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High End Luxury Cars

24723 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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.

Messages Page 660 of 2473

#6585 of 24723 by jrock65

Aug 03, 2004 (8:19 pm)

For some reason, BMW 5 series and 7 series sales really slumped in July.
 
- 5 series -
July 2003: 5313
July 2004: 2668
 
- 7 series -
July 2003: 1595
July 2004: 876
 
Those are pretty steep losses. Especially for the 5 series, a 50% drop in July sales is pretty significant. All the more considering that the 5 is a NEW model. And the new M, GS, RL, A6, and STS haven't even come out yet!
 
Maybe it's a one time blip, I don't know. Hopefully it'll force BMW to reconsider its pricing strategy.

#6586 of 24723 Wishing on a star. A three-pointed star that is... by princeabubu

Aug 04, 2004 (12:13 am)

I wish Mercedes would get it's act together, and produce cars with at least equal quality of the Japanese. Autoweek has an article about a new quality offensive Jurgen Hubbert has set up. Here is the link if you want to read it.
 
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=05810537
 
I admire Toyota for taking a huge chance on Lexus and succeeding thouroughly. Lexus totally changed the Luxury car market.

#6587 of 24723 another phenomenal Toyota quarter by ljflx

Aug 04, 2004 (4:20 am)

Racked up $2.6bln net profit in the first quarter - up 29% from a year ago - even in the face of a currency rate going against them. Vehicle sales up in every world market and skyrocketing in Asia. Those ugly cars have one heck of a market. Sometimes people on this board remind me of movie critics that deadpan movies that make $500mln. but love the ones that make $25mln. Who's really got it right.
 
Kdshapiro - saying you are going to improve quality and accomplishing it are two different things. The way they said it had a bit too much of a marketing ring to me. They also said they were going to do something about quality a year ago (someone lower in the command chain said it) and quality worsened. Common sense tells me that with Toyota projecting to rack up $13bln (probably conservative) in profits this fiscal year, with Lexus widening its US sales lead while raising prices, with rapid Asian gains and with new hybrid engines around the corner that will revolutionalize the lux segment - MB and the Germans are probably a lot more worried about Lexus than vice-versa. I would be if I were them as would any responsible business person. Toyota is a juggernaut right now - rolling over everything in front of it.

#6588 of 24723 Ljflx, kdshapiro by designman

Aug 04, 2004 (5:22 am)

Wish Toyota would buy Microsoft… then we would have ugly computers that work seamlessly.
 
I don't watch sitcoms. They all seem the same to me… templated formula for comedy. Also, I can't stomach the canned laughter with its repetitious predictable rhythm. Honeymooners were recorded in front of live audiences and were frequently ad libbed… like when Ralph went to the masquerade party as the Man From Space and his "denaturizer " button fell off that hilariously cobbled costume. I guess sitcom creators use the Comedy Wizard in the MS Office suite
 
kd... we have Bud Light etc. and are now entering the era of Bangle Light.

#6589 of 24723 Re: Wishing on a star. A three-pointed star that is... [princeabubu] by maxhonda99

Aug 04, 2004 (5:44 am)

Replying to: princeabubu (Aug 04, 2004 12:13 am)
Of course Mercedes will get it's act together. They have to. Their recent quality and reliability slips are showing in their sales and subsequently advertising.
 
Notice how all of a sudden Mercedes is showing advertisments touting how many cars this person has had and that person has had and how many miles people have.
 
They still make some excellent cars, but them improving quality would only make the market that much more competitive which is good for everyone.

#6590 of 24723 Re: Ljflx, kdshapiro [designman] by maxhonda99

Aug 04, 2004 (5:44 am)

Replying to: designman (Aug 04, 2004 5:22 am)
Huh...you do realize Dell, HP, make computers not Microsoft.

#6591 of 24723 Re: [jrock65] by maxhonda99

Aug 04, 2004 (5:46 am)

Replying to: jrock65 (Aug 03, 2004 8:19 pm)
I noticed the BMW numbers also for the 5-series especially. I wonder what's up with that. They were down drastically for the month, might just be some production issues due to end of model year.

#6592 of 24723 New LS 430 owner by topspin628

Aug 04, 2004 (5:48 am)

Just picked up my new LS430 with Mod Lux and smart key. I had been leaning toward S430 4Matic as I prefer its looks and am actually a bit bias toward German type ride but in the end could not justify 350-400 per month difference on lease. MB was giving great factory incentive of 6K back and the dealers are selling at invoice but the lease is not as attractive and the car still sells for about 10K more in the market place.
 
I think I got a good deal at end of month on LS (about 6500 off).
 
I am Very happy with my choice. I really wanted Blue Tooth, and the ML system and those 2 items alone make the Lexus the clear winner for me.
 
I was able to down load my phone book from my Sony Ericsson phone in about 3 minutes once we figured it out (call customer care from Sony if you need help). I bit the bullet and went for the factory installed Sat. Radio which is too expensive but my 20 year old son said it best, "This is awesome!"
 
The ride is sublime and the acceleration is terrific.
 
The dealer was not what a luxury experience should be about, however. The negotiations were "old school" meaning full of voodoo numbers and old tricks ("we made a mistake on the calculation, you must take delivery by tomorrow"), high pressure tactics, double teaming etc. Very disappointing I almost walked but it was the car I wanted, so I bit the bullet. Next time I will not even enter a dealership to purchase a Lexus but do all via phone and fax. BMW and MB were much nicer experiences.
 
  Same with delivery experience. Sat radio was not activated by dealer and when I called to do so was told that dealer needs to do it so that I can save on activation fee and free first month. No luxury aspect in picking up car. Just sat in lot with salesperson and he went over car with me. They were delivering many cars that day and it was a bit stressfull as they were running way behind schedule and I had to wait a bit. We did not finish and I had to go back the next day.
 
But love the car so far.
 
One thing I don't understand is the shift options.
If you put the button in power mode does that hold the gears longer for a sporty type of drive?
By putting lever to left I know you can "manually shift" but I don't really get how the ranges (1-6) work or why and when you'd use).
With gear shift lever to right (normal position) will the car use gears 1-6?
 
  Maybe someone can explain better than the manual.
 
Thanks for everyone's help and input in the past which was useful information in making my decision to "join the club".

#6593 of 24723 Max by designman

Aug 04, 2004 (5:49 am)

Oh jeez, sue me on a trivial debatable point. Yes, I could have phrased it another way. I think you know what I mean though. Actually, I would never argue with my editors on that one. Good point.

#6594 of 24723 MB Shopping Saga Continues... by scottphillip

Aug 04, 2004 (8:19 am)

Last weekend, I didn't finalize a purchase of a 2005 CL55 because of its dead battery. Yesterday, the salesman informs me that a bad instrument cluster is the cause of the drain, and a replacement is being sent from the factory in Germany. I told him that I would definitely pass on this car. I appreciate my boring Lexus a little more now.

Messages Page 660 of 2473

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