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Luxury Performance Sedans

10339 messages,  Last post on May 30, 2013 at 3:26 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 281 of 1035

#2794 of 10339 Re: Mark A6 3.2 Tip - incoming . . [rayainsw] by markcincinnati

Jun 21, 2005 (8:07 am)

Replying to: rayainsw (Jun 21, 2005 6:27 am)
In any current car from any of the LPS companies (BMW ONLY excluded) the only choice is an auto.
 
I fully expect some "tip" lag from the Audi. I also expected it from the Infiniti.
 
This is different from saying I "like it" or I "want it" -- I do know how to somewhat to mostly mitigate it. I didn't want a BMW 5 series x or non-x. The US transmissions (as would be in the Cadillac STS AWD) might not have "tip" lag -- I would NOT be surprised if they too had the same issue.
 
An Audi S4 was my more distant third choice: #1 A6, #2 M35X and #3 S4.
 
My 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Audis all had 5 speed automatics and they all had lag.

#2795 of 10339 I apologize... by ribbonspeakers

Jun 21, 2005 (11:25 am)

For this being only slightly related to the subject cars. I'm doing a resto-mod on a '80 Chevrolet Malibu coupe. Compared to the earlier Malibus that are usually restored, this vintage is lighter (3350 lbs), smaller outside, & larger inside. It will have many performance, comfort & luxury upgrades including but not limited to Flofit bucket seats, similar in build & design to the better import brands. Drivetrain is a 385 hp/385 lb-ft emissions legal V8 & a 4-speed A/T operated via a B&M Pro Ratchet Shifter. The shifter offers regular operation like any automatic or positive manual selection of any gear. It is impossible to miss a gear when manually shifting because each time you hammer the shifter it simply moves up (forward) or down (rearward) to the next adjacent gear. Any manually selected gear is positively maintained till the next adjacent gear (or "D") is selected.
 
It's nice knowing my car will be just over 1/2 the cost of those reviewed here, could appreciate in value instead of depreciate, & will easily walk away from any of them up to well over the ton, where the Malibu's frontal area will minimize it's top speed. I am well aware of the safety & luxury advantages of the newer cars. The cost in taxes, registration & depreciation are also enormous.

#2796 of 10339 Re: I apologize... [ribbonspeakers] by tayl0rd

Jun 21, 2005 (11:38 am)

Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Jun 21, 2005 11:25 am)
I'm doing a resto-mod on a '80 Chevrolet Malibu coupe. ... It's nice knowing my car ...could appreciate in value instead of depreciate...
 
Come on. There's not much of anything from the 80s that's going to appreciate in value, no matter how well it's restored. And it's a Malibu, no less. The only domestic car (or any origin, for that matter) from the 80s that comes to mind for appreciating in value is an unmolested, unrestored, pristine Buick Regal Grand National, GNX, or T-Type. And quite possibly an '89 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA.

#2797 of 10339 M35 vs GS300 by msu79gt82

Jun 21, 2005 (1:30 pm)

Wow what a difference in markups Just used Edmunds to Price two comparable configurations available in my area and I'm shocked at the markup differences. The Lexus has double the markup ~ $8000 vs. $4000.
 
Lexus GS300 w/ ML Nav Package, Moonroof, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Parking Assist, Ventilated Seats, Spoiler, Power Rear SunShade = MSRP of $50,215 and Invoice of $42,542 (Note this config is the only way to get Nav thru Gulf States Toyota).
 
Infiniti M35 w/ Journey, Nav, and Full Size Spare = MSRP of $45,740 and Invoice of $41,795.
 
Nothing new here just a little ranting Any ideas on whose willing to deal the most in the Houston area??

#2798 of 10339 48 hours to go by markcincinnati

Jun 21, 2005 (1:36 pm)

The Audi A6 will be here in 48 hours or so -- for perhaps the obvious reasons this is probably the most anticipated new car I have ever had (and at 53, I've had a lot since that first 1961 VW beetle).
 
Tick tock.

#2799 of 10339 Re: I apologize... [tayl0rd] by ribbonspeakers

Jun 21, 2005 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: tayl0rd (Jun 21, 2005 11:38 am)
You are likely right. You could be wrong. You surely agree there is less chance of any of the three reviewed Japanese cars appreciating. If you can accurately predict the future you are the first mortal with that ability. I only said it could happen, not that I'm counting on it. This particular Bu is rare, believe it or not. It's so rare you've probably never heard of it. It's called an M80. Not too long ago Keith Martin himself sold a late '60s-early '70s Chrysler Hemi for $12k or thereabouts, happy to have doubled his investment. Ten years later this car sells for hundred of thousands. One of the world's best appraisers dramatically failed to predict the future appreciation of his own car. Are you a better appraiser than Keith Martin? If you had prior knowledge that mint OEM muscle cars would out-appreciate rare Ferraris you would have bought many of them. But you didn't, proving your lack of appraisal talent. Maybe the world of car nuts will later welcome restored cars of later vintages than the current crop. Previously second gen Camaros never appreciated. Now they do. I'm piling it on because of your tone. Don't lecture me because I'm going to list fact after fact to test your patience.
 
