High End Luxury Cars

24697 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 3:09 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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#20533 of 24697 Re: GS AWD [lexusguy] by hpowders Oct 28, 2006 (7:41 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 28, 2006 7:12 pm) I seem to recall an Automobile Mag. comparo among AWD luxury sedans in which the A6 quattro won. I can't seem to find it anywhere. I may have burned that issue trying to keep warm last winter.
#20534 of 24697 B-Hemi by drfill Oct 28, 2006 (9:02 pm)
Earlier in the year, Toyota's Vice-President of NA Trucks said this was a move to instill no doubt that this engine will bring down even the mighty 5.7L HEMI. Ironically, they have the same displacement. But Dodge has something up there sleeve with the 6.1L 420hp HEMI that is going into the '07 Rams as top dog. Pretty much went without sayin' that the 6.1 will be in the Ram soon enough. I, personally, would wait for the Next Ram to do so. I would expect less HP, 'round 400, but more torque! Regarding the IS, the old interior was a bad joke, except for the pop-up NAV, which was worth buying just for the effect. The old chassis was quite good, and Lexus seems more than happy to throw out the baby with the bathwater, since the baby had a lotta funk! When I drive the IS350 tomorrow I expect a fast car, with strong brakes, with something very wrong with the steering, but high handling limits, if feeling somewhat disconnected. I think a drive in the 7 is mandatory, just so I can gauge the LS handling vs. the Top Gun. Is the LS well behind the 7, and slightly behind the S? I doubt the design parameters were for German level handling. But the Touring Pkg, maybe? We'll see if the self-parking works. I'm sure they have a test area for this feature, no? The IS seems made for bragging rights, not alley fights. It is beautiful, and super fast. But it flies in the face of Tag's Lexus vs. BMW argument. I doubt I will find a BMW alternative tomorrow. It's agenda may be more style than personality. If nothing else, Lexus has proven that they can make bold, stylish cars. And they already were close to unstoppable. Maybe a driver's car will come next generation? DrFill Replies to this message: tagman (Oct 28, 2006 9:30 pm) lexusguy (Oct 28, 2006 10:40 pm)
#20535 of 24697 Re: B-Hemi [drfill] by tagman Oct 28, 2006 (9:30 pm)
Replying to: drfill (Oct 28, 2006 9:02 pm) When I drive the IS350 tomorrow I expect a fast car, with strong brakes, with something very wrong with the steering, but high handling limits, if feeling somewhat disconnected. The IS seems made for bragging rights, not alley fights. It is beautiful, and super fast. But it flies in the face of Tag's Lexus vs. BMW argument. I doubt I will find a BMW alternative tomorrow. It's agenda may be more style than personality. Between you and dhamilton's post, the IS is sounding a bit lukewarm. Here's what dhamilton posted about the IS: ...the realization hit me that this car is a hilarious joke as a sports sedan IMO. The steering is beyond words artificial, and the chassis under steers like Dick Cheaney has accidental shootings on hunting excursions. I won't waste any more words on this joke of a car. Can it be that bad? I can't wait for your feedback on the IS, Doc, just to see how different your opinion might be than dhamilton's opinion is. It might illuminate how different reviewers can write such different reviews on the exact same car . . . or . . . maybe you will agree with dhamilton! I want to know the outcome on this one. TagMan
#20536 of 24697 Re: B-Hemi [drfill] by lexusguy Oct 28, 2006 (10:40 pm)
Replying to: drfill (Oct 28, 2006 9:02 pm) Regarding the IS, the old interior was a bad joke, except for the pop-up NAV, which was worth buying just for the effect. It could've been such a good car, too. The problem was Lexus took the Toyota Altezza, replaced the badge, and went "done!". Thats fine for cars like the Aristo (GS) and Soarer (SC), but the Altezza just wasn't an upmarket car. If Lexus had instead used the Altezza platform to make a car with Lexus level body design and interior quality (think Camry\ES), and used the Supra twin turbos on the old 3.0L inline, 300hp would be no problem at all. That would've been a fabulous car, and probably would've given the G35 a very tough fight, instead of handing Acura and Infiniti sales on a silver platter. Why dont I work at Lexus?
#20537 of 24697 Re: My taste of Lexus experience [dhamilton] by syswei Oct 29, 2006 (2:10 am)
Replying to: dhamilton (Oct 28, 2006 6:32 pm) Thanks for your post. Always interesting to hear people's views.
