Lexus: the car of the pretty wealthy.

[DFW]

80. Japanese and American cars are expensive here

Not that German cars aren't, but a Lexus (even a Camry) or a Pontiac makes little sense to buy here. But since we live in Germany, repairing and getting parts for domestically made cars is far more practical for us.

When my wife's last car was destroyed when a Semi driver forgot to look if there was someone next to him before turning, she first decided she wanted to get less "fancy" than her BMW station wagon. We checked out the whole VW line, Audis, Passats, but they were so rickety (compared to the BMW, anyway) that we decided on another BMW station wagon, albeit a 3 series this time (the kids are now out of the house). Truck drivers here are no more concerned with driving safely than they were before she crawled out of the remains of her old car, and she would have been killed instantly if she had been in a Passat last time.

Our neighbors have a small Mercedes SUV, but we see no reason for one. It drives great, but has little space and doesn't get anywhere near the mileage (kilometerage?) that our smaller cars do.

By the way, some BMWs now sold in the USA are made right there (South Carolina, to be precise), which is how they can beat prices the same cars go for here in Germany.