General Discussion

milwaukeelib33

(140 posts)

65. It is disappointing

Thu Aug 30, 2012, 05:48 PM

Aug 2012

The OP put together a seven point list of desirable attributes and union made didn't make it. Would have it been #8? Lower? Even on the radar screen?

Clearly, it's not just the OP though. While very unscientific, far more often than not when I spot a vehicle sporting progressive bumper stickers it's foreign, non-union made. It doesn't make sense to me. I know the line of what is American has been blurred when Focuses are mfg'ed in Mexico and Subarus in Indiana with parts made gawd knows where. But, we know our union brothers and sisters are screwing 'em together at the Big 3 assembly plants- not so with BMWs from SC, or Hondas from OH.

We've got to realize we're in this together. I've supported our public schools and our unionized teaching professionals, but must admit that support waivers when I pass the parking lot filled mostly with foreign makes.

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Boomers Defy Car Makers' Marketing Strategies [View all] MineralMan Aug 2012 OP

This is really well written and informative MM. I would sugget sending this to AARP. They, and monmouth Aug 2012 #1

Thanks for the kind words! nt MineralMan Aug 2012 #10

Maybe the marketing to youth makes us boomers feel we are "getting over" the target. immoderate Aug 2012 #2

I don't think so, really. I wasn't even aware of their advertising MineralMan Aug 2012 #5

I will throw this theory out there.... phantom power Aug 2012 #3

That could be. But, there are marketing research companies everywhere MineralMan Aug 2012 #7

I think your last sentence may hold the answer. drm604 Aug 2012 #4

You could be right. I remember how well MineralMan Aug 2012 #6

I hope people don't think you're flamingdem Aug 2012 #8

Seems unlikely to me, somehow. MineralMan Aug 2012 #9

Perhaps marketing strategy is right: chknltl Aug 2012 #11

Love your advert suggestion. That would be great, though I think the music Lionessa Aug 2012 #15

Sure, but have a listen chknltl Aug 2012 #25

adding, imagin it as a SuperBowl Commercial done in two or three parts. chknltl Aug 2012 #32

I guess if Kia wants to be stupid, they could change to wooing boomers Lionessa Aug 2012 #12

Selling cars is the goal, I assume. MineralMan Aug 2012 #13

You, and I imagine many other boomers bought without registering their ads. Lionessa Aug 2012 #14

I didn't see the ads because I don't see the media in which they ran. MineralMan Aug 2012 #18

It all depends on whether that dealer's experience is typical. Gormy Cuss Aug 2012 #16

It appears to be the case everywhere. MineralMan Aug 2012 #19

There's a lot less fantasy in the ads. Archae Aug 2012 #17

That's true, depending on the target demographic. MineralMan Aug 2012 #20

This car is marketed with Dancing Hamsters. Not a peep about safety. Probably not a particularly Romulox Aug 2012 #42

Actually, you'd be incorrect. MineralMan Aug 2012 #58

The commercial features dancing hamsters. Not safety. Pretend otherwise, but we've all seen it. Romulox Aug 2012 #59

you said the car was probably not particularly safe, & the op said it was top-rated for safety in HiPointDem Aug 2012 #119

Um, nonsense. I said it was not "particularly safe", and it's not. It's AVERAGE, as the link shows Romulox Aug 2012 #120

ha ha. nice edit from "exceptionally". it's best in its class. HiPointDem Aug 2012 #125

I said "exceptionally" in another post, Columbo. Anyhow, what about you being a UAW defender? Romulox Aug 2012 #126

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #133

Lying about what, HiPointDem? That I said "exceptionally" in another post? It's in this thread. Romulox Aug 2012 #137

For me, the Kia barely edged out a Ford Focus Warpy Sep 2012 #178

This is factually incorrect. US News ranks the Fit as much better quality. Maybe you have some Romulox Aug 2012 #130

Indeed it WAS you. Remember when you claimed you stuck up for unionized autoworkers? Forget? Romulox Aug 2012 #124

and i repeat: in what sense is noting the *facts* about auto safety ratings a failure to 'stick up HiPointDem Aug 2012 #127

