Another quick read: Lexus on top
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Before I got my LS I looked at a Caddy XTS and a Buick LaCrosse. The Buick almost rode smoother than the Caddy for $10k less and I saw a marked improvement..good to know they are also pretty reliable as per this study...
#5
Pole Position
Surprised Audi ranked that high and it's funny seeing how low Mercedes is...seeing how people that own them think they are God's gift to green earth.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
#7
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Quick story:
So I have a colleague who has a friend that works for an Audi repair shop down in Vegas. The co-worker of mine was telling me the other day how he recently went to Vegas and cought up with his friend and went to his shop and chatted a bit. He goes on to tell his friend about a 2012 A7 that is currently for sale in our area- 50k for $42, and that he was thinking about buying it. His friend proceeds to tell him to make sure its a 3.0 and that there is at least 3 years of warranty on it. Otherwise get as far away from it as you can! And even if the car has a warranty, as soon as it begins to near the end of the warranty, to get rid of it!
He then proceeds to tell him that in general, the only way people should buy an Audi is with a warranty, because they simply make the cars to difficult to work on and they have too many electrical, 2nd-mechanical issues.
It sincerely baffles me how auto manufacturers can make a product, year after year, knowing that its problematic, but boast that it is a superior machine. How??
Moving on...
He then showed me a video of what Audi has planned in regards to their tail light system, which is a OLED expanded screen that will display the images instead of bulbs. (Look it up, its pretty cool looking!). He said that they plan on doing this for the headlights as well. So, the lighting systems on these cars will essentially be extremely high def TV's displaying images of lights.
My questions:
How long will these last especially when being used in the elements
Once they malfunction, whats that repair bill going to look like??
Last edited by CRowe14; 02-26-15 at 09:25 AM.
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#8
Toyota/Lexus on top is something I can believe but as for everything else CR does a poor job with estimating real world ownership costs. If you intend to change cars every three years then this ranking will be somewhat relevant and the positions can change like pulling on a slot machine from one year to the next.
Long term data for build quality/reliability and ownership satisfaction will change drastically but it will fall in line with long term trends of who is really on top.
At one time Porsche ranked very high on CR and when they investigated why, it turns out that it was those that have taken pride in their ownership (fan boys) rather then actual ownership costs.
There are people who believe the high price of maintenance and repairs for German makes are completely acceptable and the norm for driving a high end automobile that keeps them in class above the rest.
Long term data for build quality/reliability and ownership satisfaction will change drastically but it will fall in line with long term trends of who is really on top.
At one time Porsche ranked very high on CR and when they investigated why, it turns out that it was those that have taken pride in their ownership (fan boys) rather then actual ownership costs.
There are people who believe the high price of maintenance and repairs for German makes are completely acceptable and the norm for driving a high end automobile that keeps them in class above the rest.
Last edited by Devh; 02-26-15 at 09:58 AM.
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Toyota/Lexus on top is something I can believe but as for everything else CR does a poor job with estimating real world ownership costs. If you intend to change cars every three years then this ranking will be somewhat relevant and the positions can change like pulling on a slot machine from one year to the next.
Long term data for build quality/reliability and ownership satisfaction will change drastically but it will fall in line with long term trends of who is really on top.
At one time Porsche ranked very high on CR and when they investigated why it turns out that it was those that have taken pride in their ownership (fan boys) rather then actual ownership costs.
There are people who believe the high price of maintenance and repairs for German makes are completely acceptable and the norm for driving a high end automobile that keeps them in class above the rest.
Long term data for build quality/reliability and ownership satisfaction will change drastically but it will fall in line with long term trends of who is really on top.
At one time Porsche ranked very high on CR and when they investigated why it turns out that it was those that have taken pride in their ownership (fan boys) rather then actual ownership costs.
There are people who believe the high price of maintenance and repairs for German makes are completely acceptable and the norm for driving a high end automobile that keeps them in class above the rest.
I believe while you were posting this, I was making an edit to my comment above, regarding not being able to understand the prestige behind a clearly flawed product. What you stated makes perfect sense, as that rational HAS to be why people stand behind German automobiles. I liken it to a statement you've made in the past, referencing the BMW and Mercedes establishing themselves as high end performance/luxury and are attractive to a certain demographic, and that demographic will purchase and own these cars, high cost repairs and all, to simply present that image of prestige.
Money to purchase, money to repair, money to burn!
#10
Devh, I believe that you have answered my question.
I believe while you were posting this, I was making an edit to my comment above, regarding not being able to understand the prestige behind a clearly flawed product. What you stated makes perfect sense, as that rational HAS to be why people stand behind German automobiles. I liken it to a statement you've made in the past, referencing the BMW and Mercedes establishing themselves as high end performance/luxury and are attractive to a certain demographic, and that demographic will purchase and own these cars, high cost repairs and all, to simply present that image of prestige.
