They are all victims. Same goes for Infiniti owners. The marketing that these companies do is amazing to convince buyers that they aren't just buying Toyotas, Volkswagons, and Nissans.
Pretty much. Lexus is a great car to get from A to B but it's pretty boring to drive, compared to BMW or Porsche.
It doesn't take much marketing. Infiniti, Acura and Lexus all originated as exclusively North American brands. Nissan, Honda and Toyota knew that Americans are badge ****** and care more about image than substance when it comes to their cars. Thus it made sense to release their more premium models under a different moniker in The States. Cars like the Celsior, Aristo and Gloria would have been completely overlooked over here, had it not been for their re-branding. American companies were doing the same thing years before the introduction of Japanese premium monikers. Badge engineering has proven itself to work extremely well, as some people would prefer to pay more for the extra bells, whistles and prestige not associated with lower tier variants. Is the Escalade really worth the premium over a standard Tahoe? To some people it is. Was the G-Body Grand Prix worth it's premium over the Monte Carlo? Again, to some people it is. Towncar v. Crown Vic Fleetwood v. Caprice MKZ v. Fusion 300 v. Charger TSX v. Accord Q60 v. Pathfinder Apollo v. Nova SLK v. Crossfire Conquest v. Starion 9-7x v. Trailblazer 9-2x v. Impreza WRX Continental v. Phaeton The list goes on... Badge engineering is a way of life for most auto manufacturers. As much as I like to crack jokes, I'm neither for nor against it. Sometimes you really do get more for the money, other times you're buying nothing but the branding. Either way, it's nice to have options.
But not act as if the Acuras, Infinitis, and Lexus' arent more premium than their Honda, Nissan, and Toyota counterparts. Though I think the gap has grown closer in recent models, but overall a TLX is more premium than an Accord, Q50 is more premium than a Maxima (new one though is tough as hell and this gap isnt all that big at all) and the GS is more premium than an Avalon.
@dankenstien 88 Well said. @Picasso Swerve The gap has grown closer; so close that paying more for the rebadged verson just doesn't make any sense. I've owned enough of these so called luxury cars to know that it's not worth paying the extra money for the jewelry that's placed on the hoods and trunks.
So I should settle for an Avalon instead of a GS? Or an Accord over a TLX? We work to earn things we can show for, a car is something that also makes a statement and thats fine. Some people just want or can afford an a to b whip and thats cool too.
Some people could prefer RWD or AWD over FWD but meh. Nissan doesn't make Maximas in RWD so not very comparable to the Q50 Now the ES and Camry comparison is on point. But to OP, I some what agree as I like the RCF over the M4 but M5 would be my choice over any Lexus/Toyota. Lexus has made strides though.
I think I looked through the whole thread and didn't see a post about tesla... they broke the consumer reports scale... what else should be said right now. I'm not trying to be a hypebeast but I'll take a tesla over any lexus you could offer me. How Im ranking luxury brands right now Bentley Benz, Aston, and Tesla Jaguar, Audi and Porsche Caddilac, BMW, and Lexus Infinity and Acura
Bentleys though? No ones talking about Bentley's. Honestly never have I once heard someone say "Oh look at that Bentley." Its like yeah we understand they are nice and luxurious, but I dont think anyone really cares for then.
It all comes down to personal choice. You choose to make a statement through a so called luxury car, where as another person like myself buys the same chevy, nissan, or honda for much less. Either way the results are the same. You get to work, I get to work. You get to grocery store, I get to the grocery store. ...and so on. The difference is that I'm not paying upwards of $100 for oil changes, $1000 for brake jobs, $1500 for tuneups, etc.
I dont care about Cars at all had a 97 camry a 2012 (it was totaled) and now a 2015 and I loved them all. I plan on riding my 2015 Camry until the Wheels fall off but if I did end up getting another car then it would be a Lexus MAYBE, but hell the features they give you in non luxury cars now are way more than enough for me, so I`d probably just get another Camry or try a Honda Accord. If I did a BMW or Audi I would lease of course but I just dont like the idea of paying a note and not owning something at the end of the day.
Dudes here really saying there is no difference between a Toyota, Honda etc and their successors in terms of build quality, materials used, styling, and driving mechanics? To say they are the same cars is a legit reach
The argument is gonna be they share the same chassis and some parts but overall I share your sentiments.
We've always been a Toyota/Lexus family. There's a clear difference in quality of the leather seats, stereo, the drive, even the nav between the two.