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High End Luxury Cars

24700 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM

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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.

#4001 of 24700 merc1 by ljflx Jan 27, 2004 (8:29 am)
I didn't mean to imply that everyone who buys an LS430 can buy an S-600. But I'd bet a very high percentage can swing an S-430 and and many of that group could get an S-500. There are plenty of people that reach high for the cars in this grouping and the group below. It's really a function of your decisions in life. In my town I'll see S-class and LS430 cars on driveways of homes that range from $500k to $5mln. You can easily see who could afford anything they want. Personally I'd finalize a great house before picking a great car. That's why I drove an Acura Legend (an excellent car but certainly not in this league) through 1994. The S-class was within my reach in 1990/91 and I also passed on the LS400 in those years until 1995. But I knew I wanted a bigger home in a different town. Built my house in 1994. It's funny how things happen. A higher auto payment may have made me take a lower priced lot. I took the more expensive lot back in 1994 bacause I had few other financial obligations. The other lot I was considering was $50k cheaper and that's $300 a month on a mortgage. Today that $50K is worth $600K. I still remember your decision a few years ago and I commend you for it.
#4004 of 24700 jamesfletcher2 by lenscap Jan 27, 2004 (11:29 am)
Thanks for the article updates. It looks like Lexus will be changing quite a bit in the coming years. The article, which I finally read, mentioned the following (some of which you touched on):   1. A super-luxury Lexus above the LS is coming. Lexus says "it's not an issue of if, but when."   2. Lexus will create a performance division similar to Mercedes/AMG and BMW/M. According to Lexus, "we have to have those image products."   3. Lexus' GM says no car "gets him more emotional than the pending redesign of the LS 430. It is more than just a redesign...it will make the same impact as the original."
#4005 of 24700 Lexus LS 600?? by motownusa Jan 27, 2004 (12:10 pm)
I read somewhere (Consumer Digest I think) that a Lexus LS 500 might be available in model yeaar 2005. The 500 will be available alongside the 430. In 2006 or 2007 a Lexus LS 600 will come to market with a 400+ Hp V12 engine. That would really shake things up
#4007 of 24700 by sv7887 Jan 27, 2004 (5:23 pm)
Hi all,   Interesting comments by the Lexus GM..What's so predictable about their design change frequencies? Most European carmakers run their designs longer than Lexus. (Jaguar, MB S Class, BMW) What he's missing is lack of originality. You can debate the aesthetics all you want, but each of the Euro nameplates have their own distinctive design. Like it or not, you can't mistake a 745 for anything else. I'm glad Lexus leaning toward making a LS that rivals the original in impact..Only time will tell.   I've noticed this forum usually centers around the Lexus vs German issue. What do you all think about Jaguar? Have they finally built a worthy competitor to the Lexus, MB, and BMW? How much have they really improved on reliability?   SV
#4008 of 24700 ljflx by merc1 Jan 27, 2004 (9:41 pm)
Man we've been at this for a long time, I'd forgotten that we've had the "life decisions" conversation before. Imagine me reading that after all these years!   I'm sure a high percentage of LS430 buyers can swing a S430, especially if they're leasing them. No doubt.   I've always wanted to ask what town do you live in, it sounds like quite a place the place. Probably like what Naperville IL is here.   The Acura Legend is the reason why I've always had a strong desire to own and Acura, but they just can't seem to get the styling right.   edspider1,   It really does depend on your circle or group, because to some a Lexus is just that a poor mans Mercedes, and to some it's a better car that doesn't get its just do. Since Lexus does make a great car all they'd have to do to erase that stigma is create their own styling and not follow Mercedes' every move. They probably will do the former, but the latter is just good business.   sv7887,   Ahh...Jag u wa. Yes, imo the new XJ is a full fledged member of this class. It's light and lean and is easily a styling home run. The only thing I noticed at Detriot is that it still does have anywhere near the room of say a LS430 or 745Li, so far that hasn't slowed its sales down. I'm not sure about their reliability you'll have to ask one of the survey people about that one. They only Jaguar I truly don't like is the X-Type. The XK is a modern classic. Its about the only other luxury car besides a Mercedes SL that can wear the same styling since 1997 and still look so good. Jaguar's dual-edged sword is their styling you either like it or you don't. It's either just right or way too much for some, and in the case of the old XJ it made the car very uncompetitive because it simply was too small (low roof etc) for many.   M
#4009 of 24700 merc1 by ljflx Jan 28, 2004 (6:30 am)
Colts Neck NJ. It's horse country and Bruce Springsteen lives about a mile away. Beautiful area that is very surburban - more like an upstate NY town but it's only 40 miles from NYC. There are no city like street lights around and no fire hydrants (which causes insurance to run high). You can't build a new home here anymore unless it's at least 4300 feet or so (most are 6-10,000 these days) and it's 10 acre zoning. So the seclusion makes it a town for celebrities and athletes like. Tom Brokaw wanted to move here but the town rejected a helicopter landing pad he wanted in his back yard (he wanted to be able to get out quickly if a news story broke). MB's and Lexus cars and SUV's everywhere with a lot of TLC's, LX470's and now the GX470. Decent number of Jags but not many Range Rovers or BMW's save for the X5. Rarely do you see an Audi and I've yet to see an A8 in the 10 years I'm here.   Big SUV's are in around here for local needs and because we've had a lot of snow in the past 6-8 years. We seem to be a southern snowbelt area of NYC whenever the storms take a mid-atlantic route. The blizzard in 96 put down more than 3 feet here and in last years President's day storm we had about 30".
#4010 of 24700 by kdshapiro Jan 28, 2004 (6:37 am)
Colts Neck NJ - One of the areas where there are more S500s than Civics. The average home price is $1M.

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