Maserati

Hey guys, I’ve been thinking of this for a while and I really wanted to share my thoughts with you GCZers. Ok where to start? Let me start from what Rob once commented on The Artist’s posts about the new Bentley Brookeland. Rob liked the way the Artist is so determinant about his choices and how he likes car brands like MB without a single doubt. Ok the Artist, bro don’t take this personally but you really inspired me to right this. I like being loyal but not when it comes to objects and especially consumables. I like to take the chances and evaluate different products from neutral point of view. I remember the times when I liked everything that came out of Stuttgart. I even liked MB’s trucks lineup. But that made me think, am I really brand-oriented to the point that made me “adjust” my needs and my standards to what that manufacturer offers? That was the turning point to me as a car enthusiast. Like in the 90’s I was not able to digest the idea of driving a FWD car. This made me hate VWs, Audis and most of the Japanese cars. But nowadays I have no problem driving one for my daily needs since it serve the purpose their perfectly.

I know I’ve diverted a lot from the main point, but the thing here. Does being loyal to a certain brand, make you adjust your needs, standards and even your passion? For example being an Audi fan means you need to sacrifice your passion for track days with a lot of donuts and burnouts? Or being a BMW fan you need to get used to the harsh ride most of the time where you can get an MB or Lexus with adequate comfort level? This is what I am concerned about. At the end we are evaluating products not human beings.

Am open to your thoughts guys .. what do each of you think?

BMW_Dude

I'd call myself a BMW fan, but that doesn't mean I like every model. I happen to strongly dislike the X3, think that the front of the 1er looks ugly at times, especially when it doesn't have the M pack. Also I sometimes see the 5er and think, how can I like that car (always happens when I see the car without the M pack). When I see the pre F/Led E65, mainly in lighter colours, I have to agree that those front lights look awful. When I was younger I praised everything BMW did and even if something looked a bit odd, I'd think it's a BMW so it much be good. I almost trained my eye to like some of these cars, even though I probably didn't really like the car. As I have got older though, I have become less baised and now there are are few BMWs I really don't like. Also, thanks to this forum, I have learned to appreciate other car brands, mainly MB, which a while ago I used dislike every car they made.

I think the main reason I like BMWs is because of the e39 M5, that was the car that got me into them. Then I found GCF and saw there were people who liked different brands, and were really into their brand. That got me really into BMWs. Now though I'm more neutral in my thoughts, even though BMWs still are a special brand for me!

Just_me

- My favorite brand is BMW but of course I respect and like other brands as well.

- I'm not like some people who think a certain brand is best on everything, I know there are other good brands as well.

- Also I dont think all BMWs are the best looking cars either, many other carbrands have good looking cars too.

- BMW is closer to my heart but I respect and like other carbrands too.

Zonda

Great post man, made me think alot.

Actually, brands use what you described. "The client likes what we make them like". When one hears that one usually think it's bullshit but it's true. Just as you explained. It doesn't just go for cars, everything we buy and and every other brand we love.

If I didn't love Apple, I wouldn't "need" the iPhone and if I didn't love Armani, I wouldn't "need" the new Remix.

And before Pagani, I had different requirements from cars but thanks to Pagani, they changed.

I don't really know where I'm going with this but that's what came to my head when I read your post.

The Artist

wow im honoured to be your inspiration ( lol i guess its a good thing..haha)

Well im gonna be very clear on this..

Do i need to adjust my needs cause im a MB fan??

Well NO.. why?
cause MB offers a very large line up.. and they offer all from small car to the most luxurious.. and even some like CLKDTM wich are sporty enough for 90% of the folks here.. .
so no i dont really need to change my needs.. its rather that MB caters to my needs.. and i guess that is ultimate goal of a any company.. to please the consumer..

But remember this..
Allthough MB has a huge lineup offering everything it dosent mean that every car is the best in its class, nor is it the best looking..
and if you all know me design is very important, i cant own a ugly superb car..

so for example if i where to look for a super sports car.. i know that MB doesent do that very well, so i would look to other brands..

or if i where to look for a small car, and i don really appriciate the uppright position of the A class, so i could concider other brands...

PS
So the bottom line is.. i do not need to alter my need in order to be brand loyal, cause MB offers a very vast line up, and all of those cars are not bad..
so if i where to be ultra orthodox MB fan, i belive i could have my needs caterd very well

but im not that ultra orthodox.. so in some cases i would look to other brands..

SDNR

I guess this makes you an 'Informed Consumer' Maserati

SDNR

Gosh Kashef .....I wonder which super sports car brand you would choose?

The Artist

^HAHA.. It starts with a P and ends with agani..haha
lol

nah but i would very much want a 599gtb.. easily over the SLR

Maserati

Great posts guys. Guys this reminded me of something, remember when BMW have taken the decision to abandon its conventional look & go for a revolutionary one? I’ve read an article that BMW has lost a lot of its customers. That type of customers where not “Brand-loyal” but those were customers with certain type of taste that liked what the company offered for years with their old philosophy. And when the time came and company changed its direction, those customers thought this manufacturer does not fit our standards & taste anymore and maybe they’ve gone to alternatives that where closer to what they like. Certainly here am speaking about the appearance of Older BMWs not the driving dynamics since that has not been touched by Bangle. On the other hand BMW has gained different category of customers that are more into new ideas and revolutionary ideas.

Now history has taught us that such situations might repeat it, and this “Dejavu” thing might happen to Audi. Audi consumers have always liked the conservative looks & the evolutionary direction the company is adopting. What the A5 might create or created already is again a questionable thing. Loyal Audi consumes might “Adapt” to these changes like what happened to member Audiholic & Yannis. I had the feeling that both would just puke on that design if it came from other manufacturer. Just being an Audi gives it the right to be in my heart directly. It might upset them for a while but at the end it will win. Am sorry Audiholic & Yannis, I respect you both and am just expressing my self here. No hard feelings

SDNR

I think Mercedes also runs the risk of losing some of their traditional customers if they get too much more 'radical' ....but they have played it relatively safe up until now. The new ODC will most likely not appeal to the traditional corporate-type of Mercedes S class buyer, but it will appeal to more extroverted types of people -- people who value the MB brand for different reasons. Brands today are no longer mono-cultural, they mean different things to different social groups. Mercedes understands that its products appeal to a variety of demographics. I think they have been quite clever to exploit this.