Favorite Car Company

[840quadra]

Most profitable? or highest profit margin? Unless they are selling their cars a at a ridiculously high margin I don't see how they could be making the most amount of profit. Porsche doesn't sell that many vehicles.

The Ladder, sorry for not being clear.

This year Porsche will sell about 50,000 cars and still maintain a comfortable waiting list. Its profits dwarf those of its mass-market competitors; in its past fiscal year, the company made about $7,350 pretax on each car sold. General Motors, by contrast, earned $853.

However a recent Buisness week article I read stated that they are gaining ground on the most profitable auto makers. Who knows, if the Boxster Cayman S, and others take off well, they may just move up the ladder faster then expected!

 

[840quadra]

The A8's a far better driving tool... (my misses has one). The Phaeton is probably more comfortable to be driven around in, but then it should be considering how much it weighs 😱 it should pummel flat all the bumps it encounters 😛

I actually liked the way the VW drove over the A8. The ASF on the new A8 dosen't seem as rigid as the previous model, but this topic in general is a matter of personal opinon.

Thing is, by definition... VW is exactly that, and always will be. I find it ironic that they purchased 2 companies with almost identical brand qualities as themselves.

Agreed, What they are doing is beyond stupid IMHO. Leave Luxury for Audi and Bently, continue to make great driver cars, pocket rockets, and great reliable fun transportation. VW had a great thing going in the early 90's and gained momentum into the 4th generation Golf and Jetta models. When they started to devote resources to "moving up" is when they strted to get into painful sitations. I think VW should have listened to the Media, and public that saiid that moving up wasn't a good idea.

But then, well they are big, and do what they want anyway. 🙁

 

[Xtremehkr]

You are extremely wrong my young padawan...

These niche markets will always exist. As long as a car is a status symbol in our culture there will these niche markets.

When you are buying e.g. a Ferrari, it is for two reasons:

1) Not everybody can afford one
2) and therefore it makes you feel special

groovebuster

Having thought about it, I agree with your example using Ferrari. I just hope that they remain an independent firm and keep the quality as high as it has been. I think Porsche is in this league as well, just on a lightly larger scale.

 

[Josh]

Honda/Acura are incredibly reliable, but I have to give A LOT of credit to Hyundai.

Hyundai is ranked 2nd in customer satisfaction and value, only behind Lexus.

Considering the price difference between a Hyundai and a Lexus, Hyundais are an excellent choice. By default, Kia then, too, is an excellent choice, as Kia is owned and opperated by Hyundai.

(I drive a Hyundai myself, a 2000 Tiburon - see site in sig 🙂 )

Hyundais are just getting over a bad rep for quality - and the interesting thing is, that bad rep came from bad transmittions back in the late 80's, early 90's. What's interesting about that? Back then, they got their transmissions from Ford.

Once they stopped that, the rep was no longer true, and now look where they are.

 

[Les Kern]

THIS ONE
Next year it will be done. Got on the list a few months ago.
It cost me 50 bucks to fill my wife's van up, it cost me 35 for my lousy Taurus.
I have had it.

 

[Abstract]

Dude, just get a small car like I did.

How is this a Smart purchase? It's too expensive for what you get in return.

 

[Les Kern]

Dude, just get a small car like I did.

How is this a Smart purchase? It's too expensive for what you get in return.

I've been looking around for something like this for awhile. What really solidified my decision were a couple of things. But the biggest by far were the crash tests. I think the zapworld site still has one of the MSNBC videos from Mercedes where they crashed a Smart into a full-size sedan. With a 30+ MPH front/left corner crash, the Smart plowed throught he sedan, The cab was fully intact, the doors even opened. Not so on the larger car. So it's safety. I don't know what you bought, but I remember from a few years ago the Honda CRX was rated "death trap". Other small cars that I have been looking at come out poorly, none getting CLOSE to the Smart score. So while small may equal small to some, one has to add in some other equations to get a better idea on whether the car is worth the $1,000 savings, and whether it will kill you or not.
So what I "get in return" is not only great mileage, but, well, life.

 

[iGav]

I actually liked the way the VW drove over the A8. The ASF on the new A8 dosen't seem as rigid as the previous model, but this topic in general is a matter of personal opinon.

I think my main issue with the Phaeton is it's weight, it's a massively heavy car, of which a substantial amount of that weight is over the front wheels.

The A8 has a tendency to understeer (something my lady likes, something I do not) although like any 4WD car you need to adapt your entry to corners to reduce the effect, but from my (admittedly soul) experience of a Phaeton I found the understeer on it to be horrific... with a greater feeling of weight shift on twisty roads (more of a concern here then over there) considering that they're essentially the same platform, they couldn't be more different in the way that they perform.

But then, I don't think the 2 are marketed or targeted either at each other or the same buyers.

Agreed, What they are doing is beyond stupid IMHO. Leave Luxury for Audi and Bently,

The Phaeton was an odd move, I honestly believe that if they had to go down the luxury route, they would have been better off marketing the Phaeton as it's own luxury brand, much like Mercedes did with Maybach, or Toyota with Lexus.

