lol... that was funny.

 

For Lexus, I think they should concentrate on attracting the sophisicated and wealthy buyers, albeit old. You can't be all things to all people. If I'm a 7 series driver and I just paid over $85K for my 750iL, do I really want to be in the same crowd as the punk that's about to pay $30K for a 1 series? I'm sure the LS460 driver wants to be along side a IS250...

Scion was created to be the stepping stone to Toyota. Scion from college to late 20's. Then Toyota is for when that person gets married and has a family. Thus leading to Lexus for when they're more mature and ready to enjoy their middle age.

 

I was 19-20 years old when I got my Lexus. I just loved the car and the brand.

However I will say that until Lexus gives us some damn Sport Coupes (and no the very expensive SC430 does not count), they will have a long way to go before grabbing tons of attention from the young crowd. The IS-F is on the right track, gives us enthusiasts and young adults something to talk about and aspire to but they cant stop there.

 

Very good point, they need a 30k-40k sport coupe.

 

BMW 7-series drivers, on the average, are not very young, certainly not as young as 3-series or Z3/Z4 drivers. The average Audi A8 is not driven by 20-something year olds either. But your point is well taken.....and I agree with you. There is no reason that either young people or older people have to buy their car based on "Image". I've seen 80-year-olds in Chevy Aveos and teen-agers in Lincolns.

 

Lexus doesn't care so much about the 20-30 year olds. They want those buyers to get hooked on Scion and Toyota. Then, when they actually have disposable income, if they love Toyota products, they move up to a Lexus. To me, a Camry is a bit more of snoozer than the Accord, as is a Highlander (but I have not driven an '08 yet) vs. a Pilot, so it's not surprising that an Acura TL is sportier than an ES350, or an MDX is sportier than an RX350.

 

The masses are swayed due to their lack of backbone. They relay on journalists and "market surveys" to determine or verify the purchasing process. Buyer's remorse isn't from the realization one had other options, it is caused by the media onslaught telling them they should have done otherwise. Other words...moo.

 

No arguments there. You are right on....I agree 100% The media, especially the auto press, is one of the main instigators of this "image" nonsense that dictates so much of auto-buying decisions.

I have often been asked if I write about cars for a living, or would consider doing so professionally. The short answer is no.....I have, in general, a low opinion of the auto press (I have for years) and simply don't want to be a part of them. The newspaper auto write-ups are some of the worst.

However, they are not all second-rate. John Davis of Motorweek (I know him casually), Patrick Bedard of Car and Driver, and Rich Ceppos of Autoweek are three of the auto journalists I have a high opinion of.

 

not so many 20-30 yrs old can afford a new Lexus.
but hey, I was 21 when I got my first Lex. and now I am 27 and have had 17, currently 3 ( not all new lexus though )
I had 2 bimmers too, and driven so many different brands, it is Lexus who got my heart set on.