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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#7788 of 24700 Re: Lexus vs Audi [rl81] by michael_mattox Feb 19, 2005 (3:52 pm)
Replying to: rl81 (Feb 19, 2005 2:21 pm) rl81 when you look at the numbers...The LS is both comfortable and refined and Sporty and Dynamic... How else do you explain both the faster 0-60 time and the slightly stronger gear ratio?? in the LS..As far as faster on the Road...Well you made a GUESS...But we don't have to guess about which is actually faster.... PS. Because of the Audi's greater Turning Radius and great weight I would GUESS it is not faster on the Road either. BUT, that is just MY guess. Do Dynamic Sporty Cars generally have 4wd, how about Race cars? just curious...I do believe the Hot little Subury does have AWD ...Maybe Audi is in that catagory..Just isn't as fast.
#7789 of 24700 A8 vs. LS by rl81 Feb 19, 2005 (5:17 pm)
I tried to find some racetrack times for both of them but, like I said it's not like people race those things. We're just left with guesses. All new Subarus are AWD... You probably refered to the WRX, which is the street legal version of the worldcup rallye car. The WRX has about 300 hp and is very light. Sure it's fast. Same with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, a Euro version of the Ford Focus... Other race/sport cars with AWD: 1. Porsche 911 Turbo 2. Lamborgini Murcielago 3. Lamborgini Gallardo (built by Audi) 4. Audi Le Mans (the new super sport check it out at the Future Vehicles seciton) 5. Nissan Skyline (but this is not a 'real' super sport) 6. we might also add the one and only Audi Coupe Quattro ...I can't think of any more, right now... Back in the early 80's Audi racecars dominated in rallye and touring cars...they were the first ones to do that. My point is that Audi has extensive race experience. I don't want to say that Toyota doesn't have any race, but not as much as Audi... Replies to this message: michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 9:38 am)
#7790 of 24700 World Car of the year? by rl81 Feb 19, 2005 (5:41 pm)
Lexus? NO Acura? NO Infinity? NO See the answer here: http://www.carpages.co.uk/audi/audi-a6-18-02-05.asp?switched=on&e- cho=154506977
#7791 of 24700 Audi by sv7887 Feb 19, 2005 (6:02 pm)
Hi rl81, You make a good point about Audi. But is AWD really needed on a Luxo-Cruiser that is likely going back and forth to the office? I'd definitely see the benefit on the S8 though. Like you said, it's not like anyone is racing these cars. I looked at your link and found something interesting: "They rated the 36 candidates based both on objective criteria, such as product characteristics, and on their emotional charisma: the "wow" factor is clearly just as important an evaluation criteria as safety & environment or value for money." I think this perfectly illustrates the difference between Lexus and German marque owners and maybe even US and European buyers..We discount the "wow" factor in favor of the objectives. This is not meant to diminish the Audi in anyway. I feel each brand has its' own personality cult. If you were to take an unscientific survey on this board you'd come to the same conclusion. Perhaps this is why Europe has always been hesitant towards Japanese cars. I think it's really the cultural difference. SV
#7792 of 24700 a new one by rl81 Feb 19, 2005 (7:59 pm)
I would like to put this car up for discussion: 2005 Maserati Quattroporte http://www.edmunds.com/new/2005/maserati/quattroporte/100505998/p- hotogallery.html?pg_type=Sedan&imgsrc=%2Fpictures%2FVEHICLE%2F200- - 5%2FMaserati%2F100505998%2F20023048-T.jpg Would this be a candidate for a true luxury sedan? Why or why not?
#7793 of 24700 The hard question... by rl81 Feb 19, 2005 (8:06 pm)
sv: I think you brought up the achilles heel of this discussion. Why do we need a luxury car? Can't people just buy a Camry, Accord, etc. and just drive around with that? Is a V8/V12 etc. really necessary? Aren't people just victims of 'peer pressure', slick marketing, and tricky sales people? This is not to offend anyone, rather to take this with some humor... Replies to this message: denaliinpa (Feb 19, 2005 9:29 pm)
#7794 of 24700 Re: The hard question... [rl81] by denaliinpa Feb 19, 2005 (9:29 pm)
Replying to: rl81 (Feb 19, 2005 8:06 pm) sure...Accords or Camry's are fine automobiles. i had a Camry and 2 Accords. since i love cars i eventually moved into more technically interesting automobiles. not out of peer pressure or anything else.... i just love cars. all of the technology in automobiles today is amazing. when i was shopping this past time for a new car i looked at tons of cars. some expensive ..some not so expensive. i couldn't give a flying sh!t what my neighbors think of me. cars are my favorite hobby. after all of these posts .....i hope nobody thought it was golf!
#7795 of 24700 response to Hard Question by sv7887 Feb 20, 2005 (6:27 am)
Hi All, I think there are a few types of buyers out there: 1) The real car nuts..They love everything related to their Marque.. Their cars strike an emotional chord in them. They love the look and feel of their car as well as the heritage of the brand. 2) Those who base their purchases on what JDP, CR, and other objective surveys say.."Feel" and looks are not as important to these buyers. You could say they simply want a nice car that will last. I'd probably fit into this group. 3) The "Me Too's" who simply want the snob appeal that comes with owning their cars. It's probably likely that they know nothing about the marque or car at all. I think this is what happened to the 3 Series. (which is sad because it's one of best cars out there) I can't tell you how many people I've seen do just that. What do you all think? SV
#7796 of 24700 Topic by pat HOST Feb 20, 2005 (7:18 am)
Let's remember that we are actually discussing the higher end makers here and luxury cars in general. Generalizing about the folks who purchase them isn't the subject, and it's dangerous territory. Why people buy luxury cars isn't the issue here - we're talking about the cars they do buy and the companies who make them. Again, let's stick to the cars. Thanks.