But even then, it still makes no sense when they already own a luxury brand in Bentley, and have a more upmarket brand in Audi.

As you say... it's beyond stupid in a way.

I think VW should have listened to the Media, and public that saiid that moving up wasn't a good idea.

Creating a brand is difficult, trying to upgrade an existing one a notch or too is arguably as, if not more challenging.

The problem VW had, is as you say... perception of the brand by the public as being peoples cars, and buyers of cars in the Phaeton price bracket are brand conscious, it was always going to be difficult selling a £60k+ car in any appreciable numbers when that very same company also knock out the Lupo.

VW has a massively recognisable and respected brand, they just need to refocus on the brands core values, and produce products which satisfy those values.

 

[Frank (Atlanta)]

Re: the Cayenne...

Actually he's right about it, but who cares? The engine and the floor pan components are coming from Volkswagen. A Touareg driver still doesn't own a Porsche. A car is so much more than just the engine and the floor pan components...
groovebuster

The Cayenne's engine, suspension, electronics, etc. do not come from VW. The V8 is a Porsche design/built engine. Porsche does, however, outsource quite a bit of subsystems (brakes, HVAC, etc.).

Now, I'm not defending the Cayenne. As a Porsche driver, I believe they should stick with sports cars - they're the only remaining independent sports car manufacturer today. Their move, however, into SUVs and sedans (upcoming Panamera) is due in part to A) diversification/risk mitigation into other markets and B) financial gain (the margins and growth in the SUV market was rather high...up until relataively recent fuel cost escalation).

Frank

 

[cheekyspanky]

Favourite all round brand: Audi (most of the VW groups brands I like - except the recent Seat's - the interiors are so plain it doesn't match with the exteriors)

Favourite exotic car brand: Lamborghini - the Gallardo in particular, as it looks great and is rarer than the Ferrari 360 which I seem to see quite often.

Favourite SUV: Land Rover - with the Discovery - I like the no nonsense slab sided look, which appears a lot less fussy and visually more functional than most other SUVs.

I think BMWs and Mercedes are just too common to appreciate these days, with their brands being devalued a little more with each release - but I do love the angel eyes design detail and the 5 Series and 6 Series in general but the brands themselves don't really speak to me.

 

[gwuMACaddict]

The Ladder, sorry for not being clear

it's spelled latter

i also prefer the toureg to the cayenne, looks more like a "real" suv. though i'm sure i'd prefer the performance of the cayenne.

not feeling the volvo love. sad 🙁 haha 😀

 

[edesignuk]

Aston Martin. I just love 'em

 

[yg17]

Honda/Acura are incredibly reliable, but I have to give A LOT of credit to Hyundai.

Hyundai is ranked 2nd in customer satisfaction and value, only behind Lexus.

Considering the price difference between a Hyundai and a Lexus, Hyundais are an excellent choice. By default, Kia then, too, is an excellent choice, as Kia is owned and opperated by Hyundai.

(I drive a Hyundai myself, a 2000 Tiburon - see site in sig 🙂 )

Hyundais are just getting over a bad rep for quality - and the interesting thing is, that bad rep came from bad transmittions back in the late 80's, early 90's. What's interesting about that? Back then, they got their transmissions from Ford.

Once they stopped that, the rep was no longer true, and now look where they are.

Hey Josh, long time no see. NewTiburon.com says hi 😀

 

[bursty]

Re: the Cayenne...



The Cayenne's engine, suspension, electronics, etc. do not come from VW. The V8 is a Porsche design/built engine. Porsche does, however, outsource quite a bit of subsystems (brakes, HVAC, etc.).

Now, I'm not defending the Cayenne. As a Porsche driver, I believe they should stick with sports cars - they're the only remaining independent sports car manufacturer today. Their move, however, into SUVs and sedans (upcoming Panamera) is due in part to A) diversification/risk mitigation into other markets and B) financial gain (the margins and growth in the SUV market was rather high...up until relataively recent fuel cost escalation).

Frank

I thought the V8 was a Porsche designed engine. And I agree, Porsche should definitely stick with sports cars. Although, I am glad that the new M5 might have some competition with the Panamera coming out.

 

[DeSnousa]

I just love the Audi's 😀

 

[FadeToBlack]

VW. Definitely. A VW will hopefully be my next car.

 

[Abstract]

I've been looking around for something like this for awhile. What really solidified my decision were a couple of things. But the biggest by far were the crash tests. I think the zapworld site still has one of the MSNBC videos from Mercedes where they crashed a Smart into a full-size sedan. With a 30+ MPH front/left corner crash, the Smart plowed throught he sedan, The cab was fully intact, the doors even opened. Not so on the larger car. So it's safety. I don't know what you bought, but I remember from a few years ago the Honda CRX was rated "death trap". Other small cars that I have been looking at come out poorly, none getting CLOSE to the Smart score. So while small may equal small to some, one has to add in some other equations to get a better idea on whether the car is worth the $1,000 savings, and whether it will kill you or not.
So what I "get in return" is not only great mileage, but, well, life.

