What Matters Most to Car Buyers?
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,938
What Matters Most to Car Buyers?
Poll: What Matters Most to Car Buyers?
Link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...702130366/1014
A Detroit Free Press poll last month found that gas mileage ranked as the most important issue among Michiganders when buying a car. Forty-three percent of the respondents said fuel economy was at the top of their list, followed by concerns about safety, room for people and cargo, and low maintenance costs. Amy Wieleba said she wants a more fuel-efficient car in large part because of concerns about the environment. "We have to take care of the environment, each and every one of us as best we can," she said. "I am concerned about everything we are doing -- the global warming, the pollution, the drilling." In addition, the poll indicates that loyalty among young people in Michigan to U.S. automakers isn't strong as it once was. The survey found that Michiganders younger than 35 are more open to buying a foreign car than ever before. About 44 percent of the people in that group said they either would definitely buy a foreign car or they could go either way with their purchase. the Michigan Poll found 26 percent of respondents said safety matters most; 22 percent said room for people and cargo was first on their list, and 20 percent cited low cost for maintenance and repairs. The poll, taken Jan. 28-31, had 803 respondents and a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
I think this is a case of people saying one thing, then doing something else. If fuel economy was truly at the top 43% of people's lists, those people would be buying Diesel Jettas or Toyota Yarises. But they clearly don't. For most people I'd say utility or style are at the top of the list, and then they might search out the most fuel efficient vehicle that meets those primary criteria. So that would make fuel economy their second most important issue.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 279
Fuel economy is most important to me within limits. Comparing several well matched vehicles...fuel economy would definetly play a major roll for me. Part of the reason why i passed on the a4 GTO. But I wouldnt buy a jetta or toyota unless it was free or it got in excess of 75mpg.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,000
From: TX Med Ctr
I think this is a case of people saying one thing, then doing something else. If fuel economy was truly at the top 43% of people's lists, those people would be buying Diesel Jettas or Toyota Yarises. But they clearly don't. For most people I'd say utility or style are at the top of the list, and then they might search out the most fuel efficient vehicle that meets those primary criteria. So that would make fuel economy their second most important issue.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 538
I think this is a case of people saying one thing, then doing something else. If fuel economy was truly at the top 43% of people's lists, those people would be buying Diesel Jettas or Toyota Yarises. But they clearly don't. For most people I'd say utility or style are at the top of the list, and then they might search out the most fuel efficient vehicle that meets those primary criteria. So that would make fuel economy their second most important issue.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,947
From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
I think it's a sign of the power of the press as well...
I think most of us, when asked by the press, answer what we're expeceted to, to save face.
Even being laid off right now, the small fluxuations in fuel price aren't a big deal to me...but they are hyped by every TV and Radio program on the air.
"the global warming, the pollution, the drilling."
Even being laid off right now, the small fluxuations in fuel price aren't a big deal to me...but they are hyped by every TV and Radio program on the air.
Last edited by 90rocz; Feb 13, 2007 at 11:37 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,180
From: Yadkinville, NC USA
I agree - to a large extent.
Which is exactly why I am getting so concerned about Chrysler lately.
Everything they offer "has a Hemi".
Or is at least styled to look like it's doing 200mph.
I love a performance car as much as anyone, but even I have 2 SUVs, a pickup, and a 4-cylinder beater that are driven many times more often than my performance cars are.
I'm thinking Chrysler is banking a little too hard on performance, and not enough on luxury cars, family haulers, and "appliances" as we like to call them - Impalas, Tauruses, Fusions, Montes, LaCrosses (Camrys, Accords, Sonatas) - these type cars.
I don't LIKE appliances, but they typically make up a huge portion of a manufacturer's annual sales.
I also agree that people are not putting mileage 100% at the top of their list - it gets blended with the other issues. For example, it does me no good to get 40mpg in a car that will require an extra $700/year in maintenance costs... I will have saved nothing in the end, but lost time in my vehicle for repairs and the inconveniences related to it.
Mileage has to be linked to dependability, low-maintenance, and quality (if you prefer that term).
Personally, I put operational safety and my comfort WAY up on the list when picking a "driver". I want excellent visibility, and interface with the car - I think it makes me a safer driver, both for me and others around me. Equitably, my biggest complaints for visibility are in my 89 LX hatch (the high-back seats with huge headrests make the rear 1/4 windows non-existant for making turns, and consume about 25% or the rear-view), and he HHR I was in for a week in New York (the roofline is very low in that car and I struggled to see some stoplights hanging overhead, and the headrests also killed rear view and side window visibility sustantially IMO).
