General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
#1606
Lexus Fanatic
‘How could one have a top spec Land Cruiser with a 4.6 V8 when for a very long time, only the US received the 5.7 V8? Where could you get the Toyota 4Runner with a V8 other than the United States or Canada? Of course there are features that one might not be able to get in North America…absolutely …regulations prevent the US from having an RX with bladescan headlights…but Lexus RX270 never existed in US whereas it did elsewhere in the world with a person a few features that were not offered in the US spec model.
This is a JDM Celsior from 1990:
Current model ES from Bahrain with power and massaging rear seats:
#1608
Super Moderator
Thread Starter
I'll give you a non-car example. Yesterday, I bought a superautomatic espresso machine. This vendor's top selling model for over a decade is currently $2500. That's expensive by almost anyone's definition. But the fact that it's their top-selling model--and particularly that it's usually the 3rd or 4th bestselling model, regardless of brand, even though some competitors are <$600--means that it's not overpriced. The one I bought was 2 models up from that, and is even more expensive. But I feel the incremental value of its featureset is worth the incremental cost. It is selling well, so it is also not overpriced.
#1609
Lexus Champion
there will always be some examples that go in favour of other markets. However, overwhelmingly the US gets the top spec models. in the case of the current land cruiser, the United States only gets the top powertrain. in other markets, there is the 2.4 turbo as well as the 2.7 naturally aspirated in line 4 both with no hybrid.
#1610
Lexus Test Driver
another example: in the early 90s you could get a toyota mobile FAX machine in your celsior!
#1611
Lexus Champion
Another example: Disney is extremely overpriced, and the cost actually does prevent many from going. I know people personally who couldn't afford it. It's unfortunate because every child should see Disney World. My mother told me that in the late 80s when she took me it wasn't cheap but it wasn't outrageous, nothing like now.
#1612
Lexus Fanatic
$22 not including tip for a small plastic cup with no celery or olives and a just ok drink isn't overpriced?? We live on different planets. Is there anything in the world that's overpriced or "too expensive" for what it is?? I can name plenty of stuff. CVS is overpriced, just about everything in there. There's an independent grocery store down the street that is outrageously overpriced but people pay it. Red Lobster is really overpriced but I still go every now and then.
Another example: Disney is extremely overpriced, and the cost actually does prevent many from going. I know people personally who couldn't afford it. It's unfortunate because every child should see Disney World. My mother told me that in the late 80s when she took me it wasn't cheap but it wasn't outrageous, nothing like now.
Another example: Disney is extremely overpriced, and the cost actually does prevent many from going. I know people personally who couldn't afford it. It's unfortunate because every child should see Disney World. My mother told me that in the late 80s when she took me it wasn't cheap but it wasn't outrageous, nothing like now.
I think you're conflating "Expensive" and "Overpriced". Expensive is a relative term, and subject to individual value judgements. Overpriced is an economic term, which means something is so expensive that the seller is losing out on potential revenue, because the additional margin is eaten up and then some by lower volume. Ie if they were to lower the price, they would make more money overall because of the large increase in unit volume.
I'll give you a non-car example. Yesterday, I bought a superautomatic espresso machine. This vendor's top selling model for over a decade is currently $2500. That's expensive by almost anyone's definition. But the fact that it's their top-selling model--and particularly that it's usually the 3rd or 4th bestselling model, regardless of brand, even though some competitors are <$600--means that it's not overpriced. The one I bought was 2 models up from that, and is even more expensive. But I feel the incremental value of its featureset is worth the incremental cost. It is selling well, so it is also not overpriced.
I'll give you a non-car example. Yesterday, I bought a superautomatic espresso machine. This vendor's top selling model for over a decade is currently $2500. That's expensive by almost anyone's definition. But the fact that it's their top-selling model--and particularly that it's usually the 3rd or 4th bestselling model, regardless of brand, even though some competitors are <$600--means that it's not overpriced. The one I bought was 2 models up from that, and is even more expensive. But I feel the incremental value of its featureset is worth the incremental cost. It is selling well, so it is also not overpriced.
