Focus ST and Golf GTI- why the different buyer demographic
Discussion
Just wondered why it is that new hot Fords such as the Focus ST seem to be proper "mans, mans" cars straight out of the showroon and introduced to a petrol head home, with its Fast Ford owners club, whereas Golf GTIs seem to be bought by white collar professionals, rather than proper petrol heads, until they become at least 7-10 years old. When the Mk5 GTI came out I never saw one driven in anger for years. A bit like the Audi TT they seemed more a designer badge than anything. Now they are getting older, they are often blasting past in the hands of younger hoodlums. Cant just be a price thing, as neither car is particularly cheap these days.
These days anything with a German badge is bought by people that think it makes them seem more sophisticated than another brand would, then once its a bit older it becomes ultimate prestige blingbling to yoofs that like stretched tyres and chromed splitrim bbs's which are too wide for the car.
fat headed... A funny generalisation none the less...The Focus is a bit garish in comparison, both nice cars but for some reason VW do have the snob value even though they arent any better than a Ford, think people decide they are too good for Fords and simply must have a VW, my sister in law wouldnt be seen dead in a Ford Galaxy (old shape) which is exactly the same car as the Sharan they bought. Audi could re-tool the Rover Metro and stick an Audi A0.5 badge on it, some DRL's and perform a slight "Audification" and legions of premium consumers would flock to it.
Brands seem to be shorthand for lifestyle and a way of avoiding any actual research, how do we otherwise explain some of the howlers that Mercedes put into production, like the C class coupe warmed over leftovers.
Brands seem to be shorthand for lifestyle and a way of avoiding any actual research, how do we otherwise explain some of the howlers that Mercedes put into production, like the C class coupe warmed over leftovers.
StevieB said:
whereas Golf GTIs seem to be bought by white collar professionals, rather than proper petrol heads, .
Aren't white collar professionals allowed to be be proper petrol heads then?Anyway, the vast majority of new fast Fords I see (and most other sporty or flash new cars for that matter) are driven by people in suits, your white collar professionals if you will....
I'd say it's mostly an age thing - the Focus is very "teenager" in terms of its styling and the colours its offered in; the Golf is much more restrained looking and indeed to drive. Rightly or wrongly, the Golf also has a much more "middle class" image, where the Focus has a slightly more "working class" one.
I can see the appeal of both; I don't know which I'd have given the choice. I don't think either is objectively a "better" drivers' car and I don't think there's any real difference in build quality, so I suppose it just comes down to whether one is willing to pay more for the extra perceived quality that the Golf offers.
I can see the appeal of both; I don't know which I'd have given the choice. I don't think either is objectively a "better" drivers' car and I don't think there's any real difference in build quality, so I suppose it just comes down to whether one is willing to pay more for the extra perceived quality that the Golf offers.
Edited by kambites on Friday 6th April 11:33
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