₦airaland Forum

In a May 2006 survey, Porsche was awarded first place as the most prestigious luxury automobile brand by Luxury Institute, New York; it questioned more than 500 US households with a gross annual income of at least $200,000 and a net worth of at least $750,000

Mercedes was awarded second place, and Toyota's Lexus division, third.

There are a number of problems with this, and I will attempt to explain why Lexus doesn't belong on this list.

The first problem with this survey is that it did not give an adequate definition of prestige. Is it based on single factors such as technological innovation, engines, heritage, performance brands, awards, average transaction prices, owner demographics, or parent company/acquisitions, or is it a culmination of all of these things?

Lexus doesn't belong on this list for a number of reasons. Let's break it down:

1. Technological innovation: The most marketed event in the brand's history was the "invention" of the hybrid system. This was hardly an innovation--in fact, it was just the opposite. Audi has been at the forefront of hybrid testing and research since the late 1980's, releasing their first prototype in 1988. Audi was also the first premium brand to bring to market a hybrid vehicle, the DUO, in 1997. Why is Lexus credited with inventing hybrid when all they did was copy existing technology?

Look closer, and you'll find a number of other technologies on Lexus cars is a copy of what you see on the competition first, and often is brought decades after it was originally created.

2. Engines: How many of Lexus engines have made Ward's 10 Best--regarded as the benchmark in engine testing and ratings? Three, including the 3.5L V6. Audi, on the other hand, has been named on that list a total of nine times, representing five engines. BMW has been named seventeen times, representing six engines. Where is a Lexus V12 engine? What do they have to show in the form of diesel technology and development? Clearly, the engines Lexus produces are inferior to these two less "prestigious" brands.

3. Heritage: What heritage? Born in 1989, and according to Lexus designers and engineers, ADMITTEDLY a copy of Mercedes.

4. Performance brands: In Europe, and across the world, performance brands are what separate near luxury from true luxury brands, and explains Audi S, BMW M, and Mercedes AMG cars. Huge amounts of money are spent on the development, engineering, and testing of such vehicles--not to mention the costs associated with producing them. Where is Lexus' performance brand?

5. Awards: The only awards associated with Lexus are long-term quality related. Never mind engineering, driveability, performance, drive trains, interior awards, and international recognition. As was pointed out in a previous article, the difference between Lexus vehicles and the worst vehicles under JD Power & Associates 3 year quality ranking was just THREE problems. Then, there's the issue of how you even define what a PROBLEM is--is it bad cupholders, a badly placed doorhandle, or something mechanical? This study doesn't do a good enough job of differentiating between the two.

Bottom line, Lexus so-called "quality" is incredibly over rated.

6. Average transaction prices: Audi's and BMW's average transaction prices (read, more available higher priced models) trumps the Lexus average significantly. This is because while the most expensive Lexus model is a mere $72k, Audi's most expensive model is the $118k A8 W12 and BMW's most expensive model is the $119k 760Li. Not to mention numerous S and M performance vehicles.

7. Owner demographics: Both BMW and Audi boast higher percentages of college graduates with higher income than your typical Lexus buyer.

9jab01:
Hello House,

Can someone please share contact of a good garage or mechanic (excluding the VW service centers) who can do a clean timing chain tensioner replacement on a passat CC?

I intend doing a proactive replacememt of the tensioner (including the rail slides/guides etc) in a CC I'm about to purchase with the redesigned/updated one that eliminates the timing chain problem.

Thanks in advance

Location? If Lagos contact radautoworks

Princecanada:
Lol...I didn't open the thread to show off the car. I only need suggestions on how to properly maintain it.

Pictures please!

kingvicking:
OK
Thanks

I answered you on the VW Audi thread

kingvicking:
Good day all,

Please I have an issue with my Volkswagen Passat 2001 model, Auto transmission.

I changed the engine last Week and ever since the gear has not been selecting well.

If I place it in drive, I will have to fire it before it move at all, then it will move a little, then jack and go into limp mode.

