Ask the Car People.SM


High End Luxury Cars

24723 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan



Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.

Messages Page 1187 of 2473

#11861 of 24723 Re: Fact checking !!! [bdr127] by oac

Dec 10, 2005 (12:25 am)

Replying to: bdr127 (Dec 09, 2005 2:25 pm)
Facts: As of Dec 1, LS430 YTD sales = 23723, 7-Series YTD sales = 15989, S-Class YTD sales = 14124. 30113 COMBINED.
  
Unvanishedly made up. Good job.
 
Bravo.... Why not look up what MB + BMW sold in the entire 2004 v the LS over a full year performance. Hint: Its 745/760 + S-430/500/600/55 = LS.
 
Even the 2005 numbers should be shameful to these German cars. They are outselling one Lexus car by a whopping 6.5K units YTD COMBINED. Anecdote: Talked to a BMW sales rep a couple months back, after a test drive. Offered to sell me a 2006 330i loaded with everything (SP, Nav, iDrive, +++), at invoice + $500. I said thanks, but NO thanks.... Try buying a 2006 Lexus IS350 (Nav/ML/SP) at invoice + $500.... Good luck.

#11862 of 24723 Re: My Lexus test drive. [tagman] by syswei

Dec 10, 2005 (4:42 am)

Replying to: tagman (Dec 09, 2005 8:47 pm)
Thanks for the well-expressed opinions. Clearly, the current generation isn't for you. Hopefully the 2007 will be closer to perfection and might be more appealing to you.
 
It will be difficult however to satisfy your some of your concerns re road noise etc and still satisfy dewey who complains about a lack of heart and soul.

#11863 of 24723 Re: Bad Reasoning by the Lexus guys [oac] by dewey

Dec 10, 2005 (5:47 am)

Replying to: oac (Dec 10, 2005 12:08 am)
Your old BMW and MB have heart and soul, but not Lexus ? Heart & Soul indeed !!! Talk about fairytales and fantasy lands !
 
You bet they do! Many old cars do have heart and soul!
 
I do not consider my 99 BMW e46 as old since I do like keeping my cars for several decades as we intend to do with our family heirloom (1983 MB300D)!
 
Although I do intend to buy a new car in the next few years (the next generation BMW 5 series turbodiesel, MB 320CDI or a turbodiesel Audi Avant, I am in no rush since our current cars are incredibly cheap to maintain!
 
Why would I only buy a new turbodiesel? Because I would never buy any car unless there is a good likelihood it can be driven reliably for at least a million miles!

#11864 of 24723 Re: My Lexus test drive. [tagman] by hpowders

Dec 10, 2005 (6:26 am)

Replying to: tagman (Dec 09, 2005 8:47 pm)
"Some of you understand."
 
That's why I got a BMW 545 instead of an LS430.
Nothing lacking in the soul department with this baby.

#11865 of 24723 Re: Fact checking !!! [oac] by dewey

Dec 10, 2005 (6:52 am)

Replying to: oac (Dec 10, 2005 12:25 am)
Even the 2005 numbers should be shameful to these German cars. They are outselling one Lexus car by a whopping 6.5K units YTD COMBINED
 
What is your point?
 
BMW is Number One in luxury car sales in USA.
 
It appears members here are so bored with their cars that they try to justify their decision with sales statistics! It appears to be reassuring for them to know that other people are driving the same cars as they do.
 
You know the saying: Misery Loves Company! Or should I say Tedium Loves Company!
 
  
 
 

#11866 of 24723 Re: Fact checking !!! [dewey] by syswei

Dec 10, 2005 (7:19 am)

Replying to: dewey (Dec 10, 2005 6:52 am)
BMW is Number One in luxury car sales in USA
 
Yes they are. Why again are we supposed to leave SUVs out of the count? Because it is only on that basis that BMW is #1.

#11868 of 24723 Re: Fact checking !!! [syswei] by tagman

Dec 10, 2005 (8:25 am)

Replying to: syswei (Dec 10, 2005 7:19 am)
syswei,
Isn't this forum all about high-end sedans, not suv's?
just checking.

#11869 of 24723 Re: Fact checking !!! [tagman] by pat

Dec 10, 2005 (8:31 am)

Replying to: tagman (Dec 10, 2005 8:25 am)
Actually, if you read the title, it's about the marques themselves ...

#11870 of 24723 Re: My Lexus test drive. [ljflx] by tagman

Dec 10, 2005 (9:00 am)

Replying to: ljflx (Dec 09, 2005 10:35 pm)
Good reply, of course. I absolutely myself was surprised as to the results. I think that is what I am saying here. Yes, it was better than an average vehicle in most respects. In many by a wide margin. Quiet? . . . by comparison to non-luxury vehicles, yes, but not THAT quiet. When you drive yours on the freeway I KNOW you hear some wind noise now. I KNOW that the expansion joints on the freeway make their way into the cabin. You CAN feel them a bit too much. I KNOW the handling is NOT a BMW. The engine IS a bit buzzy as the engine winds up, and I GUARANTEE you that if you drive it IN COMPARISON to the MB or JAG, for example, and full-throttle the gas, you WILL HEAR the engine to be buzzier in the Lexus. Heck, there are American domestic models with a smoother engine. I'm NOT saying the transmission, which was a very silky shifter, so don't mix up the two. In fact, I should have credited the Lexus's tranny. It was nice.
 
I believe that sometimes people get reinforced by advertising as to what their cars are portrayed as, and to some extent, in contrast to what is real. I stand by the test drive results as I described. No doubt about it, the vehicle is extremely comfy, smooth tranny (now that I've added that), nice audio, great rear seat, buzzy engine under full acceleration at top rpm's, too much road thump enters cabin over nasty roads, wind noise is noticeable at freeway speeds, handling is good, but not exciting, power is decent, but not exhilerating, and the styling is bland. This is a well-made vehicle that is comfy but there was no particular F-U-N in the drive and the styling, while attractive to some extent, was not seductive by any means.
 
The majority of reviews do NOT say much different. I do NOT read that the car has a reputation for seductive styling, exhilerating performance, tremendous handling, or a kick-in-the-pants drive. It is NOT a style leader, but a handsome-enough successful-appearing adequately styled vehicle. It won't starve anyone, but it won't fill 'em up either. That IS the Lexus story so far. Nicest Japanese rendition of reliable transportation so far. I'll give you that, but give me a break, the Lexus just doesn't tend to quicken the pulse. I am surprised that you don't get that, as you have been a very smart contributor to this forum for a long time.
Take care,
TagMan

Messages Page 1187 of 2473

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement