Agent009
Agent009
"The vanity of others offends our taste only when it offends our vanity"
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What Factors Make a Brand Appealing To You?

We here is all of the time.  Superior handling, massaging seats, self parking, excellent reliability, innovation, and even reliability. 

 All of these, or at least some of these superlatives combined give the buyer an overall appeal of a brand.  Whether it be amenities, performance or even just an aura, there is something that draws each of us to a brand.  But what is it?

 For me at least, it has to be a solidly built of high quality materials with a straight forward sensible design that gives me excellent feedback and control.  I am not easily swayed by the electronic wizardry of self parking, navigation systems, and sensors that turn on the wipers for me when it rains.  I can do all of those things by myself. 

 I have seen time and time again, that most brands are very reliable.  Actually I probably stand a better chance of winning at the roulette wheel, than picking a brand that will leave me stranded.  With that mindset, I look at service costs over the intended ownership experience to also help measure the appeal. After all a car that nickels and dimes you to death can’t be enjoyable. To me, people who complain of high service costs really didn’t enter the ownership experience fully educated.

 So there you have it.  Brand the appeal to me must have those characteristics on then can I decide on which model fits my needs.  What are your key factors in determining the appeal of a brand?


What Factors Make a Brand Appealing To You?



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S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 5/23/2008 4:12:13 PMView My AgentSpace
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
What factors make writing these stupid filler articles appealing to you?

reply to this comment
LecsucksLecsucks - 5/23/2008 5:47:48 PM
+6 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You do come up with some lame articles, Agent 009. Let me guess what your next article is going to be........ Now that gas prices are $4 are you going to ride a bicycle? Come on guys, stop the BS, bring us some real news.


theoptimisticpessimisttheoptimisticpessimist - 5/23/2008 5:49:22 PM
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
S4cabriofoxone - I regret only having one boost to give you. DITTO!


KZ258KZ258 - 5/24/2008 6:33:39 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
im also with you S4. this article is so lame


M53RM53R - 5/24/2008 7:22:54 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well guys, the whole purpose of this website is to make me, and I think if you like these topics, why not just leave them without any comments? It's a business, and you people should understand that. It's Agent009's job to create articles that plenty of people comment on.

As for the topic, for me the factors that make a car in my shopping lists are performance, looks, and luxury. I think every single brand now has passed the average of becoming reliable, so it's not really a big issue with me. I also like to enjoy driving, and so I need a car that is just fun to drive. Practicality is important to me atm, because I need to pick up people and things like that, but when Im done, Im probably going to end up buying a coupe.



EnnNorakEnnNorak - 5/24/2008 9:18:00 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
There is only one factor that counts: The brand must deliver on its promise or it will surely fail.


DROOPYSAKKDROOPYSAKK - 5/23/2008 4:13:48 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
i see the writers are just as bored as us on this the Friday before memorial day .

reply to this comment
answeranswer - 5/23/2008 5:06:16 PMView My AgentSpace
+7 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
What appeals to me:

Mercedes: my favorite Mercs always have an "old Hollywood" feel to them (S, SL, SLK, etc.)

Porsche: knowing they have a good thing, and not messing with it

Lexus: luxury, but in a different mindset and execution, perfection in build

Audi: German, but doing things their own way

BMW: symbolizes performance cars to me like no other

Acura: an alternative to the alternative luxury cars

Toyota: a strive to have happy customers before anything else

Honda: extremely durable, simplicity of execution

Pontiac: performance (or the image of it) at the forefront

Subaru: unique in both design and their target consumer

Lamborghini: state of the art in performance and designs that are always noticed

Ferrari: sports car by which all others are judged

Just my opinions. (No particular order either)


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hao420hao420 - 5/23/2008 11:02:45 PM
+4 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I go for Lexus and Acura (without mention Honda and Toyota)


ChicaneShooterChicaneShooter - 5/24/2008 5:38:37 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
you got ALL the right answers, answer!

the only line 009 wrote that was more than 1/2 sensible, was "Actually I probably stand a better chance of winning at the roulette wheel, than picking a brand that will leave me stranded."

that said, then WTF does it matter WHAT anyone chooses to buy, OTHER than personal preferences? baiting opinionated owners (of any and all brands) to proclaim that THEIRS is the best choice, only serves to start flame wars.

to each his own. for WHATEVER reason. which NEED NOT be justified to anyone else.




