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Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

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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 669 of 1610

#6673 of 16091 Re: Well.. [plekto] by flash11

Nov 27, 2006 (10:52 am)

Replying to: plekto (Nov 27, 2006 12:04 am)
Hi Plekto.
Just went shopping this weekend. Went to a car mall (12 manufacturers side by side dealerships) I test drove every car on the list you said were the best entry level lux-perform. sedans for the money under $30K. Was not totally impressed with any model of BMW and Mercedes. I found they were extremely overpriced for what you got inside and out and I don't suggest to anyone on this forum to consider those makes unless you want to pay $5K to $10K more just to own the name. BMW and Mercedes ride was far less luxurious than I expected for the quality of car I was expecting to get at $30K (328xi, C230). You may be suprised at what I found...
The top 5 best bang for your buck Lux-Perform sedans under $30K range of cars when comparing 4 major factors equally-Perfamance-ie.acceleration, speed, suspension, braking, solidness at high speeds.
Luxury-was the interior comfortable,noisy?,pleasing to the eye,ergonomically designed, did it feel good.
Options given at the price(no one gets a stipper sorry !)
Price-the lower the price the better without sacrificing quality and included the salesmans attitude of willingness to deal and give good service after purchase.
Here is what I found:
#1 best choice- Lincoln MKZ-why, price was at $29K with several options thrown in, 3.5L V6 with 263 hp, beautiful car inside and out,utter ecstasy for the price, found the salesman willing to throw in extras and bargain,with speed and luxury that beats any entry level BMW or Mercedes in its price range. Sorry BMW and Mercedes !
 
#2 best choice-2007 Ford Fusion-their top midsized sedan was surprisingly luxurious,fully loaded with beautiful leather (liked the stitching) and had every option imaginable, and has a 240 hp engine for the price $27K. Speed, acceleration and handling were very nice. The salesman was willing to go lower in price and bargained for service 6 year extended bumper to bumper warantee. My only complaint was that I did not like the way the grille looked.
#3-Volvo S60 R-test drove a 2 year old-fully loaded-with orange colored luxurious leather-not many options inside but it handled nicely at higher speeds, the salesman was willing to bargain and my impression is Volvo is a good buy for the price-$29K bargaining price on a 2 y.o.
 
#4-Infinity G35-1 y.o. with few options, beautiful car but found out people are rushing to trade in their G35's for other cars-so is this a car that looks good but does not meet up to the drivers expectations after several months of use ?? Found it hard to bargain the price down without sacrificing options $29K.
 
#5-2007 Sebring Limited 3.5L-$29K fully loaded every option available, this car has 235hp,Westgate Chrysler in Indianapolis just got its first one this weekend, handled very well for the price, sporty and luxurious leather interior and nice touch screen navigation/satelite radio entertainment center. Really liked this car.

#6674 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [kdshapiro] by qbrozen

Nov 27, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 26, 2006 7:13 am)
The guildeline seems to be the manufacturer builds luxury cars, ultra-luxury and exotics are excluded. The high-end sedan S80 does not compete with high-end offerings from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus although, you could argue it competes with the RL and the M45. Having said that you can compare the options of the S80 with the RL and M45. For 300 hp it's a lot more expensive than then 335, which is not a luxury vehicle. If the S80 is included in the group, it is the most expensive vehicle here and the top of the line for Volvo, while these other cars are the bottom of the line for the other manufacturers.
  
I don't think anyone will seriously compare the S80 against the 550, at least in terms of performance. Maybe the S80 compares against the new 2008 600hp CTSV?
 
I'm not sure I'm totally clear on this.
 
Are you comparing the S80 to the 550 just because it has a V8? The 550 is FAR more expensive. Pricewise, the S80 compares closely to the RL.
 
And, just as you say the S80 is the highest in the volvo lineup, so is the RL for Acura and M45 for Infiniti. So, again, if those manufacturers are in the entry-luxo class, than so must volvo be included. If we exclude one, then we must exclude all.

#6675 of 16091 Re: Well.. [flash11] by blueguydotcom

Nov 27, 2006 (11:16 am)

Replying to: flash11 (Nov 27, 2006 10:52 am)
Somebody likes FWD cars...

#6676 of 16091 My girlfriend has a Volvo S80 by blueguydotcom

Nov 27, 2006 (11:23 am)

It's a boat. It's falling apart after only 4 years, it handles like garbage and the interior's barely above an Accord EX. She may have leather and navi but in the end it's still a poorly made car that drives like a buick and makes all manner of horrid noises.
 
Sorry Volvo, like Saab, belongs on another list: Also Sold. Brands that sell for a lot money but really aren't in any way Entry Level Luxury Performance sedans.
 
