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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 1326 of 2473

#13250 of 24723 Re: A little perspective, please [tagman] by ljflx

Jan 15, 2006 (7:36 am)

Replying to: tagman (Jan 15, 2006 1:46 am)
Tagman - I expect a fully loaded LS460L to be in the 78-82K range and it will sell like hotcakes. I expect that there will be some available in the mid 70's. The demand will outstrip the supply IMO. The LS600H will push somewhere from about 6-7% above that top price to $100K with some special option packages. In general I think Lexus status with this car plus the LFA and redesigned SC and LX is right there with the Germans in a very short period. On top of that you have the GS hybrid due very shortly and the big SUV's will all have hybrid options and they are toying around with that option switch for the drivers to choose power or fuel economy. You can also bet that Lexus hears the car rags and will do something about that VDIM switch real soon and then the performance on the GS and IS is right up there with BMW. The Germans better have some real quick response to all this because there's a lot of thunder coming from Lexus. Merc1's pricing belief is about to get blown away.
 
This is why you have to crush someone out of existence within a few years of their debut. Once they get a toehold you are in a war forever and can get usurped. Microsoft learned that a long time ago and it's why I'd still be very hesitant with Google stock. The latter is also trying to do too much too soon and is priced to perfection on hitting those things in future forecasts across the board. Google 2000 is starting to sound like Dow 60000 to me. But vis a cis the car industry Google, at this time, is to Microsoft (and others) what Lexus was to Mercedes - in 1992.

#13251 of 24723 Quick LS interior analysis by designman

Jan 15, 2006 (7:56 am)



 
Here’s the light interior. The LS430 dash was high and so is the 460. It’s not the proportions I care for. The dash is separated into three vertical sections. I like to see Frank Lloyd Wright expanse in horizontal sections. Centerstack is bold and clumsy, no finesse, the shape is unsophisticated. Passenger cubicle is stark. Passenger stares into a handball court. I like the IS and GS dashes better. They are not particularly shapely but are better balanced IMO.
 
I wasn’t going to post the bottom shot because it looks too good. Let me explain what I mean. They say that pictures don’t lie. Well this is not true, they are often extremely deceptive and this photo is the perfect example. It was taken with a wide angle lens which severely distorts proportions. The bottom photo gives the impression the interior is low-slung and airy, but this is far from the case. I know darn well that when I sit in the 460 the impression I get will be the one I see in the top photo, and it does not give me the warm and fuzzy feeling I would like from a luxury interior. Rather, it has pit-like vertical oppression, like sitting in a room with high light coming from high windows.
 
Anyway, I know some of you Lexicans are going to love that bottom shot. All I can say is, see what you want to see and enjoy!
 

#13252 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [designman] by ljflx

Jan 15, 2006 (8:27 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 15, 2006 7:56 am)
Designman - why would you think that. What you show on the top pix is more of what a rear occupant might see and a small one at that. I sit with a view well above the steering wheel and I'd expect the bottom picture is more what the driver, front passenger and tall rear occupants would see. In fact I have driven the RX often and that is the way you see it. Nevertheless the LS is balancing fingertip switches for a lot of features with luxury interior appointments and I think it is done quite well. Plus - if this is the tradeoff for I-drive - I'll take it with no questions asked.

#13253 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [ljflx] by designman

Jan 15, 2006 (8:40 am)

Replying to: ljflx (Jan 15, 2006 8:27 am)
Designman - why would you think that.
 
Why would I think what? Can you quote my specific thought you are questioning?

#13254 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [designman] by stomp32

Jan 15, 2006 (8:44 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 15, 2006 7:56 am)
I pretty much agree with your assessment. Although I'm sure the materials and workmanship are top notch, I think there's too many angles. The center stack bothers me the most.
 
Now the interior of the 06 Range Rover is one that I think looks great. Probably the best of anything under 100k.

#13255 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [designman] by ljflx

Jan 15, 2006 (8:48 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 15, 2006 8:40 am)
Why would I think what?
 
That the driver view would be the top pix. See my other post for the rest.

#13256 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [ljflx] by designman

Jan 15, 2006 (9:14 am)

Replying to: ljflx (Jan 15, 2006 8:48 am)
I didn’t say the top view was the driver view. Essentially, I said that it contains the IMPRESSION I will see when I finally get to sit in the driver’s seat. It is the shot that gives me the sense of actual proportions, dimensions and ambience.

#13257 of 24723 Re: Quick LS interior analysis [designman] by ljflx

Jan 15, 2006 (9:23 am)

Replying to: designman (Jan 15, 2006 9:14 am)
I misunderstood your point.

#13258 of 24723 MB, BMW?? what else you have? by lexusi

Jan 15, 2006 (9:34 am)

The battle will be hard this time, MB, BMW you better have something in your pockets, coz lexus will smoke you all!!
 
Lexus has also emboldened the exterior design, flaring and widening the wheel wells, pulling the roofline back, eliminating the door moldings, strengthening the sheetmetal's convex/concave intersections, and raising the tail end. Super sophisticated equipment including adaptive radar cruise control, a lane departure warning system (I posted this before, it is called LKA -Lane Keep Assist-), and infrared night vision technology are also available on the new 2007 Lexus LS 460.
 
Source: http://www.autoweb.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_in- t/976
 
Lexusi

#13259 of 24723 Re: 7-Series vs Quattroporte [brightness04] by tagman

Jan 15, 2006 (9:45 am)

Replying to: brightness04 (Jan 14, 2006 8:06 pm)
The sentiment is exactly how I feel about BMW (too rough riding to be high end luxury),
 
Naturally, there are those that would not necessarily make BMW their top pick for a variety of reasons, and obviously many do love Bimmers and make it their number one choice, of course . . . but to EXCLUDE them from being high end luxury is going overboard, IMHO.
 
(BTW, I am not biased for or against BMW in general. I am just amazed at your exclusionary remark.)

Messages Page 1326 of 2473

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