Htay7500Htay7500 - 5/23/2008 5:35:35 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
whatever brands do their thing their own way.

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Batman219Batman219 - 5/23/2008 7:55:48 PM
-2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
By how quick it takes for the panties to drop. Porsche tops that list.

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DW1968DW1968 - 5/24/2008 11:40:21 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Maybe you're just not wearing the right size...?


Matthew1Matthew1 - 5/24/2008 1:23:54 AM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
A thinly-disguised flame-starter I see.

Kudos.


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TeknikTeknik - 5/24/2008 2:25:55 AMView My AgentSpace
+3 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Yup, Agent009 and Agent001, always posting the same articles over and over again in different flavors.

Always trying to start a flame-war. I guess that they get off on this stuff.

They live their lives based on which brand has the most prestige.


reply to this comment
M53RM53R - 5/24/2008 7:24:22 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I wrote my comment in the wrong spot. But anyways...

For me the factors that make a car in my shopping lists are performance, looks, and luxury. I think every single brand now has passed the average of becoming reliable, so it's not really a big issue with me. I also like to enjoy driving, and so I need a car that is just fun to drive. Practicality is important to me atm, because I need to pick up people and things like that, but when Im done, Im probably going to end up buying a coupe.


reply to this comment
flozel1flozel1 - 5/24/2008 10:02:59 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Does one actually need talent to become "Agent" on this site?

reply to this comment
DW1968DW1968 - 5/25/2008 12:11:15 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Although I like seeing news of the industry or new cars as much as any one, I don't think this article is totally off-topic.

Most of the people who read this site probably feel that cars *ARE* more than basic transportation--and much more than just the sum of their specs. There *IS* an emotional connection; otherwise why not just create a speadsheet to pick the best vehicle for any situation?

Part of the emotional connection involves the brand, there's no denying that. So this isn't a totally lame article, it's a fair point of discussion (as long as it's not the ONLY point of discussion).

So, with that in mind...to be appealing, I think a brand must start with a clear message (values), and then it must have credibility...once those two are established, then whether it appeals to me or not is a matter of whether or not their values align with my values.

If I can't understand what a brand WANTS to be, then it's never going to appeal to me. An example of a confusing brand, to me, is Mercury. Luxury? Family Transportation? Performance? I have no idea why Mercury exists. Do not want.

The next thing is credibility...does the brand actually walk the talk? Hyundai wanted to be reliable basic transportation--they failed miserably at first, so no credibility, but they've improved a lot, and I would look at one, now. The VW Phaeton is another recent example of a brand with a credibility gap...the VW brand does not have the credibility to be a luxury brand (yet). Do not want.

Brands that have clearly stated values--AND have the credibility to back that up--are appealing. Honda and Toyota are reliable family transportation. Nissan and Pontiac are affordable/fun/sport-ish. MB delivers on their luxury promise. BMW delivers on their sport-luxury promise. Bentley/RR/Maybach are credible ultra-luxury brands. All of these brands are clear, credible, and very appealing.

So then you have to decide which values align with your own. In my case, the values I look for in a brand are innovation, performance, some level of luxury, and yes, "prestige" appeal among my friends. There, I said it...I admit that I DO choose my cars (partially) based on what my friends will think of it (and me, for driving it). Most people do, too, whether or not they're willing to admit it.

So, specifically, my favorite brands are: Honda (innovation, performance), BMW (luxury, performance, prestige), and Bentley (performance, prestige--and strictly aspirational, for now).


reply to this comment
flozel1flozel1 - 5/25/2008 2:50:49 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It's not so much that it's off-topic. Just that it's unnecessary. Weren't something of similar topic posted a day or two ago? Come to think of it, EVERY article about Lexus and BMW posted on this site elicits people's strong opinions as to their favorite brand.



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