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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#22933 of 24700 Re: 2007 Detroit Autoshow cont.... [merc1] by hpowders Jan 15, 2007 (1:41 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 1:33 pm) Well then, I will add the new X5 to my list of test drives.
#22934 of 24700 Re: Mercedes, McLaren SLS [tagman] by merc1 Jan 15, 2007 (1:57 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Jan 15, 2007 9:41 am) Surely you're not going to go for this about the SL being so old and not recognizable from the CLK? The SL is on the streets in good numbers because it has been out since 2003, its called success. It is easy to say that they're "everywhere" compared to a brand new Jaguar that doesn't sell in the same numbers as a car in its 5th model year. Of course I don't have anything against the XKR, its a beautiful car, but lets not carried away about the SL either. The SL is still the leader of this class easily even though you can get the top of the line Jag for the price of a "base" SL550. I won't go into the the Jaguar's front end looking like a much lesser non-Jaguar vehicle because that isn't Jaguar's fault. I remember reading that the brother of the stylist of the XK did the Ford Taurus also. On the other hand all Mercedes coupes and roadsters have had the same front end for years. Whether or not it was the SL, CL or this generation CLK. I really don't see the problem with a similar front end when there are far less "exclusively" branded cars that look a lot alike also. This about the SL and CLK being identical is really trivial IMO. M Replies to this message: tagman (Jan 15, 2007 3:18 pm) merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 6:06 pm)
#22935 of 24700 Re: 2007 Detroit Autoshow Report! [merc1] by lexusguy Jan 15, 2007 (2:10 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 1:38 pm) True, but this is a matter of keeping up with the Joneses. This class will be all V8 when the M3 arrives so Lexus wasn't about to use a V6 no matter how much hp they could have rung out of it. Its disappointing that cylinder count for the marketing guys trumps the engineers, and logic. Reminds me of the camera companies all shoving in more megapixels regardless of whether or not it actually improves (or in some cases degrades) image quality.
#22936 of 24700 Re: 2007 Detroit Autoshow cont.... [merc1] by houdini1 Jan 15, 2007 (2:13 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 1:33 pm) Thanks Merc, nice write up. If any other thoughts come to mind please share.
#22937 of 24700 Re: hpowders [hpowders] by tagman Jan 15, 2007 (2:54 pm)
Replying to: hpowders (Jan 15, 2007 12:48 pm) make sure you go 1080p (progressive). you'll get better results with the newest HD DVD's and BluRay disks. Replies to this message: hpowders (Jan 15, 2007 3:28 pm) tagman (Jan 15, 2007 6:00 pm) lexusguy (Jan 15, 2007 6:34 pm) and 1 more... brightness04 (Jan 15, 2007 6:41 pm) and 3 more... hpowders (Jan 15, 2007 6:53 pm) and 27 more... syswei (Jan 15, 2007 9:01 pm)
#22938 of 24700 Re: Mercedes, McLaren SLS [lexusguy] by tagman Jan 15, 2007 (3:00 pm)
Replying to: lexusguy (Jan 15, 2007 1:04 pm) Yeah there's a spot or two of plastic in the XJ interior, but certainly not that much, especially compared to the Lexus LS interior which looks like an explosion at a plastics factory. For the most part the interior of the XJ is proper amounts of wood and lots of genuine leather. The IS-F definately is as you described. It isn't going to matter that it isn't in the same league as the BMW M3... all the comps will be between it and the Bimmer... just wait and see. Just by being compared to the M3 will give it credibility that it won't deserve. Diehard BMW fans will see through this, but there will be those that won't. TagMan Replies to this message: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 6:35 pm) tagman (Jan 15, 2007 6:46 pm) merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 6:55 pm) brightness04 (Jan 15, 2007 7:00 pm) and 3 more...
#22939 of 24700 Re: 2007 Detroit Autoshow Report! [merc1] by tagman Jan 15, 2007 (3:04 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 1:01 pm) this new X5 is seriously gorgeous, but don't kid yourself about it being able to seat seven, because it can't. That "third" seat isn't even fit for most kids let alone adults. I am very sorry to hear that. I was thinking of taking the wife to the BMW dealership to look at that new X5. She needs seats for seven. TagMan
#22940 of 24700 Re: Mercedes, McLaren SLS [merc1] by tagman Jan 15, 2007 (3:18 pm)
Replying to: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 1:57 pm) Good review, Merc. I recently posted that the Toyota concept sportscar will be a big hit. I agree about the R8... I posted a similar positive response to it after seeing it at the SF Int'l Auto show. I am glad to learn that the X5 is terrific, but am sorry to learn about the useless third row seats. And, the Mercedes diesels will be even bigger news next year for sure. I am glad you agree with me regarding the merits of the SL. Again, thanks for the review. Just think... one day in the future we might actually love a Lexus! LOL. TagMan Replies to this message: merc1 (Jan 15, 2007 6:06 pm)
#22941 of 24700 Re: hpowders [tagman] by hpowders Jan 15, 2007 (3:28 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Jan 15, 2007 2:54 pm) Thanks. I'm waiting to see which of the 2 new DVD technologies becomes the accepted one. If I wind up with an X5, it would be purely for hedonistic reasons. I need the extra leg-room...and enjoying BMW's best interior wouldn't hurt. The 545's interior is sooo boring. Might be worth giving up some driving excitement. But then again I read the 4.8 X5 can do 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds. Gulp! I also intend to check out the 335i coupe and any BMW diesels that come along within the next 18 months. Some tough decisions, but somebody's got to do it! Replies to this message: tagman (Jan 15, 2007 6:00 pm) lexusguy (Jan 15, 2007 6:34 pm) tagman (Jan 15, 2007 6:40 pm) brightness04 (Jan 15, 2007 6:41 pm) tagman (Jan 15, 2007 6:50 pm) and 2 more... hpowders (Jan 15, 2007 6:53 pm) tagman (Jan 15, 2007 7:42 pm) and 26 more...
#22942 of 24700 Ooooh la la by dhamilton Jan 15, 2007 (5:37 pm)
Thanks for the Detroit review Merc. Just MHO, but I think the new XK just kills the SL. I have had some significant seat time in the new X5 and can tell you all that it is the best high end SUV out there right now. It's Lexus quiet and smooth, and still has that great BMW steering. For long road trips I think the Q7 is better though. I think that we're all forgetting that the new ISF has to compete with the brilliant RS4 as well. Top Gear recently tested the RS4 against the M3 with the competition package, and the RS4 just killed it. I fear that the new M will displace the Audi, but I don't expect the Lexus to do much but show up. [based on Lexus history.]