I scanned and the issue are:

Engine:
2 cylinder misfire.

Gear:
P01730 (not too sure of the code)
But the interpretation was "INCORRECT GEAR RATIO"

I have
1. Serviced gear fibre body/filter and bottom plate
2. drained and refill gear oil,
3. Cleared fault with scanner.

The mechanic who changed the engine insisted that the flywheel & converter are well positioned
Please any valid way out is appreciated

@dancock
@siena
@Nobody

P1730 - Automatic Transmission Interlock

When is the code detected?

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1730 is detected when Transmission Control Module (TCM) does not receive the proper voltage signal from the sensor and switch.

Also check: Volkswagen P1730 Front Speed Sensor – Low Input


ADVICE: FIX THE CYLINDER TWO MISFIRE FIRST... AND TEST

phal:
I really really appreciate u all wonderful NLs for your various inputs, suggestions and recommendations...indeed u guys are wonderful
including the bad mouthers ..ur responds have helped me narrow my options down to Benz c230 1999-2000, Toyota Camry 1999-2001, Peugeot 206 and Any Honda sedan from1999 to 2004....once more I need u guys to help me decide on which of the listed cars I should go for that would be perfect for my budget putting in consideration reliability,
durability, fuel efficiency, parts availability and of course perfect engine, gear and working A. C... I am very sorry for the inconveniencies, I don't really know much about cars hence I am here for ur expertise advice once more.... Thanking you all in advance

Take the Mercedes Benz C Class... and don't look back.

phal:
Car gurus in the house please kindly help me suggest which car would fit my budget,
I am actually planning to buy my first car as my family is growing big and moving from point A to B is becoming stressful for us, hence I decided to get a very good & sharp Nigerian used car with a budget of 500K max.

I want a car that is very durable, reliable, fuel efficient, cheap and accessible parts, meanwhile I don't want Toyota or Honda as they are too common on Nigerian roads & I also believe they re not the only best car options we can get. Though I am looking at Nissan Almera 2001, Nissan primera 2000 to 2002, VW Golf 3 and Mazda cars from 1999 to 2002 models.

Please kindly help me as I need your car expertise to decide which car to go for ASAP.

Thanking you in advance

Thanking

Princeonlinebiz give him your red golf

phal:
Car gurus in the house please kindly help me suggest which car would fit my budget,
I am actually planning to buy my first car as my family is growing big and moving from point A to B is becoming stressful for us, hence I decided to get a very good & sharp Nigerian used car with a budget of 500K max.

I want a car that is very durable, reliable, fuel efficient, cheap and accessible parts, meanwhile I don't want Toyota or Honda as they are too common on Nigerian roads & I also believe they re not the only best car options we can get. Though I am looking at Nissan Almera 2001, Nissan primera 2000 to 2002, VW Golf 3 and Mazda cars from 1999 to 2002 models.

Please kindly help me as I need your car expertise to decide which car to go for ASAP.

Thanking you in advance

Thanking

Any reasonable Mercedes Benz

diportivo:
anybody wey this country offend

abeg

no vex

pity us

This car is in high demand at agric ikorodu

Zuchomarnia:
Considering the fact that Camry Orobo as they usually call it is old; given that it lasted model was 1996.

So, this year, is it advisable to buy such a car? And also, give many alternatives to it—which one can get instead of of it; at a modest price, thank you.

It is a good car.

kingreign:
Oh you still recall that group. Lol


By the way, I've archived the thread

I was a very active member, guess I met gazzuzz there

drake49:
okay. When i upgrade it becomes android 10

Not certain

RZArecta:
Just take a look at the fôols and buffoons running this country, who did Nigerians offend in this world ? It shall never be well with APC zombies because I know they’ll conveniently avoid this thread. Buhari and co travelers have turned even the sit of power to a joke

Let's go back home to cartalk

drake49:
good morning bro. This is my about of my phone, and the other photo is the update my phone gives me... Is this the latest update for RN8 pro? Is this the android 10? Lastly my glo keeps fluctuating and moving btw 4g and E

Android 9

Ikenna351 I remember when you scattered your Peugeot WhatsApp group because of a quarrel with another guy over a female member. When did you become celibate?