What facts? US news rates the reliability as "average". nt Romulox Aug 2012 #129

Post removed Post removed Aug 2012 #131

The link is in this thread. You yourself just referred to (albeit, you misinterpreted it.) Romulox Aug 2012 #135

You mangled "the facts" in defense of outsourcing. Then you threw up your hands when proven wrong. Romulox Aug 2012 #136

weasel. goodbye. HiPointDem Aug 2012 #138

You have been EXPOSED. Too bad it's hard to keep track of all the masks (some of us!) wear. Romulox Aug 2012 #141

Here are some ownership figures from a Kia Soul owners' forum: MineralMan Aug 2012 #21

"boomers are buying 60+% of all new cars being sold." milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #22

I notice that too but thought for a different reason, insurance is cheap.. snooper2 Aug 2012 #23

That's definitely true. Everything's cheaper if you have MineralMan Aug 2012 #24

Auto companies always market to first time buyers market randr Aug 2012 #26

I wonder if that is even true any longer. MineralMan Aug 2012 #28

The same things led me to a Kia Rio 6 years ago Warpy Aug 2012 #27

Smart Cars are very rare in Minnesota. MineralMan Aug 2012 #29

Smart cars are rear engine and rear wheel drive.. Fumesucker Aug 2012 #63

That makes sense. MineralMan Aug 2012 #89

Well, to hell with that Warpy Aug 2012 #132

I know what you mean - LibertyLover Aug 2012 #30

No mention in the OP about performance and handling. meaculpa2011 Aug 2012 #34

With a 1.6 liter engine, I don't expect MineralMan Aug 2012 #35

Your car is an *automatic*. It doesn't "hit the redline", unless it malfunctioning. Badly. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #45

Nope. 6-speed manual. Just as I said in the post above. MineralMan Aug 2012 #49

My mistake. You seemed so scattered on the other facts of the purchase... nt Romulox Aug 2012 #50

Reading is FUNdamental. nt MineralMan Aug 2012 #51

So is supporting American Workers. Wonder why that's so tough for you? And you're PROUD of it! nt Romulox Aug 2012 #54

THERE IT IS! A HERETIC I AM Aug 2012 #85

Which is why people should listen only to American music, and forgo that foreign stuff. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #151

That's called a "strawman argument", since only you have made such an argument. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #153

Buy American, my friend. Buy American. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #156

A back-handed admission. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #149

And what do you call what YOU are doing? Piling on into somebody else's argument? There MUST Romulox Aug 2012 #154

Bemused Observer. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #157

I think we can both agree on the "bemused" part. It still doesn't explain your motivation for Romulox Aug 2012 #158

1992 NFC Championship game-- only score I'm aware of. LanternWaste Aug 2012 #159

Marketers have traditionally ignored boomers in almost all shopping categories brooklynite Aug 2012 #31

That was true of my parent's generation. MineralMan Aug 2012 #37

I want my '66 Bug back! We are Devo Sep 2012 #183

We boomers are "done" being courted by advertising Freddie Sep 2012 #181

The car companies believe boomers have money.. MicaelS Aug 2012 #33

Yah, well, the economy put an end to that nonsense for a helluva lot of MineralMan Aug 2012 #36

I quit working on cars too. MicaelS Aug 2012 #38

Buncha old geezers. That's what we are. MineralMan Aug 2012 #40

I thought it was an "emergency!" and you simply didn't have time to try US made cars. Story change! Romulox Aug 2012 #41

It was. I bought it a day after deciding to. My Volvo was still dead MineralMan Aug 2012 #46

Was the Volvo *also* an emergency purchase? Why not just admit your history of not supporting US Romulox Aug 2012 #48

The other car in my driveway was a 1999 GMC Jimmy. MineralMan Aug 2012 #53

I wouldn't have a clue what you drive, except for your numerous vanity posts on the subject. Romulox Aug 2012 #56

You needn't read them, if they don't appeal to you. MineralMan Aug 2012 #60

I am doing exactly what I chose: namely, to challenge your ANTI LABOR attitudes. Romulox Aug 2012 #61

It is disappointing milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #65

Awesome post. Small correction though, Ford Focus is UAW made in Wayne, Michigan. Romulox Aug 2012 #67

