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Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans
10006 messages, Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 6:59 AM
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http://hybridcars.about.com/od/news/a/hybridtaxcredit.htm The new tax credit for the RX400h will probably be nowhere near $3500. Probably more like $1000. Also, with the full credit limited to 60,000 per company and phased out after that, the credit won't really be there for Toyota vehicles after a year and a half. Toyota currently sells about 14,000 hybrid vehicles per month, so they'll reach the 60,000 limit in 4 or 5 months after 01/01/20006. You can get an RX330 for close to invoice, but expect to pay near MSRP for an RX400h. So the real world difference between comparably equipped RX330 and RX400h is more like $8000. Of course, the RX400h has better straight line power, which alone could be worth it for some people. I'm interested to see how Lexus prices the GS450h. I'm thinking about the same as the soon to come GS460. The GS450h probably won't qualify for more than $1000 in tax credit. Not that buyers of $60,000 cars really need it. |
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Replying to: hpowders (Aug 11, 2005 12:38 pm) I was so glad to have the car back that as soon as I got on the fwy, I opened it up to 100 mph going north on the 55.......for about 3 secs until I hit the 5 and came to a complete stop. This is the land of $3.00/gal gas, $900,000 3 bd homes and LOTS of traffic. Back to car discussions........ |
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Replying to: janssen (Aug 12, 2005 7:47 am) I worked a few years for a Lexus Dealer (once I retired from school principalling) and their approach was, "THE CUSTOMER IS A GUEST, AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH!" When I came to the world's largest Infiniti Dealership, the motto was, "...treat each customer as you would want to be treated when you go out to buy a car!" But at BMW, the first two dealerships I worked with were snobbish, etc. The place where I finally bought my 06 530i in April was a dream come true. No hassle, no pressure, negotiations took 20 minutes, and I had my new car a few weeks later. Obviously, when I bought the M35 from my own dealership, there were no negotiations, for obvious reasons. But when the sales associates in the Infiniti, Lexus and Acura dealers I'm familiar with work with customers, it is, for the most part, more relaxed and laid back. No, no more teenagers, no more high insurance premiums, just nice new cars in the garage who have not had a teenage driver abuse them. I guess in a few years, when I my grandsons are old enough, I'll break down and let them drive my cars, but at least I'll have a respite of 15-18 years. Definitely worth the wait, let me tell you. |
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Replying to: hihomike (Aug 12, 2005 9:38 am) Not having any kids yet, I listen to tales like yours intently. Hmmm...so you are saying that having a vasectomy may improve the reliability of a vehicle....? Seriously-was this different attitude something from a higher level than the dealership? Do the Japanese manufacturers take more pains to instill this attitude? Maybe they won't give a franchise to someone without this approach? And on a personal note-does the wife get the M, and you the 530i? Or do you switch occasionally? How much daily driving experience do you have with each, and what do you notice from daily driving? If you had to pick one for fun on a weekend, which would it be? Cheers!
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Replying to: lexusguy (Aug 11, 2005 5:00 pm) Just to nitpick, the $3,500 tax credit is a tax DEDUCTION. Assuming a 30% tax bracket that means it's worth just over $1,000. I agree with your point that the hybrid motor is much cheaper than $10K, but it is more like $3,500 taking into account the tax credit. |
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http://hybridcars.about.com/od/news/a/hybridtaxcredit.htm The new hybrid tax incentive is a credit, not a deduction. It is available up to $3400. But the RX400h won't qualify for anywhere near the full amount. The GS450h won't qualify for anywhere near the full amount either. And by the middle of 2007, Toyota hybrids will NOT qualify for ANY tax credits.
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Replying to: janssen (Aug 12, 2005 10:19 am) I know that if you own a dealership, and your CSI is marginal at best, you won't get another franchise from the Japanese manufacturer. The Japanese are intent on complete customer satisfaction and customer treatment. You can tell by the differences in their CSI surveys. When I got my BMW, I was sent a survey with 5 questions on it. When I got my Infiniti, it had 35 questions on it. The questions on the BMW survey were general and broad. The questions on the Infiniti survey were specific and to the point for each area scored. As for which vehicle is mine, it's the BMW 530i. I do drive the M35 occasionally, but prefer the Bimmer, not from a "status" standpoint, but rather from a practical one - it's more comfortable for "me" and the M35 is not. Both vehicles are superior in every way imaginable. Consumer Reports wasn't wrong when it rated the M35 best 4-door sedan, sport or luxury. It's refined, reliable, and practical. The BMW is more fun to drive, handles better, and is a bit roomer inside for me. If I had to pick a vehicle for a weekend trip, it would be the BMW - smoother road handling, handles bumps better, and drives like a dream. For driving around town, I prefer the M35 - more spirited - uses regular fuel instead of premium. I also prefer the BMW's bluetooth as it downloads your entire phonebook from your cell phone. The M does not, you have to manually input all the numbers and names. But to be honest, both are great luxury performance vehicles and both are hot cars. Hope the above helped a bit.
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Replying to: hihomike (Aug 12, 2005 12:26 pm) Regarding the CSI, I had a recent interesting experience with one of the BMW dealers in SF: I have had the two-year old car in either 14 or 15 times. At first, I would get a call from their third-party satisfaction evaluator. However, after a few not so great ratings, I never got another call. I would guess the last eight times I had service, I got no follow-up. Through a little gentle investigation, I found that the dealer had my contact information incorrectly listed. The funny things are: 1. They had the contact info correct for the first four monhts/six visits. 2. The address had changed both in street number and street name, likely not a simple typo 3. The phone number had two digits changed, likely not a simple typo 4. The second phone number had two digits changed, likely not a simple typo So, my suspicion is that, instead of providing appropriate service, they found the more efficient method of preventing my CSI rating from affecting their numbers. What do you think? What would you do? I have already been in touch with the BMW NA Customer Relations Mgr, who has admitted that this SF BMW dealer is always a thorn in their side, but also tells me BMW has no control over individual dealers. What should I believe? |
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Replying to: bondguy1 (Aug 11, 2005 4:23 pm) We could also thank ourselves, for if we didn't have as much demand, price would probably lower. I didn't mean to start a political debate. If we would run out of the stuff altogether due to consumption, I would really be hard pressed to place blame on any country, entity or politician. Indeed, to close this portion out -- I believe that at a sustained price average for regular of $3.40 we would be at 98% of the "real price" that gasoline was during the Carter administration. And, I, for one, don't blame him either. Rather my point was to wonder out loud about the future of LPS cars (and cars in general) since often LPS cars lead in the innovation of "stuff" (features, options, technologies, etc.) perhaps to ask if we will be seeing future cars and their propulsion mechanisms coming out first as luxury items (in LPS cars for example). If more demand is made on "oil" by the users of this stuff, well, eventually there will have to be a change (and not a minute before, I'd wager.) I love my A6 w/3.2 V6, for its ability (in THIS HEAT) to sip gas, keep me cool, entertain me with an excellent sound system all whilst I am cruising along at about 80 miles per. Round trip to Columbus from Cincinnati netted an indicated MGP of 26+ (and, shhhh, we were really bookin')! 
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Replying to: markcincinnati (Aug 12, 2005 12:57 pm) "Peak gas and oil" !
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