Honda #1 in Customer Retention
12-11-08, 05:14 PM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
This comment is becoming outmoded. MB did go through a quality bad patch in the 2000-2005 period but has made major improvements more recently, not only anecdotally - even Consumer Reports (latest 2009) has 6 MB models (all core: S, C, E, SL, M, SLK) now at average reliability or above and marked as recommended buys. (There were none last year) MB does deserve some credit here...
Chris
Chris
You're correct that new M-B products are a little better now, but the real test will come when they are 3-4 years old, not brand-new or just a year old. Older M-B products had problems, year after year. It will take time to see if the new ones follow in their place, or if they will be more reliable in the long haul.
12-12-08, 12:17 PM
#33
MB's poor quality started long before 2000...there were some signs of it by the mid-90's.
You're correct that new M-B products are a little better now, but the real test will come when they are 3-4 years old, not brand-new or just a year old. Older M-B products had problems, year after year. It will take time to see if the new ones follow in their place, or if they will be more reliable in the long haul.
You're correct that new M-B products are a little better now, but the real test will come when they are 3-4 years old, not brand-new or just a year old. Older M-B products had problems, year after year. It will take time to see if the new ones follow in their place, or if they will be more reliable in the long haul.
12-12-08, 01:19 PM
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Honda dealer service suck big time.
I was going to buy a accord over the summer, went to the dealer to look at '08 accord. One saleman asked first question "are you planning to buy today?" I have my check book in my pocket, but i told him I'm looking to buy, but not sure today. Surely, he slowly drift away. Didn't really try to sell me the accord, even though I did research about the accord, but it would've been nice if he keep some conversation going instead of standing there waiting to do the paper work.
I went across the street, Lexus dealer, treated me like king! walk away w/ the IS250 almost same price as a fully load Accord!
I bought a Ridgeline for the family, and have serval Honda products at home. But, that one experience just lost me that day. I went home, and tell some friends to go buy Lexus!!! ahah or at least go there for the free water.
I was going to buy a accord over the summer, went to the dealer to look at '08 accord. One saleman asked first question "are you planning to buy today?" I have my check book in my pocket, but i told him I'm looking to buy, but not sure today. Surely, he slowly drift away. Didn't really try to sell me the accord, even though I did research about the accord, but it would've been nice if he keep some conversation going instead of standing there waiting to do the paper work.
I went across the street, Lexus dealer, treated me like king! walk away w/ the IS250 almost same price as a fully load Accord!
I bought a Ridgeline for the family, and have serval Honda products at home. But, that one experience just lost me that day. I went home, and tell some friends to go buy Lexus!!! ahah or at least go there for the free water.
12-12-08, 03:53 PM
#35
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: IL
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would argue that Toyota and Honda owners purchase in an appliance mentality. Hey, my last Accord/Camry worked well, why not get another? In addition, while they have excellent reliability, I think this is only 1/2 of the equation because when they DO have an issue, the manufacturer is quick to stand behind the car. Not so much with other brands.....
Yet luxury car owners (Lexus/MB/BMW) are in a constant "what can I move up to next". Lexus, MB, and BMW offer a very nice lineup of cars to start with (ES/C-Class/3-series) and a sweet progression of cars to move up to. Acura unfortunately does not have this type of progression in their lineup (alternatively, you could use the appliance argument with the Acura lineup as well).
Yet luxury car owners (Lexus/MB/BMW) are in a constant "what can I move up to next". Lexus, MB, and BMW offer a very nice lineup of cars to start with (ES/C-Class/3-series) and a sweet progression of cars to move up to. Acura unfortunately does not have this type of progression in their lineup (alternatively, you could use the appliance argument with the Acura lineup as well).
12-13-08, 01:31 PM
#36
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The #4 position of Mercedes-Benz is interesting, considering their noted unreliability and the grief they cause many of their owners. This may be a case of what Mike was talking about, above, in the "sheep mentality" comment.......people buying (and repeat-buying) the brand with little thought to anything other than just "image".
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gojirra99
Car Chat
27
11-18-05 10:35 AM
