Is Luxury Obsolete? | FerrariChat
Buy

Is Luxury Obsolete?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by modena1_2003, Apr 18, 2011.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
    3,954
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 modena1_2003, Apr 18, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2011
    Here I am thinking too much again, but I drove a new KIA Optima recently and wondered something: is luxury obsolete? No longer exclusive?

    The dream, the privilege are things that are realistically found in perfectly fine cars under $40K anyway, so don't we come to expect the same level of luxury in our "more standard" cars that used to be top of the line fifteen years ago?

    Where the line clearly blurs after a certain high dollar mark, there is so much room before these differences in quality and ride are blatantly noticeable. I'm not trying to be a spokesman for KIA, but I was seriously impressed with the top-of-the-line Optima. Having driven numerous luxury cars, I really didn't see much difference between it and nicely spec'd 3-Series', Lexus' or Merc's.

    The fact is, the standards are higher and I just don't see the big boys convincing me that $60K is always better than 35. So what the hell is "luxury" anymore when everything's got leather and heated/AC'ed everything with a ride just as comfortable as a BMW?
     
  2. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    #2 VIZSLA, Apr 18, 2011
    As the law of diminishing returns sets in the "intangibles" become more important.
    Some of the intangibles are subtle, others are non-existant. Products of marketing hype ;)
     
  3. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
    3,954
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #3 modena1_2003, Apr 18, 2011
    When it comes to performance, I can play devil's advocate for 800K in terms of R&D costs and realistic production, but as far as smooth ride and leather is concerned, I seriously believe there's a limit to what can be rationalized.
     
  4. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    #4 VIZSLA, Apr 18, 2011
    In my experience the capacity for rationalization is limitless in certain individuals. ;)
    At some point high admission cost becomes an attraction of its own. provided, of course, that the cost is apparent to all.
    There was a time when understated luxury was desirable. Now its all about the bling.
     
  5. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
    3,954
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #5 modena1_2003, Apr 18, 2011
    DUB's say "I've earned this."
     
  6. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    #6 VIZSLA, Apr 18, 2011
    I begrudge no man his possessions. I don't have to respect his choices though.
     
  7. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
    3,954
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #7 modena1_2003, Apr 18, 2011
    When I can buy three pre-owned Ferrari's and a new BMW for the price of a Mulsanne, I consider myself a wiser shopper.
     
  8. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    #8 VIZSLA, Apr 18, 2011
    If you can afford the maintenance and repairs. ;)
     
  9. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #9 Bullfighter, Apr 18, 2011
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2011
    What he said. The intangibles -- BMW handling, Porsche precision, Ferrari engine noise -- are the slender differentiators of the expensive from the common.

    The notion of "luxury" as leather seating, power windows, sat nav, etc., is kind of misplaced IMHO. If you tick through a checklist, a Kia Optima probably stacks up well to a BMW 530i or Audi A6. It takes a car enthusiast to know the difference. Lexus and Infiniti make good money satisfying the 95th percentile.
     
  10. VF1Skullangel

    VF1Skullangel Formula Junior

    Nov 22, 2008
    447
    San Marcos, CA
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #10 VF1Skullangel, Apr 18, 2011
    The Answer is yes.
     
  11. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Jan 11, 2008
    41,692
    Sarasota
    Full Name:
    David
    #11 VIZSLA, Apr 18, 2011
    Having said that I'd like to thank all the people who buy driver's cars for the wrong reasons. If the only market was for the true enthusiasts they'd either never be built or be prohibitively expensive.
     
  12. 430man

    430man Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2011
    489
    #12 430man, Apr 18, 2011
    Which leads me a point I've had rattling around in my head for a few weeks...

    The pressure on the marque brands is going to be relentless...

    When your average DD broke down 3 times per year, the upkeep of a Ferrari or Merc or other high end car was acceptable...

    Now when cars run 100K miles on the OEM spark plugs and when even freaking Hyundais come with (what is it... ) a 6 year bumper to bumper for (what...) $20K , the tolerance for the upkeep on an Fcar is going to be pushed lower.

    The marque brands have always been about pushing the envelop of what is possible. They've conquered speed, they've conquered handling, they've conquered safety... the next BIG frontier will be reliability.

    And while the 'it was welded by apes' Scuds of the world are fun, the reality is fewer and fewer people are willing to sacrifice luxury for the incremental performance increase. They want both. -- Without starting yet another scud pricing thread, I think the one big reason the used market is so soft is most people who pay a quarter million for a car want carpets et al.

    Why do you think M3s / AMGs are so popular? It's performance, luxury and (relative) reliability all at a sane price.

    But even in the Merc threads people say to never own them out of warranty... the pressure on the high end brands is going to be relentless.
     

Share This Page