$19,000 M14 Comparable to $100,000 Lexus SC430 ?

EdLancer · 09-02-05, 09:52

I decided to post on this forum since most of the members are more mature and educated here than some of those others who have no idea of what I'am talking about.

Some of you would of heard that the Made in China cars will be hitting US streets by 2007.

I have been following their progress very carefully and I know for a fact they will be a force to be reckoned with. If you just visit you local Dollarama, you will see and understand what the Chinese are capable of(Just remember, the products in the Dollarama, 3 or more levels have already made a profit on that $1 item !).

http://www.visionaryvehicles.com/

Road & Track Article

http://www.visionaryvehicles.com/htm...eport_0605.pdf

http://www.visionaryvehicles.com/htm...obile_0505.pdf

hadboosttroy · 09-02-05, 10:45

100k sc? um no.

krsjuan · 09-03-05, 12:40

I will never buy one but the more competition the better.

pigeonbus · 09-03-05, 10:12

The Visionary website just doesn't give the feeling of luxury car company, I just don't have a luxury experience on their website as one does on, say, the Lexus site, so I'd say they're off to a bad start. Besides, comparing a turbo-charged 200hp 4 cylinder entry level convertible to the Lexus SC430 with a V8 and true luxury image and appointments isn't quite realistic.

The company seems to simply be "copying" other cars, they bluntly say that they are going to compete with specific models. Do you see Lexus' website just blurt "this vehicle will compete directly with the 330i and the A4." No, they go about things in their own subdued way, comparison that blunt is left to be discussed on Edmunds.

It will take many years to develop a solid reputation, but first impressions really mean a lot....

Just my opinion.

blkZ28Conv · 09-03-05, 02:23

If they "copied" the product that they plan to imitate to the tee, than yes. If they copied and used inferior materials, QC's, tolerances, poor customer services, dealership availability etc, No.

I own a Lexus and they are rock solid in all aspects. Pretty tuff act to follow and cut corners at the same time.

boxer · 09-03-05, 05:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by hadboosttroy

100k sc? um no.

Hey was probably using $CDN

Intercooled · 09-03-05, 06:30

I have been having a hard time liking any foreign cars, except the exotics. I own a Toyota for the first time, and I hate it. I'm just not impressed at all. I'll never buy from Asian country again!

truzoom · 09-03-05, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxer

Hey was probably using $CDN

A SC430 goes for approximately $50k, and that converts to about $59k CDN

Mike-in-Orange · 09-03-05, 09:41

I'm not a huge fan of Asian cars either - you sort of aren't allowed to be growing up outside Detroit, especially when dad was an exec at one of the Big Three! - but the Chinese are indeed coming.

Back in the '60s anything with the label "Made in Japan" was automatically considered junk. Japanese cars in the '70s and '80s just seemed so far behind the curve it was almost laughable. That certainly isn't the case any longer.

Ten years ago Hyundai was in the same boat. Not anymore. Most other Korean makes faltered big time - can you say Daewoo (can you pronounce Daewoo??).

Malcolm Bricklin does not have the greatest track record with this sort of thing - his own cars were maybe a victim of poor timing (Arab oil embargo) and the Yugo was, well, the Yugo. Subaru is just recently becoming something to take seriously; their early imports were very strange indeed. I thought the French had the market on strange cars cornered, but Suby was right up there!

If the Chinese can survive the first five years here, then I see them as the next Hyundai. Good, bad or otherwise.

SpoiledMan · 09-03-05, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-in-Orange

Japanese cars in the '70s and '80s just seemed so far behind the curve it was almost laughable. That certainly isn't the case any longer.

While there wasn't much in the 80's that was really good the Japanese cars certainly weren't behind the curve. In my high school days, I acquired a couple of rather high mileage Japanese cars that served me many more miles. Pretty much everything in the 80's was underpowered too.

If you think the Japanese offerings were laughable, please remember the Cimarron(sp) and the K cars.

MongooseGA · 09-03-05, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by truzoom

A SC430 goes for approximately $50k, and that converts to about $59k CDN

Heh, you find me a brand new SC430 going for $50k.

My SC400 was closer to that number back in '95

Anyway, this disgusts me. It's a direct take off of several cars. In the roadster, I see Pontiac G6 coupe, Toyota Solara, and SC430 on the side. The front couldn't be closer to a '97+ SC300/400.

The whole point of luxury cars is that you have to wait for one. It's something you earn in life. Not meant to be cheapened by things. This is another reason I hate cars like the new BMW 1-series, Cadillac CTS, that hideous Mercedes C-class hatchback thing, the Jaguar X-type, etc... They all cheapen the image of the high end market by making it easy for anyone to get into a normally expensive car.

Who's going to buy these cars? I'll tell you who. The people who buy Kia Amanti's and think their car competes with a Jag. The people who consider simply having leather seats something that only the nicest cars have.

If you really want cheap luxury, but a real luxury car used. At least it won't hurt your ego as much knowing you drive a car worth paying for and not a cheap knock-ff.

pigeonbus · 09-04-05, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongooseGA

Heh, you find me a brand new SC430 going for $50k.

My SC400 was closer to that number back in '95

Anyway, this disgusts me. It's a direct take off of several cars. In the roadster, I see Pontiac G6 coupe, Toyota Solara, and SC430 on the side. The front couldn't be closer to a '97+ SC300/400.

The whole point of luxury cars is that you have to wait for one. It's something you earn in life. Not meant to be cheapened by things. This is another reason I hate cars like the new BMW 1-series, Cadillac CTS, that hideous Mercedes C-class hatchback thing, the Jaguar X-type, etc... They all cheapen the image of the high end market by making it easy for anyone to get into a normally expensive car.

Who's going to buy these cars? I'll tell you who. The people who buy Kia Amanti's and think their car competes with a Jag. The people who consider simply having leather seats something that only the nicest cars have.

If you really want cheap luxury, but a real luxury car used. At least it won't hurt your ego as much knowing you drive a car worth paying for and not a cheap knock-ff.

It's always blown my mind when people who are loyal to one brand don't even consider another, or if someone who is in the new car market immediately turns away the THOUGHT of even owning a nicer brand. Example: Why would you buy a Silverado when you could have a Titan. Sure, after rebates, it would cost more for a Titan, but there's always pre-owned. I would happily pay the premium for a Titan than a Silverado.

I also see some new gen Eclispse in the front end.