February 6, 2024 • 12 mins
Ever wondered how the lavish cabins of Mercedes-Benz and Tesla compare to the dependable charm of a Toyota Camry or a Ford Focus? Buckle up with me, Tommy Heitz II, as we cruise through the distinctions, debating whether to stick with the trusty Camry Hybrid I've racked up countless miles on or to spring for a new model brimming with tech and safety features. Luxury vehicles aren't just about getting from A to B; they're rolling statements of innovation and comfort. Meanwhile, economy cars are no slouches either, with advancements that are quickly narrowing the gap to their posher counterparts. What's clear is that when it comes to luxury vs economy, the choice isn't just about the car—it's about the statement you want to make on the road of life.
Now, let's shift gears and find humor in life’s daily grind at the Observation Station. It's where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and we all get a front-row seat to the hilarity of the human experience. We've all got stories that tickle the funny bone, and this chapter is a testament to that, urging listeners to keep the chuckle chain going by sharing our show. So join us, as we not only explore the highways of high-end and economical autos but also take the scenic route through the laughs that make every journey worthwhile.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Do you ever lift your head up from your phone, look
around and think to yourself myGod, everything is weird.
Well, we do A lot.
This is the Observation Station, a unique, entertaining and
hilarious podcast.
(00:22):
If we observe it, we talk aboutit.
Anything and everything,anything and everything.
Let's get weird and let's havesome fun.
This is the Observation Stationand now your host, tommy
Heights.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Welcome, welcome, welcome back to the Observation
Station.
Folks, it's your host, tommyHeights, steering today's
conversation into an excitinglane the world of luxury versus
economy vehicles.
So today that's going to betaking the fast lane and the
budget track Deep dive intoluxury versus economy vehicles.
(01:06):
So, whether you're all aboutthe glitz and performance or you
lean towards value andefficiency, there's much to
explore about our choices on theroad.
Speaking of choices, I'mcurrently behind the wheel of a
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid with ahefty 220,000 miles on the
(01:27):
odometer.
I mean talk about reliability.
But as much as I love my trustyCamry, I'm also eyeing the
future, especially consideringthe leaps in the safety features
and technology.
It'd probably be a little bitwiser here and maybe you know
one, not one year, two years orsomething like that to get a
vehicle with a backup camera,the lane assist and all this
(01:50):
other stuff.
It's actually pretty helpful.
I've been in some vehicles andthink, whoa, how do you not
drive with this stuff?
Especially as the years get on,with the newer technology that
it's going to make it more andmore safe to be on the road here
.
So let's also eye into thefuture here, dive into what's
(02:12):
going to set these automotiveworlds apart and maybe help me
and you decide which lane wemight need to choose next.
So what defines luxury andeconomy vehicles?
First up, let's paint thepicture of luxury vehicles.
Think Mercedes-Benz, bmw, audi,tesla names that spell out
(02:37):
status, advanced technology andcomfort level that justifies
their higher price tag.
So it's not just the prestige,it's the innovation and quality
they bring to the road.
Then there's the economy lane,where the Camry firmly resides.
It's like Toyota, honda andFord Focus on value, fuel
(02:59):
efficiency and reliability.
I mean maybe the Ford F-150,that's kind of how I would like
to put it.
I used to have a Ford Taurus a04.
Do not get it, unless that'slike all you can get, because
the thing has some giddy up witha V6.
Other than that, it's aterrible gas mileage.
(03:20):
You look at it as a reliablevehicle if you need to at least
commute over 30 minutes to work.
So If you think economicalmeans bare bones, think again.
The technology gap betweenluxury and economy is narrowing.
It's making the features liketouch screen infotainment
systems and advanced safetyfeatures more accessible than
(03:41):
ever.
One of the things when I was ayoung guy you know, in 1999, I
was in kindergarten one of myclassmates.
Their father had a MercedesC-Class.
It was the first time Iactually saw a built-in GPS
system, and when they said GPS,I had no idea what it was, and
(04:01):
they're like well, that meansglobal positioning system.
Never have heard of that.
You were looking at it like isthis a video game?
It was so confusing what wasgoing on when you saw the GPS.
Now you think of it oh my God,that is such a rudimentary thing
that you're using.
It's amazing how we looked atthat at the time and the game
(04:22):
was like whoa, this is crazy,just like the video games.