I stand corrected milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #69

You may be thinking of the Fusion, which is made in Hermisillo, Mexico. Focus has been made in USA Romulox Aug 2012 #73

The new Focus is one sharp looking vehicle milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #76

No one on the east coast cares what cars look like any more FarCenter Aug 2012 #77

Sorry to hear that milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #87

Unsurprising poster is unsurprising. nt Union Scribe Aug 2012 #93

Embarrassed KIA owner spotted! Sorry, but people DO judge you for driving it. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #95

Is there a union made equivalent to the Scion xB, Nissan Cube, and Kia Soul? FarCenter Aug 2012 #70

Um, yes. They are all economy cars. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #71

This message was self-deleted by its author FarCenter Aug 2012 #74

Care to list one by name that you think is comparable? NickB79 Aug 2012 #82

I'm a boomer with a Scion xB TexasBushwhacker Aug 2012 #84

Sure, I will... milwaukeelib33 Aug 2012 #86

Of what you listed, I'd only agree with the Ford Transit as comparable NickB79 Aug 2012 #97

Get a used Aztek bongbong Sep 2012 #185

About a week after I replaced... meaculpa2011 Aug 2012 #43

Car makers make little money on cars like the Soul. The idea is to hook someone on a brand while Romulox Aug 2012 #39

Dealers make the money on them over time MineralMan Aug 2012 #44

I thought the whole point of buying a less reliable car was the extended warranty? nt Romulox Aug 2012 #47

What less reliable car? As near as I can tell, Kias have been very MineralMan Aug 2012 #55

Um, no. Kias are not exceptionally reliable. Did you even DO any research? Romulox Aug 2012 #57

Your own link ranks it #9 out of 41 models of affordable small cars NickB79 Aug 2012 #79

So have they sorted our the problems with the Focus' Powershift transmission? FarCenter Aug 2012 #81

US News feels the Focus is a far better car than the KIA SOUL. I know it's hard to swallow. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #91

You must've missed the two USA made Chevies above the KIA, too. Odd. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #90

No, I didn't. You missed where I said "reliability-wise" in my previous post NickB79 Aug 2012 #96

Nonsense. YOU claimed the car ranked 9 out of 41. The Chevrolet Cruze is 6 on that list, and Sonic Romulox Aug 2012 #100

Again, you do realize the different criteria listed on YOUR OWN LINK, right? NickB79 Aug 2012 #109

I understand perfectly. YOU misspoke when you mentioned "9 out of 41", and now want to move Romulox Aug 2012 #110

Nothing was misspoken NickB79 Aug 2012 #117

Then it was a purposeful attempt to compare apples to oranges. Several US cars ranked higher Romulox Aug 2012 #142

Here's your confusion: the "9 out of 41" was not for "overall quality". It was an overall ranking, Romulox Aug 2012 #144

I used the GM Credit Card for my last three purchases exboyfil Aug 2012 #64

BTW, does anyone *really* think another thread about this is necessary? You don't support US workers Romulox Aug 2012 #52

Just trying to rub some noses in it pintobean Aug 2012 #163

Gen Y, meanwhile, is notoriously disinterested in cars. LeftyMom Aug 2012 #62

I can't remember.. sendero Aug 2012 #66

The "car culture" is dead FarCenter Aug 2012 #68

Your personal experiences and opinions are just that. Ikonoklast Aug 2012 #128

Are boomers as likely to be swayed by marketing? LiberalAndProud Aug 2012 #72

Bought a Kia three years ago and I love it... WCGreen Aug 2012 #75

Some years back the PT Cruiser was the go to car for the Seniors.... Tikki Aug 2012 #78

I'm in my 40's and have PT with almost a 100k on it and still no problems. Lex Aug 2012 #80

Same with us when we bought a 2006 Honda Element. kaiden Aug 2012 #83

The Honda Element isn't capable of off-roading. It's merely designed to LOOK like a Jeep. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #94

I'm a boomer who hasn't bought a car in nearly 20 years IDemo Aug 2012 #88

I think this thread backfired. The OP wanted to be told how "hip" he is for hating US workers. nt Romulox Aug 2012 #92

American-Made Cars I Have Owned MineralMan Aug 2012 #98

Rightwing websites in which you've amassed several thousand posts? nt Romulox Aug 2012 #102

