SOUND OFF: How do you define quality?

With all of the discussion about reliability and quality, it becomes increasingly apparent the Auto Spies readership has their own ideas on what is important to them.

There are those who choose reliability as the holy grail of quality. Expecting the montage of electromechanical masses to perform like a symphony of wizardry with unerring
precision. Taking risks is a needless exercise, that should be avoided. You know the bunch, those who profess to fly on the edge, but are a bit too hesitant to really do the dirty deed. After all you can always live to play another day.

Then there are others who believe that the precision and sensuality of the driving experience is the ultimate judge of quality. One may compare these individuals to be akin to that of a snake handler. Aware he may get bit, but the adreneline of handling a truly venomous creature is the ultimate rush of living on the edge, These individuals are secure in the knowledge, that with proper training and care, they will keep unexpected forays to the automotive emergency room to a minimum.

Do you partake in the extreme sports arena of automotive ownership with all of the thrills? Or do you choose the more conservative approach and avoid the spills the others
will eventually take?

vcowman - 8/22/2006 4:58:03 PM

0 Boost

I dont think most aficianados like getting bit by snakes, but do appreciate a precisely calibrated driving machine. I just test drove a new camary hybrid and the salesman kept harping how it has a J VIN (made in Japan) but it drove like a wet noodle. Gas is expensive but I will keep my 3 series.

kart1 - 8/22/2006 11:24:22 PM

+1 Boost

A quality car must have these things:

1. Quality Materials
2. Quality Construction
3. Excellent Fit and Finish
4. Must be reliable
5. Cannot look cheap (Meaning the materials can be of good quality i.e. the dashboard and seat materials, but it shouldn't look cheap - as in Hyundai's and Kia's).

One thing that a quality car should have is good resale value (this is probably relevant to reliability). I mean if one person spends $50k on a car it should have good resale value. For me resale is important since I only keep my cars for about 2 years or so. Reliability should be included because what is a quality car if it breaks down often.

I think that Lexus is probably the only car that we can call total quality. However I am past at looking at quality as the only buying point in a car and that is what I say to everyone I know. My new buying strategy focuses on Drive, Resale, and Speed.

YZFracer23 - 8/23/2006 12:02:54 AM

+1 Boost

Handling, Power, Speed, performance, good fit and finish...

are the things I look at to determine quality. In the end, they all sum up to be a car with great power (that it can get to the ground well) that performs well in all aspects and pleases my eye and feel.

I do not care so much in resale value because if you buy a car that you plan on selling, than your passion is not in that car. I buy a car and treat it as if I will never sell it.

Quality is also a car that is able to be driven to the edge in everyway. Adrenaline is a great thing.

vcowman - 8/23/2006 12:04:08 AM

+1 Boost

I must admit I was flirting with a camary hybrid purchase but after test driving it and considering that 40mpg in a car which handles as loose as a retired whore's snatch is not worth 30mpg in a car that you love to drive every day. I dont really care about emissions but I like the whole hydrogen cell 7 series idea if it will indeed lower fuel costs. I absolutely agree one needs to take good care of their machine but as far as resale is concerend have not found any particular company whose vehicles substantially hold their value from 50,000 to 100,000 miles, assuming the car is 4-5 years old.

mstangpny07 - 8/23/2006 12:04:19 AM

+1 Boost

kart1:

Agreed

vcowman - 8/23/2006 12:31:21 AM

+1 Boost

so in your guys' opinion, what are some top (5) quality cars that are a pleasure to drive and live with?

vcowman - 8/24/2006 12:48:54 AM

+1 Boost

Cool, I appreciate the feedback. Looks like we have the German 3, AUDI, BMW, MB with Lexus and especially Subaru for which I have a sweet spot for. (Inexpensive porsche, imo) Would you say that most of the vechicles that these companies are quality products, and are there any exceptions? Eg. BMW 3 is the poster boy of sports sedans, and so are the 5 and the 7 so much worse than the 3? What makes the S4 so special and are you talking about the V8 or the V6tt? And finally, are convertibles overrated when most cars come with sunroofs?

Soho - 8/25/2006 12:46:56 PM

+1 Boost

well vcowman, S4 cabriolet is so special because it has amazing sedan like qualities. No rattle, shimmy, or shake with the top down or up. Wind noise almost same as sedan with top up. Fully insulated top plus Quattro makes this a 12 month car in any weather. Gorgeous sounding V8 exhaust burble that can only be appreciated with the top down. One touch top operation. Spacious trunk for a convertible, heck double the space of an Infiniti G35 coupe's. As for the question about convertibles being overrated? well, with a convertible, especially something as nice as an S4 Cabriolet, you have two cars in one. All enconsed in creature comfort when the weather is not pleasant, and wide open when it is. Nothing like cruising down the road on a balmy day or cool night with the top down!

vcowman - 8/26/2006 1:30:06 AM

+1 Boost

Wow the S4 cabriolet sounds amazing. But it is better than an M3 convertible?

mercuryguy - 8/28/2006 1:48:42 PM

+1 Boost

Very Simply, LESS MOVING PARTS, LESS ELECTRONIC SENSORS, DIESEL ENGINES, Buiild only a few very good models, keep refining them like BMW does. Don't keep trying to release new models just to satisfy the public, cars basically come in a basic shape, make one good one, and cookie cutter them by 10s of million units.