#1613
Lexus Test Driver
Another example: Disney is extremely overpriced, and the cost actually does prevent many from going. I know people personally who couldn't afford it. It's unfortunate because every child should see Disney World. My mother told me that in the late 80s when she took me it wasn't cheap but it wasn't outrageous, nothing like now.
the more accurate statement would be that single day tickets have become overpriced, there are absolutely fewer people buying them (nearly $200 per day at times!!!) since resorts are all pushing toward season passes and more long term tickets... which absolutely make more sense if you go skiing fairly often, otherwise for someone who just decides lets go skiing tomorrow you'll be forking over some serious dough
#1614
Lexus Fanatic
For example, the Lexus LS460 in specific markets received only the 2UR-FE whereas the United States received the 2UR-FSE engine. Same thing the GS, when the US updated to the 3.5 V6 and the 4.6 V8, most other markets kept the outgoing I6 and UZ motor. GX470 and LX570 were predominantly USA spec only…there are many examples of this, the 2UZ 4.7 Reciever engine updated long for the US models where outside of the US, the 2UZ received these updates later… 100% there will be instances where other markets are packaged in a different way with options not available in the US spec, but almost across fhe US receives the full spec powertrain and I cannot think of any instance where the US did receive the full spec powertrain that was available elsewhere.
‘A few other examples come to mind, the Lexus LS600h never made it to the US whereas the full Lexus 600hl did. The fourth generation Supra was available with any turbo whereas the US spec received the twin turbo option. (Perhaps the Supra a few exclusive options that were not in the US spec)
here are some features in the ES that US does not receive
Back to the Land Cruiser 250…
‘the US gets the top spec powertrain. Perhaps there might be a few features in the non-hybrid version that you can’t get in the US, but if you don’t have the full spec powertrain, what difference does that make?
there is a 48V diesel there too…and Toyota has a hot vee V6 diesel too
here is the LS350
#1616
Lexus Champion
It's not too because in Japan you can get the true top spec. Same way I had to import a bunch of stuff for my W12 you would need to import stuff for an LS
#1617
Lexus Fanatic
this colour just doesn’t work on this model.
Ferrari had a lot of cars at the show
@AJT123 this truck had a column shifter
for some reason. Ford hoods were sealed closed. They wouldn’t let you open the hood
IMO, new Ford Mustang was a huge let down. The Dark Horse was there as well as the convertible and one other. Apparently the chassis is not all new, it’s a carry over
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 02-22-24 at 06:31 PM.
#1618
Lexus Champion
The new Ram is out. The highest priced trim the Tungsten is $90,000.
540hp from 3.0 liters, sort of insane. Can’t wait to see how this new Hurricane engine holds up and how much people like it.
I-6 is wayyyyyy better than V6. There’s that, at least.
I don’t care for the styling, it’s just too bland.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45753248/2025-ram-1500-refresh-details/
540hp from 3.0 liters, sort of insane. Can’t wait to see how this new Hurricane engine holds up and how much people like it.
I-6 is wayyyyyy better than V6. There’s that, at least.
I don’t care for the styling, it’s just too bland.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45753248/2025-ram-1500-refresh-details/
Last edited by AJT123; 02-22-24 at 06:49 PM.
#1619
Lexus Fanatic
The new Ram is out. The highest priced trim the Tungsten is $90,000.
540hp from 3.0 liters, sort of insane. Can’t wait to see how this new Hurricane engine holds up and how much people like it.
I-6 is wayyyyyy better than V6. There’s that, at least.
I don’t care for the styling, it’s just too bland.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...fresh-details/
540hp from 3.0 liters, sort of insane. Can’t wait to see how this new Hurricane engine holds up and how much people like it.
I-6 is wayyyyyy better than V6. There’s that, at least.
I don’t care for the styling, it’s just too bland.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...fresh-details/
it really is cool that they have an in-line six.
a new V8 would still be superior
#1620
Lexus Champion
I think you're conflating "Expensive" and "Overpriced". Expensive is a relative term, and subject to individual value judgements. Overpriced is an economic term, which means something is so expensive that the seller is losing out on potential revenue, because the additional margin is eaten up and then some by lower volume. Ie if they were to lower the price, they would make more money overall because of the large increase in unit volume.
I'll give you a non-car example. Yesterday, I bought a superautomatic espresso machine. This vendor's top selling model for over a decade is currently $2500. That's expensive by almost anyone's definition. But the fact that it's their top-selling model--and particularly that it's usually the 3rd or 4th bestselling model, regardless of brand, even though some competitors are <$600--means that it's not overpriced. The one I bought was 2 models up from that, and is even more expensive. But I feel the incremental value of its featureset is worth the incremental cost. It is selling well, so it is also not overpriced.
I'll give you a non-car example. Yesterday, I bought a superautomatic espresso machine. This vendor's top selling model for over a decade is currently $2500. That's expensive by almost anyone's definition. But the fact that it's their top-selling model--and particularly that it's usually the 3rd or 4th bestselling model, regardless of brand, even though some competitors are <$600--means that it's not overpriced. The one I bought was 2 models up from that, and is even more expensive. But I feel the incremental value of its featureset is worth the incremental cost. It is selling well, so it is also not overpriced.