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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 1463 of 2474

#14612 of 24723 Re: BDR [drfill] by merc1

Apr 09, 2006 (9:55 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Apr 07, 2006 9:25 am)
Lexus sells over 300k units a year from less than 200 stores, nationwide. And they sold 40k LS in 1992 for over $45k, which with inflation, puts it's price near Audi's A8 today. Numbers of dealers is no excuse.
 
What does this have to do with Audi? Audi isn't run like Lexus (you'll like that comment). Audi struggles with an image problem and for its worth the A8 has sold much better since the 2004 model arrived.
 
Again, this is why I think it is downright careless to point to sales as the final determining factor on how good a car is. There are many things that go into who sells what and how many.
 
M

#14613 of 24723 Re: Back to HELM [oac] by merc1

Apr 09, 2006 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: oac (Apr 07, 2006 6:30 pm)
I knew you couldn't stay away. Once the boards have you they've got you!
 
M

#14614 of 24723 Re: BlkHemi, Two Tings! [drfill] by merc1

Apr 09, 2006 (10:02 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Apr 07, 2006 6:32 pm)
With this post you seem to be confusing or trying to muddy up the issue by talking about the Lexus brand instead of just the A8. The A8 has won at least one comparo over the LS430 in MT a while back.
 
Lexus has conquered countries in 10 years, what has Audi done again?
 
Besides the U.S. market in terms of sales, what other countries would those be?
 
M

#14615 of 24723 Re: The P Connection [designman] by merc1

Apr 09, 2006 (10:08 pm)

Replying to: designman (Apr 08, 2006 10:59 am)
Very good reading. I've often wondered why Mercedes and Porsche didn't do more since their headquarters are literally across the street from each other. I guess this is why Mercedes sold their stake in CTS (Car Top Systems) a few years back. CTS is the company they both started to do convertible tops for both Porsche/Mercedes and others like Ferrari and Jaguar. Now it is fully Porsche owned, or at least it was last time I saw something online about it. They've done the tops for the SLK, SL, 911, Boxster, XK, and F355/360 Ferraris.
 
M

#14616 of 24723 Re: BlkHemi, Two Tings! [blkhemi] by merc1

Apr 09, 2006 (10:14 pm)

Replying to: blkhemi (Apr 09, 2006 7:56 am)
I agree, very well said.
 
I think Audi just has a perception problem with being associated with VW for so long in this country. Then there are those who still believe in the unintended acceleration stuff and lastly Audi just doesn't have the infastructure here like MB and BMW. Audi has got to get more dealers in the right places, in other words on dealer's row with MB/BMW/Lexus/Cadillac because from what I read here and elsewhere the average Audi dealer seems to be more accomodating than the average MB or BMW dealer.
 
M

#14617 of 24723 Audi A8 - my take by oac

Apr 09, 2006 (11:44 pm)

Somewhere on this board, in memory I recall us discussing about the A8. One of the key points I agreed with then, and will re-state now, is that in the HELM space, a car need something to distinguish it - call it its "calling card", if you will. S had the history/heritage and brand recognition, 7 has the BMW performance-inclined brand awareness, LS has Lexus's luxury, refinement and reliability, what does the A8 have ? Nothing really... Maybe that the previous A8 was an all-aluminum shell. But what does that impart to the buyer ? Jaguar had an aluminum body and that did not buy it any more market share than it already had.
 
Len (ljflx) alluded to something missing in the A8... Yes, there is something missing... a DNA... something the NA market buyers can attach to the brand. Currently, nothing. It remains a pedestrian brand, unable to rise to the level that a HELM buyer would associate to a "gotta-have". Maybe the fact that VW remains mirred in a reliability slump, and a third-rate German brand behind MB and BMW in the NA market, is not helping Audi at all... Lexus had Toyota's reputation to buoy its name/brand, Audi had the baggage of VW.... Not something to build upon...
 
Finally, a comment about the term *loser*... IMO, there are no HELM car that can be described as a *loser*. Those who argue the SC430 v SL500 really are arguing out of turn. The SL is a roadster, the SC430 is a 2-door coupe version of the 4-door LS430, that is, a plush, luxury cruiser, with 2-doors. Nothing more than that. The SL is a true roadster, powerful, refined, performance-inclined and the top dog in its class. Like the SL, the SC430 is one of a few cars with the least amount of days spent on a dealer lot - about a 13-day average. That is a winner any way you define it.
 
And Designman, excellent piece on the VW/Porsche-MB saga... If I didn't look at the poster's name, I'd assume it was written by Len, who has a keen business view to everything. I am surprised you had an interest in the business side of these fine cars.... Great piece. Please do more of this...

#14618 of 24723 Re: Back to HELM [tagman] by oac

Apr 09, 2006 (11:57 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Apr 08, 2006 9:31 pm)
Thanks Tagman and GaryH. I do indeed appreciate the welcome.

#14619 of 24723 Re: Audi A8 - my take [oac] by merc1

Apr 10, 2006 (3:20 am)

Replying to: oac (Apr 09, 2006 11:44 pm)
True, Audi doesn't have a calling card like BMW or Mercedes. They used to have an advantage of offering AWD on everything, but BMW and especially Mercedes really have erased that advantage.
 
Audi is however has gained a reputation for the best interiors in the business and they're gaining one for leading technology and edgy, crisp design. From what I'm reading here on Edmunds they're also gaining a good reputation at the dealership level too.
 
As far as the SL vs SC430 I have no problem with your description of the SC430, which is basically what I said years ago and more recently a few posts ago. It is the comparison of the SC to the SL that really doesn't make any sense to me. The SC430 is sorta like the ES in the way it competes in a segment of similarly priced cars while not having much of anything else in common with them. This it-must-be-a-winner because it sells theory totally disregards a whole host of other factors.
 
M

#14620 of 24723 Excitement Over The Upcoming Lexus ES350? by psychdoc

Apr 10, 2006 (5:39 am)

272hp, swiveling headlights, heated and A/C'd front seats, power driver and passenger seats with memory, keyless entry and start, xenon headlights, panoramic moonroof, bluetooth, Mark Levinson audio with ipod connectivity, upgraded 5th generation nav system with huge touchscreen that can play DVD's in park, backup camera, radar based cruise control!!!
 
All in a package that comes in under $45k. In a world populated by overpriced and underperforming BMW 5 series (pushing $60k for 530Xi) and M-B E350's ( $55-60k) this thing is an unbelievable steal.
 
The only car that even comes close is the Audi A6 but the "3.2" (actually it's a 3.1) engine is slow, slow, slow off the line and it's nav system is a joke. At least the interior is on a par with the Lexus.
 
Of course that's just my opinion.
 
 

#14621 of 24723 Monday Mornings With Merc by designman

Apr 10, 2006 (5:43 am)

Now that’s better. The forsythias are rocketing, the daffodils giggling and the sun just kissed the morning dew. Yep, the birds have returned to sing their sweet spring tunes.
 
I think Audi is a good brand but it’s just curious why they are missing their piece of the pie. I think it all goes back to Piech who’s abilities are a tale of two cities. VW is a mess and Audi does not have the footprint over here that they should. They’ve got to get their act together as a business... bad, bad business. It’s like the kids selling lemonade from the garage. Some daddy needs to give them a clue.
 
Thanks to all for the compliments.

Messages Page 1463 of 2474

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