Fair enough. 🙂

I own a 2005 Hyundai Getz, and not only does it get a perfect safety rating in Australia (not sure if these mean anything), it's also the cheapest small car to repair. Due to these 2 factors, it just so happens to be the cheapest small car in Australia to insure.

Too bad we don't get them in Canada/America. I'd recommend one to anyone, but we're still stuck with those funny looking 2-door Hyundai Accents over there. The rest of your small car/hatch market is excruciatingly small, too, so I guess you don't have much choice but to pay more. 😱

Fully loaded (for this model, no power seats or sunroof options are available 😉 ) 2 door, auto version costs a total of approximately $12600 USD. And your safety concerns are understandable when buying small, since all the cars you deal with in the US are bigger than what the rest of the world are used to.

 

[yg17]

Fair enough. 🙂

I own a 2005 Hyundai Getz, and not only does it get a perfect safety rating in Australia (not sure if these mean anything), it's also the cheapest small car to repair. Due to these 2 factors, it just so happens to be the cheapest small car in Australia to insure.

Too bad we don't get them in Canada/America. I'd recommend one to anyone, but we're still stuck with those funny looking 2-door Hyundai Accents over there. The rest of your small car/hatch market is excruciatingly small, too, so I guess you don't have much choice but to pay more. 😱

Fully loaded (for this model, no power seats or sunroof options are available 😉 ) 2 door, auto version costs a total of approximately $12600 USD. And your safety concerns are understandable when buying small, since all the cars you deal with in the US are bigger than what the rest of the world are used to.

There was an Accent hatch concept that resembled the Getz and looked really good. If Hyundai actually releases it, that would be pretty close to the Getz.

But yeah, we don't have much of a small car market over here. Everyone needs to drive the biggest SUV money can buy 🙄

 

[XIII]

Aston Martin are my favourite car company... Awesome cars, beautifully designed.

Renault are my favourite affordable car company.. Nice designs. 🙂

 

[840quadra]

it's spelled latter

i also prefer the toureg to the cayenne, looks more like a "real" suv. though i'm sure i'd prefer the performance of the cayenne.

not feeling the volvo love. sad 🙁 haha 😀

OOPS!

To my defense I was up for almost 24 hours when I posted that 😀 .

I think the Volvo XC90 V8 Supercharged would be fun, I would love to drive it too!

 

[840quadra]

I think my main issue with the Phaeton is it's weight, it's a massively heavy car, of which a substantial amount of that weight is over the front wheels.

The A8 has a tendency to understeer (something my lady likes, something I do not) although like any 4WD car you need to adapt your entry to corners to reduce the effect, but from my (admittedly soul) experience of a Phaeton I found the understeer on it to be horrific... with a greater feeling of weight shift on twisty roads (more of a concern here then over there) considering that they're essentially the same platform, they couldn't be more different in the way that they perform.

Good points, There was snow on the ground when I drove both of them, so I didn't get to push them as much as I had wanted. I did like the way the Phaeton fared on the deep snow sections, but that could have been mostly tires and the extra weight. One thing that is important when comparing handling of cars (and many people forget this) is the tire (or tyre 🙂 ) the car is using to grip the road.

Handling is quite important over here. My first modifications to all my cars are better brakes, and tighter suspension. Let's just say the roads I take to and form work, are not flat and straight 🙂 .

Creating a brand is difficult, trying to upgrade an existing one a notch or too is arguably as, if not more challenging.

The problem VW had, is as you say... perception of the brand by the public as being peoples cars, and buyers of cars in the Phaeton price bracket are brand conscious, it was always going to be difficult selling a £60k+ car in any appreciable numbers when that very same company also knock out the Lupo.

VW has a massively recognisable and respected brand, they just need to refocus on the brands core values, and produce products which satisfy those values.

Great points!

I hope they don't get too much in debt because of recent mistakes and quality issues. The Biggest thing they need to work on over here in the US, is their terrible service department reputation.

 

[Abstract]

Renault are my favourite affordable car company.. Nice designs. 🙂

Yeah, they're incredibly beautiful to look at. I don't think I'd own one, though. 😉

 

[XIII]

Yeah, they're incredibly beautiful to look at. I don't think I'd own one, though. 😉

Ah... Nothing wrong with a good, reliabl... *door breaks off*

With smooth, economic en... *engine dies once more*

But yes, they look good. 🙂 Especially the Renault Laguna... Best looking Saloon for that price. 🙂

 

[cheekyspanky]

Ah... Nothing wrong with a good, reliabl... *door breaks off*

With smooth, economic en... *engine dies once more*

But yes, they look good. 🙂 Especially the Renault Laguna Best looking Saloon for that price. 🙂

But the Laguna is a hatchback..I don't think they do a saloon variant?! I rathered the pre-face lift model - not such a fan of the latest one.

I like the new Clio - might be an option for me when I get a car.
🙂

 

[XIII]

Saloon.. Hatchback.. Never could tell the difference... Meh! 🙂

New Clio looks good.