LexFather

Lexus went from #9 to #4!!!! That is a HUGE accomplishment in Europe.

Big Andy

I think Lexus has been helped by the diesel IS while BMW has been tarnished by its sheer commonality - there are too many 116, 118ds and 320ds. I went to my local BMW dealer and there were row upon row of 320ds.

Gojirra99

Article said "high-earners", not rich people

I think US$85K p.a. & up is still considered to be on the high side even in the U.S.

XeroK00L

Yes, like Jim Press would say, the "rich" people don't have income; they have wealth. High-"earners" on the other hand are middle-class people that are earning a better-than-average salary. At least that's how I interpret it.

Bean

iTrader: (1)

Maybe not where you come from. But where I live, if you can afford an $85000 car, you're doing pretty damn well. $60-70k/yr is pretty damn good pay around here and that'd be the minimum I'd have to be making to even consider purchasing something in that price range. (Keep in mind, avg salary in alabama is under $18k/year -- much of which is associated with cost of living)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

incendiary is in ny, i guess it's close to what cali has here. things are definitely a lot different over there in alabama i guess. 18k i don't think i can even afford housing here

Bean

iTrader: (1)

You're right, it won't lol. Over here it will get you a cheap apt and pay insurance on a car plus a little leftover. Rent on a cheap apartment is around $350/month here. Though you can get a nicer place for around $500-$700. However, you CAN pickup a 4000sq ft home on a nice piece of property (2-3 acres) for $400k - $500k. There ARE tradeoffs.

We have a lot of people who have wealth down here. They save their money in the bigger cities, then pay for a NICE house in cash (or a small loan over 15yr) and invest the rest. They then take a lesser paying job. Tradeoff is living in such a nice home in nicer parts of the city.

I have a friend in LA who makes around $45k/yr and she can barely afford a home.

splitfire

iTrader: (6)

My wife's college roomate/best friend forever bah just got promoted to senior manager recently and her salary is 200k a year now... my wife was talking about it last night that her friend told her she still can barely afforad a house in LA even after she got promoted...

Incendiary

I didn't mean to come across snotty. I'm just saying that $85k does not a rich man make (at least on the US coasts).