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Originally Posted by 1100D In my opinion, "lifestyle vehicles" as referred to in India are those vehicles, that are used to project the personality of the owner as outdoorsy, activity filled etc.
... Mostly to mimic the weekend recreation of common people in the developed world. Say boat hauling, canoeing, fishing, jet skii's and the like...
ownership of these vehicles in India also has the ability to convey that the owners have have a lifestyle comparable to the west.
However, it is to be debated whether it is possible to lead a similar life on our warmer climes.
I saw a Tata Xenon carrying cartons of packaged drinking water and being driven by individuals who are as far removed in personality from a cool dude as one can imagine. |
So what you mean to say is, a lifestyle vehicle in India is that type of vehicle which is exclusively used in the Western countries as a LSV, but may be used in India as even a
cargo carrier! So promoting a vehicle as a LSV in India may not necessarily sell that vehicle because at least some are NOT used in the way the manufacturer proposes.
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Originally Posted by vinaydas to me lifestyle vehicle should not make any practical purpose for example the Ferrari California. |
Any impractical vehicle is an LSV? I thought it was proposed to be the other way round.
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Originally Posted by AyAn! I think that the 'lifestyle' tag is a bit subjective,misleading and quite vague.A car serves various purposes to various people of varying lifestyles. |
That's precisely what this thread hopes to sort out.
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Originally Posted by AyAn! For a person who loves to travel and adventure,a full size TLC Amazon would be a lifestyle vehicle for him because it caters to his lifestyle. Whereas for most people its a big,imposing status symbol.Again there are rich businessmen/industrialists for whom there are frequent out of town visits on not-so-good roads.A TLC serves its purpose there too. |
Hmmm... A status symbol (expensive, powerful, fast, tough) is the LSV in India? Even though it may not be used to do the duty it can do?
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Originally Posted by AyAn! Similarly for a passionate off road/rally nut,a Gypsy fits the bill perfectly,because it caters to his,you guessed it, lifestyle! Also there are people who buy a Gypsy just to impress chicks on that late night joy-ride. |
Multiple lifestyle seekers use the same vehicle, never mind what the specs of the vehicle are?
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Originally Posted by AyAn! The only cars that come close to being called LSVs are purpose built machines. |
Exactly what I said when I mentioned the vehicle DKG is building.
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Originally Posted by AyAn! ...people who'll buy these cars just because they are different from the rest and will be a more powerful tool to make an impression! |
i.e., the status symbol tag again.
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Originally Posted by AyAn! Its mostly marketing gimmick,nothing else. |
I'm starting to believe it.
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Originally Posted by Anand123 There cant be a common definition for lifestyle vehicles. Its subjective and differs from one person to another. Its the way one look at a car. I may treat a Forester as a LSV but for some others it would be just another luxury car. |
Exactly what I said when I asked...
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Sudev owns a GV and he uses it for driving to work daily. He also uses it to have fun off-road. So his GV would not be an LSV. But if I buy and park the same GV to ONLY take out during off-road trips, it is my LSV. Do I understand this correctly? If so, is the GV an LSV or not?
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Originally Posted by ampere I think the term "Lifestyle vehicle" is a Media Jargon; A mere buzzword. |
One more opinion that says an LSV in India is just so much hot air and marketing blurb.
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Originally Posted by GTO ...an Enfield Bullet is probably the cheapest lifestyle vehicle one can buy. Ideal for long-distance touring, take participation in the many Bullet events, there's dedicated Enfield touring / activity groups etc....in a way, the following is cult-like. |
So cult cars can be considered as LSVs - esp. those that have dedicated events, clubs and activity groups etc. - the Scorpio for one, the Gypsy, Fiat, now even the
Swift joins in.
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Originally Posted by Guna What about a bicycle? |
Valid question - Firefox has all the clubs, activities and events to support it. So a Firefox is a LSV, but a Hero is not?
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Originally Posted by Guna Yeti, when launched will be a true lifestyle vehicle. It is radical and would be pricy enough so that it would not become a mainstream. |
Once again, the same opinion comes round - an expensive low-selling vehicle is considered to be an LSV in India!
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Originally Posted by adisag The Maruti Van:
...I do realise that in today's context this could never work (No AC, Poor Suspension, Poor Stability, Weak Engine etc. etc..); But inspite of all this i still dream of owning a Van - "My Ultimate Lifestyle Vehicle" |
Is this something to do with the
reverse status symbol?
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Originally Posted by vivekgk I think that lifestyle vehicles are those that project a different image than mainstream vehicles. A hatch, sedan or SUV is not a lifestyle vehicle, because they're mainstream, which solely serve the purpose of transportation from A to B. To me, a lifestyle vehicle is something that is extraordinary, while being practical at the same time. A lifestyle vehicle has to be fun in some way. It has to enhance your daily life. |
That's not what is the general concensus being put forward - a Gypsy or Bullet or Forester is as much a mainstream vehicle as whichever car you might want to mark as extraordinary, while being practical. Would you like to specify any particular vehicle you have in mind?
To quickly recap on the ongoing discussions, here are a few thoughts:
- An LSV, to some, is an off-roader - from Gypsy to Forester to Fortuner to LR/Rangie, and of course, the Thar, they're all LSVs.
- Ideally, the LSV is meant to be ONLY a weekend recreation / out-of-town pleasure travel vehicle, and not one to be used for daily commutes. Therefore, one man's daily commuter would be another man's LSV.
- To some, an LSV is what makes good coffee-table / party conversation. It's a (usually) frighteningly expensive niche car, like the Fiat 500, or a rare car in the country, like a 911 / Ferrari California, or even a Bentley. Others call it a status symbol.
- Cars and their manufacturers which have clubs and events to their credit, such as the Bullet, Gypsy or M&M vehicles, can be considered LSVs. Even bicycles can be considered in this category, but only some makes like the Firefox.
- LSVs in India are more about pretend, and less about actual usage - a Xenon / Getaway tells the world that I go camping on weekends, though I may not even own a tent. Aping the West without any actual pleasure.
- An RV / motorhome / caravan - hardly exists in India. And finally:
- The term "lifestyle vehicle" is a marketing gimmick, to entice people to dream, and buy a car with their eyes closed - if the buyer took a long hard look at that vehicle without dreaming, he wouldn't have bought it in the first place.
So is there really nothing that can be called a true lifestyle vehicle in India?
Or are there different categories of LSVs? If so, how would you want to categorize them?