Does anybody else feel guilty for liking German cars?
Discussion
I dislike German cars but I respect them. I would struggle with myself to buy a BMW because of the badge, despite liking some of the cars, because of how I see the badge's image nowadays - It's a shame but I won't buy a car I'm not comfortable with.
The Germans do seemed to have cornered the performance car sector in the UK (I believe due to most people seeing German cars as having a more positive image than other nationalities) but I find a lot of their offerings to be very dull as an overall package.
The Germans do seemed to have cornered the performance car sector in the UK (I believe due to most people seeing German cars as having a more positive image than other nationalities) but I find a lot of their offerings to be very dull as an overall package.
Just out of interest I configured myself a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium estate, with a few extras. Total cost £31k ish. £650 per month over 3 years at 12k miles per year!!!
£650 per month is a mortgage not a car purchase!
Have I just picked on a really bad example, or is that typical for a 30k car? Is 30k alot these days because it doesn't seem to be. After all this is a mondeo I'm talking about. I don't see that there are many people willing to shell out that much on a car, but maybe I'm well out of touch. If the equivalent BMW or Audi is half the cost of this, then its pretty clear what's going on with ze Germans....
Interesting that the final payment was about 9k. I'd be interested in buying the car I configured for 9k after 3 years it would be amazing value, but if its too expensive to buy new then that car will never make it to the used market at all.
£650 per month is a mortgage not a car purchase!
Have I just picked on a really bad example, or is that typical for a 30k car? Is 30k alot these days because it doesn't seem to be. After all this is a mondeo I'm talking about. I don't see that there are many people willing to shell out that much on a car, but maybe I'm well out of touch. If the equivalent BMW or Audi is half the cost of this, then its pretty clear what's going on with ze Germans....
Interesting that the final payment was about 9k. I'd be interested in buying the car I configured for 9k after 3 years it would be amazing value, but if its too expensive to buy new then that car will never make it to the used market at all.
I haven't owned anywhere near as many cars as most on the PH board, but I have driven a lot and I do have a fondness for BMW and Porsche. Mercedes and Audi less so - although there are models in both their catalogues I can lust after.
I have owned a couple of French cars and they have their appeal. My other half has just bought a Japanese car (Civic Type R) which I am thoroughly enjoying and made me think I should investigate Jap stuff more - unfortunately they don't make many direct rivals for the sort of German stuff I tend to drive.
I actually - shock horror - have taken something of a liking to American cars recently, specifically the Corvette. I drove one in the USA and was blown away by it. The Camaro not so much (although I bet the hot versions are fun).
I have owned a couple of French cars and they have their appeal. My other half has just bought a Japanese car (Civic Type R) which I am thoroughly enjoying and made me think I should investigate Jap stuff more - unfortunately they don't make many direct rivals for the sort of German stuff I tend to drive.
I actually - shock horror - have taken something of a liking to American cars recently, specifically the Corvette. I drove one in the USA and was blown away by it. The Camaro not so much (although I bet the hot versions are fun).
I like many German cars, and I like many non German cars too. But even if you're not a fan of German metal, you should be grateful for the progress that their competition brings.
The Jaguar XE is only as good as it is because of very good German opposition. In that way, we all benefit. Protectionism and cars make for a poor mix... Austin Allegro, anyone? Mk 2 Mustang for American readers?
Works both ways though. Mk 5 Golf would never have been anywhere near as good as it is if the Mk 1 Ford Focus hadn't given a complacent VW a kick up the arse. Mercedes was given a similar wake up call by the original Lexus LS.
The Jaguar XE is only as good as it is because of very good German opposition. In that way, we all benefit. Protectionism and cars make for a poor mix... Austin Allegro, anyone? Mk 2 Mustang for American readers?
Works both ways though. Mk 5 Golf would never have been anywhere near as good as it is if the Mk 1 Ford Focus hadn't given a complacent VW a kick up the arse. Mercedes was given a similar wake up call by the original Lexus LS.
Some of it's a generation thing. My old boss (many years ago) gave me budget for a company car and told me to get "anything you want, but no Japanese cars". No prizes for guessing why.
People should buy whatever suits them, but what annoys me is the fanboy element in the motoring press. Big love for all things German seems to be pretty common there, so I suspect this is reflected in what people buy and hence why the OP sees so many German cars on the roads.
People should buy whatever suits them, but what annoys me is the fanboy element in the motoring press. Big love for all things German seems to be pretty common there, so I suspect this is reflected in what people buy and hence why the OP sees so many German cars on the roads.
lol64 said:
Some of it's a generation thing. My old boss (many years ago) gave me budget for a company car and told me to get "anything you want, but no Japanese cars". No prizes for guessing why.
People should buy whatever suits them, but what annoys me is thefanboy element german manufatcturer's marketing budget spend in the motoring press. Big love for all things German seems to be pretty common there, so I suspect this is reflected in what people buy and hence why the OP sees so many German cars on the roads.
FTFYPeople should buy whatever suits them, but what annoys me is the
danlightbulb said:
Just out of interest I configured myself a Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium estate, with a few extras. Total cost £31k ish. £650 per month over 3 years at 12k miles per year!!!
You can get a Mondeo 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium for about £22k on the road before you even get to fleet and other discounts.However, these days many German manufacturer's lists are as fantasy as Fords and Vauxhall's used to be. You can get £10k discount off an upmarket model 5-Series without much effort. You can get nearly £20k discount on a S-Class & £5k off pretty much any C-Class.
They're just common heavily discounted sell 'em cheap pile 'em high stuff like everyone else these days.
Edited by confused_buyer on Sunday 14th February 23:16
I have owned 14 cars from 11 different manufacturers including 3 VW, a BMW and a Mercedes, so wouldn't say I am particularly brand or country of origin loyal. I have to concede though that for mid-range PH worthy stuff, the Germans seem to have the market sewn up. Good performance vs. economy and emissions (ahem), good residual values mean lots of cheap lease deals and even if they're not actually better than the competition in engineering terms, they tend to have a more expensive feel and give the perception that they do.
If you want a good hot hatch, you're probably better off going elsewhere but in most other areas of the market, they seem to have it covered. By nailing their core vehicles and reaping the reward of doing this well, their ranges are so expansive when other manufacturers are having to cut back their ranges to the point where they can only offer white goods FWD ecoboxes. For the record, I like Land Rovers and would have a Jaguar XF/XJ over the equivalent German saloon but the entry price with these vehicles is higher and most other interesting non-German stuff is compromised as an all-rounder (370Z, MX5, GT86, Alfa 4C etc).
If you want a good hot hatch, you're probably better off going elsewhere but in most other areas of the market, they seem to have it covered. By nailing their core vehicles and reaping the reward of doing this well, their ranges are so expansive when other manufacturers are having to cut back their ranges to the point where they can only offer white goods FWD ecoboxes. For the record, I like Land Rovers and would have a Jaguar XF/XJ over the equivalent German saloon but the entry price with these vehicles is higher and most other interesting non-German stuff is compromised as an all-rounder (370Z, MX5, GT86, Alfa 4C etc).
Never owned a German car, I would have one though as a daily run around. The German manufacturers don't seem to offer many lightweight weekend cars. Britain seems to have this market nailed for me (Caterham, Lotus, Zenos). To be fair the Germans are not probably too bothered about this segment anyway.
ETA: I wouldn't feel guilty for driving or liking a German white goods run about.
ETA: I wouldn't feel guilty for driving or liking a German white goods run about.
Edited by Tickle on Tuesday 16th February 07:47
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