I want comfortable seating and driving positions too - not a recliner with power controls, but a nice firm supportive seat that is adjustable to suit my body/build. It eases fatigue and keeps me alert.
I will give up 5 mpg (or more) in a heartbeat for a vehicle that I honestly think is safer to drive. Throw in maintenance and dependability... it really needs to be a "whole package" for me.
Which is exactly why I am getting so concerned about Chrysler lately.
Everything they offer "has a Hemi".
Or is at least styled to look like it's doing 200mph.
I love a performance car as much as anyone, but even I have 2 SUVs, a pickup, and a 4-cylinder beater that are driven many times more often than my performance cars are.
I'm thinking Chrysler is banking a little too hard on performance, and not enough on luxury cars, family haulers, and "appliances" as we like to call them - Impalas, Tauruses, Fusions, Montes, LaCrosses (Camrys, Accords, Sonatas) - these type cars.
I don't LIKE appliances, but they typically make up a huge portion of a manufacturer's annual sales.
I also agree that people are not putting mileage 100% at the top of their list - it gets blended with the other issues. For example, it does me no good to get 40mpg in a car that will require an extra $700/year in maintenance costs... I will have saved nothing in the end, but lost time in my vehicle for repairs and the inconveniences related to it.
Mileage has to be linked to dependability, low-maintenance, and quality (if you prefer that term).
Personally, I put operational safety and my comfort WAY up on the list when picking a "driver". I want excellent visibility, and interface with the car - I think it makes me a safer driver, both for me and others around me. Equitably, my biggest complaints for visibility are in my 89 LX hatch (the high-back seats with huge headrests make the rear 1/4 windows non-existant for making turns, and consume about 25% or the rear-view), and he HHR I was in for a week in New York (the roofline is very low in that car and I struggled to see some stoplights hanging overhead, and the headrests also killed rear view and side window visibility sustantially IMO).
I want comfortable seating and driving positions too - not a recliner with power controls, but a nice firm supportive seat that is adjustable to suit my body/build. It eases fatigue and keeps me alert.
I will give up 5 mpg (or more) in a heartbeat for a vehicle that I honestly think is safer to drive. Throw in maintenance and dependability... it really needs to be a "whole package" for me.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,938
Well so do I agree to a large extent.
Your logic is spot-on although I'm not sure that most people are that logical when buying a car.
They may well look only at MPG almost to exclusion of all else...they may not even be aware of maint/repair issues, comfort, etc much less thake those issued into consideration.
For a lot of people, buying a new car is much more an emotional and sometimes a knee-jerk reaction; that's why so many people started buying "high MPG vehicles" last year without doing the math (spending tens of thousands of dollars to save a few dollars at the pump each week).
Of course, perception is reality and right now, "environmentally friendly" (which includes high MPG) vehicles are the only reality for many people.
Your logic is spot-on although I'm not sure that most people are that logical when buying a car.
They may well look only at MPG almost to exclusion of all else...they may not even be aware of maint/repair issues, comfort, etc much less thake those issued into consideration.
For a lot of people, buying a new car is much more an emotional and sometimes a knee-jerk reaction; that's why so many people started buying "high MPG vehicles" last year without doing the math (spending tens of thousands of dollars to save a few dollars at the pump each week).
Of course, perception is reality and right now, "environmentally friendly" (which includes high MPG) vehicles are the only reality for many people.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,801
From: Nashville, TN
Well so do I agree to a large extent.
Your logic is spot-on although I'm not sure that most people are that logical when buying a car.
They may well look only at MPG almost to exclusion of all else...they may not even be aware of maint/repair issues, comfort, etc much less thake those issued into consideration.
For a lot of people, buying a new car is much more an emotional and sometimes a knee-jerk reaction; that's why so many people started buying "high MPG vehicles" last year without doing the math (spending tens of thousands of dollars to save a few dollars at the pump each week).
Of course, perception is reality and right now, "environmentally friendly" (which includes high MPG) vehicles are the only reality for many people.
Your logic is spot-on although I'm not sure that most people are that logical when buying a car.
They may well look only at MPG almost to exclusion of all else...they may not even be aware of maint/repair issues, comfort, etc much less thake those issued into consideration.
For a lot of people, buying a new car is much more an emotional and sometimes a knee-jerk reaction; that's why so many people started buying "high MPG vehicles" last year without doing the math (spending tens of thousands of dollars to save a few dollars at the pump each week).
Of course, perception is reality and right now, "environmentally friendly" (which includes high MPG) vehicles are the only reality for many people.