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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

16088 messages,  Last post on May 25, 2013 at 3:44 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

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 1148 of 1610

#11462 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [billyperks2] by jimbres

Sep 17, 2010 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: billyperks2 (Sep 17, 2010 9:00 am)
I have an '01 BMW 330i that I bought new in June of that year. Since the factory warranty ran out, in June 2005, I've spent a grand total of $1200 on unscheduled repairs. (Most of that went toward replacing a control arm, after I drove into the biggest pothole on the East Coast. Can't really blame that on the car.)
 
That works out to a little over $19 per month, or about 60 cents per day. I spend more than that on coffee.
 
You'll find that the 3-series is a very reliable car, particularly when it's equipped according to God's wishes - with a stick.

#11463 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [bimmer4me] by billyperks2

Sep 17, 2010 (12:30 pm)

Replying to: bimmer4me (Sep 17, 2010 9:17 am)
Agree.

#11464 of 16088 Making blanket statements by nyccarguy

Sep 17, 2010 (1:33 pm)

About BMWs being unreliable and expensive to fix/maintain is just plain absurd. Not every car is perfect. For heaven's sake, my brother in law's Civic just had to have the engine replaced after it overheated, oil started gushing out from underneath it, and ceased (he's fanatical about preventitive maintenance). Should he go into the Civic forum here on edmunds and say how unreliable they are.
 
Yes, Acura gives you more bang for the buck if you are a tech guy. But the TSX is cheaper because it is built on a FWD Honda Accord chassis. A 3 series is built on a dedicated RWD platform which is more expensive to build & design.
 
Yes some people buy BMWs, MBs, Audis, Lexuses, Infinitis, Acuras... for the badges, but there are many who do drive them because there is a noticable difference in the steering, the brakes, the handling, the responsiveness.

#11465 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [tlong] by smarty666

Sep 17, 2010 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: tlong (Sep 17, 2010 11:43 am)
I wasn't trying to make it out that prestige was the only reason but in regards to BMW and MB, when they are similarly equipped/packaged to their Acura, Infiniti, or even Audi counterparts are chosen a lot for the prestige factor for those thousands of dollars extra. For many, its not the only reason as you pointed out. For BMW, it could be for a combo of prestige and sport performance/dynamics as to why they chose their vehicle or say for a MB it could be a combo of prestige and luxury comfort.
 
Personally, Audi to me, has sales similar still to Acura and Infiniti in quantity but even Audi is different from MB and BMW in that like the japanese, they have nicely priced trim levels that include a whole bunch of features so that you don't have to get really expensive option packages or pay extra for each luxury feature you want. But then again, you have the reliability factor with them so your right that there a huge set of factors, prestige being just one of them, to consider with each luxury automaker.
 
I've found out recently over the years, customer service at the dealership and headquarter levels is coming into a sales factor for me because some of the companies are terrible where as others are great.

#11466 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [smarty666] by sweendogy

Sep 17, 2010 (5:51 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Sep 17, 2010 3:47 pm)
From the sales numbers it doesn't look like many people are buying acuras at all- regardless of prestige factor you speak of. I think for 75% of these cars (in this chat) bought new are traded in within 5 years so I think the reliability factor should be discounted-unless you are looking at used. Most come with 4yr earrantee. Most keep value well regardless of reliability in this group.
I think if your looking to spend 40k on a car - you should compare what 40k buys you. A 40k BMW 335 is not going to give you the same options as a TL but will give you better performance. It's all what your looking for - performance or convenience.
On a side note I think audi a4's are way overpriced for size and performance.

#11467 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [jimbres] by roadburner

Sep 17, 2010 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: jimbres (Sep 17, 2010 12:09 pm)
That works out to a little over $19 per month, or about 60 cents per day. I spend more than that on coffee.
 
My 1995 3 Series has 121,000 miles on it and the cost of scheduled maintenance and repairs(including four sets of summer/track rubber) averages a bit under 5 cents per mile. As for my wife's 2004 X3 2.5, at 101,000 miles the sole unscheduled repair has been a bad passenger SRS sensor- which was replaced under warranty. Maintenance costs are again averaging 5 cents per mile, and that takes into account the fact that I change the oil and filter twice as often as the SI system calls for. I better be looking for a good Chapter 7 attorney...
In contrast, my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 has 64,000 miles on it and it has needed a
LF strut, a turbocharger, and a VVT Actuator- all before it hit 50,000 miles.

#11468 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [sweendogy] by smarty666

Sep 18, 2010 (11:45 am)

Replying to: sweendogy (Sep 17, 2010 5:51 pm)
agree sween with most, but I was only talking about the prestige factor in regards to BMW, MB, and Lexus, not Acura. Your right, Acura sales have been pretty disappointing. If they didn't have the MDX or TSX they would be in really bad shape. Now that we know they are keeping the RL, they need to focus on that and do a complete overhaul on the thing. Its killing them right now.

#11469 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [smarty666] by xeye

Sep 18, 2010 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Sep 18, 2010 11:45 am)
I drive a 2011 335i xDrive, traded in from a 2007 335xi. When I press on the accelerator, never mind stomp on it, it blows by, as if it was glued to the rails, by any Acura. I test drove both, and the performance, warranty and post-purchase feeling of complete peace leaves me with absolutely no regrets. I had really thought about driving the Super Handling what's-it-called, but the AWD handling of the xDrive is so good that it's not worth it.
 
Acura is good, but whether the marque will endure with serious enthusiasts is debatable.

#11470 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [xeye] by fedlawman

Sep 18, 2010 (7:36 pm)

Replying to: xeye (Sep 18, 2010 4:50 pm)
Wait. Are you saying you didn't drive the TL SH-AWD?

#11471 of 16088 Re: spy shots of 2012 TL [xeye] by billyperks2

Sep 20, 2010 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: xeye (Sep 18, 2010 4:50 pm)
Even an Acura NSX- wake up and smell the coffee before you start generalizing.

Messages Page 1148 of 1610

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