[s-cars] AoA & RS6's & other banter

[Paul Krasusky]

NEIIIIGHhhhhhhh!!!!  That horse ain't dead yet.  SOooooo...

...snips...

<<<It has nothing to do with handling power, its marketing, those of us who
like shifting a car, who appreciate the extra control and contact it gives
you in a car, are no longer the target market.  Its sad really, Audi is
increasingly building cars for drivers who don't appreciate driving a car.
Audi's answer to better handling now is adding a few hundred lbs of
electronics and hydraulics to control suspension movement, etc.>>>

...more snips...

<<<I really believe between the MB, BMW and Audi, they really consciously
tried to differentiate their product in terms of what the customer
perceptions.  The Audi S-Car are different than the MB AMG and the BMW M
cars. . .  by design!!!!>>>

I couldn't agree with you both more here.  Want proof?  Track AoA sales
figures from when the beloved Sport Q was sold to present?  Notice a trend?
They're SELLING cars now.  In astounding growth figures.  Why?  They've
*Americanized* them, which is the ultimate shame!

Want to place blame?  Blame US, yes US, as in U.S. consumers.  NOT 'us' as
in S-listers, as we're sadly the minority.  As Pram and others have pointed
out, AoA is catering to consumer demand.  Unfortunately, we, er, the 'rest'
of the US'ers have either been brought up with crap and therefore demand
crap, or have been brainwashed by the Industry as a whole as to what they
think they want.  Glitz sells.

Hence, "they" like soft, crappy, autoshitbox cars (and I don't care HOW good
they shift.  If I want a stick I want a stick.  Period.  Zero substitutes.
Lap times be damned).  And our roads here are damn fine if you ask me
(don't!)

What to do what to do?  Soap box please...

Weeelllllllll, being the Banker-as-of-now-trapped-in-the-banking-industry
that I am, my intent had been for a while and will soon be again (baby pops
out first), to crack into the industry.

Change can be made.

Change can be made.

Some may think I'm high (always possible?), but there are too many voices
out there either being unheard or misunderstood, and not just ours.  Yes,
Robin makes a good point, exactly how many of the "us's" here would actually
BUY the RS6?  Not many, very few actually, and not these man's pockets,
that's for sure (heh, until I crack into the industry at least!).

That being the true fact, and being that the Industry 'focus group' research
dictated an autobox and Buick sprung Caddy braking soul-less POS, we (NA)
get what we asked for.

But my <rant> question is this...  why not make it possible to pay a
'premium' to spec one's car the way he / she desires?  BMW allowed my friend
to spec his '02 ///M3 down to such features as "do you want the interior
light to turn on when unlocking?".

People pay a premium for an SMGII equipped car, or an autobox equipped car
when stick is OE std.  Why not offer a stick as a 'cost option'?  Yes, there
are OBDII emissions costs, etc. involved with doing so, but, that could be
covered by the premium.  Bob R., THANK you for sharing there IS in fact a
way to break the insanity and get what one wants (a stick S8?  Oh, HEAVEN!
Let me know when he sells it in 5 years).

OK enough rant, just don't be surprised in few years ahead when you've just
read that Paul K. has made headway for the "us's" in the industry!  I *vow*
to break in and chart new territory, mark my words.  Why?  Because the
demand IS there, PASSION is there (especially mine!), it's the PERCEPTION
that needs to be changed.  Not just in the Industry, but on the CONSUMER
end, most especially!

How to do that?  It's already been said.  AoA's Marketing 'genius' Spin
Doctors have 'spun' out of control.  The message needs to be conveyed and
conveyed MUCH better.  It can be done.  It will be done.  I'm going down
swinging (and would consider 'going down' to get in for that matter! 8-)  ).


Apologies for the WOB, I obviously contain some SEVERE pent up passion about
the issue and Industry.


-Paul "issues" Krasusky


P.S.  *PLEASE READ*

Hey, since I've already WOB'd...  ANYone out here have ANY contact
WHATSOEVER with ANYone at ANY Manufacturer?  I'd sold Volvo's through
college and tried to break in via that route, but sold a car to the Bank's
President / CEO, and the rest as they say is...

The industry is an incestuous HOAR and it's ALL who you know.  ANY names,
info, suggestions, BTDT's GREATLY appreciated.  OK, I'm done now 8-)