One Man's Observation: GS vs. M35/45 vs. RL
#16
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Originally Posted by LexLaw
So I guess it's safe to assume you're a fan of hip hop.
My theory on why Legends and Vigors and to a lesser extent Infinitis Qs and J30s were very popular at one point is that at that time they were come up money affordable with a touch and look of luxury. Now that the "game" has changed and cats are making/seeing more money than ever before they have higher goals if you will. MB, Lex and Bimmers were always respected in the hood but now they are more attainable than they were at one time. An Acura just doesn't cut it anymore. They are held in the same regard as a Honda or Nissan. They are not even relevant in the eyes of many youth Black, White or otherwise.
My theory on why Legends and Vigors and to a lesser extent Infinitis Qs and J30s were very popular at one point is that at that time they were come up money affordable with a touch and look of luxury. Now that the "game" has changed and cats are making/seeing more money than ever before they have higher goals if you will. MB, Lex and Bimmers were always respected in the hood but now they are more attainable than they were at one time. An Acura just doesn't cut it anymore. They are held in the same regard as a Honda or Nissan. They are not even relevant in the eyes of many youth Black, White or otherwise.
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#17
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I laugh when the Infiniti fanboys come in and say how well the M is selling when NO ONE is buying it.
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
The M is selling well by a few standards.
1. Its selling over 2,500 units a month, very solid performance.
1. Its selling over 2,500 units a month, very solid performance.
2. Its seems it will meet Nissan year end target expectations.
3. Its selling well for an Infiniti. Thing is we have no idea how the new M45 is selling to the old one since they refuse to split the two models when its time to publish sales results.
So in reality, it is selling well, but we just are not seeing it. How can anyone pass up a deal like this for a brand new redesigned car, lol.
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I see his point. If it's selling like hotcakes there would be no need for ridiculously low-priced (and no doubt restriction-laden) sucker offers. On top of that, that kind of advertising does nothing to help the image of Infiniti as a luxury marque. BMW learned with the 318ti--you can't alienate your core customer base and sacrifice what sets you apart in the market just for a few low-margin sales. (BTW, my local Acura dealer has a sign out front advertising new RSX's for $399 a month, which galls me every time I see it for just the same reason.)
#19
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I never thought much of the new RL till I saw one in person. In black or dark grey, the car is beautiful in an understated sort of way.
Here in the San Diego area there are an increasing number of new GSs. I have also noticed a slow , but growing frequency in spotting the new Infinit Ms. The RLs on the other hand are still a pretty rare sight.
Here in the San Diego area there are an increasing number of new GSs. I have also noticed a slow , but growing frequency in spotting the new Infinit Ms. The RLs on the other hand are still a pretty rare sight.
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Originally Posted by Order66
I never thought much of the new RL till I saw one in person. In black or dark grey, the car is beautiful in an understated sort of way.
Here in the San Diego area there are an increasing number of new GSs. I have also noticed a slow , but growing frequency in spotting the new Infinit Ms. The RLs on the other hand are still a pretty rare sight.
Here in the San Diego area there are an increasing number of new GSs. I have also noticed a slow , but growing frequency in spotting the new Infinit Ms. The RLs on the other hand are still a pretty rare sight.
By the way this is my 100th post(finally). All rise!!!! Stand up and applaud.
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$399 per month for the M. Big deal. I've seen lease deals for the 2006 GS for $449 per month.
And the main reason why there are good lease deals for the M is because the residuals are very high for this car, higher than the GS.
36 month residual according to Automotive Leasing Guide:
M35: 58%
GS300: 52%
Infiniti (like Mercedes) has never separated sales of the FX35/45 and the M35/45, and I doubt they ever will. But if people are really interested, manufacturer to dealer M35/45 allocations are in the range of 75/25 to 80/20. And Infiniti dealers are more willing to discount on the M35 rather than the M45 because they say that the V8 has been selling better than expected.
The M has been selling very, very well (2750 units last month, 3370 for the GS). This is for a vehicle that has little "brand" value and the fewest dealerships.
