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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#3940 of 24700 Mercedes ......fading star by carboy12 Jan 16, 2004 (4:20 pm)
I know that Mercedes has a much lauded history, but my own recent experience is very disappointing. I have recently been through three months of mediocre experience with a new E class. After years of wanting a MB, I finally went for it, but I now regret this deal!!! I have been to the dealer too many times in the past three months for service issues. I also find the interior rather bland for a car that cost so much. I went to Mercedes after driving a five year old Lexus GS. However, these days I often think that I would rather be driving my old Lexus. It was more reliable with 68,000 miles than this MB has been in the first three months. In the first four months of ownership I have had four trips to the dealer. This is more interesting-- since a close relative also has a 2003 E class, and he also has numerous complaints. Meanwhile, my 74 year old mother has recent MB C class, and I think very little of it. What an overpriced piece of junk! It has the Mercedes cache from the outside, but it is really very uninspired basic vehicle. At least her C class has been relatively reliable. Of course, the "issues" with the past few years of S class Mercedes has seem well known by most. Admittedly, the latest editions are showing better reliablity, and improved fit and finish, but the past few years of S class production has been far from inspiring. In fact, I have two friends who left the MB fold in the past six months after S class dissatisfaction with 2001 and 2002 MB S Class cars. So, I see some of the people here really have an "over the top" love of Mercedes, but I have to wonder whether this is just a lust, like I used to have for this marque, or something based on a real ownership experience. The day-in, day-out ownership experience offers a real life perspective! Try it, before touting MB. I am stuck, so I will try to like my Mercedes, but I am having a hard time with it. Needless to say, I think that the view from a distance, while dreaming and lusting for a Mercedes, is nothing like the actual MB ownership experience.
#3941 of 24700 carboy12 by bluestar1 Jan 16, 2004 (5:10 pm)
Well said ! Maybe some dreamers out here need a shot (make that a DOSE) of reality. Living in an island of MB's does impair hand-eye coordination.... Hehehehe just j/k of course. A colleague's wife has an '03 E320. Being in the shop far too frequent. Currently in the shop as we speak. She has been driving the loaner M350, and she ain't too happy either. Her E cost her $50K. That isn't anything to snicker about. Yes, the car looks beautiful from the outside, it's the electrical gremlin that is just crippling its image. If MB execs are reading these boards, they'd better do something QUICK. Reputation for bad quality and unreliability can be slow to catch on, but once it does, it's all downhill. Can't stop a rolling stone on a downhill slope ! 'Nuff said.
#3942 of 24700 carboy12 by ljflx Jan 16, 2004 (7:28 pm)
What you are going through is what I feared so much in 2001. Having nothing but Lexus cars since 1995 (save a Landcruiserin the late 90's- which really is a Lexus for the most part anyway) can really spoil you. In 2001 I looked long and hard at the S-class but lacked confidence in it. I just knew the LS430 would yield three more years of perfection in a glorious car and I feared that the MB S, while a glorious car also, would have a rash of problems. Plus it just didn't match the LS in ride or cabin quietness. Results have perfectly matched expectations on not one, but two LS cars including my business car which is now at 60k miles. I only need one car this go round and in April it will be another LS which I fully expect will give me another perfect trip for 3 years. My first LS in 95 is still running very well - in the care of a friend - and has over 200k miles on it. My 98 car became a Lexus certified car but I don't know where it ended up. Both of these 2001's will make whoever takes them very happy. Not even a hint of a rattle and as whiser quiet as day one out of the showroom. A friend of mine just traded his 1998 Landcruiser for a Lincoln Aviator. The TLC had 140k miles on it and never had a problem. The Aviator is giving him a lot of headaches within the first few months. I bumped into my buddy at a school function the other day and he said he didn't know what he was thinking when he switched but he'd trade the Aviator back for his TLC in a heartbeat if he could. It's not easy to move from the near perfect world of Toyota and Lexus. It may never occur for me. You could have had a helluva LS430 instead of that E-class. I hope you leased.