Back in the day, we're playingTony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
Thinking how much better canthese graphics get?
So much better.
I mean, look now, especiallythe Grand Theft Auto 6, that's
going to be coming out.
The whole world is going tostop when that game comes out
next year.
It's just going to be mayhem.
People are going to lose theirjobs because they're going to
(04:44):
stop coming to work.
It's going to be something of amagnitude that we've probably
never seen since 2009, whenpeople were doing the campouts
for Modern Warfare 2.
So the luxury experience isdifferent, obviously, than a car
(05:05):
that gets you from A to B.
They're about how you feel onthat journey from A to B.
They offer a smoother ride,premium interiors and cutting
edge technology for an unrivaleddriving experience, and with
performance to match their looks.
Luxury vehicles are aboutmaking a statement on every
single level.
(05:25):
Think about it like this youhave the people that like to
drive a luxury vehicle straightup just black, silver, white.
Then you have the people thatlike to wrap it in exotic colors
like bright purple or brightcandy red.
These are people that havedifferent experiences that they
want with their vehicle.
(05:46):
Some want to show it off, somewant to stay subtle and it's
more like a fine suit.
That you just know.
But with the Mercedes it's alittle bit easier to see.
You know the luxury vehicle,especially if it's a maintained
car and it's unrivaled in thedriving experiences, like a
Lexus LS, the large sedans.
(06:06):
There's a reason you pay forthese kinds of experiences, with
the performance.
It matches the looks I mean.
Luxury vehicles are about makinga statement on every single
level.
Let's not take this for grantedhere to say, oh no, you know, I
like it for just the way itdrives.
Okay, that may be, but a lot ofpeople just get a vehicle just
(06:29):
because it makes them feelsuperior to others.
They may not even have it whereit's an affordable option.
It's just stretching the limitof their credit line to have
something they barely can evenafford the gas for.
And the economy edge is not tobe underestimated also.
I'll give the example again ofmy Camry.
It's a testament to thereliability and efficiency that
(06:51):
Toyota vehicles have to offer.
With today's technologyadvancements, economy cars are
smarter and safer than ever.
Features like backup cameras,lane keeping assist once
exclusive only to the luxurymodels, are becoming standard,
making the upgrade not just awant but a wise decision for
(07:11):
safety.
Nowadays, one of the coolestthings I had seen and this is
you know, if anybody's listeningand has a new car, they're like
Tommy, what are you talkingabout?
Well, first off, I'm dealingwith 2012 technology, so that's
when I graduated high school.
It's a very well maintainedvehicle.
The paint has a couple of chipshere and there, here and there,
(07:32):
but overall, if you really lookat it, it's aged very nicely,
just keep car washes andmaintenance and whatnot.
But it's not like a looker.
But no, toyota really is alooker.
So, with what it is, that Ichoose to do is really because I
(07:53):
don't want to have it wherethere's a payment.
A lot of people are broke justbecause they have the car
payments, which is adepreciating liability on their
banknote.
Plus, you have to haveinsurance for it, don't forget
about that.
So that's another thing.
And when you have a car that isa luxury vehicle, the insurance
(08:14):
goes up because it is a moreexpensive vehicle to insure.
There's a lot of things that I'mthinking to myself well, is
this a vehicle for businesspurposes or personal purposes?
Because then you can have itwhere.
I'm not a tax professional but,for instance, it could be
looked at by a accountant.
If you have a car for businesspurposes, you can write off the
(08:37):
miles and do X, y and Z to makethat actually a business asset,
even though the car is goingdown in value.
So choose them between luxuryand economy.
It's really making the choice.
It's a preference.
Some people want to have itwhere they lease the vehicle
someone own.
This is really the episodesbetween luxury and economy.
(08:58):
It comes down to what you valuemost in your driving experience
.
For me, the reliability of myCamry has been unbeatable, but
as the safety features evolve,the appeal of upgrading for
those added protections becomemore compelling, whether you're
drawn to innovation of luxuryvehicles or the value of
technological strides in theeconomy sector, it's about
(09:21):
finding the right fit for yourlifestyle and safety needs.
Look, you want to get into aDodge Caravan.
I've never seen a man that getsinto one of those minivans and
looks like, when he's by himself, a genuinely happy person.