"I laugh when the Infiniti fanboys come in and say how well the M is selling when NO ONE is buying it."
Please do some research before you make baseless comments like this. Then maybe someone will take you seriously.
Fact is, the M is selling well by any standard. And it's gotten excellent reviews from car mags and mainstream publications (i.e. Consumer Reports #1 rated luxury sedan) alike.
The scarcity of sightings by some ClubLexus members notwithstanding, I doubt that any Infiniti executives are "depressed" by how the car is doing.
And the main reason why there are good lease deals for the M is because the residuals are very high for this car, higher than the GS.
36 month residual according to Automotive Leasing Guide:
M35: 58%
GS300: 52%
Infiniti (like Mercedes) has never separated sales of the FX35/45 and the M35/45, and I doubt they ever will. But if people are really interested, manufacturer to dealer M35/45 allocations are in the range of 75/25 to 80/20. And Infiniti dealers are more willing to discount on the M35 rather than the M45 because they say that the V8 has been selling better than expected.
The M has been selling very, very well (2750 units last month, 3370 for the GS). This is for a vehicle that has little "brand" value and the fewest dealerships.
"I laugh when the Infiniti fanboys come in and say how well the M is selling when NO ONE is buying it."
Please do some research before you make baseless comments like this. Then maybe someone will take you seriously.
Fact is, the M is selling well by any standard. And it's gotten excellent reviews from car mags and mainstream publications (i.e. Consumer Reports #1 rated luxury sedan) alike.
The scarcity of sightings by some ClubLexus members notwithstanding, I doubt that any Infiniti executives are "depressed" by how the car is doing.
Last edited by jrock65; 08-24-05 at 07:50 PM.
#22
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Originally Posted by GS Kid 300
Yeah, I agree with this. I don't really even consider Acura or Infiniti to be a luxury brand. These brands really don't cut it for me. I think many people associate Benz, BMW, and Lexus with $$$ and luxury not just people in the hood. Everytime I tell someone I got a Lexus they're like
. This might be because of my age too but....
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And BMW and Benz still own it. NO ONE can touch Benz. The 745 did WONDERS for BMW with the hip-hop/trendy crowd. But Benz, the S-class, CLS, and for some reason AMG seems to be more recognized than M.
When I talk to people and they talk about their "dream" car, as in the car they would love to own someday, its a BMW, Benz or Lexus.
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all these cars look good ut let me add my 2 cents everyone is right when they say that when people talk about luxury its benz,mbmw and lexus but the g35 is the best looking car that ive seen from infinity so far. when i lived in baltimore in the late 90s it was kind of strange b/c all the young guys were driving q45s and i couldnt understand why i didnt see hardly ANY bmws the ls400 and the cs3/4 was pretty strong too. i of course was driving a 91ls at the time and every one thought i had all this money. even b4 i put the rims on the q45 couldnt stand up to me, if i saw a benz it was rare.im originally from ny so im used to seeing lots of benzes and bmws. now i fast forward to the present in ny and i see a few g35s but its like everyone has a gs whatever model i see crazy ls400. i even see alot of is300s. the benzes & bmws are still around but infinity is way behind. i dont have any #s like you guys but i can see whats all over the street. my 2 cents
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I asked Brad Nelson who he thought Lexus's competition was. His response:
BMW and Mercedes.
Second tier: Audi, Cadillac
Don't really consider Acura a competitor, more like a car in between luxury and Toyota/Honda.
I mentioned he forgot Infiniti and Jaguar. He said he definitely considers Infiniti up there, I'm assuming on second tier, and he said he doesn't really consider Jag a competitor.
In the DC/Bawlmer area, I've seen a lot of RLs, slightly fewer GSs, and slightly fewer Ms, but I've seen a lot of each.
BMW and Mercedes.
Second tier: Audi, Cadillac
Don't really consider Acura a competitor, more like a car in between luxury and Toyota/Honda.
