Debunking Wendell Cox's 'Lexus Argument'

The "Lexus Argument" or "Jaguar Argument" used by many transit critics does not stand up to serious analysis.

1 minute read

October 10, 2003, 8:00 AM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Various transit critics have argued over the years that it would be cheaperto provide a luxury auto for all passengers rather than build a particular transit project. Often known as the known as the "Lexus Argument" or"Jaguar Argument", this claim does not stand up to serious analysis, a new online paper asserts.The authors argue that "various attempts at 'proof' always overestimate transit costs, always minimize auto costs, and seldom if ever address auto operating costs...The authors provide "Additional comments" discussing leasing issues andthe cost of authomobile ownership. Arguments throughout the paper aresupported by considerable data, tables, graphs, and calculations by the authors.

Thanks to L. Henry

Wednesday, October 8, 2003 in Public Transit

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