He might have it where hislady's on the side there and
he's all like, hey, you know, ohright, this is gonna be awesome
(09:43):
.
Oh, my god, oh, you know, I'mgonna be paying a lot of money
for this vacation.
You know one of those thingsyou just never see a guy that's
in a minivan, just straight up,smiling right next to you.
It's always just some dudethat's cutting you off
aggressively and it's always thedude.
You never see a lady in aminivan.
(10:03):
That's one thing.
Cutting you off aggressively,it's always the dude.
I mean no dude ever.
Ask your man.
No man has ever had it where hehad a poster on his wall of a
Honda Odyssey and be like, ohman, I'm gonna strive to get
that beauty right there Now.
I mean I draw the line rightthere.
(10:25):
I don't I.
If it's a van, then we get asprinter or something like that.
But none of these, none of thesegarbage Dodge products, you
know, is anyways.
But yeah, I mean whether you'redrawn to the the high end or
the mid ground.
I'm not really into the low endbecause I actually want to live
(10:46):
and get to where I need to be.
But it's all about, like I said, right fit for your lifestyle
and safety needs.
If you have children, you don'twant to be having it where you
got that old Honda hatchbackthat's got the big, you know
loud and exhaust pipe.
Yeah, you know, in like twodifferent colored doors May want
(11:08):
to have it where you upgrade alittle bit.
So Well, that's the end of ourroad.
Today, on observation station,we cruise through the
distinctions between luxury andeconomy vehicles, touching on
everything from performance andcomfort to the evolving tech
that's making cars safer andsmarter.
So whether you're, like me,pondering an upgrade from a
(11:29):
beloved high mileage ride forthe sake of advanced safety, or
you're just dreaming of yournext set of wheels, I hope
today's episode has fueled yourthoughts.
So before we park this episode,let's peek into the rearview
mirror.
Next week, we're shifting fromthe tangible tarmac to the
conceptual, with the future ofwork, robots versus humans In a
(11:55):
world where automation and AIare on the rise, we'll explore
the dynamics between our roboticcounterparts and us humans.
Are we heading towards acollaborative future or a
competition for the workplace?
So, with my Camry's miles as ametaphor for the journey we've
shared with technology so far,it's bound to be a
(12:16):
thought-provoking ride.
So tune in as we navigate theintersections of innovation and
employment.
Until then, keep those wheelsturning and your mind open.
Drive safe everybody.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
You've been listening to the Observation Station.
We find everyday life andeveryday situations hilarious.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
We know we had a blast.
Make sure to like, rate andreview, and be sure to tell a
friend about the show.
That would help too.
See you next time on theObservation Station.
Do you ever lift your head up from your phone, look
around and think to yourself myGod, everything is weird.
Well, we do A lot.
This is the Observation Station, a unique, entertaining and
hilarious podcast.
(00:22):
If we observe it, we talk aboutit.
Anything and everything,anything and everything.
Let's get weird and let's havesome fun.
This is the Observation Stationand now your host, tommy
Heights.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Welcome, welcome, welcome back to the Observation
Station.
Folks, it's your host, tommyHeights, steering today's
conversation into an excitinglane the world of luxury versus
economy vehicles.
So today that's going to betaking the fast lane and the
budget track Deep dive intoluxury versus economy vehicles.
(01:06):
So, whether you're all aboutthe glitz and performance or you
lean towards value andefficiency, there's much to
explore about our choices on theroad.
Speaking of choices, I'mcurrently behind the wheel of a
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid with ahefty 220,000 miles on the
(01:27):
odometer.
I mean talk about reliability.
But as much as I love my trustyCamry, I'm also eyeing the
future, especially consideringthe leaps in the safety features
and technology.
It'd probably be a little bitwiser here and maybe you know
one, not one year, two years orsomething like that to get a
vehicle with a backup camera,the lane assist and all this
(01:50):
other stuff.
It's actually pretty helpful.
I've been in some vehicles andthink, whoa, how do you not
drive with this stuff?
Especially as the years get on,with the newer technology that
it's going to make it more andmore safe to be on the road here
.
So let's also eye into thefuture here, dive into what's
(02:12):
going to set these automotiveworlds apart and maybe help me
and you decide which lane wemight need to choose next.