You're not going to press a 3 or G hard, then hop in a Volvo S anything and feel like it's comparable. Ditto a FWD Lincoln MKZ or saab. Sorry, it's just not happening. This is about enty Level Luxury Performance sedans. The Volvo, Lincoln and Saab lineup are in the company of the Lexus ES world, not the performance sedan world.

#6677 of 16091 Re: My girlfriend has a Volvo S80 [blueguydotcom] by qbrozen

Nov 27, 2006 (11:28 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Nov 27, 2006 11:23 am)
have you ever driven an S60R?

#6678 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [louiswei] by rockylee

Nov 27, 2006 (11:31 am)

Replying to: louiswei (Nov 27, 2006 7:58 am)
Well I have seen several photo's of both the LS and Audi A8, and have in fact read several tests and reviews on all of them. The LS, and A8, have a few features not found on the Volvo S80. However Volvo, has a few safety gadgets not found on either the LS or A8. The S80 also costs $30K less and has a way better interior than both the LS and A8. It just might be the best ever in my eyes. The engine advantage goes to Audi and Lexus. The exterior styling goes to Volvo also. The Lexus, as fintail would say is numb. The Audi A8, and Volvo S80's driving dynamics are a toss-up. The A8 has a more firm ride and the Volvo, has the 4-C's suspension which gives it a wide range. I guess we could call that a toss up ? So the question is this is the A8 and Lexus LS really worth $30K more than the Volvo S60. For me, no-way-Jose ! I guess for some the extra $30+K buys you status. However the Volvo, wins IMHO on style points and its benchmark safety.
 
Rocky

#6679 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [rockylee] by kdshapiro

Nov 27, 2006 (11:42 am)

Replying to: rockylee (Nov 27, 2006 11:31 am)
You might want to preface most of your post IMO. I've been in an S80 and I don't think it has anywhere near the interior of the A8 much less the outgoing LS.
 
As far as whether or not these cars are worth $30K more, the sales figures speak for themselves. People who buy these cars, don't blink twice about the price and Lexus, Audi and BMW sell cars at this price, because 1. there is a market, and 2. they can.
 
And I don't give a win to the ugly S80 on either style or safety. Volvo has been surpassed in recent years by every other manufacturer.
 
If you can't understand why people would want to pay the difference in price between the S80 and LS460, you might as well set your sights on an Elantra.

#6680 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [rockylee] by louiswei

Nov 27, 2006 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: rockylee (Nov 27, 2006 11:31 am)
The S80 also costs $30K less and has a way better interior than both the LS and
 
Do you mean the interior MATERIAL QUALITY or STYLE? If you meant the style then I'll say the beauty is in the eyes of the beholders. If you meant the quality then I'll say you'll probably have to double check your vision. By the way, pictures usually don't tell much about interior material quality. For example, most GM and Ford cars' interior looks pretty decent in picture but once sitting in the cabin then it's a POS.
 
The exterior styling goes to Volvo also
 
Again, it's in your opinion. In my opinion, the Accord coupe looks way better than the MB E-class but does it mean that the Accord is better than the E? I think you know the answer.
 
The Lexus, as fintail would say is numb
 
First of all, the LS is designed to be a boat on land. To be fair, you should compare the S80 with the GS. I could guarantee you that the GS is not not be any "number" than the S80.
 
The Audi A8, and Volvo S80's driving dynamics are a toss-up. The A8 has a more firm ride and the Volvo, has the 4-C's suspension which gives it a wide range
 
What do you based this statement on? Your personal experience or mag reviews? Have you driven both the A8 and S80 (or the new LS) before? If not, have you seen any comparo that features the S80, A8 and the LS?
 
The bottom line is that the S80 is NOT in the same class as the A8 and LS size-wise, feature-wise and luxuriously-wise.

#6681 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [kdshapiro] by louiswei

Nov 27, 2006 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 27, 2006 11:42 am)
People who buy these cars, don't blink twice about the price and Lexus
 
True. I think people whom buy those cars care more about the donuts, leather sofa and 50" plasma TVs in the waiting room more than the $30K difference between their car and a Volvo.

#6682 of 16091 Re: kdshapiro [kdshapiro] by rockylee

Nov 27, 2006 (12:45 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Nov 27, 2006 11:42 am)
kd, WHATEVER dude !!! The Volvo S80's interior is light years ahead in the styling department over the LS and audi A8. Audi's latest interiors actually look like they should be in a Elantra. Lexus, has always had nice interiors but they are the same old, same old look. Very conservative. Whoever designed the S80's interior should get the nobel prize for automotive art.
 
Rocky
 
P.S. The A8 and LS460 compared to the 07' S80 is like taking a extra $30K and flushing it straight down the toilet IMHO. I'm just glad your not spending my money.

Messages Page 669 of 1610

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