So I am driving down the road the other day and I see this car that looks slightly new/odd. I speed up to try to catch up to see what it is, but it keeps speeding up...darn quick luxury car. As I get closer I am confused as I do not recognize the logo. I am wondering if I am seeing it wrong and it is just a Mercedes...but nope, it is extremely odd. When I finally get close enough to see it, I see:



I had to go even faster to read what it said the name of the car is. I think I was going about 80 in a 45 at this point...but luckily we hit a stop light so I could get a good look. The back of the car read Equus and then some numbers on the other side.

Being a car nut it was somewhat disheartening that I had no clue what this car was. So of course, I google it when I get home and it happens to be a Hyundai. Really...didn't know they made cars that look that fancy and higher end Mercedes like. See below:



What is even more confusing is the price tag on this puppy...

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2011/equus/

$58,000 for the "Signature" model and...
$64,500 for the "Ultimate" model...

As soon as I saw this my jaw dropped. I was left wondering who the heck would spend that kind of money on a HYUNDAI! :huh:

You can get a nice Mercedes or BMW for that price...why would you take that big of a step down in Brand quality for the same price?

This left me with a lot of questions...

1. Obviously, who on earth would by a $60,000 Hyundai?
2. What features does this thing have that would lead a fool to buy a $60,000 Hyundai?
3. I know that Hyundai is on the rise and their cars are looking better and better, but is their quality really that much closer to Mercedes?
4. Does this thing have the features of a $100,000 Mercedes or what, otherwise I can't fathom buying this thing.
5. Does anyone else have the same thoughts about this car? I better post this on OhioChatter.
6. I wonder if anyone on the OC knows more about this thing or if someone has even drove it...

OC...what say you?

Seriously dude....if a post is more than 5 sentences long, we ain't gonna read it.

Summarize bro....summarize.

Do you want those answers in full sentence form or is a "yes/no" acceptable?

for the money i'd rather have a BMW

I'm sorry...forgot I was talking to a bunch of illiterate old men...

SnotBubbles;896879 wrote:Seriously dude....if a post is more than 5 sentences long, we ain't gonna read it.

Summarize bro....summarize.

But its a cool story bro!

Summary...

Saw a weird car, looked like Mercedes, read Equus, turns out to be a Hyundai, that costs $60,000...who on earth would buy this thing for this price? So confused!

Happy?:thumbdown:

NWIndianNation01;896896 wrote:Summary...

Saw a weird car, looked like Mercedes, read Equus, turns out to be a Hyundai, that costs $60,000...who on earth would buy this thing for this price? So confused!

Happy?:thumbdown:

Much better. Who would by a $60,000 car?



Michael Clarke Duncan. That's who.

Obviously some one is buying them, ergo you saw one driving down the road.

I have a hard time imagining I would spend more than $50,000 on any car, but I doubt it would be a hyundai if I did. However I saw these in a commercial and it had a tv in the back and a power reclining chair with a footrest.

1. Quality ratings don't seem to agree that most luxury cars make the most durable cars.
2. Luxury cars are more expensive in every way. High priced parts, higher rated insurance, higher everything.
3. If the car is truly a luxury car, then they are hoping that the quality and features will warrant the 60k price tag much better than a 60k Mercedes. If a buyer sees more value in the Hyundai, they would be silly to pay 60k for a lesser Mercedes simply cause it says "mercedes" I know most will buy on that purpose, but if it's just as nice it will gain the respect to be recognized as such.

I see no problem with it and if its on the level as its competition it will be sold.

I'm sorry but it is still a HYUNDAI! No way! LoL

Everyone I have ever known that had a Mercedes or BMW loved it and they lasted forever for them.

I'm sure there were people that said the same thing about acura and Lexus when they first came out.

Its not like Hyundai is new...I could see it then. But not now.

You completely missed my point. Go back to not existing on this site please.

THE4RINGZ;896925 wrote:Obviously some one is buying them, ergo you saw one driving down the road.

What if Hyundai has developed a mind-control satellite and that car was just an optical illusion created by them to make people think those cars are actually being bought to trick people into buying them. Taking subliminal advertising to a whole new level. Genius.

Heretic;897258 wrote:What if Hyundai has developed a mind-control satellite and that car was just an optical illusion created by them to make people think those cars are actually being bought to trick people into buying them. Taking subliminal advertising to a whole new level. Genius.

Nice!

I'm sure there were people that said the same thing about acura and Lexus when they first came out.

^^^This...but expanding on that, Hyundai is doing nothing more than following the successful plans of almost ALL car companies. Equus is simply Hyundai's luxury brand.
Who would buy a Equus? Very simple...people who loved their Sonata's but who want to purchase a next level up car. By offering an upgraded Hyundai, the company doesn't necessarily lose those buyers to other established luxury cars.

This is not a new concept.... goes way back to the early days of GM.

Young people would buy Chevys...move up to pontiac or oldsmobile....and finally end up in a Cadillac or Buick. The company is just planning to have a market share of an upwardly mobile population.

Either way, it is still a Hyundai, no way I would ever pay that much for that brand name!

I wasn't asking the thought process behind Hyundai putting out the vehicle, that is obvious. But rather what sucker American would put out $60k for one.

The car actually rates pretty well in reviews. As you mention, its biggest flaw is its brand name - if it was under a different banner (similar to Lexus/Toyota) I bet it'd be differently received.

NWIndianNation01;897704 wrote:Either way, it is still a Hyundai, no way I would ever pay that much for that brand name!

I wasn't asking the thought process behind Hyundai putting out the vehicle, that is obvious. But rather what sucker American would put out $60k for one.

not a sucker who buys or doesnt buy things because of a brand name.

What's wrong with Hyundai's? Hyundai is no longer making crappy cars. Their Genesis, Gensis Coupe, and Sonata come highly rated. The Genesis outsells other cars in it's segment.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q3/2011_hyundai_equus-first_drive_review

NWIndianNation01;896895 wrote:But its a cool story bro!

Not really.:thumbdown: