General Car Conversation 2025 - Part 2
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 344
Well you are wrong on both points, modern cars use multiplexer controls for windows etc and only have DRM/VIN coding chips in the modules in the actual doors to make sure you need to have them coded. This walled garden problem as you call it has nothing to do with difficulty of repair as you can buy access rights for as little as $100
On the first point I'll bet you $10k that newer cars will both cost more to have issues solved and less shops will be willing/able to work on them at all when 48v is more common.
On the first point I'll bet you $10k that newer cars will both cost more to have issues solved and less shops will be willing/able to work on them at all when 48v is more common.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 344
Mercedes insiders report is that the biggest losses suffered are not due to EVs, but due to the extra pillows on a Maybach or too much engineering prowess in AMG products.
Less Luxury, More premium entry level products and CUVs to push to customers, as the market experiences issues. 36 products are set to launch to satisfy these new internal targets.
source:https://www.carscoops.com/2025/08/me...ets-with-cars/
From my contacts, Mercedes and other luxury marques from the ole country absolutely disliked watering down the brand, and catering to entry level buyers. I guess about face was needed?
Less Luxury, More premium entry level products and CUVs to push to customers, as the market experiences issues. 36 products are set to launch to satisfy these new internal targets.
source:https://www.carscoops.com/2025/08/me...ets-with-cars/
From my contacts, Mercedes and other luxury marques from the ole country absolutely disliked watering down the brand, and catering to entry level buyers. I guess about face was needed?
while some lament or outright hate german brands offering low end front wheel drive vehicles, they’re necessary because you can’t make the business work on low volume high end cars only unless you’re really high end like rolls royce and you can’t just suddenly become a rolls royce type company.
porsche learned this a long time ago when they almost went bankrupt. the boxster (poor man’s 911) saved them, then the cayenne, macan, cayman, etc. allowing a higher volume of common parts to be shared across a bunch of models.
porsche learned this a long time ago when they almost went bankrupt. the boxster (poor man’s 911) saved them, then the cayenne, macan, cayman, etc. allowing a higher volume of common parts to be shared across a bunch of models.
on the lc500 specifically they did an amazing job with the convertible, but a) i don’t like how it looks with the roof up, b) because of the giant and complex motorized roof the rear seats are even tinier (wouldn’t have thought that was possible lol), not i would torture people even in my coupe’s bigger back seats, c) you can get the dynamic handling package with the convertible (no room for the components).
some people like you love a convertible. it’s just not on my radar as desirable (for me) these days.
I don't drive it fast unless I'm on the interstate. And everything is fine, it's not loud and not too windy at all. The music turns up, you don't have to touch anything.
as long as it's not too hot, the top down experience is fabulous...
I would cruise at 140MPH all day long in the SL top down, happily.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,631
Likes: 4,045
From: Maryland
Why do you prefer coupes? I'm just curious your personal reasoning, and anyone else's who says they'd rather have a coupe. It's the best of both worlds to me.
I don't drive it fast unless I'm on the interstate. And everything is fine, it's not loud and not too windy at all. The music turns up, you don't have to touch anything.
I mean, to be fair I own one of the most well engineered convertibles ever made... as long as it's not too hot, the top down experience is fabulous.... like I said more fun at 100mph than 80. Oh and lol I've never been called a diode before, many things but that's a new one haha.
I don't drive it fast unless I'm on the interstate. And everything is fine, it's not loud and not too windy at all. The music turns up, you don't have to touch anything.
I mean, to be fair I own one of the most well engineered convertibles ever made... as long as it's not too hot, the top down experience is fabulous.... like I said more fun at 100mph than 80. Oh and lol I've never been called a diode before, many things but that's a new one haha.
With that said as I have gotten older convertibles are more appealing for some reason.
I would cruise at 140MPH all day long in the SL top down, happily.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,201
Likes: 1,764
From: Ohio
Mercedes insiders report is that the biggest losses suffered are not due to EVs, but due to the extra pillows on a Maybach or too much engineering prowess in AMG products.
Less Luxury, More premium entry level products and CUVs to push to customers, as the market experiences issues. 36 products are set to launch to satisfy these new internal targets.
source:https://www.carscoops.com/2025/08/me...ets-with-cars/
From my contacts, Mercedes and other luxury marques from the ole country absolutely disliked watering down the brand, and catering to entry level buyers. I guess about face was needed?
Less Luxury, More premium entry level products and CUVs to push to customers, as the market experiences issues. 36 products are set to launch to satisfy these new internal targets.
source:https://www.carscoops.com/2025/08/me...ets-with-cars/
From my contacts, Mercedes and other luxury marques from the ole country absolutely disliked watering down the brand, and catering to entry level buyers. I guess about face was needed?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,201
Likes: 1,764
From: Ohio
He does a lot of POV test drives.
For me same as bit, I like quietness. I never drive with windows open or the sunroof open unless I'm at low speeds. Since I rarely would put the top down, having the compromises of a soft top aren't worth the benefits for me.
With that said as I have gotten older convertibles are more appealing for some reason.
Have you driven it top down at 140?! It would be pretty awful.
For me same as bit, I like quietness. I never drive with windows open or the sunroof open unless I'm at low speeds. Since I rarely would put the top down, having the compromises of a soft top aren't worth the benefits for me.
With that said as I have gotten older convertibles are more appealing for some reason.
Have you driven it top down at 140?! It would be pretty awful.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,385
Likes: 353
From: Las Vegas
while some lament or outright hate german brands offering low end front wheel drive vehicles, they’re necessary because you can’t make the business work on low volume high end cars only unless you’re really high end like rolls royce and you can’t just suddenly become a rolls royce type company.
porsche learned this a long time ago when they almost went bankrupt. the boxster (poor man’s 911) saved them, then the cayenne, macan, cayman, etc. allowing a higher volume of common parts to be shared across a bunch of models.
porsche learned this a long time ago when they almost went bankrupt. the boxster (poor man’s 911) saved them, then the cayenne, macan, cayman, etc. allowing a higher volume of common parts to be shared across a bunch of models.
As much as I love to judge people who buy the faux 2 series or the CLA, you're right.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,631
Likes: 4,045
From: Maryland
Totally agree about the FWD BMWs and MBs. Hey if they use the sales from those to fuel making enthusiast cars for me I’m all for it.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,201
Likes: 1,764
From: Ohio
I like to drive a car 7/10ths most of the time so it bothers me, if I had a convertible I would want something insanely smooth/boat like to just cruise with under 60. I also have trauma from fixing tops and the fact when top up you get little annoying noises from everywhere. That last issue would have me CONSTANTLY whipping my head around to find and kill the sources
Last edited by Striker223; Aug 16, 2025 at 07:54 PM.