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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#7810 of 24700 Re: Response to rl81 [rl81] by michael_mattox Feb 20, 2005 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: rl81 (Feb 20, 2005 11:30 am) Why would you change the subject...I didn't think we were talking about cars falling apart.. Did anyone SAY that the A8 fell apart..ANYONE on this board? I will say again...The lexus LS is not perfect but it is more perfect then the A8 (at least mechanically) Not to mention it is faster, quicker off the line and probably has more luxury and safety features...and a fully loaded LS costs less... That said A-8 is a very attractive machine with an outstanding interior, and the 4 Wheel Drive is a definate plus in Snow country. Replies to this message: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 5:02 pm) denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 5:51 pm) michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:17 pm)
#7811 of 24700 Re: 0-60 times [brightness04] by denaliinpa Feb 20, 2005 (4:54 pm)
Replying to: brightness04 (Feb 20, 2005 9:50 am) one thing we will never no is if the A8 can spin it's wheels. the Awd will prevent this. as for the Lexus LS i don't know if it could actually have so much power going to the rear wheels so as to lose traction at start. also keep in mind that the stability programs will also step in and limit wheel spin at launch. when it comes to which vehicle is safer in this class of cars it is ridiculous to keep pointing at the Audi as being less safe simply because of its aluminum construction. unless you know something specific to automobile safety as it relates to steel or aluminum construction you are merely stating opinion. tensile strength may seem like an argument but when an automobile is engineered from the ground up the most important aspect is the design of the safety cage...the man made aspect of the equation. also you keep stating accidents with fire. any accident that is that severe would place occupants of either a steel or aluminum vehicle in peril. i visited Lexus web site. i was surprised to see that the LS430 did not have rear seat side airbags. also it does not have a suspension that lowers at speed....ie 70mph. Replies to this message: michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:37 pm) denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 7:49 pm) michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:52 pm) and 1 more...
#7812 of 24700 Re: Stereo Question [jvcn] by denaliinpa Feb 20, 2005 (4:57 pm)
Replying to: jvcn (Feb 20, 2005 12:35 pm) my guess is that it all comes down to costs and the ability of a manufacturer to actually deliver quality sound inside an automobile cabin. Replies to this message: jvcn (Feb 20, 2005 6:50 pm)
#7813 of 24700 Re: Response to rl81 [michael_mattox] by denaliinpa Feb 20, 2005 (5:02 pm)
Replying to: michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 4:45 pm) part of what makes any vehicle safe is not just the amount of safety features added to the vehicle in case of an accident(air bags) but the safety features that help prevent an accident ie. vehicles stability control systems, anti lock brakes and AWD. AWD offers a much more stable vehicle not just in snowy conditions but also on wet roads. it helps prevent an accident before one even occurs. Replies to this message: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 5:51 pm) michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:17 pm)
#7814 of 24700 Re: Response to rl81 [denaliinpa] by denaliinpa Feb 20, 2005 (5:51 pm)
Replying to: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 5:02 pm) hi guys, here is some information from Audi USA's website. it seems reasonable but i am no expert. 20+ years of quattro® Why quattro all-wheel drive? Simple. Audi's legendary system optimizes traction and lateral grip while minimizing the effects of drive forces on chassis balance. A little physics shows why. There are two forces at work on each tire. Longitudinal force is caused by acceleration or deceleration. Lateral force affects the car during cornering or in crosswinds. The decisive factor is the total force, the sum of both forces at work on each individual tire, because this determines the vehicle 's remaining safety reserves. The total maximum force must always be greater than available traction, the maximum force the wheels can transfer onto the road surface. If it is less, the tires lose contact with the road, and the car goes into a skid. When all four wheels are driven, each wheel needs to transfer only 25 percent of the power to the road, instead of 50 percent as in the case of front-or rear-wheel drive. Each wheel can therefore handle greater lateral force before reaching its traction limit. In turn, this makes the car safer and more fun to drive. The quattro system found on every new Audi is our fourth generation. Audi not only pioneered all-wheel drive for passenger cars, we keep making it better. And while others are just now discovering the benefits of four driven wheels, competitive systems haven't yet stood the test of time. In the world of all-wheel drive systems, there's quattro. And not quite.
#7815 of 24700 Re: Stereos [sv7887] by jvcn Feb 20, 2005 (6:47 pm)
Replying to: sv7887 (Feb 20, 2005 1:11 pm) It depends on what you're looking for in a stereo. The thing that knocked me out the first time I heard an ML in a 2002 LS430 was that on a well-recorded acoustic jazz CD [Mapleshade recordings are good for this] you got a real sense of imaging and a soundstage when driving down the road. The sound of the horns was accurate and you could hear the bass player plucking the strings. Most car cds have no dynamic range. They can only handle loud and LOUD because the car environment is so noisy. With a Lexus in cruise mode on the freeway, it's possible to get some of the benefits of a well-recorded disc. On the Nakamichi system in my LS400, I've almost given up listening to classical because the soft sounds are drowned out and there's no ambience or imaging. Everything sounds flat although pleasant enough. The music should not sound like it's all around you. If there's a singer, he/she should come from a fixed location in space, and the accompanists should seem to be floating in their proper places. Above all, acoustic instruments should not blend in with electronic instruments. Once you get the system right for "simple" music, then any music -- whether orchestral or pop or rock just "locks" into place. If you've never heard a high end home stereo, I recommend you do so. That will give you a benchmark for what a good car stereo should aim for.
#7816 of 24700 Re: Stereo Question [denaliinpa] by jvcn Feb 20, 2005 (6:50 pm)
Replying to: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 4:57 pm) Yes, but given the price of an S class or 7 series, and the fact that richer Europeans may be more likely to care about classical music and jazz than Americans, I would think that there would be a natural market for a high-end car system in the MBs, BMWs, Audis, or even Volvo for that matter. Cause let me tell you, high-end home systems in Europe can be very, very fine.
#7817 of 24700 Re: Response to rl81 [denaliinpa] by michael_mattox Feb 20, 2005 (7:17 pm)
Replying to: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 5:02 pm) I have a 4wd Suburu and find it makes little difference on wet roads...but living in Seattle we have experience on wet roads...I will choose the LS in the rain just because it is more comfortable...In the rare Seattle snow I would definately take the Suburu. I believe all LS all have a stability control systems...MY 01 does..
#7818 of 24700 Re: 0-60 times [denaliinpa] by michael_mattox Feb 20, 2005 (7:37 pm)
Replying to: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 4:54 pm) My 01 Ultra has Side curtin airbags in the front and back. It has VSC..with Brake Assist and Traction Control. The air suspension system can be switched from Soft to Sport... at highway speed the suspension lowers the car automatically for better airodynamics and control...If I drive Aggresively the System automatically Stiffens. THE CAR CAN ALSO BE RAISE (I THINK UP TO 3 INCHES FOR better clearence in Snow or on bumpy roads) P.S my 92 Cadillac Allante had an air suspension system that automatically lowered the car at 70.. ONCE AGAIN...I HAVE MADE NO JUDGEMENTS AS TO WHICH CAR IS SAFER. Replies to this message: denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 7:49 pm) michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:52 pm) denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 7:56 pm)
#7819 of 24700 Re: 0-60 times [michael_mattox] by denaliinpa Feb 20, 2005 (7:49 pm)
Replying to: michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:37 pm) michael, i couldn't find that information on the Lexus website. i'll go back and check again. the curtain airbag is different than a side air bag. is the air suspension an option or standard? Replies to this message: michael_mattox (Feb 20, 2005 7:52 pm) denaliinpa (Feb 20, 2005 7:56 pm)