The term "Base"
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The term "Base"
I find it interesting The term (Base) used in selling cars more now than I have seen at anytime in the past. Whithout knowing, would any car with an single upgrade option Not be a Base? if not, what would NOT make it a Base?
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Re: The term (Base)
A base car can be considered a car without an option package, but there is no industry standard. I don't think you'll find it in any brochure. Shoot. A lot of companies call every model by some special term that makes them seem special even when they are the base models. The Ford Fusion site calls the base model the S model. Perhaps S is short for standard?
Remember the old school term? We called them strips or stripped-down models. The industry never used it.
Remember the old school term? We called them strips or stripped-down models. The industry never used it.
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- Ken Stevens
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Re: The term "Base"
"Beer can" was a term my father-in-law used in the 70s when he sold new cars. That was the no-option, lowest-priced model heavily advertised but rarely available.
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Re: The term "Base"
I thought that most cars today came optioned out as the base model, to save inventory costs. When I recently went car shopping I looked at a "base" model 2012 Cadillac CTS and was amazed to find out you could buy one with vinyl seats and manual transmission. Every option that I thought was standard was part of a package in order to make it into a real Cadillac.
Re: The term "Base"
cool the base CTS is offered in a manual, I thought it was just the CTS-V that had a manualtoddallen wrote:I thought that most cars today came optioned out as the base model, to save inventory costs. When I recently went car shopping I looked at a "base" model 2012 Cadillac CTS and was amazed to find out you could buy one with vinyl seats and manual transmission. Every option that I thought was standard was part of a package in order to make it into a real Cadillac.
Re: The term "Base"
"Base" had become a term used for cars that otherwise didn't have a trim level e.g. LE, SE, Sport, Limited, etc.
Many luxury/near-luxury brands like Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, etc. have essentially abandoned traditional identifying trim levels as they were used in years past (e.g. D’Elegance, Elegante, Signature Series, Custom, Limited, etc.) as few now have trim badging and the "trim" names are largely just used to distinguish between option packages.
Many luxury/near-luxury brands like Cadillac, Lincoln, Buick, etc. have essentially abandoned traditional identifying trim levels as they were used in years past (e.g. D’Elegance, Elegante, Signature Series, Custom, Limited, etc.) as few now have trim badging and the "trim" names are largely just used to distinguish between option packages.
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Re: The term "Base"
There is going to be a base model whether there is a special trim designation for it or not.
There are options and upgrades for almost all cars. The least expensive model with only standard features is the base model for any car. This is the model that will be used most for advertising prices. It does not matter whether it is called L, LS, Custom, etc. The cheapest one with no options is still the base model.
There are options and upgrades for almost all cars. The least expensive model with only standard features is the base model for any car. This is the model that will be used most for advertising prices. It does not matter whether it is called L, LS, Custom, etc. The cheapest one with no options is still the base model.
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Re: The term "Base"
I agree with what you are saying. The confusion is in seeing used cars, with most options, being advertised as 'Base'
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Re: The term "Base"
I agree, base is the bare bones car with the standard options. this usually means the smallest motor, no power nothing, am/fm radio etc.
Then we get into trim levels(GS, LS, SEL) or special editions (Boss 302, SRT-8). I know the SRT-8 "base" came fully loaded except for NAV, rear DVD, sunroof and one or two other options. The SRT-8 is not anywhere close to the base model 300, but there is an entry level that this package comes with.
cheers
Then we get into trim levels(GS, LS, SEL) or special editions (Boss 302, SRT-8). I know the SRT-8 "base" came fully loaded except for NAV, rear DVD, sunroof and one or two other options. The SRT-8 is not anywhere close to the base model 300, but there is an entry level that this package comes with.
cheers
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Re: The term "Base"
Technically, yes. I was taking the original post to be referring to an increased use (Joe's view) of the term "Base" (not base S, base LS or whatever) due to a change in trim level use.LINC400 wrote:There is going to be a base model whether there is a special trim designation for it or not.
There are options and upgrades for almost all cars. The least expensive model with only standard features is the base model for any car. This is the model that will be used most for advertising prices. It does not matter whether it is called L, LS, Custom, etc. The cheapest one with no options is still the base model.
Sure, from the beginning all "base" model cars regardless of trim name were...well, base (lower case) models.
Re: The term "Base"
Where are you noticing this...online? Some online classified sites use the word "Base" (or similar) by default when the poster doesn't include or know the trim level of the car...regardless of equipment level.Joe Nemec wrote:The confusion is in seeing used cars, with most options, being advertised as 'Base'
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Re: The term "Base"
Moving this thread to the Automotive Glossary sub-forum. It is not related to authenticity.
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- LCont72
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Re: The term "Base"
Absolutely correct! If someone were listing a '50s Lincoln on eBay, the drop-down menu when setting up the auction does not contain Capri, Cosmopolitan, Premiere, Lido, etc., so it ends up being "Lincoln (Base)" by default.ContiFan wrote:Where are you noticing this...online? Some online classified sites use the word "Base" (or similar) by default when the poster doesn't include or know the trim level of the car...regardless of equipment level.Joe Nemec wrote:The confusion is in seeing used cars, with most options, being advertised as 'Base'
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Re: The term "Base"
Wow! it's been over 5 years ago that I said that!
Re: The term "Base"
Still got those Lincolns, Joe?
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