24723 messages,
Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM
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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.
#16722 of 24723 OT...Smart in the US
by syswei
Jun 24, 2006 (5:09 am)
DaimlerChrysler AG plans to announce next week that it will launch its tiny, two-door Smart car in the U.S. in 2007, a bid to turn around the unprofitable small-car unit, people familiar with the matter said....
The unit has been unprofitable every year since its first model in 1998....
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in January, Mr. Zetsche said that if DaimlerChrysler brought the Smart brand to the U.S., it wouldn't set up a separate dealership network for it, as it did in Europe -- a costly decision intended to help Smart create its own brand identity, but one that many industry analysts now fault.
Instead, DaimlerChrysler has sought a partner, such as a dealership chain, to help sell the car in existing Chrysler and Mercedes showrooms. BMW AG used a similar strategy when it encouraged its BMW dealers to add showrooms to existing facilities to carry its Mini line.
#16723 of 24723 Re: Hp [emauss]
by blkhemi
Jun 24, 2006 (6:27 am)
That's the point I'm trying to make. I've stated several times that EVERY last car of topic has respect in it's own right. Each car is so different from each other that they'll never be equal, which is a good thing as this makes the class even better.
About bikes: I ran into the same prob when pursuing my next fun toy. I had a H-D Fat Boy(still got it), but I was interested in buying a bike that was easier to maintain, and decided on Star Roadster, an unproven brand that has now become one of the most requested brand of bikes.
#16724 of 24723 Re: Hp [blkhemi]
by emauss
Jun 24, 2006 (7:10 am)
I believe that anyone who really thinks about it will agree. There are no bad choices at this level.
Yes, I would have added dual pane glass to my car if I had thought more carefully about it, and the new rear-view camera looks great. But my car will serve me quite well for 4-5 years at 8K-miles or so per year.
As for the bikes, my Dyna-Lowrider was great...and the V-Rod is quite impressive....but for in NYC (which has been 30K of the 31K on my bike), the Bimmer cruiser has been unbeatable.
...but again, personal preference....
#16725 of 24723 Re: Hp [emauss]
by blkhemi
Jun 24, 2006 (8:35 am)
I bought a V-Rod and my S65 AMG the same day last year. Two fast toys in the same day?
I kept the V-Rod up until last January when I sold it for a 1 grand less than what I paid for it. They keep value very well.
Jun 24, 2006 (8:42 am)
a really good profile of the new LS in Automobile magazine. Styling is so subjective, and for the most part, it is of very little value to me. [Now here comes the bomb] But I don't get how the Lexus lovers can tout the new LS being a revolution in new design for Lexus when as of now this thing is a stretched out Camry. Maybe this will change by street date but please, don't talk about design being on par with any German maker including VW, as long as it looks like this.
Let the war begin
#16727 of 24723 Re: I saw [dhamilton]
by atlas7
Jun 24, 2006 (8:59 am)
You are a walking contradiction.."styling is so subjective, and for the most part, it is of very little value to me" Your words exactly...then you comment on how YOU think the LS460 is a stretched out Camry...Hey, what happened to your earlier comment? Well, my two cents, your opinion about styling is subjective and is of little value. The majority of the buyers will like the Lexus styling and the LS460 will be a smash hit! The sales of this car will be phenomenal. The numbers will not be subjective, but quantitative and you will be proved wrong.
#16728 of 24723 Re: Hp [blkhemi]
by emauss
Jun 24, 2006 (9:01 am)
I took a picture of my Porsche convertible and my Cruiser...plates:
HIGHYOAG and
HYOAG
and put a tag under them:
Sunny Spring Day....Decisions decisions decisions....
BTW, did you find the V-Rod slow handling because of its long fork extention? (longest of product bikes, I believe...great for highways but probably a bear in the city!)
Jun 24, 2006 (9:24 am)
My point being is that if we are in a war of styling the Lexus people don't have much ammo in a Camry. If you read back some posts and catch up a little, maybe you'll have a better understanding of the conversation as a whole. Once again, the styling ie Camry thing is just my opinion. I have been proved wrong before, I'm sure it will happen again. I just can't imagine to many people wanting to plunk down 75-100k for a car only to find the "cheaper" version on the Toyota lot next door.
Sells have nothing to do with it in the long run however, Lexus has proven that it can sell cars. This is mostly a styling debate which is subjective. you know what opinions are like, and everybody has one.
#16730 of 24723 Re: Hp [blkhemi]
by ljflx
Jun 24, 2006 (10:16 am)
"The A8 is shorted by export"
What in the world does that mean? Ok - let's put it in real words - Audi shorts its export of the car because there's little demand for it on the import shores. Life is simple.
#16731 of 24723 Re: Hp [blkhemi]
by garyh1
Jun 24, 2006 (10:24 am)
I bought a V-Rod and my S65 AMG the same day last year. Two fast toys in the same day?
Sounds like someone perhaps needs a trip to "Big Boys' Toys Anonymous".
Or just my jealous streak coming out?