Originally Posted By: BlueOvalFitter
JA, would you EVER use a NAPA Platinum filter on your truck?
Sure I would... subject to closely inspecting one and if it were available at the right price. I look at features and performance, then compare price. The Ultra is the best deal right now as far as I'm concerned. I searched for deals (on top of the already great price), stocked up and vacuum packed several for each of my vehicles for which an Ultra was available. A few years down the road, I'll reevaluate, pick the next candidates and do the same thing again.
I have no particular loyalty to Fram, or any other name brand, I just picked what looks to be the best for the money at this particular time. It's really simple to me... and why I get impatient with over-the-top brand loyalty that seems to defy logic. Love-it-or-leave-it, from-my-cold-dead-hands type loyalty has it's place... but not for a corporation (IMHO). Companies exist to make money and that's fine. Their products change, sometimes getting better, sometimes getting worse... as does the general health of the company). The value in their products changes. What you liked about a particular product or company in 1985 (when viewed in the context of 1985) may not be applicable in 2013. Conversely what you absolutely despised in 1985 (we'll assume you had a good, practical reason for it) may be the cream of the crop in 2013. Plus, within a company that has many individual products, some may be better or worse than others so even if you like the brand overall, you still have to evaluate the individual product.
JA, would you EVER use a NAPA Platinum filter on your truck?
Sure I would... subject to closely inspecting one and if it were available at the right price. I look at features and performance, then compare price. The Ultra is the best deal right now as far as I'm concerned. I searched for deals (on top of the already great price), stocked up and vacuum packed several for each of my vehicles for which an Ultra was available. A few years down the road, I'll reevaluate, pick the next candidates and do the same thing again.
I have no particular loyalty to Fram, or any other name brand, I just picked what looks to be the best for the money at this particular time. It's really simple to me... and why I get impatient with over-the-top brand loyalty that seems to defy logic. Love-it-or-leave-it, from-my-cold-dead-hands type loyalty has it's place... but not for a corporation (IMHO). Companies exist to make money and that's fine. Their products change, sometimes getting better, sometimes getting worse... as does the general health of the company). The value in their products changes. What you liked about a particular product or company in 1985 (when viewed in the context of 1985) may not be applicable in 2013. Conversely what you absolutely despised in 1985 (we'll assume you had a good, practical reason for it) may be the cream of the crop in 2013. Plus, within a company that has many individual products, some may be better or worse than others so even if you like the brand overall, you still have to evaluate the individual product.