You scattered the entire group because of a feminine affection and attention.... Not been given solely to you...

Seems to me you're threatening alfred74, kingreign, heavenlybang, eddee and others on this thread... With poison and assassination... Be velly careful.

ojeysky:
Am not comparing am basically talking about your once hit porthole declaration. A c230 that enter porthole and breakdown down have happened to any other Benz as well.

Do you want an answer?

asamwababy:
Heavenly bang you get time.

Mercedes clearly messed up by naming that line M class without taking into consideration BMW had the M line already.

If they factored the above, Merc would have stuck to the ML class and not trying to act funny by saying the ML was under the M class umbrella.

So you still post. With your numerous monikers

ojeysky:
Okay and w202 survived in such porthole, clap for yourself, you try well well.....I guess your goal here is a "talk them down approach".

How can you compare the w202 to the w203?

HeavenlyBang:
If you actually knew what the hell you were saying, you would, for one, know that there was no GLE in 2010. There was an ML. The car they're talking about is the GL450. You'd also know that the QX56 could come in either RWD or AWD.

You'd then also know that torque is a lot more important than horsepower, especially in a vehicle of that weight. That's why big trucks come with diesels.

If you knew what you were saying, you'd know that the QX56 was a proper body-on-frame vehicle, and was a brother to proper off-roaders like the Nissan Titan, Nissan Armada, Nissan Frontier, and Nissan Xterra. Cars that can lay claim to conquering the backroads of the Middle East.

The Mercedes GL, on the other, was a unibody vehicle based on the ML. Attempting to pass it off as the superior off-road vehicle is completely laughable. Feel free to educate yourself on the differences between body-on-frame and unibody construction.

You just don't know what the hell you're saying, though, so I guess you can almost be forgiven. Spec sheet warrior. Anybody can run to Google to parrot numbers, but don't attempt to talk about things you know nothing of.

I wonder why I even bother replying you anymore. Never have I seen an individual so confident in their total lack of knowledge, nuance, and in certain situations, simple logical computing abilities. It's the eight wonder of the world, really.

The W163 ML was a proper body on frame. Unlike the W164. Even the useless RX lexus ls unibody

baxton25:
It's nit what's happening to me, sometimes i literally drive for 15 minutes and the AC won't be cool

Location

kingreign:
You may be joking and taking it unserious but this can spiral into a serious legal case when diportivo decides to take it legally against you for this slander and character assassination.

Mind your business.

captainking:
truth boss

False. Check my last three mentions ...

HeavenlyBang:
What a random rule.

Wind down so the hot air escapes. May not even take 30s. Wind up, put your AC on auto and go to where you're going to.

I don't respond to criminals

HeavenlyBang:
What do you have that they want to defraud you of? That your 1992 Benz?

Crime partner

baxton25:
Hello house, i have a 2010 glk, if i start the car in the afternoon when it's been heat by sun, the AC will not be cold, it will only blow ordinary air, I'd have to turn it of and drive for a while, before turning on again then it will be cool, or I'd turn of the engine multiple times, before the AC becomes cool..... but if i drive the car in the morning before sun heats it, it will be almost automatically cool...... what can be cause?

The rule of using AC in the heat is to first lower your windows and drive for like five minutes while putting the AC on in the 4th minute of constant driving then letting the windows back up in the sixth minute

.

Resolved. Thanks trolls.

Diportivo defrauded me

radautoworks:
Nurey is a mod now?

Yes. He got it through backdoor

sooperrescue:
My guy, thanks. The oil is a synthetic blend. I have seen the oil in the stations. I will comment after the curfew. We must obey the law. But who dare to ban Praxtech, my assessment officer?

NUREY