So what defines luxury andeconomy vehicles?
First up, let's paint thepicture of luxury vehicles.
Think Mercedes-Benz, bmw, audi,tesla names that spell out
(02:37):
status, advanced technology andcomfort level that justifies
their higher price tag.
So it's not just the prestige,it's the innovation and quality
they bring to the road.
Then there's the economy lane,where the Camry firmly resides.
It's like Toyota, honda andFord Focus on value, fuel
(02:59):
efficiency and reliability.
I mean maybe the Ford F-150,that's kind of how I would like
to put it.
I used to have a Ford Taurus a04.
Do not get it, unless that'slike all you can get, because
the thing has some giddy up witha V6.
Other than that, it's aterrible gas mileage.
(03:20):
You look at it as a reliablevehicle if you need to at least
commute over 30 minutes to work.
So If you think economicalmeans bare bones, think again.
The technology gap betweenluxury and economy is narrowing.
It's making the features liketouch screen infotainment
systems and advanced safetyfeatures more accessible than
(03:41):
ever.
One of the things when I was ayoung guy you know, in 1999, I
was in kindergarten one of myclassmates.
Their father had a MercedesC-Class.
It was the first time Iactually saw a built-in GPS
system, and when they said GPS,I had no idea what it was, and
(04:01):
they're like well, that meansglobal positioning system.
Never have heard of that.
You were looking at it like isthis a video game?
It was so confusing what wasgoing on when you saw the GPS.
Now you think of it oh my God,that is such a rudimentary thing
that you're using.
It's amazing how we looked atthat at the time and the game
(04:22):
was like whoa, this is crazy,just like the video games.
Back in the day, we're playingTony Hawk's Pro Skater 2.
Thinking how much better canthese graphics get?
So much better.
I mean, look now, especiallythe Grand Theft Auto 6, that's
going to be coming out.
The whole world is going tostop when that game comes out
next year.
It's just going to be mayhem.
People are going to lose theirjobs because they're going to
(04:44):
stop coming to work.
It's going to be something of amagnitude that we've probably
never seen since 2009, whenpeople were doing the campouts
for Modern Warfare 2.
So the luxury experience isdifferent, obviously, than a car
(05:05):
that gets you from A to B.
They're about how you feel onthat journey from A to B.
They offer a smoother ride,premium interiors and cutting
edge technology for an unrivaleddriving experience, and with
performance to match their looks.
Luxury vehicles are aboutmaking a statement on every
single level.
(05:25):
Think about it like this youhave the people that like to
drive a luxury vehicle straightup just black, silver, white.
Then you have the people thatlike to wrap it in exotic colors
like bright purple or brightcandy red.
These are people that havedifferent experiences that they
want with their vehicle.
(05:46):
Some want to show it off, somewant to stay subtle and it's
more like a fine suit.
That you just know.
But with the Mercedes it's alittle bit easier to see.
You know the luxury vehicle,especially if it's a maintained
car and it's unrivaled in thedriving experiences, like a
Lexus LS, the large sedans.
(06:06):
There's a reason you pay forthese kinds of experiences, with
the performance.
It matches the looks I mean.
Luxury vehicles are about makinga statement on every single
level.
Let's not take this for grantedhere to say, oh no, you know, I
like it for just the way itdrives.
Okay, that may be, but a lot ofpeople just get a vehicle just
(06:29):
because it makes them feelsuperior to others.
They may not even have it whereit's an affordable option.
It's just stretching the limitof their credit line to have
something they barely can evenafford the gas for.
And the economy edge is not tobe underestimated also.
I'll give the example again ofmy Camry.
It's a testament to thereliability and efficiency that
(06:51):
Toyota vehicles have to offer.
With today's technologyadvancements, economy cars are
smarter and safer than ever.
Features like backup cameras,lane keeping assist once
exclusive only to the luxurymodels, are becoming standard,
making the upgrade not just awant but a wise decision for
(07:11):
safety.
Nowadays, one of the coolestthings I had seen and this is
you know, if anybody's listeningand has a new car, they're like
Tommy, what are you talkingabout?
Well, first off, I'm dealingwith 2012 technology, so that's
when I graduated high school.
It's a very well maintainedvehicle.
The paint has a couple of chipshere and there, here and there,
(07:32):
but overall, if you really lookat it, it's aged very nicely,
just keep car washes andmaintenance and whatnot.