Money to purchase, money to repair, money to burn!
I believe while you were posting this, I was making an edit to my comment above, regarding not being able to understand the prestige behind a clearly flawed product. What you stated makes perfect sense, as that rational HAS to be why people stand behind German automobiles. I liken it to a statement you've made in the past, referencing the BMW and Mercedes establishing themselves as high end performance/luxury and are attractive to a certain demographic, and that demographic will purchase and own these cars, high cost repairs and all, to simply present that image of prestige.
Money to purchase, money to repair, money to burn!
#12
Pole Position
I have to say that I was surprised also regarding the ranking of Audi.
Quick story:
So I have a colleague who has a friend that works for an Audi repair shop down in Vegas. The co-worker of mine was telling me the other day how he recently went to Vegas and cought up with his friend and went to his shop and chatted a bit. He goes on to tell his friend about a 2012 A7 that is currently for sale in our area- 50k for $42, and that he was thinking about buying it. His friend proceeds to tell him to make sure its a 3.0 and that there is at least 3 years of warranty on it. Otherwise get as far away from it as you can! And even if the car has a warranty, as soon as it begins to near the end of the warranty, to get rid of it!
He then proceeds to tell him that in general, the only way people should buy an Audi is with a warranty, because they simply make the cars to difficult to work on and they have too many electrical, 2nd-mechanical issues.
It sincerely baffles me how auto manufacturers can make a product, year after year, knowing that its problematic, but boast that it is a superior machine. How??
Moving on...
He then showed me a video of what Audi has planned in regards to their tail light system, which is a OLED expanded screen that will display the images instead of bulbs. (Look it up, its pretty cool looking!). He said that they plan on doing this for the headlights as well. So, the lighting systems on these cars will essentially be extremely high def TV's displaying images of lights.
My questions:
How long will these last especially when being used in the elements
Once they malfunction, whats that repair bill going to look like??
Quick story:
So I have a colleague who has a friend that works for an Audi repair shop down in Vegas. The co-worker of mine was telling me the other day how he recently went to Vegas and cought up with his friend and went to his shop and chatted a bit. He goes on to tell his friend about a 2012 A7 that is currently for sale in our area- 50k for $42, and that he was thinking about buying it. His friend proceeds to tell him to make sure its a 3.0 and that there is at least 3 years of warranty on it. Otherwise get as far away from it as you can! And even if the car has a warranty, as soon as it begins to near the end of the warranty, to get rid of it!
He then proceeds to tell him that in general, the only way people should buy an Audi is with a warranty, because they simply make the cars to difficult to work on and they have too many electrical, 2nd-mechanical issues.
It sincerely baffles me how auto manufacturers can make a product, year after year, knowing that its problematic, but boast that it is a superior machine. How??
Moving on...
He then showed me a video of what Audi has planned in regards to their tail light system, which is a OLED expanded screen that will display the images instead of bulbs. (Look it up, its pretty cool looking!). He said that they plan on doing this for the headlights as well. So, the lighting systems on these cars will essentially be extremely high def TV's displaying images of lights.
My questions:
How long will these last especially when being used in the elements
Once they malfunction, whats that repair bill going to look like??
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I'll have to check that out. Audi is a pretty innovative company, they are also a bear to repair and all their parts are ridiculous in price. A friend of mine owns an Audi repair shop in Wilmington and he has warned me about some of their problems, but I do like their cars...I just couldn't bring myself to buy one knowing what I know about them. I do love the A8 though...and the R8.
I think the Audi's are arguably the sexiest machine on the road! I worked late last night and there was an Audi behind me. It was blowing snow like crazy and I was in my Honda with a much older headlight system, and the lights from the Audi were bright enough to light the way for both of us!
I couldn't help but adore the LED's on the headlights man. Bright, sharp, distinctive and gorgeous! But as you said...knowing what we all seem to know about those cars...especially used and nearly out of warranty...heck, even in warranty (the variable of inconvenience), its just not a choice i'd want to make. Beautiful cars though, without a question!
I would post a link to the lights, but here at work, many social outlets/websites are prohibited!
Perhaps I do it with my phone momentarily...
Last edited by CRowe14; 02-26-15 at 01:35 PM.
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
7, why so harsh on the Kia huh...??
I mean..they've made some great advancements right???
Some people, out of shear ignorance rate the K900 a notch below the LS!
You cant honestly tell me that you wouldn't trade your '10 LS LWB for a 2015 K900...could ya??
I mean..they've made some great advancements right???
Some people, out of shear ignorance rate the K900 a notch below the LS!
You cant honestly tell me that you wouldn't trade your '10 LS LWB for a 2015 K900...could ya??
Last edited by CRowe14; 02-26-15 at 01:47 PM.