G37enisis?

[Zoomzoomers]

You're wrong on two points 7fiddy.

First, Lexus made a HUGE splash in the luxury market because they hit the ground with the LS400, which was reviewed as being leaps and bounds ahead of it's competition, the MB E-class. What's more Lexus sold their new LS at $40k when MB was selling their E-class at $55k. It's marketing 101.

[the750]

Originally Posted by Zoomzoomers

You're wrong on two points 7fiddy.

First, Lexus made a HUGE splash in the luxury market because they hit the ground with the LS400, which was reviewed as being leaps and bounds ahead of it's competition, the MB E-class. What's more Lexus sold their new LS at $40k when MB was selling their E-class at $55k. It's marketing 101.

so, where was i wrong? you're the one that said they had come so far since then. i don't see it.

also i never said the LS was more expensive than it's rivals. it actually started at $36,000 which is relatively cheap for what it was, but that was a ton of money for a Japanese car in 1990, yet buyers happily shelled it out.

[240ka]

Originally Posted by poormansporsche

I think it was actually Acura that was the first of the 3 Japanese makers to make a splash here (all those Legends), with Lexus and Infiniti following their lead.

As far as credibility....well heck, what more credible endorsement could an auto maker get than to be referenced in rap songs....LOL

I don't see the Lexus LS sales hurting though; ever think the people who buy them aren't the same people who read the mags that rate them lower than those others?

yep. rappers in NY talked about the Acura Vigor and Legend the most then they started talking about the lexus

[the750]

then the Q45...

[the750]

you got a 4-5 infiniti you livin large like your last name was kennedy or el debarge...

[Zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by the750

so, where was i wrong? you're the one that said they had come so far since then. i don't see it.

also i never said the LS was more expensive than it's rivals. it actually started at $36,000 which is relatively cheap for what it was, but that was a ton of money for a Japanese car in 1990, yet buyers happily shelled it out.

I disagree with you when you say that Lexus started out in a rage of fire. Initially, you had the those who can't afford the MB's and BMW's driving Lexus's. It wasn't till Lexus was able to "proove" that they had a superior product, at thousands less than their German compeititors, that they really broke into the market. My dad and uncle were diehard MB fans, till my uncle got an LS and then my pops. They said the Lexus was worlds better and the service they received at the dealers was phenominal.

My point, if you missed it, is that all of these lux lines started from obscure status to get to where they are today. Again, 20 years ago, when it all started you'd have been hard pressed to hear that Lexus is a better car than say MB. I'm not referring to those who were driving Fords/Toyotas that moved up either. I'm referring to those who've always been luxury car buyers, which is the target demographics. It took a few years of "outdoing" the competition for Lexus/Acura to be accepted, somewhat, as "true" luxury brands. It didn't happen over night as you're claiming it did.

[theaznlaw]

Infiniti really didnt get much respect from the mainstream and media until the G35 proved a threat to the almighty BMW E46 3 Series and since then it's been steadily climbing up.

Acura IMHO will probably never reach the status of Lexus, MB and BMW because of its automotive platforms. The front-wheel drive layout on its cars really doesnt impress and a lack of direct competitors to other manufacterers really leaves Acura behind.