But it's not like a looker.
But no, toyota really is alooker.
So, with what it is, that Ichoose to do is really because I
(07:53):
don't want to have it wherethere's a payment.
A lot of people are broke justbecause they have the car
payments, which is adepreciating liability on their
banknote.
Plus, you have to haveinsurance for it, don't forget
about that.
So that's another thing.
And when you have a car that isa luxury vehicle, the insurance
(08:14):
goes up because it is a moreexpensive vehicle to insure.
There's a lot of things that I'mthinking to myself well, is
this a vehicle for businesspurposes or personal purposes?
Because then you can have itwhere.
I'm not a tax professional but,for instance, it could be
looked at by a accountant.
If you have a car for businesspurposes, you can write off the
(08:37):
miles and do X, y and Z to makethat actually a business asset,
even though the car is goingdown in value.
So choose them between luxuryand economy.
It's really making the choice.
It's a preference.
Some people want to have itwhere they lease the vehicle
someone own.
This is really the episodesbetween luxury and economy.
(08:58):
It comes down to what you valuemost in your driving experience
.
For me, the reliability of myCamry has been unbeatable, but
as the safety features evolve,the appeal of upgrading for
those added protections becomemore compelling, whether you're
drawn to innovation of luxuryvehicles or the value of
technological strides in theeconomy sector, it's about
(09:21):
finding the right fit for yourlifestyle and safety needs.
Look, you want to get into aDodge Caravan.
I've never seen a man that getsinto one of those minivans and
looks like, when he's by himself, a genuinely happy person.
He might have it where hislady's on the side there and
he's all like, hey, you know, ohright, this is gonna be awesome
(09:43):
.
Oh, my god, oh, you know, I'mgonna be paying a lot of money
for this vacation.
You know one of those thingsyou just never see a guy that's
in a minivan, just straight up,smiling right next to you.
It's always just some dudethat's cutting you off
aggressively and it's always thedude.
You never see a lady in aminivan.
(10:03):
That's one thing.
Cutting you off aggressively,it's always the dude.
I mean no dude ever.
Ask your man.
No man has ever had it where hehad a poster on his wall of a
Honda Odyssey and be like, ohman, I'm gonna strive to get
that beauty right there Now.
I mean I draw the line rightthere.
(10:25):
I don't I.
If it's a van, then we get asprinter or something like that.
But none of these, none of thesegarbage Dodge products, you
know, is anyways.
But yeah, I mean whether you'redrawn to the the high end or
the mid ground.
I'm not really into the low endbecause I actually want to live
(10:46):
and get to where I need to be.
But it's all about, like I said, right fit for your lifestyle
and safety needs.
If you have children, you don'twant to be having it where you
got that old Honda hatchbackthat's got the big, you know
loud and exhaust pipe.
Yeah, you know, in like twodifferent colored doors May want
(11:08):
to have it where you upgrade alittle bit.
So Well, that's the end of ourroad.
Today, on observation station,we cruise through the
distinctions between luxury andeconomy vehicles, touching on
everything from performance andcomfort to the evolving tech
that's making cars safer andsmarter.
So whether you're, like me,pondering an upgrade from a
(11:29):
beloved high mileage ride forthe sake of advanced safety, or
you're just dreaming of yournext set of wheels, I hope
today's episode has fueled yourthoughts.
So before we park this episode,let's peek into the rearview
mirror.
Next week, we're shifting fromthe tangible tarmac to the
conceptual, with the future ofwork, robots versus humans In a
(11:55):
world where automation and AIare on the rise, we'll explore
the dynamics between our roboticcounterparts and us humans.
Are we heading towards acollaborative future or a
competition for the workplace?
So, with my Camry's miles as ametaphor for the journey we've
shared with technology so far,it's bound to be a
(12:16):
thought-provoking ride.
So tune in as we navigate theintersections of innovation and
employment.
Until then, keep those wheelsturning and your mind open.
Drive safe everybody.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
You've been listening to the Observation Station.
We find everyday life andeveryday situations hilarious.
We hope you've enjoyed the show.
We know we had a blast.
Make sure to like, rate andreview, and be sure to tell a
friend about the show.
That would help too.
See you next time on theObservation Station.
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