Your slight of the Malibu name displays some arrogance &/or naitivity. Documented Malibu sale prices are well into six digits. I know those are earlier vintages. I mention it only because of your slighting of the name.
 
I considered the GNX. Around here Regal G-bodies are lowrider favorites. I can't get past the lowrider association. Also it's far more difficult to restore a GNX, especially under the hood. I prefer a strong V8 over a smaller turbocharged V6. I prefer instant torque vs. turbo lag.
 
If appreciation was a primary goal I admit the Bu is a bad choice. Even though OEM trim has been ideal for appreciation in the past, currently the resto-mod cars are appreciating. People want drivers, & OEM is inferior in that regard. All of the cars mentioned by you & me are pretty awful in OEM trim.
 
For several good reasons the modified Malibu is perfect for me. I wanted a good daily driver. I fit far more comfortably in the Bu vs. any B-body. Finally, as a daily driver this modified Bu will blow away either of the cars you mentioned in OEM trim.

#2800 of 10339 Re: I apologize... [ribbonspeakers] by rich545

Jun 21, 2005 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Jun 21, 2005 1:45 pm)
Please, you know full well what your intentions were when you posted your original message. Something along the lines of, "Ha, ha, look at all of you luxury car buyers spending more than twice the money I did...blah, blah, blah." At the time I didn't realize you were only referring to the Japanese cars we've discussed here. Anyway, I doubt your Malibu would "blow away" the M45. Certainly around curves it would eat you for breakfast, and as you said, top speed is limited by the Malibu being about as aerodynamic as a cargo container. I'd sure love to see it blow away my car. I realize that the 545i has slightly less HP and torque, and weighs somewhat more, but do you really think the Malibu could beat 0-60 in 5.2 seconds? As mentioned earlier, when we hit the first curve the race would be over in any event. Anyway, since this is the Luxury Performance Sedan message board I don't really see how a 1980 Malibu has anything to do with it. I'm sure there are plenty of message boards dedicated to restored cars.

#2801 of 10339 Re: I apologize... [ribbonspeakers] by msu79gt82

Jun 21, 2005 (2:34 pm)

Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Jun 21, 2005 11:25 am)
For this being only slightly related to the subject cars. I'm doing a resto-mod on a '80 Chevrolet Malibu coupe.
 
Actually I see ZERO relationship to this thread's subject cars Good luck with your restore; I'm sure restoring old vehicles is a worthwhile and rewarding hobby. I sometimes long for another '74 Olds Cutlass Supreme - my first car But an '80 Malibu and my old Cutlass are not related to an LPS theme in any way whatsoever!!

#2802 of 10339 Re: I apologize... [ribbonspeakers] by pat

Jun 21, 2005 (3:43 pm)

Replying to: ribbonspeakers (Jun 21, 2005 1:45 pm)
Hi there - this discussion is the wrong place for your topic, and your confrontational tone with the participants here is not appropriate.
 
Good luck with your restore, but there isn't anything relevant to what you are doing that fits in with the subject of this discussion. I'm not sure if it can help you, but I think the best resource we have to offer to you is the new Speed Shop: Tuning & Modification board. Otherwise, the search features on the left side of the page will help you hunt down the Malibu discussions.
 
If you want to pursue this with me, feel free to drop me an email - just click on my name to view my profile.
 
Good luck with what you are trying to do.

#2803 of 10339 2005 Audi A6 by bondguy1

Jun 21, 2005 (7:32 pm)

I have the new A6 and everytime you turn the radio on, it prompts you with the warning screen about taking your eyes off of the road (mostly for the Navigation). You have to push the MMI control to accept and it clears that screen. I am thinking this is to protect Audi in case of a collision and not having the warning for some idiot who took his eyes off the road to adjust something. Is there a way to set this thing so that when I turn on the radio each time, the warning screen won't be there?
Also, Mark, have you been in the A6 lit up at night? With the newer style of center console that comes all the way out, it really does look more like an A8 inside. Also, what is your opinion on the wood kits for the dash that I have seen in some cars? Are they just a cheesy add on or will it give it a rich look like in the A8?

Messages Page 281 of 1035

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