#3943 of 24700 Making me nervous by tmjdds Jan 16, 2004 (11:49 pm)
Finishing up my 3 flawless years with my LS430. Thought about leasing a new one but just had to try something different. I should be getting my 745Li in a couple of weeks. The only things I liked better about the BMW was back seat room and heated steering wheel. Ride, seat comfort, stereo, cell phone integration (Blue Tooth), trunk space, navigation system, quietness were all nicer in the Lexus at 20 thousand less. This discussion about problems with the BMW and iDrive makes me a little nervous. I would have thought they would have figured out all the problems by now. Does anyone know of someone who had a 2004 7 series buy back? I now the 2002's and some 2003's were bought back.
#3944 of 24700 Buy Backs ?? by jamesfletcher2 Jan 17, 2004 (8:00 am)
I just got back to Town Hall after traveling again and tmjbbs' question about BMW 7-Series "buy backs" got me thinking. I have certainly heard of BMW, MB, Jaguar and Audi buy backs - although other then with the last couple of years with MB and the BMW 7-Series, not in what I perceive as large numbers. Has anyone ever heard of a buy back of a new Lexus LS? I have not but wanted to ask you all. I assume there must be some but I have just never heard or read of one for a LS. Jim
#3945 of 24700 by sv7887 Jan 17, 2004 (3:24 pm)
Hi All, We've all heard the stories of MB's so called demise. I'm sure our German friends are going to address this issue. I don't see how they can ignore it, given that the Reliability issue is Lexus' prime marketing tool. The LS is a good car, but they too are prone to defects. My 2002 LS430 has had the following Issues: Steering Wheel Groans upon Retraction (Fixed under Warranty) Wiper Sensor Failure. Replaced under Warranty. So, that's nothing terrible compared to the MB stories we've heard. The only thing I can say is that my 1992 LS was better. The sole issue was a burnt out tail light at 11 yrs of age. Aside from the fact some idiot hit it two months ago, everything was fine. This brings me to my next question: With the 92 LS giving me a nightmare post accident (6 trips to the dealer now) I'm thinking of buying a (3-4 yr old)Pre-Owned high end Lux car. What's the best bang for the buck? Thanks, SV
#3946 of 24700 sv7887 by wabends Jan 17, 2004 (7:20 pm)
You should be able to get a good LS 430 between $40K and $46K for MY 2001-02. There are several on the market now coming out of leases. The cost can go up by $2K -$3K depending on the mileage and the installed options. We just got a 2001 with the UL package (all available options)for around 44K from a dealership in MD. Let me know if you need additional info about the dealership. Best wishes in your hunt!
#3947 of 24700 Used LS by tmjdds Jan 17, 2004 (8:36 pm)
When I shopped the 2004 Lexus LS430, the Lexus dealer told me he would give me $38k for my 2001 and if I knew somone that wanted it, he would turn it around for $500. Add $1500 and get the Lexus certification to 100k mi. My car has only 21k miles, black w/ML. I ended up buying a 2004 745Li. The BMW dealer is also giving me $38k but don't know if he could (or would) turn it and certify it. The only used sedan I would ever buy is the LS. The others sound like they could be a handful when they are out of warranty.
#3948 of 24700 LS430 Buyback by touring Jan 18, 2004 (2:13 am)
I know of a LS430 buyback, in the past month. About 1,200 miles. Serious engine problems, that they were not adequately fixed. The dealer actually suggested trading the vehicle for a new car. The owner speculated that there may have been some advantage to this for Lexus, so that it was not reported in Lemon Law statistics. But it could have just been the usual terrific Lexus service. In any event, it was all surprising.
#3949 of 24700 michael by ljflx Jan 18, 2004 (12:38 pm)
From test driving it I can tell you it is smoother and silkier still (if you can believe it) with more road feel, good handling (the sport suspension has fabulous handling) and more power due to the six speed. Very quick in 0-60 and excellent torque. The interior is virtually unchanged, remains very very quiet (a bit quieter than the 2001 model) and the back-up camera is great. I'm a leaser so I will take the 2004 in April. The body style is also a bit more agrressive and the car looks spectacular in black, flint mica and cypress. If you go the sport route the 18" wheels make it look better still. If you take it than you should lease because the big change is coming in 2006 as a 2007 car and you'll be much more desiring to change then.