What Factors Make a Brand Appealing To You?

What factors make writing these stupid filler articles appealing to you?

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.

S4cabriofoxone - I regret only having one boost to give you. DITTO!

im also with you S4. this article is so lame

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.

There is only one factor that counts: The brand must deliver on its promise or it will surely fail.

i see the writers are just as bored as us on this the Friday before memorial day .

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)

I go for Lexus and Acura (without mention Honda and Toyota)

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.

whatever brands do their thing their own way.

By how quick it takes for the panties to drop. Porsche tops that list.

Maybe you're just not wearing the right size...?

A thinly-disguised flame-starter I see.

Kudos.

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.

Does one actually need talent to become "Agent" on this site?

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).

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.