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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 1364 of 1609

#13631 of 16087 Sweendogy by nyccarguy

Apr 04, 2012 (11:43 am)

Just to elaborate on pricing a little bit. If BMW didn't have this crazy factory backed lease program + $2500 rebate + making the 1st 2 payments, I'm still driving the TSX. The BMW is expensive. My 328xi had an MSRP of just over $44,000. That also includes a whole heap of standard features and "no cost options" BMW put in the car because it was the end of the E90's run. For comparison, my Mom's (former) 2008 328xi had less equipment than my 2011 328xi yet had an MSRP of over $46,000.
 
When my lease is up, I'm going to have to make a decision. I'm obviously going to drive an F30 (4 cyl 3 series), but I think with similar equipment to my 2011 will be priced out of my league. The IS is going to be all new. The G37 is going to be all new. MB might get some sense knocked into it and offer the C350 with 4matic.
 
I might not like any of these and want to buy my 2011 back from BMW or buy a similar 2011 328xi CPO with 25,000 or 30,000 miles (instead of the 50K mine will have).

#13632 of 16087 Re: Sweendogy [nyccarguy] by sweendogy

Apr 04, 2012 (12:06 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 04, 2012 11:43 am)
Yeah man- I know and rooted for you to get a great deal on the search and you did. For the price you paid I think throws my cost agrument out the window- its a great deal on a well equipped car. Like you pointed out most are not going to get such a deal- I would bet the 2012 are going close to list because of the new body.
Landscape should change a bit and it's going to be interesting to see what happens with this new Caddy as well- looks like a power player on paper.

#13633 of 16087 Others mentioned by nyccarguy

Apr 04, 2012 (1:46 pm)

While I don't think other cars mentioned here should be officially added to the list here, there is no shame in discussing them. We've got a pretty steady following of regulars here and everyone's opinion is weighted equally. I know if flightnurse says the 300C is a nice driving car, he's not just talking about the fact that it has leather seats.
 
If when my lease is up, I can get into a G37 with 100 more horsepower for $100 a month less or $50 a month less on a lease, then I'd most certainly go for it. If MB offers up the serious "conquest cash" that they did last year for the C - Class and I can drive one for less than my current 328xi, I'll drive a Mercedes (C350 4matic).
 
In 30 months, I might not exclusively shop this ELLPS class either. I might dig the X1 or a CPO X3 with the N55... Who knows.
 
For now I LOVE MY BMW 328xi!

#13634 of 16087 Re: Others mentioned [nyccarguy] by sweendogy

Apr 04, 2012 (6:27 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Apr 04, 2012 1:46 pm)
I Agree that the 300c and the c300 should be mentioned, yes i agree with flight, even when he asks for my age but doesnt respond why he needs it,don't be shocked. I'm a firm believer that dealership experience means little certainly given the cars we talk about here - they should be low maintence and most are- sure some try to bait you with free maintence programs for free wipers and oil changes but most of these cars should not see the dealerships for more then a couple of oil changes for the first few years. I think the most important thing you can get from a dealer is a good deal on initial price. Flight has a point we should look further and this 300c could be a BMW competitor in the future- a value leader as he once said even thou it's classified as full size and cars to the right are midsize at best. I am not a firm believer that an 8 speed transmission means anything at all but the guy has his Performance views and I guess a strong 8 speed is one of them.
I think his statement has more value then others talking about m3s or Porsches that are clearly out off the category all together.

#13635 of 16087 Re: Others mentioned [sweendogy] by kdshapiro

Apr 04, 2012 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: sweendogy (Apr 04, 2012 6:27 pm)
Let's not forget that Edmunds is very topic oriented, am I'm not being the forum police here. Anybody is certainly free to go to the News And Views board and create the thread of their choice to discuss whatever is related to the auto world.
 
Don't forget all of these cars have some competition on almost every level and some marquees, e.g. Hyundai produces the genesis and equus, which some may say are luxury cars, but the dealerships don't pass the litmus test of a luxury dealership. Neither do Chrysler dealerships. Especially if one uses Lexus as the benchmark.
 
Maybe this particular thread has outlived it's usefulness due to the changed landscape of the auto world.

#13636 of 16087 Re: Others mentioned [kdshapiro] by graphicguy

Apr 05, 2012 (6:34 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 04, 2012 7:45 pm)
kd....outlived its usefulness? Not so certain about that. The names may have indeed changed. But, the market segment is still alive and vibrant (luxury sport sedans/coupes).
 
nyc....BMW does indeed discount their cars pretty heavily....especially with lease subsidies. I think I got $7K+ off on mine (including a hefty $2,500 rebate). You got almost as much off with the addition of favorable money factors and residuals.
 
This is not distressed merchandise. They are "best in class" vehicles.
 
That blunts things as far as making that financial commitment.
 
That said, if I was staring at a ~$50K '12 328i, with a 4 cyl, with little to no discount, I'd be moving down the road into something else, for certain.
 
I've tried to warm up to Mercedes a few times, both C and E class. I can not do it. For the life of me, I can't see the appeal....especially for the price. They don't do one thing that's better than the competition.
 
To add insult to injury, you can get a Chrysler 300C, which has a honkin' hemi, that rides and handles about the same as an E Class with a 6 cyl. And, it has better tech features. So, maybe the 300 does belong here.

#13637 of 16087 Re: Others mentioned [graphicguy] by wireless

Apr 05, 2012 (6:54 am)

Replying to: graphicguy (Apr 05, 2012 6:34 am)
"I've tried to warm up to Mercedes a few times, both C and E class. I can not do it. For the life of me, I can't see the appeal....especially for the price. They don't do one thing that's better than the competition."
 
I bought a '12 C350 in November. Drove other ELLPS's. The Benz was the clear winner. I'm a car enthusiast for many decades, read C&D, and know BMW's reputation. Was quite surprised how much I didn't like the BMW. Interior was bad, very bad, looks the same for the past 10 years. Driving was nothing special, the salesman encouraged us to drive very quickly around his route which included a traffic circle as well as interstate. Just didn't do it for us.
 
The MB handled much better and rode better and was better in every regard. We would have bought an A4 well before a BMW. It's really personal preference. We got the C350 for $43k out the door with 18's, keyless go, no NAV. Most features are standard on the 350 such as upgraded sound system.
 
I do like the way BMWs look. There are way too many on the road now - I see more of them than Accords. The interior and driving dynamics - not so much.

#13638 of 16087 Re: Others mentioned [wireless] by nyccarguy

Apr 05, 2012 (8:37 am)

Replying to: wireless (Apr 05, 2012 6:54 am)
Hello wireless! Welcome to the BMW 3 Series Rules The Universe, I mean Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedan board. Congrats on your C350. I'm glad you are enjoying it. It is a beautiful car. It's also got a ton of standard features. So much so that I don't know why anybody would consider a "loaded up" C250 because it gets to the same sticker price very easily.
 
Just curious as to where you live. In many of our necks of the woods here, we like to have our ELLPS fitted with some sort of AWD system. MB only offers the C300 w/ 4Matic AWD.
 
Which 3 series did you drive? Did you drive the C250 & C350?
 
Thanks for sharing about your C350.

#13639 of 16087 Is it just me, or has BMW by andres3

Apr 05, 2012 (1:50 pm)

been seeing and earning a lot of black dots lately.

#13640 of 16087 Re: Is it just me, or has BMW [andres3] by qbrozen

Apr 05, 2012 (1:52 pm)

Replying to: andres3 (Apr 05, 2012 1:50 pm)
What does that mean? Is that a CR thing?

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