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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#61 of 24700 re:#58 active cruise... by flint350 Jan 25, 2000 (5:32 pm)
FYI, the MB dealer told me almost exactly that - they were sued by some woman who "misunderstood" her briefing on the regular cruise control - set it on the hwy then turned around to get something from the back seat. Obvious result. Don't know if this is true or anecdotal, but that is how he explained Benz's decision to drop active cruise despite heavily advertising it. For enigma: the prior LS400 nav system was not compatible with the Nakimichi, but the new one is standard, right? So the Mark Lev. must be compatible with the Nav sys. and the Nak. no longer an option, I assume? And that means touch screen control for the Mark Lev. and some steering wheel control?
#62 of 24700 . by enigmaone Jan 25, 2000 (6:38 pm)
the Navigation system is still optional, I believe. But the optional mark levinson stereo system is compatible with the GPS nav. system. And so is the stock stereo, which I'm assuming remains a Pioneer system. The GPS nav. system remains mostly touch screen but I believe the stereo controls are not as much a part of the touch screen display as they are in the current LS400. The stereo does have some controls on the steering wheel.
#63 of 24700 Audi A8 by car_pro66 Jan 26, 2000 (5:07 pm)
I am surprised that I did not find any discussions regarding Audi A8. I currently drive MB C280 and Lexus LX450. Love my Lexus and hate my MB especially during the winter. I'll be looking for a new car in couple of month and my main candidates are BMW 740il and Audi A8. Many of my friends use to drive BMW but resently switched to Audi and very happy with this car. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
#64 of 24700 Audi A8 by car_pro66 Jan 26, 2000 (5:10 pm)
I am surprised that I did not find any discussions regarding Audi A8. I currently drive MB C280 and Lexus LX450. Love my Lexus and hate my MB especially during the winter. I'll be looking for a new car in couple of month and my main candidates are BMW 740il and Audi A8. Many of my friends use to drive BMW but resently switched to Audi and very happy with this car. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
#65 of 24700 . by enigmaone Jan 26, 2000 (8:41 pm)
The A8 is a good car but it is overlooked because first, it's a $70K Audi! Second, because Audi doesn't really market the car! Third, Alot of people shy away from buying it because of it's all-aluminum construction which only maybe a dozen body shops around the country can fix. Forth, Audis aren't exactly known for high resale value. And when you buy a $70K car, below average resale value really hurts! But otherwise it's a excellent car. Breakthrough technology, AWD(good if you need it), gorgeous interior, understated but elegant and tasteful exterior design, and has all the features one would expect for it's price tag!
#66 of 24700 enigmaone by rollie Jan 26, 2000 (11:15 pm)
Regarding post #66: I agree with all your points on the A8 except the price. If anybody pays $70k for an A8 they should have a hole installed in their head where a brain can be inserted. The A8s have been moving at huge discounts for most of their time on the market. I read of several people buying them for the low to mid 50s. This makes it more compelling buy but for me doesn't overcome the major issues you mentioned (particularly the aluminum construction). -rdo russell.ollieusa.net
#67 of 24700 . by enigmaone Jan 27, 2000 (3:15 am)
rollie, I was using MSRP as a reference. Discounts vary greatly based on time of year and region of the country. So it's kind of hard to put a general and accurate number on what people actually pay for one. $70K is a approximate MSRP.
#68 of 24700 enigmaone by rollie Jan 27, 2000 (4:27 am)
Regarding post #69: I certainly agree that it's hard to quantify discount prices due to timing but believe me, there is no point in time from here forward (at least not until a new model A8 comes out) that the A8 isn't selling at a discount from MSRP. It's a great car notwithstanding the issues you pointed out already but it simply isn't moving. By the way, unless things have changed drastically, Edmunds lists the 2000 A8 MSRP as $62,525 with destination charge. Thanks. -rdo russell.ollieusa.net
#69 of 24700 . by enigmaone Jan 27, 2000 (1:32 pm)
rollie, Did you forget about all the options that are available on the car? Do you really think you are going to find even one Audi A8 4.2 Quattro on dealer lots with a sticker price of $62000 on the window?
#70 of 24700 Thanks by car_pro66 Jan 27, 2000 (4:34 pm)
Thanks a lot guys for your input. I am more puzzled now than I was before, but I have a feeling that at the end I will probably go with BMW 740IL. My only concern is that as soon as I get it BMW will introduce new body style, and I'll be driving an obsolete car. I hate when it happens. Thanks again.