Lexus apart, why don't posh Japanese brands work here?

[wildcat45]

I am thinking Accura and Infiniti, but there ay be others ou there.

Are the cars just horrible? Are we too snobbish? Why are these brands either not available or minority sellers in the UK?

Most of us would be quite happy with a Nissan 370Z or at least we'd not be overly critical of someone who buys one.

Yesterday I found parked up in the road, the Infiniti version of that car. I have to admit to quite liking it.

Yet Lexusseem to have pulled off getting accepted as a decent quality brand.

[wildcat45]

Thats kind of what I thought. Wouldn't disagree. Its why the Citroen C6 died.

It is a shame that if its posh/quality it has ti be German with a few exceptions in the eyes of British/Euro buyers. I used to love BMW but it is such a diluted brand now. If you define exclusive as rare, I reckon an Infiniti or a top spec Mondeo or an Insignia VXR have the edge. (I don't mean as better cars)

I miss the days where top if the range Fords mixed it in road tests with German French and the odd Japanese executive cars.

[wildcat45]

Nissan is Infiniti, and they make the GTR. A lot people accept that's a rather nice thing to have and own. The thing that would (Stupidly) out me off would be the Nissan badge. Infiniti - I see as an American-biased international brand.

With Korean manufacturers upping their game in terms of style, quality, value, reliability etc, where will that take the executive market? 20 years time, could there be a Kia based brand that rivals Range Rover? A Hyundai based badge that sits there with Mercedes and BMW?

Do these upmarket Japanese brands fail for the same reasons that American brands (Ford apart) don't really sell here? chrysler 300C cars are a bit of an oddbal choice, though the taxi driver who picked me up in once, raved about it. My American aunt and uncle have one and are looking forward to the new one coming out.

Cadillac, despite GM underpinnings just didn't work did it. I know the cars were ugly, but at least they were individual.

I remember back in the 190s when they introduced teh RHD Seville, my Dad got invited along to give the new car the once over. It was loaded, had a bigger engine than his Volvo 9 series, was affordable and very luxurious. He didn't buy one. Thought long and hard, but in the end, he'd rather have had his 3 year old nicely specced but not great 940 Turbo than a new lump of luxury from Detroit.

The reason why I posted was because seeing the Ininiti the other day got me thinking.

I might replace my Mazda CX-7 sometime. A petrol engined soft roader, it is basically an American market car and never sold well here. I like it, love it in fact, that's why its is coming up to 5 years old and still with us. There is nothing really to replace it with. The new CX5 is a step down, and looks to me horrible.

I've noticed a few Korean offerings and I have to say they may lack class in the way perhaps a Land Rover might, but as a load lugger which might be needed to ford the odd stream and climp the odd snow covered rural road as well as take us on long journeys, they look just about right.

Something inside me whislpers "Land Rover, Land Rover Land Rover....." But a new Kia with loads of toys and a 7 year warranty does appeal. I got looking at Infiniti SUVs with their big engines and poor resale. A second hand one would tick a lot of boxes, I like the idea there aren't many around, but something holds me back when it comes to spending my own money.

Vauxhal Antara/Chevrolet Captiva. I assume they are crap. Are they realy? I just percieve my Mazda to be better because it is a Japanese brand I understand. I assume a Freelander will be a better car than a top of the range Captiva.

I think I am as much of a brand snob as a lot of people. I like to think I am not, I wish I wasn't.

[wildcat45]

It depends on how old your Bentley is and how much it cost. I'd not think new it would be great value for money, (But someone who can afford one new, probably doesn't think about VFM in the same way as most people.) However a decent Bentley with a few miles under its belt represents huge value for money.

I think its a different thing. I wouldn't class cars like that in the same league as BMW/Lexus et al. I mean, there is a big difference running round in a 12 year old BMW 7 sereis and a 12 year old Arnarge.