Ask the Car People.SM


Luxury Performance Sedans

10338 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 3:12 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan

Messages Page 151 of 1034

#1499 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [hpowders] by markcincinnati

Apr 03, 2005 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Apr 03, 2005 11:33 am)
Until money is no object, I find C&D's inclusion based on price quite valid indeed.
 
My 2001 A6 4.2 sport cost within a few dollars the same as my friend's 2001 BMW 530 (they were both right at $50K MSRP). Why NOT evaluate the cars based on the cost as "A" factor.
 
Why not, then, evaluate the cars based on all RWD or AWD or FWD or the color blue?
 
MSRP seems to be at least a somewhat reasonable approach to evaluation.
 
OK, so C&D viloates this with the comparo of the new Corvette to a Porsche -- the Porsche was $10's of thousands more -- and, um, the Corvette was chosen.
 
How about this: test them price considered and price not considered. Of course then you would have people yowling when a BMW 3 or Audi A4 was tested head to head with the Pontiac G6, based on some other criteria like overall length or wheelbase.
 
The $55K comparo was amazing to me in that Audi did not finish in the top three -- and was beaten by a Mercedes E class -- but my bias is showing.
 
What you can bring to market for reasonably close dollars in your stated class is relevant, at least it is to me.

#1500 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [markcincinnati] by kdshapiro

Apr 03, 2005 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Apr 03, 2005 3:41 pm)
OK, so C&D viloates this with the comparo of the new Corvette to a Porsche -- the Porsche was $10's of thousands more -- and, um, the Corvette was chosen
 
Did you see the same comparo in the competitors magazine? Bottom line: "The Porsche got the nod."
 
Until these comparos have the same value system as I do, they are useless to me in guding me regarding car purchases. The only value they have is bragging rights, using the paper to start the wood fireplace and having the readers reviewing the reviewers.

#1501 of 10338 Re: hpowders [lexusguy] by hpowders

Apr 03, 2005 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: lexusguy (Apr 03, 2005 1:48 pm)
I am waiting for the day that an auto rag has a direct comparison between the M45 sport and the 545 and proclaims the M45 the winner solely on performance. Money is usually no object to them when superior performance is in play. I don't know how many times I have read comparos when BMW was the winner and the price premium was always worth it to the auto rag reviewers.
I am not knocking the M45. I drove one already and feel it is a fantastic value but when I got back in my BMW, I could feel the difference.

#1502 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [patrick3] by hpowders

Apr 03, 2005 (5:47 pm)

Replying to: patrick3 (Apr 03, 2005 12:34 pm)
M35:530=M45:545. Yup. The M35 whupped the 530i in the MotorTrend comparo.
So why doesn't any auto rag step up to the plate and compare the M45 sport to the 545? That's the next logical progression.
C&D's comparo involving an M45 sport and a lame V-6 530i was, well, lame.
Let CR deal with value. Auto rags are supposed to deal with pure performance.
The M45 sport should have been compared to the 545.
 
Come on Motortrend, Road and Track,etc; Performance test an M45 sport vs. a 545, comparably equipped. And don't get the active steering on the BMW(since the M45 doesn't have it) and then spend half the review criticizing the steering.

#1503 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [kdshapiro] by warthog

Apr 03, 2005 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Apr 03, 2005 4:29 pm)
Comparos are never going to "have the same value system as [you] do" except by random chance. Read the objective reporting and draw your own conclusions using your value system. Or just go drive the cars and draw your own conclusions. I know I'm not telling you anything new--you just want to bash the mags which, after all, have to draw some sort of "conclusion" to satisfy their readership, many of whom want to be told what to buy (or, more likely, what to lust after since they can't afford to buy).

#1504 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [syswei] by jrock65

Apr 03, 2005 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Apr 03, 2005 11:14 am)
"Automobile mag has a sport sedan comparo in their May issue, and the top 3 were, in order, 1. A6 4.2, 2. GS430, 3. E500....ahead of the M45 and 545i."
 
What were the rankings for the rest of the cars? Any other details?
 
Thanks much.

#1505 of 10338 Re: $55K Sport Luxury Comparision [jrock65] by syswei

Apr 03, 2005 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: jrock65 (Apr 03, 2005 7:29 pm)
Sorry, I no longer keep hardcopy mags after going through them...maybe someone else can provide more detail, or try your library if you're not a subscriber. I do recall that the 545i they tested was without the sport package. They also said about the GS something to the effect that it was the easiest to drive fast (and I think they meant not just in a straight line) in part due to its low weight.

#1506 of 10338 Trends by hpowders

Apr 03, 2005 (7:51 pm)

If the M45 won the Automobile mag. comparo, that would add to the overwhelming evidence in favor of this car's superiority. Since it came in at least fourth, it looks like one would have to drive each car and see which one you like best. That's what I'm doing anyway.
I already drove the GS 430 and the M45 sport. I wouldn't buy either one of them for various reasons. This Friday I drive the 545. The A6 and E500 don't interest me.
I am also very much looking forward to driving the new 330i in a few weeks.

#1507 of 10338 Re: Trends [hpowders] by sacguy

Apr 03, 2005 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: hpowders (Apr 03, 2005 7:51 pm)
"I already drove the GS 430 and the M45 sport. I would not buy either one of them for various reasons"
 
That's not fair .......can you tell us about your expereinces and why you would not buy either car?

#1508 of 10338 Re: Trends [sacguy] by hpowders

Apr 03, 2005 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: sacguy (Apr 03, 2005 8:18 pm)
I am 6'2" and my left leg was resting uncomfortably against the door in the GS430. I didn't find the driver's seat to be all that comfortable either. The room inside this car seemed to be more like a BMW 3 series-in other words-not too generous. I thought the sunroof opening was real skimpy for an expensive vehicle. The trunk had to be seen to be believed. I've never seen one so narrow.
It did accelerate great, the suspension was fine, the steering was very well-weighted.
The M45 sport had a more comfortable driver's seat but I could not find a comfortable place to rest my left foot. I didn't care for the engine noise when accelerating. I don't want to feel like I'm in a race car. This would prove annoying over time. The right and left turn indicators are very noisy-I never heard any that loud before. I also felt too high up-must be the big wheels.
I was more satisfied with the M45 than the GS430. The trunk was normal, the sunroof was very generous in its opening. The acceleration was fantastic, the steering was very tight, the suspension was a little jolting at times but basically fine. I enjoyed coming out of a sharp turn and immediately returning to straight-line motion-a very stable car. This is more of a driver's car than the GS 430.
For the money, I have to say, the M45 sport is a fine car. It just doesn't suit me for the above reasons. I can see you or others being perfectly happy with it.
There are 2 times when I wish I was 5'10"- one of those times is when I am car-shopping and the other is when I am flying coach.

Messages Page 151 of 1034

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement