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

#10992 of 16087 Placed my order and got my confirmation #. . . . by markcincinnati

Apr 24, 2008 (8:45 am)

2009 A4 2.0 TFSI Sedan quattro tiptronic
 
Premium Plus
 
Phantom Black
 
Beige Leather
 
Wood Interior Trim
 
19" Sport Package
 
Navigation package with camera
 
Audi Drive select
 
Sun shades
 
Going from a 2005 A6 3.2 with all the options except sunshades and sport suspension. . .read the pre reports, checked out a 2008 A6 (seemed identical to mine save for back up camera and SLine trim bits) -- my first four cylinder in my own vehicle since my 1980 4000S.
 
Torque looks awesome, weight advantage of the 2.0 would seem a plus too. . .
 
Also a pearl black car is a new for me too.
 
 

#10993 of 16087 Re: Placed my order and got my confirmation #. . . . [markcincinnati] by kyfdx HOST

Apr 24, 2008 (11:46 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 24, 2008 8:45 am)
Congratulations!!
 
I'm surprised you didn't go for the 6-cylinder...

#10994 of 16087 09 A4 Re: Placed my order and got my confirmation #. . . . [markcincinnati] by rayainsw

Apr 24, 2008 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 24, 2008 8:45 am)
Have you (here or elsewhere ) written out your
thought process of elimination?
- Ray
Just curious...

#10995 of 16087 Hey Mark by nyccarguy

Apr 24, 2008 (8:51 pm)

Your wife's new X3 is a slushbox (as opposed to her '05 which was a 6-spped) and now you've ordered an A4 with a slushbox? You feelin' OK?
 
Congrats & best of luck to you!

#10996 of 16087 Re: Placed my order and got my confirmation #. . . . [kyfdx] by markcincinnati

Apr 26, 2008 (9:31 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Apr 24, 2008 11:46 am)
Why pay $5,300 MORE for a car that has a heavier front end, takes more gasoline to propel it and has 15 ft lbs less torque -- and that the torque it does have comes on at thousands of rpm's higher?
 
I had an allroad 2.7T and I had also had three Audi cars with the 4.2 V8 (one A8 and two A6's) -- so when it came time to order the allroad, I test drove another sort of similar car, an A6 2.7T.
 
Torque rules.
 
And in the example above, the V8 had 295 ft pounds of torque vs the V6's 258 ft pounds, yet the V6 was quicker because the torque came on (in the V6) at below 2,000 RPMs and the V8 didn't come up to full boil until north of 3500 RPMs.
 
In this case, the new 2.0TFSI has 258 ft pounds, below 2000 rpms and the 3.2FSI has 243 at north of 3200 rpms -- this is a no brainer.
 
The V6 IMHO is for the consumer who wants to talk about the 265HP V6 (despite its lower torque.)
 
Had Audi offered the engine competing with the BMW 335 i6 turbo, well, that might have been a horse(power) of a different color.
 
I believe the A4 2.0T will be the car of choice for about 10-12 months in the A4 family; the V6 being offered solely for marketing reasons ("wouldn't do," to have this car without a V6 in the brochure, kind of thing.)
 
I may, but I doubt it, regret this decision. But the handling, mileage and performance of the 2.0TFSI should be superior in Cincinnati OH (where it will see most of its duty.) It will easily top any speed limit we have in these parts (just as easily as the V6) and its quickness, for a while at least, will be unequaled -- at least until the supercharged V6 comes out in a year or so.
 
Another A6 3.2 certainly was an option -- but the new A4 will have a 110+" wheel base, the A6 is 111+" -- the balance, RWD biased quattro, sport package and other amenities and luxuries in the premium plus package makes the A4 2.0TFSI a "better" choice for someone who wants CTS style luxury (at least) and very BMW like performance and handling -- in a handsome package.
 
Rationalization?
 
Perhaps -- but there are just too many head to head (A4 vs A6) test reports and reviews of this new A4 to make me wonder "who in their right mind would pay MORE for less?" -- and that seems to make the case in favor of the A4 (B8) 2.0T with "all the option boxes ticked off -- except ACC."
 
So, we'll see how much under $50K this comes out to be -- and hopefully I will not regret not going with my second choice: the new Infiniti G37X 4 door sedan.
 
FWIW, my dealer says this car should be comparable in MSRP to the outgoing model + about $2,000 for the Audi Drive Select and a "few hundred" more for the addition of a backup camera.
 
Time will tell -- and I WILL share the good, the bad and the expensive with y'all.
 
 

#10997 of 16087 Re: Hey Mark [nyccarguy] by markcincinnati

Apr 26, 2008 (9:50 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 24, 2008 8:51 pm)
My wife recently took a job in the CBD of Cincinnati -- seemed difficult for her ever get out of third gear -- just no fun with the stick (for her.)
 
I virtually hated my automatic (5 speed tiptronic) transmissions in my previous Audis -- love the automatic in my 2005 A6 3.2. I drive some 15+ miles to work most of it on I275/I71 in Cincinnati. When I am in any "fun place" to drive the stick, the traffic is often all tangled up.
 
With automatics THIS good -- I rarely miss the sticks.
 
I did test drive a new S5 -- wheeeeeeeee -- now THAT was a blast. But truth be told, the same pain in the butt traffic issues would apply even with that one.
 
I have officially joined the ranks of those who, while I did not kill the stick shift, certainly are preventing its resurection. To those of you who won't go shiftless, I apologize -- I am keenly aware of your pain (past tense.)
 
I would have loved a 7speed DSG even more, I'm sure -- just not avail this time.
 
Also not this time, torque vectoring, which I would have PAID extra for.

#10998 of 16087 Re: Hey Mark [markcincinnati] by bmlexus

Apr 27, 2008 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 26, 2008 9:50 am)
I did test drive a new S5 -- wheeeeeeeee -- now THAT was a blast. But truth be told, the same pain in the butt traffic issues would apply even with that one.
 
I have to say the world is getting smaller a car like the S5 with such power but where to drive when u will be stuck in traffic
 
Congrats on your new car. I want to get a car I really like the A4 but I am more interested to get an SUV I like the Q5 but I wish audi would consider yet bringing another SUV perhaps a Q6 in the near future, My friend he is interested to get the A4 but he has a big problem his decisioncan changes within a second !!!

#10999 of 16087 Re: Hey Mark [bmlexus] by ivan_99

Apr 27, 2008 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: bmlexus (Apr 27, 2008 12:33 pm)
S5...but where to drive when u will be stuck in traffic
 
I took out an A5 Sline and S5 after work during rush hour...I was able to find enough room to get up to speed; the S5 doesn't need much room.
 
BTW...love the Audi (Delphi) magneto (wasn't he in Spiderman...or XMen) suspension.

#11000 of 16087 What bargain 15K leases for May? by jaxs1

Apr 27, 2008 (5:07 pm)

If I'm open to look at a lot of different brands, which near luxury sedans have the hottest lease deals for a 15K per mile lease?
I'm open to 2 or 3 year leases, but assume 3 year leases will have much lower payments, so I would more likely do a 45K 3 year mile lease than a 30K 2 year mile lease.
 
I'm looking for the lowest combination of total costs (lease payments + maintenance and wear etc.). For instance I know BMWs include free scheduled maintenance, but many cars with "Sport" packages and 18" performance tires can cost thousands extra in 3 years due to tires that don't last long and are ultra expensive to replace.
 
If I were to lease one of these vehicles, I would want automatic transmission, premium package with heated leather seats and moonroof, bluetooth. Must not have low treadlife 18"+ sport performance tires. Factory nav would be a plus if any would still fit the price range even with nav.
 
Can less than $450 before tax be done with $0 cap reduction on any of these cars with that equipment based on realistically available discounts in California?
 
328i, G35 sedan, C300 Luxury, TL, TSX, ES350, are some that I'd like to consider.

#11001 of 16087 Re: Placed my order and got my confirmation #. . . . [markcincinnati] by bruceomega

Apr 28, 2008 (1:47 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 26, 2008 9:31 am)
..... and hopefully I will not regret not going with my second choice: the new Infiniti G37X 4 door sedan .....
 
Mark,
 
Has a G37 sedan been anounced?
 
Thanks
Bruce
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