Treat yourself to Luxury

Bentley Mulsanne

     Many luxury car brands exist these days but there are only a hand full that could be considered the upper "crust" of the luxury car brands. Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach are the top three for the "to-be-driven" luxury brands. Now there are many "every day" luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and Lexus but I am speaking of the exclusive brands. Those that require a great deal of disposable income to attain. These vehicles are not just status symbols but they do separate the rich from the truly rich. There is a big difference between having the income to buy an S Class Mercedes in cash and the funds required to buy a Rolls Phantom in the same manner. (around a $200,000 difference)
     The question is, are these brands really worth the extra cost required for "membership" into the uber-expensive car club? My opinion is yes, they are worth every penny. Why? First, anyone buying a new Maybach is not worried about "saving money on their car insurance". This buyer has reached the pinnacle of capital acquisition. Dig it? So, why not reward yourself with those things that are of the upper Crust? We could get into the philosophy of spending that much money on a car as a mega capitalist while there are people starving in the world but I am under the assumption that these car buyers are philanthropic to the highest degree. For me, Karma would suggest it. If not, you or I will be able to get their car used, later in it's life.
     "You get what you pay for" is an aged cliche but is it true? It has been in my experience. I am curious as to if it will hold true for these vehicles. It is said that Porsche has stayed in the top 5 for reliability since its inception and very few other auto makers can make this claim. I would like to know if the upper three are the same? I, for one, would be upset if that were not the case. Some say, they service these cars so often there is not an opportunity for break down. Maybe, but these dealerships will come to your house to pick up the car and leave you a loaner while they service it. I bet the Chevy dealer won't do that.

Drophead Coupe

Maybach interior

     Have you ever seen a commercial for one of these cars? The answer is no, because they know who they are advertising to and it is not the general public. It is the top 2% of world earners and the %10 below them who will buy to try to look like the top 2% of world earners. You will never see commercials for these cars. Their clientelle is the same and sales stay in the family. The rich, stay rich for the most part so they can be contacted directly. Those neo-rich will meet the connections to get into a dealership for purchase.
     When you a wrapped in luxury the car is quiet and comfortable as well as amenity rich. Just like any other luxury item, you expect the best for your money.
     I wrote earlier about the need or non-need for luxury and opulence. I am now of the opinion that you should get what brings you happiness as long as it doesn't hurt you and your ability do the basics. You don't want to "stretch yourself out" just to have a nice car. But when you get there this type of purchase shouldn't vex you in the least.

   

What is in a name?

Koenigsegg

     There are many cars out there with names that are difficult for me to pronounce, but do you think that stops my desire to drive one. You would be wrong if you said yes. My midwestern American accent is difficult to wrap around the likes of a Koenigsegg, but WOW they make remarkable vehicles. Founded in 1994, this Swedish auto maker really concentrated on looks and performace. With zero to sixty times well under four seconds these cars are amazing. In 2010 they released a five liter twin turbo, 910 bhp v8 model with a seven speed gear box. Carbon fiber is the material of choice and it is expensive. That cost, of course, is passed on to the consumer. "You gotta pay to play" With sticker prices skirting the 300 thousand US dollar range, they should prove to be a wonderful drive if the "You-get-what-you-pay-for" adage is correct.
     Even "funkier" is the Pagani Huayra, I really liked the Pagani Zonda when it was released but this is "another level" of vehicle. If you are fortunate enough to drive or, pause for gasp, own one of these consider yourself one of the lucky few. With a 0-60 time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed around 225mph this is a race car for the streets. But highly refined, it employs the use of a seven speed sequential gear box and a dual disk clutch. Mercedes AMG division provides the engine for the Huayra, 5980cc twin turbo V12. Dry sump lubrication keeps it lubricated well.

Huayra

     Weather I can say their names or not, they are wonderful.

The F is for Flop not Fast

Speaks to Style

     As an automotive enthusiast, I was looking forward to what was going to come out of Lexus' F division. The LFA was a teaser that brought about ideas of great iconic sport touring machines. When the ISF was released with upwards of 400bhp, I was gleefully motivated to look for their new offerings along this line. When the word came of the new GSF Sport, I though this car would be an "M5 eater" and would display the mechanical genius within the Toyota brand. I know the company that brought us the last generation Supra could produce an amazing, monster powered, four door as good or better than that of BMW or Mercedes.

Stands for Power!

     BMW has produced the M line for many years and their purpose is to upgrade the power plant in every model they touch. They simply, make the car better in every way, beginning with the power output and briskly moving to the interior features in addition to changing the exterior to set it apart from the other basic models. When the automotive world hears the M moniker attached to the BMW brand, we all immediately think of power. The M3 is, and has been, produced with class leading power. The M5 has been the way to have sports car performance while retaining the ability to cart the family around town at the speed limit. The team out of Bavaria has been on their job. If they have not built the ultimate driving machine then they certainly have made many people believe it. Most importantly those who test drive these vehicles.

     Unfortunately the F Sport badge is only speaking to styling cues. Yes the interior is beautifully done with the double stitching in the leather and the ergonomics are great but power is unchanged. Exterior titanium grey wheels are nice but the handling remains the same. If this was the original goal then I would think of the F badge in the same way I thought of their coach edition released in the nineties the same as Fords Eddie Bauer edition, strictly style improvements. But Lexus is tricking the public with their original offerings and now saving money by charging a premium for very little over all change and none under the hood.

LFA

AMG63

     Mercedes has kept younger buyers excited by their brand, year after year by keeping the AMG division working. Let's face it, many luxury amenities offered in these autos lend themselves to the aging public. If left without spice, any brand could become the "Lincoln Town Car" of the automotive world, aged and earmarked for the elderly. You have to keep it fresh and sportiness does this for a brand, articles about track times and Nuremberg Ring jaunts inspire interest. Power is attractive to young people and young people are attractive to older people. Face facts, stay fresh and increase the power plants. I believe Lexus may be aware of this because of the LFA. An incredible car, but too expensive for the "every day" man at nearly $400,000. They built one "beast" of an automobile but they should have spread that design dollar out amongst the entire brand instead of dumping it into one vehicle. It is said that the LFA is a great advertising tool but it barely turns a profit due to the high production costs, that happens when you build a car from carbon fiber. You could have had customers driving around in your advertisements while making a profit. I am hoping, with the emergence of the FRS from Scion and the rumored resurgence of the Supra from Toyota they will take the initiative to "massage" the luxury brand to become the premium brand the can be. The performance teams from AMG and the M brand of BMW have laid a template that can easily be improved upon by a company that has the "lion's share" of the market. Go from flop to F brand, and have the F inspire excitement.

GSF Sport 350