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This is a really well-articulated explanation for the phenomena that have clumsily attempted to describe before. As someone interested in cars, I use the exampl

by gsaines 17y ago

This is a really well-articulated explanation for the phenomena that have clumsily attempted to describe before. As someone interested in cars, I use the example of Cadillacs and Buicks most frequently, since they used to be symbols of power, prestige, and quality but seem to sell almost exclusively to people over the age of 60 today. I actually always play a game when on the highway: I check the drivers of Cadillacs and Buicks and my anecdotal sample has been heavily skewed towards older owners. I wish that the mesofacts site was more complete, because I love updating my firmware. While reading it, I kept thinking "What else is it there I don't know I don't know?"

mreid 17y ago
Your comment about Cadillacs reminded me of the scene from The Wire where Snoop buys a nailgun: "Man says this here the Cadillac of nailguns. He means Lexus but he don't know it." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8zavPW3Bus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8zavPW3Bus
- gsaines 17y ago
  Yeah, I've seen that episode, and it's exactly what I was thinking. Up until this Toyota safety debacle (at least it's a publicity debacle), I gave myself a little self-congratulating pat on the back whenever I saw someone driving a Cadillac, thinking "Ah, they don't know what quality really is, but I do: Lexus!" I wonder if I won't end up putzing around in a Lexus someday thinking it's so great while all the youngins snicker at me too! :)
philwelch 17y ago
I'm not sure if I'm saying this delicately enough, but Cadillacs also have a reputation for being popular among black people. I'm not sure why.
- ytinas 17y ago
  What you're talking about isn't a racial thing, it's an economic status thing and I've heard of it in many different countries throughout the world. People who can't afford both a nice house and a nice car, will often get as nice of a car as they can since this is a status symbol that more people will see. Why Cadillac might be chosen in the US probably has to do with availability and reputation.

by gsaines 17y ago

mreid 17y ago

Your comment about Cadillacs reminded me of the scene from The Wire where Snoop buys a nailgun: "Man says this here the Cadillac of nailguns. He means Lexus but he don't know it." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8zavPW3Bus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8zavPW3Bus

gsaines 17y ago
Yeah, I've seen that episode, and it's exactly what I was thinking. Up until this Toyota safety debacle (at least it's a publicity debacle), I gave myself a little self-congratulating pat on the back whenever I saw someone driving a Cadillac, thinking "Ah, they don't know what quality really is, but I do: Lexus!" I wonder if I won't end up putzing around in a Lexus someday thinking it's so great while all the youngins snicker at me too! :)

philwelch 17y ago

I'm not sure if I'm saying this delicately enough, but Cadillacs also have a reputation for being popular among black people. I'm not sure why.

ytinas 17y ago
What you're talking about isn't a racial thing, it's an economic status thing and I've heard of it in many different countries throughout the world. People who can't afford both a nice house and a nice car, will often get as nice of a car as they can since this is a status symbol that more people will see. Why Cadillac might be chosen in the US probably has to do with availability and reputation.