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Originally Posted by khan_sultan I think most off-roaders do consider their machines to be lifestyle vehicles.
For me, my Gypsy is my ultimate lifestyle vehicle -- allows me to do whatever I want over the weekends. |
Thank you for clarifying.
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Originally Posted by wanderernomad I think a Lifestyle vehicle could be a sum culmination of most of the thought processes here and yet leave something to be desired still. In my view a life style vehicle is an off shoot of your personality as you perceive yourself. It could be anything as long as it sort of reflects your soul. |
Does a car really reflect your soul? I am inclined to believe that an LSV is either
a reflection of your assumed personality (what I have been calling the sLSV), or an
extension of the real life (the pLSV) you live.
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Originally Posted by rhandle My Choices would be:
1. Rolls Royce
2. Nissan 370Z
3. Toyota LandCruiser v8 ( wish I can change it to G wagon)
4. Man truck converted to a camper.
Lifestyle vehicle, is very difficult to explain - I guess the vehicles one can't own is a lifestyle vehicle.
For eg: Maybach or RR might be lifestyle vehicle for me but not for Ambani or Burman who drive them on regular basis.
Lifestyle products are meant to be rare. If they would become common then they lose their meaning. They are different for different people depending on the KNOWLEDGE and from where they are having their perspective.
PS: I am sorry have not read entire thread and my reply is just based on the Thread starter Post. |
So there we are. rhandle is looking for the unique, expensive and head-turning sLSV. But isn't your own Gurkha a pLSV? Where would you like to classify that vehicle? As an LSV or not?
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Originally Posted by sbraj I am tending to agree with this, if a categorization has to be made.
Just thinking aloud whether a model can be both - sLSV and pLSV at the same time. Any pLSV priced 15L+ would automatically become a sLSV because of affordability. But I doubt whether any manufacturer will seriously think of making a sLSV into a pSLV also (in India). Buyers who base decisions based on status, will they ever take their sLSV to, for instance, OTR? |
I would think those who can afford to take a Fortuner or Endy off-roading, do - for them, it's a pLSV. For others, the same car would be an sLSV
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Originally Posted by joshguy IMO any vehicle unique and modified to your need would be so called Lifestyle vehicle. not necessary that it should be a costly or luxury brand |
We have a repeat definition of the pLSV.
Based on the inputs that we've received till now, let's see if I can put together a working classification of lifestyle vehicles as they are perceived in India. All are welcome to suggest modifications and / or nominate / delete vehicles in each category.
Category 1: The Style- / Status- Oriented Lifestyle Vehicle (sLSV)
(This category of vehicles will be listed according to class, and not according to purpose, since the owner usually does not use the vehicle as either as a workhorse or for leisure travel. The car tells the world who the owner is.)
1.1: The Smart Hatch (nominations: Swift, Beat, Polo, Punto, Nano <maybe>)
- (This is probably the most favoured LSV category. The Swift projects a boy-racer image, the Beat impresses with its funky looks, the Polo/Punto boasts German/Ferrari heritage, amd the Nano - reverse snobbery?)
1.2: The Style Sedan (nominations: City, Linea, SX4, Fiesta 1.6)
- (The lower end sedans come here. The H-badge has the biggest boast value, the Linea again is about Italian traditions. Fiesta/SX4 have the boy-racer image to go.)
1.3: The Style Sedan+ (nominations: Laura / Skoda, Civic / Accord, Corolla / Camry)
- A highly brand-sensitive segment, where the big 3 - Honda, Toyota and Skoda - rule. Not sure whether VW breaks in as an sLSV yet. Pretenders like the Sonata got blown away, and the few buyers who own them never looked at them as LSVs.)
1.4: The Big Brand Sedan (nominations:
any Merc, BMW, Audi)
- (Short of standing on a podium in the middle of the marketplace, loud-hailer in hand, and shouting I've arrived. I'm big, this is the vehicle to convey that statement to the world. And if it's driven by a uniformed chauffeur with a peaked white cap, well...)
1.5: The SUV (nominations: Safari, Scorpio, Xenon, Getaway)
- (More metal for my money - so I rule the road. Give way to the boss - I don't say please.)
1.6: The SUV+ (nominations: Endy, Fortuner, Outlander, Pajero, Montero, XC90, Cayenne)
- (Off-road capable but never seen mud or rocks. I want you to believe that I do go off-roading, but in reality I'm actually telling you that I am rich enough to afford this stuff. And the chauffeur too.)
1.7: The Modded Cool 'n' Hot-rod- (No nominations here - the possibilities are endless. FFE, LEDs, alloys, tyres, ICE that shatters glass, window tints, stickers - anything that says "Hey, I'm cooool...".)
1.8: The Exotic and Unique Style Statement (nominations: Bentley, Rolls, Lamborghini, Ferrari)
- (My car can outrun your jetplane while I have more comforts in my car than you can in your bedroom. Fast, luxurious and more expensive than a lot of bungalows, these sLSVs are good for that midnight run from Mumbai to Pune in 1 hour, luck permitting - but usually stick to the speed limit or are confined to a garage until someone apart from the owner needs to see them.)
(Coming up tomorrow:
Category 2: The Practical Lifestyle Vehicle (pLSV))