I mentioned he forgot Infiniti and Jaguar. He said he definitely considers Infiniti up there, I'm assuming on second tier, and he said he doesn't really consider Jag a competitor.
In the DC/Bawlmer area, I've seen a lot of RLs, slightly fewer GSs, and slightly fewer Ms, but I've seen a lot of each.
#25
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Originally Posted by jrock65
"I laugh when the Infiniti fanboys come in and say how well the M is selling when NO ONE is buying it."
Please do some research before you make baseless comments like this. Then maybe someone will take you seriously.
Fact is, the M is selling well by any standard. And it's gotten excellent reviews from car mags and mainstream publications (i.e. Consumer Reports #1 rated luxury sedan) alike.
The scarcity of sightings by some ClubLexus members notwithstanding, I doubt that any Infiniti executives are "depressed" by how the car is doing.
Please do some research before you make baseless comments like this. Then maybe someone will take you seriously.
Fact is, the M is selling well by any standard. And it's gotten excellent reviews from car mags and mainstream publications (i.e. Consumer Reports #1 rated luxury sedan) alike.
The scarcity of sightings by some ClubLexus members notwithstanding, I doubt that any Infiniti executives are "depressed" by how the car is doing.
I see the sales figures but I don't see the cars
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
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Oh and uh... thanks for proving my point about the Infiniti fanboys
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Originally Posted by Bean
Maybe someone will take me seriously? ROFL Give me a break kid. Maybe you should do a little research into who you're talking to when talking of 'taking someone seriously'. I've only seen ONE M before and some elderly woman drove it. I see them packed up on the Infiniti lot and no one is buying it. I see it about as often as I see last-gen Q45s... around once every 3 or 4 months probably.
I see the sales figures but I don't see the cars
and many others on this forum from all over the country have stated the same thing. Can you explain that?
Oh and uh... thanks for proving my point about the Infiniti fanboys
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
I see the sales figures but I don't see the cars
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Oh and uh... thanks for proving my point about the Infiniti fanboys
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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#27
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Posting personal observations of how many of each of the cars in question they see in their own area is quite meaningless
The sales #'s tell the true story. I personally have seen about equal #'s of GS & M, but the RL only twice. That doesn't mean a thing. Both the GS & M are doing better than projected & even the RL isn't doing that badly given that they don't have a V8 version & they have only one loaded model to choose from.
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#28
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
When I talk to people and they talk about their "dream" car, as in the car they would love to own someday, its a BMW, Benz or Lexus.
Edit: Hmmm i take that back, that could be reality to those who love Nissans.
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#29
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Originally Posted by Bean
Maybe someone will take me seriously? ROFL Give me a break kid. Maybe you should do a little research into who you're talking to when talking of 'taking someone seriously'. I've only seen ONE M before and some elderly woman drove it. I see them packed up on the Infiniti lot and no one is buying it. I see it about as often as I see last-gen Q45s... around once every 3 or 4 months probably.
I see the sales figures but I don't see the cars
and many others on this forum from all over the country have stated the same thing. Can you explain that?
Oh and uh... thanks for proving my point about the Infiniti fanboys
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
I see the sales figures but I don't see the cars
![Uhh...](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/1387914497.gif)
![Sad](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/sad.gif)
Oh and uh... thanks for proving my point about the Infiniti fanboys
![Thumb Up](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
We have two "facts" here:
1) Sales numbers published by the manufacturer that say that the M is selling very well.
2) A few ClubLexus members who haven't seen the M that much on the road.
Now, which one has a greater statistical reliability in drawing a conclusion about how well the M is selling?
BTW, I won't stoop to your level and start calling posters "fanboys" and "kids" in a pejorative way.
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Originally Posted by flipside909
That will be the day when someone says. "My dream car is an Infiniti".
Edit: Hmmm i take that back, that could be reality to those who love Nissans.![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Edit: Hmmm i take that back, that could be reality to those who love Nissans.
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Of course, it could flop, but at least up until now, no Japanese car could rival the GT-R in street and track cred in terms of performance.