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Luxury Performance Sedans

9978 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2009 at 1:30 PM

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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

#4869 of 9978 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 9978 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 9978 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 9978 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 9978 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 9978 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)
#4875 of 9978 Re: Buying the badge.... [drtravel] by jjacura Nov 10, 2005 (4:58 pm)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 4:13 pm) Doh! I almost finished your post before realizing it wasn't from Mark Cincinnati It was a fairly long post...you started with a question... you added a bit of wry humor....you talked about the 70's...you threw in some obscure, albeit resourceful logic...and you end with a colloquialism phrase. Did you guys attend the same writing class? (End of smaller rant!) Replies to this message: drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 6:04 pm) jjacura (Nov 10, 2005 9:20 pm)
#4876 of 9978 Re: Buying the badge.... [drtravel] by dewey Nov 10, 2005 (5:19 pm)
Replying to: drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 4:13 pm) 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.   I keep on hearing the same question in many forums?   The fact of the matter is that most people buy a BMW because most models have the best drivetrains/chassis combo in the industry. Customers love the way they drive and based on JD Power and Consumer Reports figures most BMW models(except the 7 series) are not unreliable   So does that mean there are no BMW badger hunters? Ofcourse there are! There are as many BMW badge hunters as there are Lexus badge hunters, especially among the majority of Lexus owners who feel distinguished by buying a Lexus RX330/ES330 versus a Toyota Highlander/Camry! Replies to this message: drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 6:16 pm) bdr127 (Nov 10, 2005 7:34 pm) drtravel (Nov 10, 2005 8:39 pm) garyh1 (Nov 10, 2005 8:39 pm) gohorns1 (Nov 10, 2005 7:39 pm)
#4877 of 9978 Re: Buying the badge.... [jjacura] by drtravel Nov 10, 2005 (6:04 pm)
Replying to: jjacura (Nov 10, 2005 4:58 pm) In your free time go to   www.chronocentric.com/watches/brands.shtml   and read the parts about "Aren't Rolex the best watches in the world?" and "If Rolex is not the only superior watch brand, why haven't I heard of these other watches?". Let's not underestimate the importance of the 1980's yuppies on the popularity of German sedans. I was a yuppie back then (hate to admit it though) and had to own that Porsche. Remember how they went from exclusive to common? How did that eventually work out?   I feel honored to be compared with Mark but he is definitely the "luxury" writer in this forum. I'm a want-to-be envious of Marks' writing abilities. Replies to this message: jjacura (Nov 10, 2005 9:20 pm)

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