Why do people keep buying them?

Question

Last nights Top Gear featured the results of the latest J D Power customer satisfaction survey. The largest indepentant survey of it's kind. This year the 6 worst cars were all French. Everone knows they are cr*p, people who buy them say they are cr*p, so how come so many of them are clogging up our roads?

Answer 1

Well that sounds like the Honda problem over here. Everyone with any common sense knows there junk. But they keep buying them than brag it's the best thing on the planet.I guess they can't admit they were wrong.

Answer 2

Modern cars are so reliable, that even the worst 6 are still considerably more reliable than a typical PC - or any car from 30 years ago.
French cars offer a lot equipment, and are often good value for money, but they generally sell on style - if you love the look of the Renault Mégane, then a Golf, Focus or Corolla is simply too dull.

However, sales of most French models have been falling recently, partly because mainstream brands are losing sales to the budget brands (Kia, Skoda, etc.) and premium brands (Audi, Mini, BMW, etc.), and partly because some of the key models are now some of the oldest in their segments (C5, Laguna and 307 especially), so are losing out to newer models (Passat, new Civic). The two French models that have gained significant sales recently are very new - the Clio and the 207.

Answer 3

You will find a lot of people become attached to a car and overlook its faults. This can extend to other cars by the same manufacturer when the time comes to replace.

Regarding the TG survey - most of this data is customer perception and dealer satisfaction, meaning a brilliant car with a minor fault and an uncaring dealer will score badly. Also people have a vested interest in saying their £60K sports car is great, but won't hesitate to slate a £14K runabout.

Regarding French cars in particular, they have been at or near the head of the market for diesel engine technology for a while and Citroen have gone back to quirky cars to stand out in the market, meaning the kind of person that buys a C4 coupe is the kind of person who will put up with niggly faults to have that car.

Disclaimer - I drove a Citroen BX16TRS for 3 years, my current car is a Citroen and the next will be. I'm not blind to their faults, just cheap!

Answer 4

There are always people who want to drive a unique car, regardless of it's reputation. They will do it again and again.

"I don't want to have a car that looks just like all th others"

Then, usually, you reach the age where you want the best value for your hard earned dollar, and you finally realize why certain cars (like Hondas, Gary K.) are so popular: they are the best value for the dollar.

Answer 5

lol,i had a honda and i beat it to hell.took me 2 years to destroy it.best car i ever owned.

Answer 6

May be the price?

Or someone don't know much about it??