Tiers of Luxury

"Audi-os, amigos" (audi-osamigos)
04/02/2014 at 11:25 • Filed to: None

Tier 1 ("Stratospheric"): Rolls Royce, Bentley

Tier 2 ("Status-spheric"): Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Cadillac, Jaguar, Tesla, Maserati, Range Rover

Tier 3 ("Upwardly Mobile"): Acura, Infiniti, Volvo, Lincoln

Now, pass some time at the office by telling me where I'm wrong!

EDIT: As per the comment suggestions, I've added Tesla, Range Rover, and Maserati to the mix at Tier 2.

DISCUSSION (51)

Flat Six > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:28

Most of the bigger manufacturers are spread across a range. Toyota is mostly in Tier 4 or 5, but a Land Cruiser is Tier 2.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:29

Tier 1 is missing Aston Martin.

Audi-os, amigos > Flat Six
04/02/2014 at 11:30

Exactly. So I tried to stick with purely luxury marques. I even excluded some performance-luxury marques to keep things unmuddled, like Aston-Martin and Porsche.

Brian Silvestro > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:30

Jaguar is in a class of its own above statusspheric

davedave1111 > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:30

Tier 1: cars

Tier 2: cars for rich chavs

Tier 3: beaters-from-new

Audi-os, amigos > Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager
04/02/2014 at 11:31

Yeah I left out them and Porsche because performance is the hallmark of those brands just as much as luxury, and wanted to keep things more clear.

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:33

In that case I will accept your omission.

pdish > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:39

Where would Porsche fit in? They don't just make Sports cars anymore. Other suggestions:

Tesla: Tier 2

Buick: Tier 3

Maserati: Tier 2

Audi-os, amigos > pdish
04/02/2014 at 11:41

AH! Now Tesla is a good suggestion! I would put them Tier 2 as well.

Maserati I left out for the same reason as Porsche and Aston Martin - they are known for performance as much as luxury, and wanted to keep things clear.

I don't believe Buick is as nice as Lincoln, so I would put it on an imaginary "Tier 3.1" or something.

Merkin Muffley > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:42

Tier 1: Rolls, Bentley, Maserati Quattroporte, Aston Martin Rapide, Maybach

Tier 2: big Mercs, Audis, Jags, Lexi, and BMWs

Tier 3: Cadillac, Tesla, midrange Merc/BM/Jag/Audi/Lexus

Tier 4: Volvo, Lincoln, Infiniti, Acura, small Merc/BM/etc etc

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 11:44

except that they are cheaper than their competition.

pdish > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:46

I think Buick deserves the "Upwardly Mobile" tag no matter what. It and Lincoln share the same product plan: rebranded from the parent company with more luxury. The success in China shouldn't be ignored either: http://www.businessinsider.com/why-chinese-bu…

Flat Six > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 11:52

Its probably in the same class as Land Rover / Range Rover :)

Flat Six > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 11:53

I think Maserati performance is an extension of the luxury. Its not meant to be an extreme racing machine like Ferrari. The number one thing they advertise is Poltrona Frau leather interior.

pdish > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 11:54

Classic Jag I would agree, but current fits well.

Audi-os, amigos > pdish
04/02/2014 at 12:01

The brand strategy is a fair point.

Their success in China doesn't mean much to me, though. They really truly are all over the place there, but I've seen what passes for luxury in China, and it doesn't sway my decision here.

Audi-os, amigos > Flat Six
04/02/2014 at 12:02

Yeah. I suppose your point is especially well-taken when you compare them with Ferrari. Maserati is basically a more luxurious, less-performance Ferrari.

Alright, they're added.

Arben72 > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 12:04

Range rover and some of Mercedes should be a 2.5

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 12:28

But they're just better for some reason.

I'm a Jaguar fan.

Brian Silvestro > Flat Six
04/02/2014 at 12:28

Get it?!

BECAUSE THEY'RE THE SAME COMPANY!

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 12:30

As am I. I drive an X300, people assume I paid a shitload more for it than I did.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 12:31

Well that's the point isn't it?

"I'm better than you, hahahaha!"

*runs over peasants*

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 12:37

i don't want peasant on my paintwork.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 12:44

Just have another peasant clean it off.

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 12:47

Yeah, but these days, you have to PAY them instead of just flogging them when they inevitably do a halfassed job.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 12:48

I'm sure if they're related you can ask the child peasants to scrape off their parents from your car, and they'll listen.

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 12:59

ask? Surely you mean tell.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:00

Sorry my mistake, I meant, "tell your driver/servant to tell them."

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:03

"Tell your servant to beat them mercilessly until the job is done correctly."

Ah, the joys of Jaaag ownership.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:04

Clearly you live the good life.

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:05

it is amazing what a $7k Jag and a pair of decent sunglasses will get you in life.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:06

I can only imagine. That's hilarious. Have you written an oppo review, I'd love to hear about it.

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:10

I've not, I don't think I have posting permissions.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:11

*gasp*

We need to get you that right away.

Merkin Muffley > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:14

Sweet, thanks. She's a bit dirty at the moment, and pine pollen season is about to start. Once the tree jizz stops, I'll detail her and post a review.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:14

more like GASP Conversation of the DAY over here.

some of your best work Brian.

...damn peasants.

Brian Silvestro > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:15

Kinja'd!!!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 13:15

I firmly believe Mercury (if it were still alive) belongs in tier 3.

Party-vi > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:15

Kinja'd!!!

I've just added you to Oppositelock. Give it a few minutes to kick in.

DasWauto > Brian Silvestro
04/02/2014 at 13:15

Handled.

Brian Silvestro > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
04/02/2014 at 13:15

Thank you, I'm here all day.

Kinja'd!!!

DasWauto > Merkin Muffley
04/02/2014 at 13:15

You do now. Let me know if you need any help.

Brian Silvestro > DasWauto
04/02/2014 at 13:16

Thanks.

Merkin Muffley > DasWauto
04/02/2014 at 13:17

Awesome, thanks. I'll probably need to take you up on that at some point.

Party-vi > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 13:17

I would not say Cadillac is in Tier 2, nor is Lexus.

Cadillac cars are currently fancy GM vehicles. Lexus cars are fancy Toyotas. They should go in the Tier 3 with the fancy Hondas (Acuras), fancy Nissans (Infinitis) and fancy Fords (Lincolns). The exception to this rule would be the Lexus LS, which is still the only Japanese luxury car that can compete with the S Class.

Merkin Muffley > Party-vi
04/02/2014 at 13:18

Thanks!

Audi-os, amigos > Party-vi
04/02/2014 at 13:26

I think Lexus has elevated itself into the next echelon. Acura still smells like Integras and RSX's to me, and Inifinitis are just nice Altimas.

benchslap > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 13:28

Cadillac and Lexus have no business in Tier 2.

Party-vi > Audi-os, amigos
04/02/2014 at 13:32

I'm inclined to agree. Based on my experience with the G37 from Infiniti they need a lot more work. I'd more call them a Buick-type of near luxury. Just because you have leather seats doesn't mean you're a luxury brand.

Audi-os, amigos > benchslap
04/02/2014 at 13:59

I obviously disagree. How come?

benchslap > Audi-os, amigos
04/03/2014 at 13:20

If you're putting Acura and Infiniti in Tier 3, Lexus certainly doesn't deserve to be in Tier 2. Cadillac is trying but the XLS shows that they're not world-class yet. They do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Audi and BMW.