#20538 of 24697 taste of Lexus by syswei Oct 29, 2006 (2:14 am)
Those who are signed up but still haven't gone yet should remember to set your LS460s to "sport" mode. The switch is on the console, not far from the shifter. Dhamilton, I assume yours was set that way? Replies to this message: hpowders (Oct 29, 2006 3:58 am)
#20539 of 24697 Re: taste of Lexus [syswei] by hpowders Oct 29, 2006 (3:58 am)
Replying to: syswei (Oct 29, 2006 2:14 am) Thanks. I will remember that.
#20540 of 24697 LS460 commercial by syswei Oct 29, 2006 (4:07 am)
I don't care much for the auto-parking feature, but this is a nice commercial: commercial Actually the only LS460 spot I've seen, since I don't watch much TV. Hope the other ads get posted on the web, if anyone else finds one, please post a link. Of course, more user intervention is required to park than is suggested by the commercial, but that's typical of ads I guess.
#20541 of 24697 sport mode by dhamilton Oct 29, 2006 (4:17 am)
I honestly don't know about it being in sport mode. I did two drives in it and in the interest in keeping the lines moving, I mostly just fiddles with seat adjustments. FWIW, I thought about it but then when getting in to the S class I thought to myself there is no way in hell I'll find the sport mode in the next 10 minutes trying to rifle through all the command prompts so I figure that all cars were in normal mode so as to be even. Again, the bimmers tranny hunted the most. The LS was [is]an excellent car. I never felt it complained about being thrown it to curves fast, and it powered out nicely. I really can't say enough positives about the car other than the grabby brakes. It's no brakes, no brakes, oh crap, a ton of brakes. Ultimately, it's not the "drivers car" that the S class is, but it's very good. All comments [to state the obvious] are just my opinion, but to clarify about the LS feeling better in the curves, the IS may have more grip numbers wise but it didn't feel as composed. I'm not so much talking about body motions because it stayed flat. There was just something about the car that felt wrong to me on many levels once it got moving. Keep in mind that about two weeks ago I did the BMW event and drove the 335 VERY HARD around an autocross track in almost the exact same spot. I also did a quick spin in a new [demo at my dealership] G sedan with sports package, and both felt 100 times more "screwed down" than the IS. The GS350 is the best sporty offering from Lexus IMO. The LS is the second LOL. Replies to this message: blkhemi (Oct 29, 2006 7:01 am) lexusguy (Oct 29, 2006 10:12 pm)
#20542 of 24697 Re: My taste of Lexus experience [dhamilton] by blkhemi Oct 29, 2006 (6:56 am)
Replying to: dhamilton (Oct 28, 2006 6:32 pm) Unfortuately, the sea of buttons in the 7-Series is the sole reason for me giving up my otherwise superior 760iL Sport. That car had the perfect balance of fun and comfort that most car companies dream about. But the ergonomics proved too much for this ol' fart and it had to go for one with slightly less buttons but easily figured out, A8L W12. On to the the LS, a buddy of mine found that the LS he drove is better than the 430 it replaces, but Lexus still forgot to give it enough calcium so that it's bones will be more sturdy when taking corners. The new 4.6L V8 VVT-i was found to be a remarkable powerplant with cutting edge technology such as direct and port EFI and electric VVT(on intake only tho), and with it's sonorous sing that will entice any gearhead to ride with the windows down. But it's been said it doesn't have that big-displacement nudge-in-the-back you get with the Americans or German V8's. And altho with 8 ratio, the tranny sometimes shifted without haste, and hunted frequently in rapid transitions, while the 7-G Mercedes shifts with aplomb in all conditions. But for all-out highway crusing, the quieter, softer LS holds the bar on it's German competitors, albeit not by much, especially a LWB Audi. And the interior decor/assembly is worth more than just noting. We can go back and forth all day on why the LS460 is or isn't the best, but Lexus really came a long way with this over it's predecessor. I'm not jumpin ship or anything, but judging from what I've read and heard from you guys and everyone else, this car will keep the button pushed down for Lexus for some time to come.. I personally can't wait to go to Altmer's Lexus to drive the 460L to gauge my own reaction and on a longer drive than what the Taste gives.... BTW: Did anyone notice or know that the LS460's engine bay is completely concealed, top and bottom? Ingenious!!!! And that's how they acheive that coefficient drag of only .28, BETTER than a RX-7, 97-04 Vette, and Porsche 911, and we're still talking a 4200 pound car!!!!!! Replies to this message: syswei (Oct 29, 2006 7:38 am) blkhemi (Oct 29, 2006 9:19 am) hendjaz (Oct 29, 2006 6:03 pm) and 3 more...