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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 2063 of 2473

#20616 of 24723 Well... by hpowders

Oct 31, 2006 (8:19 am)

the X5 has beautiful wood. Seems the wood becomes more plentiful in BMW's as the driving experience diminishes.
 
In my 545, the wood is manly and handsome. There just isn't a lot of it. And it doesn't scream "success' at you. Understated tasteful elegance. The quality of wood one would expect at an upscale steak house.
 
  
 
As an aside, saw my first Lexus GS350 today (dark gray ) parked in my next door neighbor's driveway. The car's a looker with very nice aggressive-looking wheels. Best looking of the 2007 Lexus vehicles, IMO. If I could only persuade the visitor to let me drive it for 5 minutes.

#20617 of 24723 Re: Well... [hpowders] by brightness04

Oct 31, 2006 (11:24 am)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 31, 2006 8:19 am)
It (GS350) is a sleak car, all right. The height of the car is only 56.1", compared to 58.4" for E class and 54.7" for CLS . . . all three are about 191" in length (give or take 1%) and ride on 112" wheelbases. It should be quite clear which side of the midsize luxury market the GS is tilted towards (hint: not practicality

#20618 of 24723 Re: Well... [hpowders] by lexusguy

Oct 31, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 31, 2006 8:19 am)
the X5 has beautiful wood. Seems the wood becomes more plentiful in BMW's as the driving experience diminishes.
 
Agree. The new X5 is the one BMW interior I actually like. Its arguably best in class, at least until the Q5 comes along. The 3 series without iDrive is also quite nice. The rest, pass.

#20619 of 24723 New Vehicle Hype by houdini1

Oct 31, 2006 (2:28 pm)

I always smile when new models are being introduced. It is about the only time that the rags and even sometimes the manufacturers will tell you what was wrong with the outgoing models. A Lexus exec even said that the outgoing LS was not up to some other luxury cars.
 
They all sing the praises of the current model until the new one comes out. Then, "Well this new model takes care of the heavy nose, or the bad brakes, or not enough power, etc.
 
I still wonder just how rigid a car body can be. Each year it seems that the new body is 30 or 40 percent more rigid that the last one. Interesting time of year.

#20620 of 24723 Re: Well... [brightness04] by hpowders

Oct 31, 2006 (2:37 pm)

Replying to: brightness04 (Oct 31, 2006 11:24 am)
I really liked the look of the GS350.
Just stood there and stared like a typical Edmunds poster, I guess. I will resume gawking and hopefully actually sit in one this Thursday at the auto show and then, actually drive one at the Lexus Taste in a few weeks.

#20621 of 24723 Re: Well... [lexusguy] by hpowders

Oct 31, 2006 (2:45 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 31, 2006 1:13 pm)
Of course anyone who has issues with the typical dark BMW wood can order for no extra charge the brushed aluminum trim which can brighten up the interior somewhat. However, as far as I know, this choice is only available in the 3 Series.
Perhaps it will spread across the line.

#20622 of 24723 Re: New Vehicle Hype [houdini1] by tagman

Oct 31, 2006 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: houdini1 (Oct 31, 2006 2:28 pm)
...when new models are being introduced. It is about the only time that the rags and even sometimes the manufacturers will tell you what was wrong with the outgoing models.
 
A lot ot truth to that idea! But sometimes the weaknesses are only seen by contrast to the latest and greatest version itself . . . so it was never really seen as a weakness in its own time.
 
I still wonder just how rigid a car body can be. Each year it seems that the new body is 30 or 40 percent more rigid that the last one.
 
They could potentially get a whole lot more rigid . . . as a result of nano technology . . . if, in the future, it is utilized in automotive design and production.
 
TagMan

#20623 of 24723 Re: Well... [hpowders] by pat

Oct 31, 2006 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 31, 2006 2:37 pm)
like a typical Edmunds poster
 
Where have you seen one of those?

#20624 of 24723 Re: Well... [pat] by hpowders

Oct 31, 2006 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: pat (Oct 31, 2006 3:34 pm)
Good point. I should have re-read the truth in labeling law.
 
I took the liberty of assuming that most of us around here are probably shameless gawkers when we see a new vehicle we haven't seen before.
For those of you who are "too cool" to do so, I apologize.

#20625 of 24723 Re: Well... [hpowders] by pat

Oct 31, 2006 (4:04 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Oct 31, 2006 3:56 pm)
Heh, my point, perhaps not made, was that none of us can be considered typical since we are all - mostly - quite different from each other in many areas.
 
Anyway, please continue... we atypical and typical Edmunds posters look forward to your TOL report!!

Messages Page 2063 of 2473

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