I don't think Acura gets a bad rep here on CL and I don't think its fair to judge an entire forum based on some posts you might not agree with. Great entry level brand but clearly outgunned and outclassed when the real marques are around.

As I stated, when I was younger, I almost bought an Acura. As I got more educated about luxury cars, I realize that brand is good, but a stepping stone for other marques.

Infiniti just doesn't appeal to me with image, looks or interiors, but their PRICE and their stock handling does.

Benz is just to "sticking out my chest" for me. When I'm older, I think it will be great for me.

BMW, offers the image and the drive and is just a superb brand with great vision of what it is and what it wants to be. I find the previous gen BMWs to be just as perfect as it gets. The image is youger, though more "prickly" for me.

Caddy, Lincoln, I just can't see myself in one, nor a Volvo or Saab.

In the past, I would rock an Acura. Today, I would rock a BMW.

Now this is intersting to me (and Ron or maybe myself can start another thread).

What would you buy TODAY if you were the same AGE as when you bought your first Lexus??

So if I was 18 today, what would I buy? Now that would be interesting, as I feel Acura and Infiniti over compelling cars for your first entry level car, as the IS is now around.

In 1996, no G35, no IS

 

Is the question what would I buy today at age 18 with the income I had back when really was 18? If that is the case, I bought an new 91 Integra when I was 18 using my graduation money as a down payment. So, if I buy something around that same class today, I'd probably buy a Scion tC.

My first Luxury car came when I was 23 which was a used 91 Acura Legend Coupe. Now, for today in that same class, I'd probably buy an Infiniti G35, or an Acura TSX. This is a toss up because I think the G35 is a much better car, but the TSX is also really good and a lot cheaper. I ruled out the TL because I think it is a great car and better than the TL, but for that price range I'd take the G35. I've always loved BMW's, but I never owned a BMW as an only car. Not that they gave me trouble yet, but I'm not willing to bet on it so I need the 2nd or 3rd car as a back up. Therefore, I probably won't get a BMW at age 18 today.

 

Well my first Lexus was only 6 and a half years ago so I am
not sure what would have changed shopping today. But I am shopping once again for a larger model and what became very clear was that the only Japanese alternative I have is the LS. Not exactly what you imagine would be available from the Japanese auto industry.

Part of the aspects that I thought it might be interesting to evolve into is how do you think those other brands would be different today if there were no Lexus? I can't see the Europeans being less concerned with reliability but who knows? As for Acura and Infiniti, is there a chance that Lexus holds them back from expanding their lineups more than the others? Would there be a bigger premium sedan from Acura? Would the Q have gotten more focus from Infiniti? Would Mazda's stillborn Amati premium lineup have gotten out of the blocks? In general, how would the lineups of the alternatives in both Japan and the rest of the world be different if there were no Lexus? Naturally you would then wonder what might change in the future for the competitors if there were no Lexus? Would luxury hybrids be around, even from Porsche, if there were no Lexus?

Another interesting question, in the vacuum of not having Lexus, did Acura get those votes because of the preference of their models over the competition or were they viewed as providing the best of Japanese build quality in the market segments where they compete? I hope that makes sense. It is fascinating that in the absence of Lexus, with one FWD model in their lineup, that Acura with mainly FWD models, is the top Japanese vote getter.

I put in Caddy and Lincoln more to avoid being dinged for leaving them out than from a real notion of their competitiveness. While the CTS might be a nice piece, they are a long way from being taken seriously after finally getting one model really competitive. To build Cadillac into a benchmark luxury line, the General has a lot of work to do.

 

I'd go with an Infinity.

 

without the intent of starting a flame war, for those of you voting german, does the reliabilty or lack thereof mean nothing when considering a car? i've been a tech in all the high end dealerships and it's ridiculous how many stupid little problems pop up on the european models which includes jag and rover, all the time compared to any of the japanese brands. if just wanting to drive my own car as much as possible was a consideration, the europeans would never compete, as their owners are always in loaner cars.

 

Probably a Mercedes. Of course, I'd buy a BMW first for its overall package. But if I wanted a comfortable cruiser (which is what Lexus represents for me), a Merc would do it.

 

wow! acura is really high even though their reliability rating lower than bmw. i guess buick should have been put on this list, because it is reliable and luxurious just like lexus.

http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/new...spx?ID=2007130
-King Bimmer

 

I don't think you will get a flame war. There is a reality here that just needs to be faced up to. European reliability has never reached Lexus levels and no, it doesn't seem to keep anybody from buying the German cars. So the answer is while reliability doesn't mean nothing it is not enough of an issue to override the purchase decision. And when you consider that just about universally the German cars are more expensive than Lexus, in some cases a lot more expensive, the reliability issue is not much of a factor at all. You got it right.

 

I would go with infiniti then mb and bmw.

 

You know I did think of putting Buick in the poll but I thought putting Lincoln was enough of a stretch. I should have also put an option in for brand making no difference with or without Lexus around for people who just shop fresh every time with out ever giving any brand preference over another.

 

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recal...us_recall.html

 

Not nothing but as long as a car last 100K miles and 5 or so years that is good enough for me. My E36 and E46 gave me little trouble. My SC400 actually gave me more trouble and left me stranded. After 5 years and about 100K miles if there is any problem with the car that is someone else's problem as I'd probably have sold it by then. Don't get me wrong, I have bought used higher mileage cars before but those were Japanese and daily drivers. For fun to drive cars buying a new BMW or low miles BMW and enjoying it for 3-4 years is what I do. Sell it around 60K miles and get another fun car to drive. So far I've never had to have a BMW loaner car because I never had to take it in for non scheduled maintenance. The minor problems I did have I just waited until my oil change, or some other maintenance came up. Right now, me 2002 E46 has only 1 problem. The sunroof shade clip is broken so the sunroof shade comes off its track. Other than that it has 23,500 miles and not a single other trouble yet. I may have more problems in the future, but I may not as well.

 

For me, an easy question. Over 35K, an Acura RL. Under 35K, a Subaru.

 

If there was no Lexus, i'm sure Toyota would have introduced or expanded on a US interpretation of the Crown line.

If Lexus wasn't around, I would definitely go with BMW and even ponder in the Acura realm.

 

Now that I think of it, I would just buy a pony or a camel.....