General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
#1576
Lexus Fanatic
This is what SO many people say. Gen public, car critics, design critics. Completely unsure - can’t dismiss it but can’t love it (yet). I’m in the same center ground but I think lean more positive than negative. I’m thinking it’s going to actually age very well and be more loved in the future - my guess.
Not as highly optioned, and not as efficient. Thats a fully loaded Land Cruiser, most of them won't be that cost.
This is why Toyota has in its history not brought the most highly optioned of their cars to the US, Americans look at the loaded price and say "thats crazy" when there are versions available for $30,000 less than the fully loaded model very few people will buy.
Its a fallacy that everyone who wants a Land Cruiser would want a GX
This is why Toyota has in its history not brought the most highly optioned of their cars to the US, Americans look at the loaded price and say "thats crazy" when there are versions available for $30,000 less than the fully loaded model very few people will buy.
Its a fallacy that everyone who wants a Land Cruiser would want a GX
True. I think a new Land Cruiser 300 would be an easy $110K. 100 series to 200 series jumped about $10K. I\
#1578
Lead Lap
No, he is not a chemist. He started washing neighbors’ cars when he was 8 or 9. He was doing boats at 15 or so and I worked on one with him. Our hands stank of rubbing compound. He started a detailing business and sold before going to college. I really don’t know how he connected with actual chemists to make products that are effective and don’t smell like petroleum. He’s an entrepreneur who cares about people and gives back. He’s very good at building relationships, so he most likely found a chemical manufacturer and said, “here’s what I want.”
#1579
Lead Lap
No, he is not a chemist. He started washing neighbors’ cars when he was 8 or 9. He was doing boats at 15 or so and I worked on one with him. Our hands stank of rubbing compound. He started a detailing business and sold before going to college. I really don’t know how he connected with actual chemists to make products that are effective and don’t smell like petroleum. He’s an entrepreneur who cares about people and gives back. He’s very good at building relationships, so he most likely found a chemical manufacturer and said, “here’s what I want.”
#1580
Lexus Fanatic
Toyota has historically brought their high spec models to North America. GX470 and 460s were 4.6 exclusive in the states. My V8 4Runner was exclusive to the North America whereas the same SUV in RHD was always a smaller 4 cylinder. Lexus LS was always top spec. Land Cruiser 200 was 5.7 US exclusive until the very end of production.
#1581
Lead Lap
Such a cool story. I’m always impressed when I hear stories like this where someone starts a business from scratch like that. Hopefully he hooks you up with free products. The only issue I have with their products is there are so many different products that are so similar that I don’t know what to buy. It’s overwhelming.
He is not hands on in the business but does hook me up, but more with just doing generous things that aren’t related to business. For the polishes business, he started it in a tiny office on the bottom floor of an apartment building in LA.
#1582
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i think you're using it subjectively, so even if something sells like hotcakes you may still think (and are perfectly entitled to think) it's 'over priced'.
but objectively, if something is selling like crazy it isn't overpriced because lots of people think it's worth it, so your opinion at the very least is not popular.
so things like 'an apple product' are overpriced TO YOU. i've come to appreciate the value in build quality, design, reliability, features, and ease of use.
i work all day with all kinds of tech. i also hear from people who think an apple mac for example is overpriced. i can easily show that's not the case. if someone buys a bottom of the line windows laptop for example where apple doesn't bother trying to compete, then they think apple is overpriced. if one compares actual specs then the pricing is pretty similar and there are many things on a mac that windows doesn't have. want to edit pdf's? buy software on windows. in a mac it's built-in. want productivity suite? buy microsoft 365 for windows (or mac) or use the included apple suite on the mac. and if someone has an iphone it's an even bigger no brainer. take a photo on the iphone, it's almost instantly available on the mac. etc. but hey, some people just look at the initial purchase price and also don't know how to look at specs. love it when a client calls for help with a pc they bought themselves to 'save money'.
i know someone who just stayed at a hotel that is about $2000 a night. overpriced? maybe to most people, but if one can afford it and appreciates the amenities, rooms, atmosphere and service, it's worth it!
#1583
Lexus Fanatic
Inflation doesn’t reverse unless we have deflation, which would have to be caused by a massive financial collapse.
Thats not true. The LS always had additional options that weren’t brought here, they had all the suite of rear seat comfort options all the way from the LS400 that weren’t available here until the LS430, the ES in other markets has power rear seats etc. IS models have lacked features that they have in Japan. They have always been careful to leave features off US cars to reduce the loaded MSRP.
Thats not true. The LS always had additional options that weren’t brought here, they had all the suite of rear seat comfort options all the way from the LS400 that weren’t available here until the LS430, the ES in other markets has power rear seats etc. IS models have lacked features that they have in Japan. They have always been careful to leave features off US cars to reduce the loaded MSRP.
as for the LS…what features did the world side have that the US spec did not?
#1584
Lexus Fanatic
I think you will have a hard time finding situations where car prices universally went down. It’s not going to happen, you’ll see incentives and all to move product.
The LS had the whole ultra luxury package with the power seats and controls in the rear from the very beginning, the LS400 also had available laser cruise control which never came here, as a couple of examples.
The LS had the whole ultra luxury package with the power seats and controls in the rear from the very beginning, the LS400 also had available laser cruise control which never came here, as a couple of examples.
#1585
Lead Lap
In another brilliant move, Mazda's priced the CX-70 exactly the same as the CX-90. You pay exactly the same price for the exact same vehicle sans a third row. Yup.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...cx-70-pricing/
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...cx-70-pricing/
#1586
Wow, and that they are lowering the price of their newest model in a huge segment by $3,000 - $4,000. Not the sign of a successful launch in the first place.
Not sure how they plan to sell the same thing with 1 less row of seats at the same price.
I just don't get it.
Not sure how they plan to sell the same thing with 1 less row of seats at the same price.
I just don't get it.
#1587
Lead Lap
The 2025 RAM 1500 reviews with the Hurricane I6 have been very positive. Here's one from C&D: 2025 Ram 1500 Pickup Muscles Up (caranddriver.com)
Last edited by TangoRed; 02-22-24 at 08:26 AM.
#1589
-0----0-
iTrader: (4)
I think you will have a hard time finding situations where car prices universally went down. It’s not going to happen, you’ll see incentives and all to move product.
The LS had the whole ultra luxury package with the power seats and controls in the rear from the very beginning, the LS400 also had available laser cruise control which never came here, as a couple of examples.
The LS had the whole ultra luxury package with the power seats and controls in the rear from the very beginning, the LS400 also had available laser cruise control which never came here, as a couple of examples.
#1590
Lexus Champion
I've never seen prices go down, just the rate of increase not being as severe as the last 4 years. You need deflation/a crash to actually have prices revert and go lower.