Brand or Commodity?

[bdeutsch]

This is one of those topics where this is no right answer I suspect, likely many opinions though...

Anyway, have been shopping for a replacement for "she who must be obeyed" Acura MDX. Taking a hard look at a new Toyota Landcruiser and it's Lexus counterpart, the LX10. Finding that the supply of Landcruisers (at least here in California) is a bit constrained as compared to its more expensive equal, the LX10. Given that the LX10 offers more luxuries than its Toyota counterpart, they are essentially the same vehicle.

What possibly does this have to do with Cobras? Over the last few days, there has been a very long discussion regarding the CSX 6000 series; is it a copy, is it a continuation, is it real etc., etc. Even though I am a gearhead, I really do not care one way or the other, it is what it is and life goes on. One point brought up in these discussions that I was not aware of though was that both the Shelby and Kirkham models are recognized by the SAAC.

This took me back to the Landcruiser versus LX10 thoughts mentioned earlier. One cannot help but wonder how much the Shelby Brand is really worth, compared to what might be virtual clones (recognizing that at least for the SPF, there is a different frame used) without the CSX number? Is recognition by SAAC worth the $40K to $50K (+/-) price over a clone? Is it a matter of expected appreciation of the Shelby Brand over another (although I do not see any long term indication that Shelby's hold their value from a percentage perspective, any more than others). Is it simply a matter of personal choice/economics? Guess that the last point is the most relevant.

Again, there is no right/wrong thoughts to any of the above...just goes back to separating emotion from $ sense that I am going through right now trying to decide what I will buy (2001-2002 Ferrari 360 Modena still on my short list).

Given all of the unpleasantness in the world right now, not even worth that much thought I might add....

[RodKnock]

You know I never thought about my decision back around the Year 2000, when I too was considering purchasing a Toyota Landcruiser versus the Lexus LX470. The Lexus was about $7,000-10,000 more, I think.

The parallel to my Cobra decision back in 2007 is interesting now that you made me think about it. I didn't think the Lexus was all that different from the Toyota, so I purchased the Landcruiser and have never regretted the decision.

And I feel the same about my Cobra decision as well. Money was not issue with either decision.

[RodKnock]

Love the 360 Modena Spyder. Buy it, if you can. Gorgeous car.

[dave from mesa]

Guess the biggest decision is WOULD you buy a Toyota right now?

[LMH]

I have a GX470 and love it. Best all-around car I've ever owned. V8 and I get 19 mpg average with not much highway usage. I felt that the Landcruiser/LX was just too big and the RX was a little too "girlie" for me. I'm not sure what the current GX model is but you might look at it just to compare.
Larry

[Excaliber]

Guess the biggest decision is WOULD you buy a Toyota right now?

If you made a commitment to buy one now and put some money down to take delivery when the recall is ironed out, you might be able to make a very nice deal on one right now.

[Ron61]

Ernie, you are most likely correct about that. I saw in the paper here today that the dealers in Redding are having to remove over 70% of their inventory for this recall. But they will still take orders, so I am guessing they would be more likely to deal now than after this is all straightened out.

Ron

[bdeutsch]

From what I have seen/read so far, recall does not include the Landcruiser.

Bob