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Well, this assumes that it’s all about TCO or status. But have you ever driven a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche or Audi? The driving expierence is superior to everythi
by rock_hard 8y ago
Well, this assumes that it’s all about TCO or status.
But have you ever driven a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche or Audi? The driving expierence is superior to everything else! Tesla gets close...but I can’t think of any other brand that does.
- esotericn 8y agoRight, that's the enthusiast market.
- nickik 8y agoI bet that you could not pick a BMW or Audi from equally priced car from other companies.
- Domenic_S 8y agoI didn't downvote you, but I bet I could [pick them out]. They just value different things compared to american counterparts, especially in older models. I (regrettably used to) own a 2002 BMW M3 -- relatively cheap to buy, and compared to anything else in its year or price category was unequivocally better as a "driver's car". But, many people don't really care about a driver's car -- they index higher on other things like electronics, safety, styling, etc. That's fine, it's only preference, but for raw performance nothing similar could compare. My experience is that a lot of people equate "expensive car" or "german car" with "nice car", and for them "nice car" means something specific other than raw performance numbers, like comfort, safety, features, or Consumer Reports ranking. For enthusiasts, it means something totally different, and those qualities are indexed on by BMW/Merc/Audi (and some rare American and Japanese exceptions to be fair).
- jszymborski 8y agoI think it's fair to say this falls under grandparent's "enthusiast" category. Nothing wrong with being an enthusiast, but I think the characterization as "irrational" is probably correct.
- matthewmcg 8y agoThe top level post was edited to add the line about enthusiasts after this was posted.
- mikeash 8y agoFew human decisions are rational if you start taking that approach. You can always live in a smaller dwelling, wear worse clothes, eat cheaper food, avoid all paid entertainment, etc. It would be better to state that the car market is not primarily based around the simple act of transportation. Which should be pretty obvious anyway.
- exergy 8y ago> You can always live in a smaller dwelling, wear worse clothes, eat cheaper food, avoid all paid entertainment, etc. Indeed. And the more of these you can check, the happier and more satisfying your life is likely to get. Why maintain an unused mansion when a small, cozy place will do? Why follow the latest fashion trends when your four year old OCBD is in fighting form? Why eat lobsters all the time when beans are so nutrient-dense and cheap?! Why sit on your ass wasting away at the behest of a mediocre film when you could read a book instead? The other major difference, of course, is that there are few irrational decisions quite as expensive as buying an idiot pickup truck to show off. Maybe a boat or an aircraft, but not much more.
- vinay427 8y agoBMW's recent models are mostly a joke in dynamics. See almost any review of many of their new models for further explanation. This unfortunately isn't 2010 anymore. Mercedes hasn't been kenown for driving dynamics, but perhaps their solidity is great. Porsche is absolutely renowned for the driving experience they provide. There are plenty that can match these in every class. If you only consider brands based on an overall perception, then sure, maybe not. The Cadillac ATS and Alfa Romeo Giulia are almost universally regarded as dynamically superior to their 3-series equivalents, for a common example.
- amartya916 8y agoCompletely agreed. Similarly, most cars in Jaguar's current portfolio have good Dynamics.
- mav3rick 8y agoThe Audis were better than any other Japanese car I test drove.
- vinay427 8y agoThat's quite reasonable, and I may agree depending on what exact cars you test drove, but that's a rather different statement than the one made in the comment I replied to.
- seanmcdirmid 8y agoI would believe that for Acura or infinity, but Lexus?
- jcims 8y agoS series yes (have an S5 and an SQ5). A series pretty much drive like a Toyota minus the reliability.
- sk5t 8y agoHad a B8.5 S4, now a B9 A5 with sports suspension. The power/transmission leave a little something to be desired, but the A5 is otherwise a very nice ride, and not too wallowy for an Audi. I have also a much more powerful sports car for the weekend, but the A5 has its charms too.
- crispyambulance 8y ago> The driving experience is superior Driving experience only goes so far in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Those aren't cars that people "need". Most lux car owners will also have a "beater" car that they use for real life. Status is an important motivator and should not be dismissed.
- mikeash 8y agoThat’s no longer true with the driver assistance systems available now. Some cars provide a vastly superior driving experience in heavy traffic now.
- compiler-guy 8y agoBut people don't drive only in bumper-to-bumper traffic. That is the most common use, but nearly everyone has some open road time now and again.
- MoBattah 8y agoDriven Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Tesla, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. No way in hell is a C-Class Benz worth it's price. Tesla drives way better and is much more fun. I think it's about TCO, status, reliability and maybe fun-factor. Nobody buys an Audi or Benz for 'fun-factor'. Especially not when they get AMG or i versions.
- lostmsu 8y agoI had driven BMW 3s and Minis via ReachNow. Did not feel anything special vs my Honda, or any rental I had.
- hi5eyes 8y agonone of those cars are supposed to feel anything special, the 3 series is the entry level scrap bmw puts out to get people onto the brand and the newer bmws are last among the germans mini, owned by bmw, is.. mini.. theyre the car parents get their daughters
- dreamcompiler 8y agoI love my Audi S4, but I find the Tesla Model S to be even more fun than my car. Unfortunately it's too expensive.
- Johnny555 8y agoIs that true in typical urban driving conditions of stop and go, or at least slow traffic? I think the only thing that would help make my driving experience better in this traffic would be radar cruise control that can handle stop/go traffic. I've found that the best driving experience in my commute conditions is a $500,000 bus because I can get some work done or relax so the length of the commute doesn't mattter so much.