High End Luxury Cars

24700 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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.

Outline

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#14703 of 24700 Tag by drfill Apr 11, 2006 (5:15 pm)
Join me in the new LS600h forum tomorrow. We'll soon find out how right we are! DrFill
#14704 of 24700 Re: Merc, I already won this argument! [tagman] by ljflx Apr 11, 2006 (5:21 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Apr 11, 2006 10:45 am) "I used to work in the liquor industry a long time ago. drinking or marketing?" Finance and cost accounting - it was my infancy in business. Great post - we disagree to a degree but in general are on the same track - on this and many things. I like your business views very much. Would have loved to have crossed your path in the real business world. Replies to this message: tagman (Apr 11, 2006 7:11 pm)
#14705 of 24700 Re: Excitement Over The Upcoming Lexus ES350? [lexusguy] by blkhemi Apr 11, 2006 (5:41 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Apr 11, 2006 4:37 pm) Thou *LEXUSGUY* to say that for a V-8 to be impressive these days, it needs to have 300-hp as "bare minimum" requirements?? Well gee-golly. The LS430 is rated at "only" 278-hp this year with the new SAE standards in place, but it's the trick 6-speed tranny that scoots this car along in relative swiftness(impressive at under 6 seconds and with this much tonnage). I can never guess why Lexus/Toyota among a few other makers put their flagship cars/SUV's with less hp than lesser models. Exp: the GS430(300hp) and the IS350(306 interestingly) makes more power than the LS does. This is an issue that I hope Lexus will cure with the encroachment of the new LS, for sure with the LS600h. On another note(slightly off subject, I get it HOST), if I were to buy the either of two(never would I), no guissed-up Fusion would get my money over a Monday's discount DTS. And yes, the 3.5L Toyota/Lexus V-6 has some of the best V-6 fuel economy ratings in biz, with the Avalon 20/30, indeed impressive for that size of car and that much power on tap. P.S.- The Northstar engine yestertech? Now there's a first for me. Even in today's blossom of engine technology the Northtstar is sitll more than competitive, especially the new S/C v-Series engines. Thanks to Honda almost 2 decades ago, for ANY engine to be considered even mildly competitive, it has to have VVT on both the intake and exhaust sides, and the N/S does incorporate them, albeit it is still a older motor than the newer foreign designs Replies to this message: lexusguy (Apr 12, 2006 8:45 am)
#14706 of 24700 Re: Merc, I already won this argument! [ljflx] by blckislandguy Apr 11, 2006 (5:47 pm)
Replying to: ljflx (Apr 10, 2006 11:17 am) You know, it continually amazes me that the blue collar elite (self employed types, usually) positively lust over diesel powered pickups. They even pay a up to 6K (post W2 income) premium to pull into the coffee shop with that big lump of cast iron just rattling away. Amazing when you consider that these F250s and Ram 2500s usually ride around absolutely empty except for the guy in the baseball cap behind the wheel who secretly imagines he is a Class 8 line haul trucker who has been "eight days on the road." Other groups, certainly less identifiable, I think would buy a more more modestly priced diesel in their small SUV (e.g., Jeep Liberty), large SUV (I think Ford could sell a ton of power strokes in the Expediton), or even commuting vehicle.
#14707 of 24700 Re: Welcome back oac [sv7887] by oac Apr 11, 2006 (6:05 pm)
Replying to: sv7887 (Apr 11, 2006 5:47 am) Hi Sam: Really appreciate your post. That LS still looked good after 14 years. Remarkable ! And IMO, you got one of the last really beautiful S class styles. No matter how many times I see the new S (about 6-times now), it has not grown on me.... I think the look is a step back for MB, but I stand corrected by those who find it otherwise. I wish you many years of enjoyment of the new S, and may it serve you longer than your old LS.
