So how much are you paying for the brand?

the goon

Hi I am not the most clued in when it comes to cars but I know what I would like to drive if I could afford it, as opposed to what I drive now because I can afford it! So my question for those who have a greater knowledge and understanding of cars is:

how much of the price of a car i.e a bmw,audi, merc is for the brand?

Is there enough of a difference between for instance, an Octavia and an A4 to justify the massive difference in price? Or between a Hyundai I30 and a Golf?

Just something which I have been mulling over today and would appreciate if anyone can give me some insight into this!

Thanks!

CiniO

I have a 04 Mazda 6 2.0 petrol which I got last year.
If I decided for the same size car, which offers similar travel comfort but made by Audi or BMW I would have to fork out an extra 50% of price I paid or even more.

Eric Cartman

depends on the age of the car and what it is. If you lined up a bunch of 2002 4L v8 saloons you wouldnt pay much difference accross the badges.

but in small diesel market or newer cars the badge seems to alter prices all over the place to make up for the lack of anything else substantial about them

the goon

Lets say if you lined up two new and comparative cars, one a top end brand, the other a more economy line brand. I know it isn't exactly easy to say but I'd be interested to see if there is more to the price difference than just the name, ie better quality parts, longer guarantee?

Anan1

the goon wrote: »

Lets say if you lined up two new and comparative cars, one a top end brand, the other a more economy line brand. I know it isn't exactly easy to say but I'd be interested to see if there is more to the price difference than just the name, ie better quality parts, longer guarantee?

Every time you compared two different cars you'd get a different answer. And that's before you even start getting into the values of the person doing the deciding. Short answer is, there is no answer.

pippip

If you experience a more expensive brand over a lower end brand you will notice the difference in some form.

The only question is whether you can justify the extra expense.

TJJP

pippip wrote: »

If you experience a more expensive brand over a lower end brand you will notice the difference in some form.

The only question is whether you can justify the extra expense.

'whether you can afford the extra expense' surely....

pippip

TJJP wrote: »

'whether you can afford the extra expense' surely....

Not necessarily, some people see a car as four wheels that move & spend their money elsewhere (like on expensive "art") , these people should be shot

Del2005

the goon wrote: »

Lets say if you lined up two new and comparative cars, one a top end brand, the other a more economy line brand. I know it isn't exactly easy to say but I'd be interested to see if there is more to the price difference than just the name, ie better quality parts, longer guarantee?

Most expensive brands give worst value than the cheaper brands. With the cheaper brand throwing all the toys on as standard and the quality brand having them as paid for extras. Also the cheaper brands usually give longer warranties. It wasn't that long ago that BMW had the radio as an optional extra.

The problem with the cheaper brands is when you go to sell it on people still think it's a cheap car and so pay less. Just look at Skoda. They have had better quality than VW for several years yet some people still think a Golf is a better car than an Octavia.

Declan Lander

pippip wrote: »

Not necessarily, some people see a car as four wheels that move & spend their money elsewhere (like on expensive "art") , these people should be shot

Actually most of smart ones spend it on appreciating assets rather than depreciating ones.

drunkmonkey

Declan Lander wrote: »

Actually most of smart ones spend it on appreciating assets rather than depreciating ones.

A 1982 911 Turbo?

TJJP

Crap. The cheapo car has died or gone to taxi heaven (Octavia anyone) well before anything could go wrong as they’re insufferable. One exception was my 940GL which bits fell off like crazy. Otherwise apart from crap adjustments on electric seats in a CL63 and 'pinking' on an earlier accord I suffered yugo (geddit) get what you pay for. And then there is depreciation which no one has bothered to mention, here so far. That's the real cost of running a 'badge' over a 'bodge'; it’ll cost you 5k a year on a badge or €5 on an otherwise soon to be taxi. Beyond that all modern motors are largely the same.

ceegee

Declan Lander wrote: »

Actually most of smart ones spend it on appreciating assets rather than depreciating ones.

Ive spent money "appreciating assets" and on cars, both came with twin airbags as standard but only the garage let you take a testdrive

Declan Lander

ceegee wrote: »

Ive spent money "appreciating assets" and on cars, both came with twin airbags as standard but only the garage let you take a testdrive

A millionaire once told me, "if it floats, flies, or fornicates, take it from me, it's always cheaper to lease one, never buy one unless you want to lose a small fortune"