High End Luxury Cars

24696 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 10:43 AM

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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#23892 of 24696 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 24696 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 24696 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 24696 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 24696 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)
#23899 of 24696 Tag, by blkhemi Feb 11, 2007 (10:59 am)
Interesting conclusion on your experience with the S550. Some of the same things you pointed out, I shared also. The rear end is polarizing, yes, but to me so is the disorganized bustle of the pseudo-Bangle LS. This is a new venture for MB to stray away from the conservative status-quo, and think they nailed it. Those wheelarches must be liked by quite a few folks as the S sells pretty darn well... As to the tranny, I didn't experience any hunting in my test of an S550. The LS on the otherhand searched at random for the correct gear, particularly on hilly terrain whereas the 7-G held it's cool, and switched gears seamlessly if needed be. Even the old-tech 5-speed in the S600 rarely if ever hunted for gears. When you test the A8, if no S8 is available, try testing an A8 Sport. The additional suspension tuning will make the experience even more exciting, altho the base suspension is definetely not lacking.. Replies to this message: tagman (Feb 11, 2007 11:59 am)
#23900 of 24696 Re: Tag, [blkhemi] by tagman Feb 11, 2007 (11:59 am)
Replying to: blkhemi (Feb 11, 2007 10:59 am) Some of the same things you pointed out, I shared also. I think most people who drive the car should have a similar experience but with different personal reactions to it... after all, the variable isn't the car... it's the driver. The S550's 7-speed was perfect, as I posted. MT's observation seems quite isolated and unique. The wheel arches are dramatic, but absolutely OK with me. Only the trunk is missing the bullseye, IMO. When I test the A8, I want to test a long wheelbase car, since that is the comparison I am making across the board, as I want to compare apples to apples here as much as possible. If there is a "Sport" available, I would drive it as an additional drive, but not in place of the A8L. And I would never turn down a drive in an S8, if one becomes available. TagMan
#23901 of 24696 Re: Edmunds Most Wanted Sedan Over $60,000 [dewey] by lexusguy Feb 12, 2007 (2:18 am)
Replying to: dewey (Feb 10, 2007 11:26 am) The 7 handles well, but it's no match for the QP Sport GT. On an empty back road, the QP becomes a sports car. The 7 is a lot more sophisticated and has a lot more electronic wizardry, but its still an executive cruiser.