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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 1904 of 2473

#19029 of 24723 Re: 2009 BMW 5 Series [dewey] by drfill

Sep 19, 2006 (11:27 am)

I have to agree with Dewey and D-man, that is a pretty homely BMW, if that is the future of it.
  
   Just like the old Chevy Tahoe to the 2007 Tahoe, they polished out all the aggression and style, and controversy, and went into a non-offensive mode that will endear it to no one.
 
   I am a HUGE fan of the "Bangled" 5, just not the standard iDrive in most models. The 550i would be perfect midsize sport sedan, but it has a heavy cross to bear!
 
   Let's fix that problem before we emasculate the thing, k?
 
   DrFill

#19030 of 24723 I do believe.... by hpowders

Sep 19, 2006 (11:36 am)

BMW is attempting to fix the wrong part of this vehicle, IMO.
 
Leave the inspired, gloriously sexy, animalistic, aerodynamically-styled for driving excitement masterpiece that is the Bangle 5 Series design alone and get rid of that ridiculous iDrive (you tune the radio) controller. If they must keep it, at least give us back a normal push button-tuning radio which can easily be switched from AM to FM without my having to have an advanced degree in computer science with the controller.
 
It's too bad sales are way up thanks to Bangle's brave and bold design, and BMW misinterprets that as positive confirmation of the iDrive (you crazy).
I fear they will never get rid of it.
 

#19031 of 24723 Re: Toyota recalls by drfill

Sep 19, 2006 (11:37 am)

Comparing the legendary Exploder/Tombstone Tire recall to Toyota's is like comparing the Titanic to the Staten Island Ferry!
 
   Having taken a check or two from Ford in my day, I can speak from experience that the Exploder problem was quite special. There were a few deaths, and permanent injuries attributed, plus the lawsuits that followed, plus, this was a largely American phenomenon. given the Exploder is a largely American-only product.
 
   If we should have learned nothing over the years of this forum, it is that Americans could give a darn about what happens in the 3rd-world, which constitutes anywhere Bush hopes to colonize, holiday, or wire-tap, sans warrant.
 
   The way things are going, this phone line has been totally compromised.
 
   The point is, if 'Yota has 800k recalls in China, we don't care.
 
   If no Americans died, it's not a story. Just fodder.
  
   Funny how Ford used to make news, now they just make fodder...
   
   DrFill

#19032 of 24723 Re: Toyota to ramp up, big time [blkhemi] by killerbunny

Sep 19, 2006 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: blkhemi (Sep 18, 2006 1:08 pm)
Regarding:
The General: 13.9%
Toyota: 12.3%
Ford: 12.0%
  
Yes folks, Toyota will beat Ford worldwide. They also said that that there will be a major shift towards Eastern Europe and China, areas that GM absolutely dominates. By 2010, if GM stays on it's steady pace and Toyota's output actually works, Toyota would become #1, reports suggests.
 
I just double checked, for the first 6 months of 2006. GM sold 4.60 million cars and Toyota sold 4.36 million. GM sold 5.5% more, not the 13% advantage (13.9% vs. 12.3%) as blkhemi suggested.
 
As of now, GM is indeed still No.1. But if the current trend continues, i.e. GM down 2.3% YOY(not counting the most recent announcements) and Toyota up 7.1% YOY, 2006 will be the last year that GM holds the title.
 
For those who thinks GM sells far more than Toyota in Europe and China, please do not forget Japan itself is still world's No.2 auto nation. And in China, Toyota just introduced Corolla under 2 years and Camry under 1 year. Let see what happens in the next two.

#19033 of 24723 And in a few years... by hpowders

Sep 19, 2006 (12:48 pm)

Hyundai will pull ahead of Toyota.

#19034 of 24723 Re: Elegance? [tagman] by dewey

Sep 19, 2006 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: tagman (Sep 19, 2006 10:08 am)
This is interesting that even we, on this forum, who regularly scrutinize cars, do not agree on this rumored vehicle
 
WHat if this 5 series became reality?
 
Then I can almost guarantee you that BMW 5 series repeat sales will plummet. How do I know that? Because I dont think it is mere coincidence that three out of three 5 series owners(Designman, HP and myself) are the ones that hate these pictures the most. I think many current 5 series owners will hate these bland looking pictures just as much as we do.
 

#19035 of 24723 Re: Toyota Ramp Up by drfill

Sep 19, 2006 (2:06 pm)

http://www.nbc13.com/money/7876154/detail.html
 
  Sounds like a 5-year plan to make it into the Top 3.
 
  Place your bets.
   
  DrFill

#19036 of 24723 Re: Elegance? [dewey] by designman

Sep 19, 2006 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 19, 2006 1:57 pm)
WHat if this 5 series became reality?
  
Then I can almost guarantee you that BMW 5 series repeat sales will plummet.
 
You can't guarantee that. I said the same exact thing about the E60 5-series three years ago. I recall saying they would be giving them away at the end of the first model year. Never happened in spite of the dismay and schism it caused what with the online petition and everything.
 
Let's not worry about this now because these photoillustrations we are seeing are NOT the next 5-series.

#19037 of 24723 Toyota will make it to the big 3 by blkhemi

Sep 19, 2006 (2:19 pm)

This is not a question of if, but when. But to answer KB, that 13.9% is the projected finish for the '06 m/y, not mtm.
 
And the General is down in the US for now, but worldwide their up 8.9% and with the new stuff with interest starting to roll off of the assmebly lines, they be back in shape faster than we thought.
 
Yes Toyota has introduced the Corolla in China, but to little interest. All of the General's subs. are the kings there. particular China market only Buicks, which outpace their next in class comp. 4-1. Funny, until the Lucerne got here, it was vice versa in the home market.
 
I may be the lone star, but I have much faith in this company. This is not the first time this companu has been in this much trouble, particulurly under the "Roger and Me" regime. They will pull through, especially judging from their new plan of action, which is apparently working as investors have let off some steam and GM's rating no longer being considered "junk" on the stocks...

#19038 of 24723 Re: Elegance? [dewey] by hpowders

Sep 19, 2006 (2:52 pm)

Replying to: dewey (Sep 19, 2006 1:57 pm)
I am dismayed that after coming out with such a bold design as the current 5 series, BMW would take such a giant step backward with a blatant rip-off of a tail-light design we have been seeing a bit too much of these days.
This from the newly dubbed "Company of Ideas?"
Sheesh!

Messages Page 1904 of 2473

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