Re: Catering to used-car buyers?

[Paul_Royal@idx.com]

>>>>>This was one reason why I leased.

That's great for you...but that's not what I was addressing.  The
guaranteed value at the end is part of the "game" that AoA plays along with
other car makers.  Leasing is just not an option for some of us.  The
question here is whether Audi can successfully carry this off when
maintenance costs skyrocket down the road (so to speak).  A case in point
would be Infiniti's experience with the Q45 when they lost millions doing
the same thing with early models...the customer won that time.  You have
probably cut yourself a great deal. My congrats.

>>>>Don't forget though that late-model (post '92) Audis came across as
>>>>exceedingly reliable in the JD Power survey.

Again, this is not the point with regard to actual retained value in the
marketplace.

>>>>As for the planned obsolescence, Audi builds the most advanced cars out
>>>>there.

Really?  The definition of advanced is subjective in today's marketplace.
Without getting into a long speach here and while I hate to even quote this
(let's forget who said it and look at the slogan as objectively as if we
were talking about Zippo lighters).
"So advanced, it's simple."  My Dad, who has no real emotional appreciation
for automobiles but is a damn near genious engineer (try growing up with
that :-) ) gave me an appreciation for simplicity and form of function as
one of the things to strive for in engineering something great.  Audi's are
fine cars overall, hell I'm still driving mine, but I think that they tend
to fall way behind in this category.  Again, this measure is somewhat
subjective, but one worth a thought or two.

>>>>> How could you accuse Audi of planned obsolescence

Easy; I'm sorry, but it's naive to think that all auto manufacturers don't
do this.  Rather, it is a question of (time)x(use)/planned failure if I may
be so bold.

>>>>when most new Chevys and Fords are already, by any
>>>>technical standards, obsolete?
Well, this was pleasant so far....but give me a ****ing break...really!

-Royal