Lexus Won't Offer a Sub-$30,000 Vehicle

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Jul 11, 2018 | 02:43 PM

#16

Hoovey689

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jlo0109

Does Smart have the line-up of cars that offer anything nearly as identical as its parent brand? Mini? I'll give it to you on the oversight of VW brand (my bad). Nonetheless, people who find Lexus too expensive might explore the option of a Toyota, same, I doubt, can be said about people who find MB too expensive and looking at Smart as their cheaper option.

I agree Smart does not have a line-up, but it is an economical brand under Benz regardless. Mercedes is a different animal in the automotive world. CLA's to G-Wagen's to Maybach's and everything in between. As for BMW, Mini's are built on the UKL1 or UKL2 platforms. The former are Mini specific (3-door hatch, 5-door, and convertible). But the latter is utilized by the Clubman and Countryman which is shared by the BMW 2-Series both Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, X1 and X2, and 1-Series Sedan in China.

Jul 11, 2018 | 05:32 PM

#17

pman6

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after inflation, 30000 is worth nothing these days.

Jul 12, 2018 | 08:48 AM

#18

Curated Content Editor

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Doing it right means offering a sub-30K car without cutting corners.

Of course, money does not grow on trees...the lower the price, the more money the company has to save on the vehicle's design and production. But one place they could start, IMO, is to stop offering a million different electronic features and controls on each car, and simply concentrate on traditional luxury-class sound insulation and comfort.

An almost perfect example of a well-done vehicle in this class was, IMO, the Buick Verano....starting in the low-to-mid 20s and offering luxury-car quiet almost unheard of in that class. It also had good solid, Opel-derived materials. It was let down only by the firm 45-series tires that, IMO, should have been 55s or 60s for optimum ride comfort. I had a Verano I paid only 25K for...I loved it so much i kept it for some five years.

That is an interesting concept that makes me wonder how the public would perceive a Lexus that has a minimalist interior à la the Model 3 and instead the resources have been poured into the materials and engine?*

Jul 12, 2018 | 08:52 PM

#19

bitkahuna

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Doing it right means offering a sub-30K car without cutting corners.

So what does that mean in practice?

Quote:

one place they could start, IMO, is to stop offering a million different electronic features and controls on each car, and simply concentrate on traditional luxury-class sound insulation and comfort.

there's tons of features not offered on lower end cars like hud, power folding mirrors, inside window shades, a huge variety of seating adjustments.

I certainly agree a really quiet car is a luxury but even that has moved into a wide variety of mainstream vehicles now.

Quote:

An almost perfect example of a well-done vehicle in this class was, IMO, the Buick Verano....starting in the low-to-mid 20s and offering luxury-car quiet almost unheard of in that class. It also had good solid, Opel-derived materials

it's still sold in china where buick seems more appreciated