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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#23889 of 24697 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [hpowders] by tagman Feb 10, 2007 (10:11 am)
Replying to: hpowders (Feb 10, 2007 5:52 am) Looking forward to your test drive of Edmunds top pick, the Audi A8, which would be the only HELC I myself would be interested in driving. Yeah, that one should be interesting. I'm looking forward to driving the A8L myself... although I'd love to drive the S8 if there is one available. That might be a seperate event in the future. TagMan Replies to this message: dewey (Feb 10, 2007 11:26 am) tagman (Feb 10, 2007 12:56 pm) anthonyp (Feb 10, 2007 6:00 pm) brightness04 (Feb 10, 2007 7:41 pm) lexusguy (Feb 12, 2007 2:18 am)
#23890 of 24697 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [tagman] by dewey Feb 10, 2007 (11:26 am)
Replying to: tagman (Feb 10, 2007 10:11 am) Great review Tagman, Did you notice what MT noticed about the S550's transmission: The world's first seven-speed auto (trumped almost immediately by Toyota, which put an eight-speeder into the new Lexus LS 460) sounds impressive over a martini at the country club, but out on the road you can become aware of the transmission constantly shuffling through the ratios to find the optimum one. Also I agree with you about the rear of the S550. Too much ostentatious bling IMO. It seems MB is trying to go out of their way to point out that the S Class shares some DNA with their Maybach. Your Porsche 911 Carrera for weekends (although I love my BMW335i for weekdays and weekends--cant think of a better sedan?) and my wife's BMW 5 series touring for family outings/shopping is all what I want and need in my garage. Never liked LWB cars to begin with. But if I had a choice it would be a 7 series hands down! The best handler among the HELC bunch despite its uninviting austere interior (I myself am a fan of low profile austerity). Replies to this message: tagman (Feb 10, 2007 12:56 pm) anthonyp (Feb 10, 2007 6:00 pm) brightness04 (Feb 10, 2007 7:41 pm) lexusguy (Feb 12, 2007 2:18 am)
#23891 of 24697 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [dewey] by tagman Feb 10, 2007 (12:56 pm)
Replying to: dewey (Feb 10, 2007 11:26 am) Did you notice what MT noticed about the S550's transmission: If MT did not warm up the car before making performance evaluations, then they are idiots. What other reviewer ever mentioned such a thing? I certainly never experienced any gear searching from the S550's tranny. It was a perfect shifter, and creamy smooth as well. IMO, however, the ultra-silky smooth tranny award goes to the Lexus LS, but again, the S-Class tranny was fabulous... smooth and deliberate... no searching at all, and no passing gear lag as experienced in the LS. Also I agree with you about the rear of the S550. It's really my only complaint... unfortunately it will likely be years before any updating. BTW, I'm not looking to purchase any of these cars. I'm just having fun checking them all out. I've already mentioned to you which car I'm thinking about for my next purchase... and I read about the Vishnu modification... very interesting. TagMan Replies to this message: anthonyp (Feb 10, 2007 6:00 pm) brightness04 (Feb 10, 2007 7:41 pm)
#23892 of 24697 I Feel The Same Way! by hpowders Feb 10, 2007 (1:13 pm)
I absolutely love driving the latest ELPS, LPS and HELC also, even though I would have no interest in purchasing/leasing most of them. Always a kick! Two things about BMW's across the board: Excellent trannys and steering (non-adaptive) are a given. Very difficult to give up one of the most satisfying driving experiences on this planet. And I probably won't.
#23895 of 24697 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [tagman] by anthonyp Feb 10, 2007 (6:00 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Feb 10, 2007 12:56 pm) Tag---Another enjoyable report, although I haven`t driven the Mercedes,as I had the Lexus....I think you will find the Audi does not feel as large as the Mercedes....I look forward to your analysis of it...Tony
#23896 of 24697 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [tagman] by brightness04 Feb 10, 2007 (7:41 pm)
Replying to: tagman (Feb 10, 2007 12:56 pm) Is it due to lack of warm-up, or perhaps they got a malfunctioning car (if nobody else had the problem)? I have never experienced transmission hunting when car is cold. Also, I'd think they drive the car enough to warm it up before stopping the car and write up on it; so I hope
#23897 of 24697 Re: Thanks again for your post, Tag! [tagman] by pat HOST Feb 11, 2007 (5:30 am)
Replying to: tagman (Feb 10, 2007 9:04 am) Your first hand reports are terrific - keep them coming!!
#23898 of 24697 Vintage High End Cars versus a Plymouth by dewey Feb 11, 2007 (6:25 am)
Great article on vintage cars in this week's Barrons. So what costs more than many vintage Ferarris? OF COURSE, many of the valuation methods now shaping muscle-car prices have been affecting collectible sports cars for years, especially high-end pre-1970 models. Ferrari tops this list. After a crazy speculative price bubble in 1989, when Japanese investors shelled out $10 million to $12 million for top Ferraris, prices nosedived, along with Japanese stocks. They've quietly come back, increasing by more than 50% in the past few years. RM sold a 1957 Ferrari 250 Boano LWB (long wheelbase) Berlinetta for $720,000; a 1967 330 GTC went for $220,000. Rarity works in Ferraris' favor: Even the more common versions seldom numbered more than 1,000 to 1,200; others totaled less than 100. "Interest is very strong for vintage sports and racing cars," says Rob Myers, the founder of RM. A 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda convertible sold for $2.42 million at the recent auctions. Imagine owning a spanking new low volume low priced car like the Cuda and seeing its resale value increase faster than the stock price of Berkshire Hathaway? So far I have not seen a single BMW 335i sedan in Toronto. Who knows maybe if I keep my car for a few decades... (OK, ok I am just kidding)