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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16087 messages,  Last post on May 09, 2013 at 9:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37, Acura TL, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Cadillac CTS, Volvo S60, Audi A4, Acura TSX, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1020 of 1609

#10190 of 16087 Talk to you 2-3 years by snakesndafield

Aug 09, 2007 (8:35 am)

Thanks to all that post. I really milked my new car search this time around and lurking on these boards has been fun. Was replacing my 2002 Acura TL which had been a trusty and loyal steed. Drove all the cars discussed here and then some. Chicago, so it had to be front or all wheel drive and I'm sick of front wheel drive, so that ruled out Acura again. Would have gotten the G35, but I just couldn't pull the trigger on the one car on the market that doesn't make even the tiniest effort towards green efficiency. Everything about that car is engineered to go fast and nothing else. Other than that, I think it's the best ellps out there. Everything else was too small (I tend to put a coupla shorties in the back seat about twice a week) except maybe the A4, which I liked but it's dated and I didn't want to wait for the new one so that left me one option; a pre-owned luxury performace sedan. Got a great deal on an 2006 Audi A6, low miles, loaded s-line for $38.5k. I'm so happy with it that I'm retiring from car shopping for a while. Good luck and have fun.

#10191 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [snakesndafield] by shipo

Aug 09, 2007 (11:18 am)

Replying to: snakesndafield (Aug 09, 2007 8:35 am)
"Chicago, so it had to be front or all wheel drive..."
 
A bizarre and controversial statement to say the very least. I lived in Chicago (both downtown and in the 'burbs) for thirteen years and can say with absolute confidence that there is absolutely no reason on earth why someone would need FWD or AWD to deal with the weather. Said another way, any decent RWD car on the roads these days will negotiate Chicago weather these days as well as (if not better) than your two self described options.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#10192 of 16087 Re: Are most people here fastidious? [scottm123] by esfoad

Aug 09, 2007 (11:59 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Aug 08, 2007 2:31 pm)
"My daughter loves taking rides in my car.
I should put some leather conditioner on the bottom of her socks.
She loves putting her feet on the seat... hence the no shoe rule... so I could get some cleaning done at the same time."
LOL!

#10193 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [shipo] by bruceomega

Aug 09, 2007 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Aug 09, 2007 11:18 am)
Shipo,
 
Regarding
"any decent RWD car on the roads these days will negotiate Chicago weather these days as well as (if not better) than your two self described options"
 
where the two options are FWD and AWD. Disregarding FWD, did you mean to say for a RWD with winter tires as compared to AWD with all-season tires?
 
If you had identical tires on both the RWD and AWD, I would think RWD would not be as good for traction in snow or ice, although that doesn't mean RWD won't be able to do the job.
 
Thanks
Bruce

#10194 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [bruceomega] by shipo

Aug 09, 2007 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: bruceomega (Aug 09, 2007 1:54 pm)
Basically I meant that any late model RWD car (i.e. equipped with traction control) that isn't shod with summer rubber should be more than capable of handling Chicagoland roads in winter weather. The fact is that Chicago and its surrounding areas are faaa-lat, and don't need the extra traction afforded by AWD or even winter tires for that matter. That said, if I was to move back to Chicago and have a RWD car, I'd most certainly buy a set of winter rubber for it.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#10195 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [shipo] by bruceomega

Aug 09, 2007 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Aug 09, 2007 2:47 pm)
Shipo,
 
Thanks for the explanation. I was misreading your post.
 
Bruce

#10196 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [shipo] by scottm123

Aug 10, 2007 (5:16 am)

Replying to: shipo (Aug 09, 2007 2:47 pm)
I agree.
I have family in Chicago and just got back from a road trip to go visit them.
Your roads are all flat and straight, and the road names all make sense.
All are numbered to let you know how far out your are (from Michigan Ave?).
If I lived in Chicago, it'd be RWD for me as well.
 
Living where I do in MA, I have a super steep driveway, live on top of Mt Everest, and drive 50 miles though horrible back roads which are plowed when the town feels like it.
I also have to deal with the dreaded Mass Pike, which in itself is not a bad road, but it seems to attract the most stupid of drivers.
For that reason, I opted for AWD.
I see RWD cars getting stuck at red lights and stuff all the time.
 
And yes, I also see 4WD SUVs in the woods and off the roads.
People have to realize that it doesn't make you invincible and learn how to drive.

#10197 of 16087 Re: Talk to you 2-3 years [scottm123] by circlew

Aug 10, 2007 (5:31 am)

Replying to: scottm123 (Aug 10, 2007 5:16 am)
I agree you need to use care with winter driving. So, with RWD, your chances are much better with real good snow tires.
 
In the mountains, AWD would just be a notch up on capability.
In Chicago, some of the snow events would likely favor AWD but I agree, it is not a have to have. In Buffalo, all bets are off! Nothing can help you in 2-3 feet of snow!
 
Regards,
OW

#10198 of 16087 Gas Mileage by jkstew1

Aug 10, 2007 (9:16 am)

What kind of gas mileage do you guys/gals get in city driving? What about highway driving? Has anyone used 89 octane in their vehicle?

#10199 of 16087 Re: Gas Mileage [jkstew1] by shipo

Aug 10, 2007 (11:51 am)

Replying to: jkstew1 (Aug 10, 2007 9:16 am)
Using 89 octane fuel in a BMW is a fool's economy. The fact is that while the engine will run perfectly well, it will not yield as much power nor deliver as much fuel economy. Said another way, while each individual tank of fuel will cost less, you'll be filling up more often and spending more money as a result.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

Messages Page 1020 of 1609

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