Imported Cars I Have Owned MineralMan Aug 2012 #99

Unnecessary biographical information you have shared? Romulox Aug 2012 #101

Nope. 60% of the cars I've owned were American cars. MineralMan Aug 2012 #104

Not a man of your word, are you? " Bye, now. I won't be replying further to you in this thread." Romulox Aug 2012 #106

Anyhow, who are you trying to impress? What are you trying to prove? American workers are hurting Romulox Aug 2012 #107

100% of the cars I've owned were American cars pintobean Aug 2012 #165

Excuse my ignorance, but what's a "millennial"? Courtesy Flush Aug 2012 #103

I think it refers to people who came of age around the MineralMan Aug 2012 #105

kick for later. eom ellenfl Aug 2012 #108

The Kia and others DonCoquixote Aug 2012 #111

The Cruze starts at $3000 more, the Fiesta is made in Mexico, MineralMan Aug 2012 #112

are Kia Souls the cars with the LMFAO hamster commercials? BOG PERSON Aug 2012 #113

They are. I hadn't seen the ads until after I bought mine. MineralMan Aug 2012 #115

The conventional wisdom in marketing is that you appeal to 18-34-year-olds Lydia Leftcoast Aug 2012 #114

My wife buys a lot of clothing from Lands End. MineralMan Aug 2012 #118

Lands End is part of Sears/Kmart run by Eddie Lampert FarCenter Aug 2012 #162

There is an old saying that you can sell an old man a young man's car but you can't... JVS Aug 2012 #116

That makes sense. MineralMan Aug 2012 #122

Definitely marketed to younger crowd I guess, Jack Sprat Aug 2012 #121

That wasn't available when I needed a car, so I haven't looked at it. MineralMan Aug 2012 #123

Is it comfortable for you as a tall guy? Jack Sprat Aug 2012 #139

It is. The driver's position is excellent, and the steering wheel is MineralMan Aug 2012 #146

Good review. Jack Sprat Aug 2012 #150

One thing I missed. MineralMan Aug 2012 #160

they think you want to buy a Camry the size of a 1990's Oldsmobile CreekDog Aug 2012 #134

So it seems. I didn't realize that the MineralMan Aug 2012 #140

Good sales pitch. ret5hd Aug 2012 #143

Nice. It's a consumer review of a car I bought. MineralMan Aug 2012 #147

Interesting post since I'm 63 and have been noticing those Kia Souls. Vinca Aug 2012 #145

If you're in the market, a test drive will tell you if you MineralMan Aug 2012 #148

I'm thinking about it. The old Rav still runs well and is paid for. Vinca Aug 2012 #152

It's getting the advertised 27 mpg in city driving. MineralMan Aug 2012 #155

Does it have AWD? That's on my wish list because I live on a dirt road in snow country. Vinca Aug 2012 #161

Nope. It's just a front wheel drive car. MineralMan Sep 2012 #168

Probably out of mine, too. FWD works pretty well in snow though. Vinca Sep 2012 #169

We'll see in a couple of months, I guess. MineralMan Sep 2012 #170

They are using reverse physiology pretending to go for 25+ when- CK_John Aug 2012 #164

reverse physiology sounds gruesome BOG PERSON Aug 2012 #166

I guess we can look forward to one of these threads Union Scribe Sep 2012 #167

Threads about automakers advertising decisions? MineralMan Sep 2012 #171

I just got rid of my beautiful, fast American Tbird mitchtv Sep 2012 #172

The new Fiat 500 has a nice retro look that reminds me MineralMan Sep 2012 #173

It sure is easy to get in and out of mitchtv Sep 2012 #174

I liked the interior, too. It just didn't have enough cargo space MineralMan Sep 2012 #175

Funny thing about noticing the car you just purchased. liberal N proud Sep 2012 #176

Interesting. I know what you're saying. MineralMan Sep 2012 #177

I loathe commercials liberal_at_heart Sep 2012 #179

I pay little attention to commercials. I have the internet. MineralMan Sep 2012 #180

They are not marketing these cars to you because it would kill their appeal to a younger demographic aikoaiko Sep 2012 #182

Bought a new Mazda3 this year... We are Devo Sep 2012 #184