You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans

Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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

#4865 of 10007 Re: . [wale_bate1] by markcincinnati Nov 09, 2005 (5:44 pm)
Replying to: wale_bate1 (Nov 09, 2005 1:24 pm) Where oh where can we discuss the Trabant [if not here]?   Agree, I participate over at the Passat and X3 forums -- the Avalon is not the subject here, nor is the Passat. However, I won't quite go so far as to ostracize folks who mention their names (I'll leave that to the hosts.)   I just got the Audi A6 survey # 2236 from JD Powers with the $1.00 bill in it. I am so sick of these surveys, why can't they survey us on the WWW and give us a credit at Amazon or something -- I detest filling in those little opti scan circles. After the first survey, I just pocket the buck.   Again, I know I am a bad person -- but they should automate this by making it an e-survey.   End of small rant
#4866 of 10007 Putting The Names In Context by hpowders Nov 09, 2005 (6:22 pm)
I don't mind seeing their names every once in a while. I don't need to be told on the LPS thread that I can save a lot of money by buying a Passat or Avalon instead of an LPS. I don't need nor solicit that kind of help here.
#4867 of 10007 Re: ??? [hpowders] by ksoman Nov 09, 2005 (6:50 pm)
Replying to: hpowders (Nov 09, 2005 2:34 pm) hpowder, don't worry, i'm a bmw owner and am as much a sucker for brand name as any other upper middle class wannabe on this forum who claims they can dtect a difference between a 5.8 second 0-60 and a 6 second 0-60...   LOL.   When i compare an avalon to a M, i'm very much within the limits of this forum because i'm talking about the M. If I were to compare an avalon against an umm pontiac, you could have my butt whacked off..   lastly nobody is dictating you to go buy either an avalon or the passat. this is a discussion bound by the rules of edmunds, not by your or my rules...   take it easy.   ksso
#4869 of 10007 Re: . [wale_bate1] by jshattner Nov 09, 2005 (7:42 pm)
Replying to: wale_bate1 (Nov 09, 2005 3:52 pm) I've had 3 E's: 430 / 55 / 500 in last 8 years and no set has lasted more than 20k. Same for an earlier LS400 w/Z tires. I'd love to see 35k! As for the MB, my current E500 (2003) is gorgeous but the electronics (phone / cd / muting) are infuriating. Plus I had 4 windshield leak issues, the last of which fried my under-seat processor for the Xeon headlamps. My next car (January) will be either M45S or 550i. Gotta give MB a penalty box for now...
#4870 of 10007 Tire life by lexusguy Nov 09, 2005 (10:24 pm)
The low profile 18" UHP summer tires on my Jag last 15K tops. I just put on a set of Goodyear Eagle F1s, which I think are an even better match to the car than the OEM Continentals. The 280 treadlife is also quite nice for this type of tire, most are rated half of that. Replies to this message: wale_bate1 (Nov 10, 2005 7:54 am) lexusguy (Nov 10, 2005 8:10 am)
#4871 of 10007 07 G35 to debut in NY by dewey Nov 10, 2005 (7:21 am)
Unfortunately the article linked below does not provide any details about the new infiniti G35 engine, but at least we will get an idea of how the new re-skinned G35 will look like when viewed at the NY Auto Show   2007 G35
#4872 of 10007 Re: Tire life [lexusguy] by wale_bate1 Nov 10, 2005 (7:54 am)
Replying to: lexusguy (Nov 09, 2005 10:24 pm) I predict you will find the rain performance outstanding, LG.   I'm on set number two of the DS-G3s, and I'm a happy camper. The sidewall is a touch softer than some of the competition, for which I compensate with a few extra psi, but the dry traction is at the top of the scale and the wet is unreal... Replies to this message: lexusguy (Nov 10, 2005 8:10 am)
#4873 of 10007 Re: Tire life [wale_bate1] by lexusguy Nov 10, 2005 (8:10 am)
Replying to: wale_bate1 (Nov 10, 2005 7:54 am) Interesting, I've yet to run into a bad rainstorm in the Jag, but thats good to know. I was not impressed with the Pirelli and Toyo tires that I tried on the car, but I think the ride with the GYs is a bit better than the oem ContiSportContacts. In a related note, C&D has a comparison of 11 UHP tires, in which the GS-D3s placed first overall, with the Continentals in second.   http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=10252&page_number=1
#4874 of 10007 Buying the badge.... by drtravel Nov 10, 2005 (4:13 pm)
Does marketing work? As my old marketing book noted - there are 20 mountains higher than Pike's Peak in Colorado - name one. In the LPS market Pike's Peak = BMW and MB. The other contenders in the LPS market are like the other 20 mountains. They may be higher but they need to work extra hard to earn the name recognition of Pike's Peak.   Back in the 70s Cadillac tried to sell a tool kit for their cars for $20. No one bought them so what did Cadillac do? They gold plated the exact same tools and charged $100. Now they couldn't keep them in stock. People falsely equated cost with quality and prestige - you get what you pay for? Doubtful, but their is no way that BMW and MB can compete on price - need that gold plating prestige.   A "premium" vodka is Grey Goose. It's drinkers swear it's the best. So 20/20 did a blind taste test. The predictable results - Grey Goose was actually chosen as one of the worst tasting vodkas. If it were somehow possible to do a blind driving test of the LPS I suspect that many would choose a car other than their own as the best handling, most luxurious etc. Preconceived biases have a far greater effect on how well the buyer thinks a particular car handles in everyday driving than the actual handling characteristics of the car.   A majority of LPS owners (this forum represent the more "hard-core" LPS buyers and not the majority) made a lifestyle choice when buying their car. Buying a BMW or MB says "I feel good about my success and have rewarded myself with a prestigious car". Owners know that when others see their car they will also equate that with their success thereby adding to the good feeling. Then there is that notion of buying superior "German Engineering"!? Despite their well documented reliability issues, poor electronics etc. this notion is still held today. Do you think a majority of LPS buyers read or even care what CR, MT etc. say about this market?   So do people buy the badge? IMHO - you bet your sweet bibby they do! BMW and MB still own the LPS swagger in the USA and will continue to do so for quite some time. Replies to this message: jjacura (Nov 10, 2005 4:58 pm) drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 6:04 pm) jjacura (Nov 10, 2005 9:20 pm) dewey (Nov 10, 2005 5:19 pm) drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 6:16 pm) bdr127 (Nov 10, 2005 7:34 pm) and 2 more... gohorns1 (Nov 10, 2005 7:39 pm)

You are here: Forums Sedans Luxury Performance Sedans