"Quality and reliablilty are two different things, not to be confused. Just because a car doesn't need many parts, that doesn't mean that its made well. "

Hatterasguy, quality and reliability need not be mutually exclusive. Shouldn't someone expect reliability in a high quality and high priced product? Why. other than status, would someone wear a Rolex when a Fossil does the same job? The boat analogy is different since you may notice performance differences in favor of the more expensive boat. I loved my Triumph TR6 back in the day, but it was just for fun. I knew its spotty reputation going into the deal. Shouldn't someone who pays $100K for a car demand reliability? After all, what good is a high quality car that spends 20% of its time in a shop? When I'm really honest with myself I realize that I, like many Benz owners, am status conscious. I like the status the mystique and traditional styling of this car and the looks that it gets - looks that my Lincoln does not get. In exchange, I tolerate the fact that it is somewhat sensitive and high maintenance- somewhat like a trophy wife. In Germany, these are taxicabs and police cars, but here in the States, we place these babies on pedestals. I'm not judging - I do the same thing!

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1991 560SEL (254K miles)
1980 Lincoln Mark VI - Givenchy
1979 Lincoln Mark V Collector's Series
1979 Lincoln Town Car Collector's Series
1979 Ford "Effie" Pickup (in gradual transformation to a show/street truck)
1969 Lincoln Mark III (waiting for "Overhaulin" to call)
1989 Lincoln Towncar
2001 Lexus GS300 (spousal unit's daily driver)