[rif]

That's $60k+ for a Hyundai. And VW used to make a $90k car.Do you  think it's it better to buy top of the line from a "lower end" brand or bottom line from a "higher end". Obviously there's no one answer in car or audio.Just looking for your thoughts.






 





 
 

[Bemopti123]

Funny to think that I saw the original Equus in Korea back in 2002.  They cost the equivalent of $80K over there.  The people who rode them were people with conservative values, quite wealthy Korean who did not believe in the bling of getting a foreign luxury car.  I felt that they were quite well made, extremely solid with the looks of a older Lexus LS400 BUT with the feel and solidity of a tank.  I am glad that Hyundai has made the move to bring it to America.  It is more than meets the eye.  Perhaps another Lexus on the making... I think there has been a talk of differentiating the Hyundai brand in America.  Whether that is possible or not, I have no idea. 

This is what I saw back then.....

http://www.netcarshow.com/hyundai/1999-equus/800x600/wallpaper_01.htm

[Bob in St. Louis]

I'd rather have a $50,000 Ferrari than a $100,000 Kia.

Some companys just plain know how to do it. What a higher end company has learned and considers "run of the mill" a lower end company doesn't have the resources and experience to know, much less implement.

just my 0.02
Bob

[S Clark]

That Kia looks just like a Mercury Marquis.

[rif]

I'd rather have a $50,000 Ferrari than a $100,000 Kia.

Some companys just plain know how to do it. What a higher end company has learned and considers "run of the mill" a lower end company doesn't have the resources and experience to know, much less implement.

just my 0.02
Bob

 But Kia would likely treat you like a king.  Ferrari like a second class owner and unworthy.  just speculation.

[Bob in St. Louis]

But Kia would likely treat you like a king.  Ferrari like a second class owner and unworthy.  just speculation.

You're probably correct. I wonder if Benz treated their "C Series" customers got treated shitty.

The biggest problem with a luxury car brand going below their normal "demographic", is that it attracts customers who can't afford to maintain the cars.
Sure, they can Now afford to buy one, but when the odometer hits 20,000 miles and you tell them they need $1,500 worth of tires, they tell you, "My last car got 50,000 miles out of its tires, and they were only $500.
Why are you screwing me?"

Then you have to tell them the stark reality of what it means to own this type of vehicle, which of course they don't understand and now they're pissed.
Then they blast you on a corporate survey for ripping them off, then the boss call you on the carpet since you've got an unhappy customer...bla...bla...bla....

Bob

[S Clark]

Back in the Dark Ages of my undergrad days, I had finance prof who loved his Jaguars- both of them.  He told us that you could only afford to drive a Jag if you could buy two- one to drive while the other was in the shop.