#14708 of 24700 Re: Hey, hey, HEY! [tagman] by oac Apr 11, 2006 (6:23 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Apr 11, 2006 4:38 pm) As you might recall from a recent post of mine, I mentioned that the LS600h will go down in history as one of the most technologically sophisticated production vehicles ever built . . . and I don't mind saying it again, as long as it doesn't send you too far into outer space. Tagman, despite our difference of opinion on Lexus v German brands, you do write pretty good and slowly becoming a favorite on this board. Keep it up... but don't be too hard or DrFill, he is a jolly good fellow and a darn fine poster as well. A legend, really here on Edmunds... Now to the LS600H. You have it nailed that it will be a technological marvel - coupling a gas-electric motor, with an AWD system, in a LWB trim, and doing a 5s or less 0-60 ! Seems to be a good entry for an upmarket move by Lexus. BTW, the GS450H has equally been described as a technological marvel. Its 51/49 weight distribution, its slimer and more space efficient battery system, its dynamic performance, near silent ride, exceptional speed (5.2s 0-60), great ride and handling (better than the GS430), all make the LS600H a much anticipated car. Its tomorrow, and we'll know soon enough. I speculate a 440/450 spread on HP/TQ for the LS600H. The LS460 already has 380 ponies... Plenty for a mere 4.6L motor... But there is rumor that the LS600H may spot the new 5L V8 motor coupled to the electric battery. We'll see soon enough...
#14709 of 24700 Re: Merc, I already won this argument! [ljflx] by tagman Apr 11, 2006 (7:11 pm)
Replying to: ljflx (Apr 11, 2006 5:21 pm) Great post - we disagree to a degree but in general are on the same track - on this and many things. I like your business views very much. Would have loved to have crossed your path in the real business world. And conquer the world? Hail WalMart! Seriously . . . nice compliment. Genuine thank you. So . . . since the debut is upon us, when do the rags get the seat of their pants in the LS600h? TagMan
#14710 of 24700 Oac by drfill Apr 11, 2006 (7:36 pm)
You are too kind! Thank you very much! You cut an impressive key stroke yourself, sir. As does Tag. I had too much time on my hands today, so I've been a little fiestier than usual, started a few more fires than necessary. BlkHemi The alacrity of the LS is due more to lack of weight (the OTHER way to create a faster car), as the LS generally weighs right around 4000-4100 lbs., while the Germans and their high-felutin (sic) acronyms carry 2-300 extra lbs. The GS ran 5.7 in C&D, the same time it pulled in the previous generation. I've seen the LS at 5.9-6.1, consistently. The GS handles well for a Lexus, but now the IS definitely is much more agile, if still more Mercedes than BMW in feel. When the GS upgrades in the fall, hopefully a sharper edge can be baked in. DrFill
#14711 of 24700 Re: Hey, hey, HEY! [drfill] by merc1 Apr 11, 2006 (9:27 pm)
Replying to: drfill (Apr 11, 2006 1:52 pm) I guess even I'm excited to see this new LS600h. Will it really have AWD and the LS460 doesn't? I see on the other board you and others are saying 440-470hp, I wouldn't be surprised to see a full 500hp with his car considering the cooking LS460 will have 380hp. Even with the new G35, E-Class, and LS600h I'm ready for the auto show season to be over at this point. I got enough of it at Detroit and Chicago, but wait there will be a 2nd L.A. auto show in November. Gee Whiz. I know well all don't think much of Autolies, but they have some good pics of the new Altima and G35 which more or less alike and more or less like facelifts of the current vehicles than all new designs, IMO. M Replies to this message: syswei (Apr 12, 2006 2:47 am)
#14712 of 24700 Re: Hey, hey, HEY! [merc1] by syswei Apr 12, 2006 (2:47 am)
Replying to: merc1 (Apr 11, 2006 9:27 pm) My guess is 440-450hp, enough to edge out the 760Li, but not the twin-turbo S600. Unless, of course, the 5-liter rumor turns out to be correct.