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

Messages Page 1803 of 2471: 1; ...; 1800; 1801; 1802; 1803; 1804; 1805; 1806; ...; 2471; Prev; Next; Last

#18016 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by hpowders Aug 12, 2006 (11:57 am)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 11:30 am) I drove the X5 4.4 last summer. I found it to have BMW's best interior and most generous driver's seat legroom. Handled extemely well, but was turned off by the mpg. "Settled" for the 545 which I got for the same lease price as the X5 4.4. I would stay away from the 7 Series-not enough luxury to be seriously considered as a member of the HELM realm. Replies to this message: grntd (Aug 13, 2006 9:20 am) topspin628 (Aug 13, 2006 9:25 am) hpowders (Aug 13, 2006 10:45 am) tagman (Aug 13, 2006 10:55 am) and 1 more...
#18017 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by houdini1 Aug 12, 2006 (12:04 pm)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 7:02 am) Good post Topspin and a good, honest evaluation. We each have our own opinions on what makes a fine automobile and on any purchase there is some compromise. Once you sample the new LS 460 I am thinking that you just may make the same decision, for many of the same reasons, that you made 3 years ago. I am betting this will be your next helm!! Replies to this message: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 12:17 pm) houdini1 (Aug 12, 2006 12:53 pm) lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 1:12 pm) topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 2:23 pm) and 1 more...
#18018 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [houdini1] by topspin628 Aug 12, 2006 (12:17 pm)
Replying to: houdini1 (Aug 12, 2006 12:04 pm) I saw the new LS at the NY Auto show and I must say that it is a striking car. They claim that it will be as big a breakthrough as the first LS in 90. Let's see. By the way, with all of the technology available today, why isn't programable steering an option? For those of us that want a bit more effort and feel there could be a sport setting and for those that like the "american" soft steering, a luxury setting. I'm no tech wizard, but it seems to me that there are much more advanced electronics already available. Replies to this message: houdini1 (Aug 12, 2006 12:53 pm) lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 1:12 pm) topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 2:23 pm) lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 3:41 pm)
#18019 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by houdini1 Aug 12, 2006 (12:53 pm)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 12:17 pm) I have often wondered about that myself. I too like a little steering effort. It should be a simple option to offer.
#18020 of 24700 Most HELMS are European by tagman Aug 12, 2006 (1:08 pm)
It is interesting to take note that all the imported HELMS listed on this forum are European with the exception of the Lexus LS. I think this explains, in part, why some of the Lexus fans have yielded to that pressure and fled to the Lexus LS board. Unfortunately, as I have checked that forum, unkind remarks and insults are being hurdled at this forum, so I decided not to post there. Apparently, the lack of class and mudslinging has now moved over there, I guess. It is nonetheless quite fascinating how Lexus LS has been such an amazing force to reckon with, and will most likely get stronger as the new '07 is released. If they can add more performance and better driving dynamics, then they could convert even more Eurocar fans, I would imagine. TagMan
#18021 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by lexusguy Aug 12, 2006 (1:12 pm)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 12:17 pm) By the way, with all of the technology available today, why isn't programable steering an option? For those of us that want a bit more effort and feel there could be a sport setting and for those that like the "american" soft steering, a luxury setting. I'm no tech wizard, but it seems to me that there are much more advanced electronics already available. The new Volvo S80 offers adjustable effort steering. The problem is that "heavier" steering doesn't necessarily equal "better" steering. I've driven cars with light but telepathic steering, and cars with heavy but dull and numb steering. Unfortunately, from what I've read the S80 falls into the latter group. I assume though that its something that will quickly catch on in the luxury realm, like swiveling headlights. Replies to this message: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 2:23 pm) lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 3:41 pm)
#18022 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [lexusguy] by topspin628 Aug 12, 2006 (2:23 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 1:12 pm) Is this this the same as the speed sensitive steering from BMW? That is not something that is adjustable by the driver. What I was talking about was having a setting that can be regulated similar to the suspension settings on some cars. Replies to this message: lexusguy (Aug 12, 2006 3:41 pm)
#18023 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by lexusguy Aug 12, 2006 (3:41 pm)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 2:23 pm) Is this this the same as the speed sensitive steering from BMW? That is not something that is adjustable by the driver. What I was talking about was having a setting that can be regulated similar to the suspension settings on some cars. I meant the Volvo's system is driver adjustable. Automatic variable effort steering has been around for years and years. BMW was first with variable ratio steering, but I think Volvo may be the first with a driver adjustable setup. I dont know of any other cars that have it yet.
#18024 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [topspin628] by blkhemi Aug 12, 2006 (6:02 pm)
Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 7:02 am) I agree with most of your post, however there were some things that I can't quite understand. I've never heard of the Audi A8L not feeling like a $70k-80k vehicle. My Audi along with everyone who has one probably knows that there are very few cars that have the quality that Audi puts into there cars. And the qualilty of the A8 is outstanding, as the many journals have reputed serveral times. The body is as swift as a bridge abutment and the powertrains are first rate. IT is one of the safest cars on the road and with the many gadgets this car has, one will never get bored driving it. And if you think the A8L is long, the 211" S550 is longer than the 205" A8L. Replies to this message: topspin628 (Aug 12, 2006 6:12 pm) blkhemi (Aug 13, 2006 5:43 am) topspin628 (Aug 13, 2006 6:00 am) and 1 more...
#18025 of 24700 Re: From a Lexus owner [blkhemi] by topspin628 Aug 12, 2006 (6:12 pm)
Replying to: blkhemi (Aug 12, 2006 6:02 pm) I didn't mean to imply that the Audi isn't a fine automobile, just that it didn't "seem to me" to be as solid as the MB. This could just be my perception, but nothing came close to the vault like feel of the S Class. As for the length issue, I didn't realize that the new S Class was longer than the A8 L. I guess for me, I didn't see the major upgrade from the A6 to the A8 that I saw from the E to the S in MB other than the size. It's great that you love your car and I understand why. I was also just a bit nervous about electrical issues with the first year model when it came out as well. Replies to this message: blkhemi (Aug 13, 2006 5:43 am) topspin628 (Aug 13, 2006 6:00 am) blkhemi (Aug 13, 2006 6:31 am)