Well, this assumes that it’s all about TCO or status.
But have you ever driven a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche or Audi? The driving expierence is superior to everything else! Tesla gets close...but I can’t think of any other brand that does.
But have you ever driven a Mercedes, BMW, Porsche or Audi? The driving expierence is superior to everything else! Tesla gets close...but I can’t think of any other brand that does.
It would be better to state that the car market is not primarily based around the simple act of transportation. Which should be pretty obvious anyway.
Indeed. And the more of these you can check, the happier and more satisfying your life is likely to get. Why maintain an unused mansion when a small, cozy place will do? Why follow the latest fashion trends when your four year old OCBD is in fighting form? Why eat lobsters all the time when beans are so nutrient-dense and cheap?! Why sit on your ass wasting away at the behest of a mediocre film when you could read a book instead?
The other major difference, of course, is that there are few irrational decisions quite as expensive as buying an idiot pickup truck to show off. Maybe a boat or an aircraft, but not much more.
Mercedes hasn't been kenown for driving dynamics, but perhaps their solidity is great. Porsche is absolutely renowned for the driving experience they provide.
There are plenty that can match these in every class. If you only consider brands based on an overall perception, then sure, maybe not.
The Cadillac ATS and Alfa Romeo Giulia are almost universally regarded as dynamically superior to their 3-series equivalents, for a common example.
Exactly, my 2017 Focus RS is so much fun to drive and has a lot more power than any German car of equivalent price. I mean where else can you find AWD, 350 HP and 350 ft/lb torque with a 6 speed manual for under $40,000?
Not Ford, anymore.
I like the RS a lot, but not $40,000 a lot.
I've found that the best driving experience in my commute conditions is a $500,000 bus because I can get some work done or relax so the length of the commute doesn't mattter so much.
> The driving experience is superior
Status is an important motivator and should not be dismissed.
No way in hell is a C-Class Benz worth it's price. Tesla drives way better and is much more fun.
I think it's about TCO, status, reliability and maybe fun-factor.
Nobody buys an Audi or Benz for 'fun-factor'. Especially not when they get AMG or i versions.
mini, owned by bmw, is.. mini.. theyre the car parents get their daughters
I (regrettably used to) own a 2002 BMW M3 -- relatively cheap to buy, and compared to anything else in its year or price category was unequivocally better as a "driver's car". But, many people don't really care about a driver's car -- they index higher on other things like electronics, safety, styling, etc. That's fine, it's only preference, but for raw performance nothing similar could compare.
My experience is that a lot of people equate "expensive car" or "german car" with "nice car", and for them "nice car" means something specific other than raw performance numbers, like comfort, safety, features, or Consumer Reports ranking. For enthusiasts, it means something totally different, and those qualities are indexed on by BMW/Merc/Audi (and some rare American and Japanese exceptions to be fair).