"MidnightDad" > wrote in message
...
> Why do car manufacturers insist on watering down their brand? Owning
> a Mercedes, Porsche, or BMW used to mean something. It used to mean
> that you were in an elite class of people who were successful enough
> to own a top of the line machine. The cost of these cars put them
> above the reach of the vast majority. Now, anyone with $30K can have
> one. Granted, it's a watered down version of the original auto that
> made the brand significant, but nonetheless, you get to call yourself
> a BMW-owner (for example). I can just imaging the ire of the person
> who finally reaches a position in life where they can afford to buy a
> $90,000 911 only to pull up next to some dick in a Boxster who just
> graduated college. Don't these manufacturers realize they are
> sacrificing the long-term reputation and legend of their brand for the
> short-term infusion of cash?

Why don't manufacturers of BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover and other exotics
brands actually start making reliable cars?! I can afford one, but I end up
driving bland looking Lexuses because BMWs spend more time in the shop than
on the road!