High End Luxury Cars

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

You are in the Sedans Forum.

Your Hosts are kirstie_h & 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.

#895 of 24723 ljflx by merc1

Mar 19, 2001 (12:23 am)

Never say never, you're right.......I just might one day drive an LS430 myself just to see what all the hoopla is about it. I haven't driven the LS since 1998. The last Lexus I drove was the IS300 last summer. Nope not Mercury. Merc is short for Mercedes of course.

xjs5,

That probably as good as it's going to get for an S8. The Audi dealer here can't keep them, but the regular short wheelbase A8 is being heavily discounted.

M

#896 of 24723 Benz "quality" by flint350

Mar 19, 2001 (8:12 am)

bigrichz, ljflx - as if you needed further ammo in your decision making, the S Class board is currently discussing the alarming drop in Benz quality as described in a GERMAN magazine. (the link, if interested: http://mbspy.bacosys.be/mbquality.htm) The headline to the article (with photos to match) says: "The star does not shine anymore. Mercedes, once synonym for top-quality slides into mediocrity with negligent finish"
So this is what you get for that extra $18k! I knew there had to be something. (sorry Benz fans, I just couldn't resist - after all it's on your own board.)

#897 of 24723 merc1 by denniswade

Mar 19, 2001 (8:16 am)

believe it or not, you and I feel the same way about the LS -- or did, although not for all the same reasons. To me, the LS400 was like a very large, sweet-natured woman who also happened to be a helluva cook -- a great wife, but nothing you'd fantasize about, if you get my drift.

When I tested the LS430 and IS300, though, I was actually more impressed with the LS than I was the iS, simply because I expected less of it. The thing handled great, and the interior just made me drool. The styling is another story -- I still think it's ugly, especially the upright grille and goofy headlights. But if I wanted a large luxury car, it would definitely be on my short list.

#898 of 24723 by xjs5

Mar 19, 2001 (9:09 pm)

I want to see the mercedes link but it doesn't work on my computer. I want to see an expose
of Mercedes quality- maybe it will work.

merc1,
the days of 10,000 $ discounts on Audi are gone from what I can tell. ...anyone who has not bought an Audi recently might not be aware of
how expensive they have become.

Edmunds TMV for A8 is $59,249 (with no option).
It is not MSRP but it is $4,268. over invoice.
A6 2.8 are getting $2,000 and it goes up from there. The deals on Audis are when they
sit on dealer lots and become two model years old- there are a few you might find in a national search but the picture you're painting of "heavy discounts" is from two years ago- trust Edmunds TMV, unfortunately it's right.

I want to see the expose!

#899 of 24723 Mercedes quality... by pablo_l

Mar 19, 2001 (9:30 pm)

...which german magazine is that? The provided link actualy does not work.

#900 of 24723 denniswade by merc1

Mar 20, 2001 (12:09 am)

You're right on point with your descriptive notion of the LS430. Wow, I agree totally!

xjs5,

I know. Do you think they'll get to the status of Mercedes of at least trying to charge sticker price without blinking?

M

#901 of 24723 merc1 by xjs5

Mar 20, 2001 (3:46 am)

The other marque that gets MSRP is Saturn. Mercedes and Saturn, no I can't really figure that out.

The link sounds very interesting but it won't work for me.

#902 of 24723 by merc1

Mar 20, 2001 (4:55 am)

I truly feel that Saturn doesn't stick to that policy all the time either. I don't see why anyone would ever pay sticker for a Saturn. I think Saturn's days are numbered..

M

#903 of 24723 merc1 by ljflx

Mar 20, 2001 (4:58 am)

Are you agreeing with denniswade on his great wife comment about the LS400 or his great handling comment about the LS430? If it's the latter than we may have to make you lex1 because the LS 430 rivals or beats an S-class in many other areas.The great wife comment was made about the old model whereas you referred to the LS430 on your answer back.

dennis - youv'e got guts - If I make that type of comment and my wife reads it I'm sleeping in the car for the next month or so.

merc1 - I was appparently getting great discount on an A-8L here in NJ and the car was not on the lot. In December Audi was certainly still discounting heavily. They were even throwing in the ivory white color, 18" wheels and alcantra interior at a price barely above an LS430 that was over $10K cheaper in msrp and that was before I even started to negotiate price. What do you make of the article on MB? In all honesty the LS430 interior blows away the S-Class. I think the german auto mags are upset about that and the fact that the A-8L interior is also beautiful and of very high quality - certainly well above an S as well.

#904 of 24723 ljflx by merc1

Mar 20, 2001 (5:17 am)

Oh I didn't notice that. I was thinking LS430, it doesn't matter though, they're both non-lust cars for me. Are you sure he was talking about his wife? I don't *think* he was. The MB aritcle brings up some tough stuff for Mercedes. Yes their quality has gone down a noticeable degree. The little details is where Mercedes used to shine, but they're cutting back too much now. I still don't think the LS430' interior or the A8's interior "blows away" the interior of the S, but I do think they have a somewhat higher level of material quality, but certainly not "blow away". That is over stating it.

M

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