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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#19988 of 24700 Remembering the Pinto by dewey Oct 17, 2006 (10:30 am)
In my case a hybrid is more advanatageous for me than a diesel since I drive mainly in city traffic. One of the cars that got me most excited is an upcoming super gas efficient plug-in-hybrid Lexus or Toyota that can be powered solely by battery for the first 20 miles or so. The above scenario was based on the use of lithium ion batteries instead of nickel carbide batteries. Unfortunatley that may happen later than sooner due to the lithium battery problems associated with burning/overheated laptops. If you are worried that a laptop powered by a dozen lithium ion cells may burst into flames, how do you feel about cruising down the highway at 70 mph in a car powered by 6,000 of them? Lithium ion batteries wont be overheated if they are 45 to 75 percent charged like the current nickel carbide batteries in the GS or Prius hybrids. But unfortunately a super efficient plug-in hybrid needs to be 100 percent fully charged in order to be solely powered by battery for longer range driving. And 100 percent charging could lead to overheated lithium ion batteries in cars. In otherwords dont expect to find many plug-in hybrids in a few years or so unless you are willing to spend a $12K premium: A handful of companies, like A123 Systems and Valence Technology, are rushing to come up with safe lithium ion batteries specifically engineered for use in these vehicles. The big automakers won't be selling plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles soon, but tinkerer EnergyCS is developing a kit it hopes to sell for $12,000 or so that will replace the nickel metal hydride battery in Priuses with a plug-in lithium ion pack SOURCE:FORBES
#19989 of 24700 Re: Lexus Quality Slipping [hpowders] by dewey Oct 17, 2006 (10:45 am)
The Lexus ES had tranny issues for many years. While the LS as far as I know have had no major tranny issues. Replies to this message: lexusguy (Oct 17, 2006 11:29 am)
#19990 of 24700 Re: This thing about the Audi image [mariner7] by dewey Oct 17, 2006 (10:59 am)
Replying to: mariner7 (Oct 17, 2006 9:58 am) The Japanese are much more disciplined and focused. Acura is focused? Tunnel vision would be a more appropriate term. All Acura cars are based on the Accord platform. Acura is the only marque that claims to be a luxury marque without a V8 or RWD model. That IMO is far too focused for me. Infiniti, I do admire for their performance. But again Infiniti's focus is too narrow to be called focus in a positive sense. How far can a luxury marque go with just two cars: a G and a M . Who on this planet takes the Q seriously anyways? Oh yes I know, I know there will be a new Q that will stand up high among its competitors. Well in that case I will have to see it to believe it. The Lexus? Their focus is also too narrow and resembles tunnel vision. A luxury brand has to be international and not a mere one of a kind US phenemona. Lexus still has a long way to go to establish their marque overseas. Will Europeans like being groped by the seat of their pants and on their spines with that new massage LS feature? And what if their ticklish? In order to accomplish international success Lexus will have to define themselves beyond such gimmicks as electronic groping and a self parking feature that only works when there is a lot of parking space (unfortunatley when I parallel park my bumpers are usually kissing other bumpers) Replies to this message: designman (Oct 17, 2006 11:30 am) lexusguy (Oct 17, 2006 11:40 am) starman98 (Oct 17, 2006 3:50 pm) hpowders (Oct 17, 2006 3:59 pm) kirstie_h (Oct 17, 2006 4:22 pm) and 2 more... merc1 (Oct 17, 2006 10:29 pm)
#19991 of 24700 Re: Lexus Quality Slipping [dewey] by lexusguy Oct 17, 2006 (11:29 am)
Replying to: dewey (Oct 17, 2006 10:45 am) The Lexus ES had tranny issues for many years. And braking problems as well. As long as the LS continues to be built in Japan, it will be a cut above the entry level, NA built Lexus cars and trucks.
#19992 of 24700 Re: This thing about the Audi image [mariner7] by reality2 Oct 17, 2006 (11:30 am)
Replying to: mariner7 (Oct 17, 2006 9:58 am) Politely disagreed. This is just bias opinion and again an American perspective that is no longer valid (if it ever was) and just not true.
#19993 of 24700 Re: This thing about the Audi image [dewey] by designman Oct 17, 2006 (11:30 am)
Replying to: dewey (Oct 17, 2006 10:59 am) Dewster... the Lexus stuff... LMAO.
#19995 of 24700 Re: This thing about the Audi image [dewey] by lexusguy Oct 17, 2006 (11:40 am)
Replying to: dewey (Oct 17, 2006 10:59 am) Who on this planet takes the Q seriously anyways? Oh yes I know, I know there will be a new Q that will stand up high among its competitors. Well in that case I will have to see it to believe it. I would definitely not want to be charged with the task of making the Q into a sellable car. What I'm hoping they do is make a sort of "poor man's Quattroporte" (a.k.a a two year old Quattroporte) with a 4.7 or 4.8L V8 and 360+ hp. I would expect the car to top around $68K. A 6-speed auto is an absolute must have. The G and M may be able to squeak by with a 5-speed, but not the Q. The cruising gear cannot be .83+ in a luxury car. If they can do that, I'll definitely be interested. If not, no thanks.