As far as the new Leupolds go, I cannot honestly say anything about their quality. I do have a Vari-X-II, and it is a very good scope. It appears to me that Leupold has tried to enter the lower -end scope market. If they have drastically lowered the quality to lower the prices, I think that they have made a bad move, and it will cost them their good reputation.
From what I have seen just in their pricing, there is a very large gap, between their scopes.
On the lower side, there are very good scopes, priced even cheaper than the cheap Leupolds. On the high end, if I am going to pay those prices, I would buy a Zeiss, or one of the other fine German scopes!

I have been pricing a new handgun scope, and Leupold has priced themselves clear out of my market! I am willing to bet my money, that the Leupy is NOT 3X better than the Bushnell, or the Weaver, at 3X the price!

Now, as for the Ford vs. Chevy, great scope debate that has been ongoing for years here, lots has been made of light transmission but the fact is, any half decent scope will make the shot in LEGAL, ETHICAL, shooting light! My Leupy is slightly better than my Simmons Aetec in light gathering, but not nearly enough to make a difference!
I have always contended that "quality control" is the key to a good scope, and a major factor in cost! You see people here swaring about how great their cheaper scope is, while many others are cursing the same scope! Why is that? Quality control!
You can get a good, or bad scope at ANY price! It costs more to ensure that fewer bad scopes ever leave the factory!
This, more than anything else, is where you, "get what you pay for!" Most scopes come with some type of Lifetime Waranty. Other than the time, and effort it takes to get your scope repaired, waranty is not a big thing. However, even though I like the security of a lifetime waranty, I'd much prefer to never have to use that waranty!
IF this is where Leupy is cutting their costs, shame on them!
Again, on the low end, there are better scopes for the money than Leupold, and on the high end, there are better scopes than Leupy for about the same price!
Shaving quality, to lower prices will not be in Leupold's best interest! They won't make money off of their reputation forever!