealership, you get a Micra or Fit.
What is not reasonable is that Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, et. al. rarely give loaner cars even under those circumstances. Your vehicle is going to be in the shop for 3 days? Too bad for you.
My dealership (Acura) only has ILX's, one I4 TLX, and one base model RDX as loaners, while the Mercedes-Benz dealership has E-classes and C-classes as loaners. That's kind of the luxury vs premium difference. If you're lucky to get a loaner at a Nissan dealership or Honda dealership, you get a Micra or Fit.
03-09-2016, 05:35 AM
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03-09-2016, 05:48 AM
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Dealerships up here only give loaner cars when your repair is going to take longer than a work day. Otherwise it's the shuttle. This is true of all dealers outside of the very expensive ones. Lexus, Acura, MB, BMW, Audi, none give loaners unless your repair is more than a day. I see the BMW shuttle driving around near my work every day. To me, this is reasonable.