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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 592 of 1609

#5911 of 16087 Re: Gas prices [lexus_jn] by msfitnetz

Sep 05, 2006 (4:05 am)

Replying to: lexus_jn (Sep 04, 2006 11:12 pm)
I test drove an 2006 audi A4 Quattro just to see the difference. nice car , yes you kind of get more for your money and does seem roomier. But I had test driven a 2003 330xi before and loved that better the handlign was soooo much nicer.
I plan to stick with my first instinct and get a BMW. Although I could go for an Audi with its great incentives, The BMW although a bit smaller ( 2003 to 2005 models I am looking at)the drive was just like I had a glove on and made to be in that seat.
I haven't driven the Acura, Lexus, Mercedes or Infiniti ( I didn't like the style of g35)so I might still be biased. IMHO
 

#5912 of 16087 Re: Gas prices [lexus_jn] by kdshapiro

Sep 05, 2006 (4:37 am)

Replying to: lexus_jn (Sep 04, 2006 11:12 pm)
"In my opinion, when it comes to interior design and comfort...BMW is not even ranked in the top 5 (Mercedes, Lexus, Audi, Acura, Infiniti)."
 
I agree if you want to sit in the car with the ignitition off. But if you actually have to drive the car, BMW has one of the best interiors, that actually contribute to the drivers experience, instead of detract.

#5913 of 16087 Re: Gas prices [lexus_jn] by maxidrive

Sep 05, 2006 (5:13 am)

Replying to: lexus_jn (Sep 04, 2006 10:58 pm)
"In my book, the car is considered as "lousy" when it has more problems and than its competitors. In that sense, don't you think BMW 3-series suites the definition?"
 
I'd add Infinity to my book, lousy quality! Plus awful looks, IMHO!

#5914 of 16087 Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 by jrock65

Sep 05, 2006 (9:03 am)

"Power is far more than ample both on the road and on the racetrack, where the G35 Sport felt more at home than did either the 330i or the IS provided for comparison. One clear advantage for the G35 over the BMW or the Lexus was found in Lime Rock’s first turn, a long sweeper called Big Bend. Where the Lexus felt soft and floppy, like a bigger luxury sedan, and the BMW declined to take a set and instead leaned over, released, and leaned again, the G35 buckled down and hustled through, assisted on exit by the Sport model’s standard viscous limited-slip differential.
 
Track-day drivers take note: Another on-track advantage was on the backside, No Name Straight, where both the German and Japanese competition found their six-speed automatics shifting up just when you didn’t want that, mere feet before the liftoff point. The Infiniti’s five-speed automatic may just have better gearing for the course, but its manual mode allows the driver to hold a gear right up to the rev limiter, not trying to out-think the driver.
 
This is appreciated, too, on the open road. We’d still prefer the manual transmission (though one we drove had a pronounced gear whine in the lower rpm ranges), but Infiniti’s is an automatic that an enthusiast can live with."
 
http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060904/FREE/60824005/1004

#5915 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [jrock65] by habitat1

Sep 05, 2006 (10:48 am)

Replying to: jrock65 (Sep 05, 2006 9:03 am)
"...but Infiniti’s is an automatic that an enthusiast can live with."
 
Not this enthusiast. What is this BS, taking a bunch of automatic transmissioned cars to a track. If Lexus can't pony up a manual transmission for the IS350, that's their fault. No need to drop the other makes to that lowest common denominator.
 
Good thing Autoweek doesn't rate golf courses. They'd probably play Augusta National from the ladies tees.

#5916 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [habitat1] by blueguydotcom

Sep 05, 2006 (11:47 am)

Replying to: habitat1 (Sep 05, 2006 10:48 am)
I thought the same. What the hell were they doing tracking automatics?

#5917 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [blueguydotcom] by louiswei

Sep 05, 2006 (11:58 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Sep 05, 2006 11:47 am)
What the hell were they doing tracking automatics?
 
Because at least 75% of the buyers in this segment are automatic buyers. Face it, that's the majority. Call them poseur or whatever but the reality is there are at least 3 of them to each of the so call "enthusiast". The car makers know it and the press knows it as well.
 
At the end, it's about who is the most profitable and not so much about "ultimate driving machine", "The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection", and "Accelerating the Future"

#5918 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [louiswei] by blueguydotcom

Sep 05, 2006 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (Sep 05, 2006 11:58 am)
 Seems worthless to write a review of a tracked automatic as most automatics will never even sniff a track (DSG and SMGs excepted).

#5919 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [blueguydotcom] by louiswei

Sep 05, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Sep 05, 2006 12:03 pm)
most automatics will never even sniff a track (DSG and SMGs excepted).
 
It doesn't matter, just like you said, there are a lot poseurs out there. They'll like to think their automatic 3er is the "ultimate driving machine". If they like what they see from the tracking comparo they'll go out and buy it. It's good publicity for BMW, Infiniti, Lexus and etc...
 
I wonder how many manual 3-series and G35 have ever been on a track?

#5920 of 16087 Re: Autoweek Test: 2007 G35 [louiswei] by habitat1

Sep 05, 2006 (2:35 pm)

Replying to: louiswei (Sep 05, 2006 12:10 pm)
"I wonder how many manual 3-series and G35 have ever been on a track?"
 
A hell of a lot more than automatics, I'm sure. The one time I went with a friend to Fridays at the Track at Summit Point Raceway, I didn't see a single automatic, and only a handful of SMG's.
 
Just because the majority of purchasers are not enthusiasts and buy automatics, doesn't justify a so-called "enthusiast" oriented magazine test of the ultimate track slushbox. What's next, loading up mini-vans with soccer moms and screaming kids to see who can do the fastest lap?

Messages Page 592 of 1609

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