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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 652 of 1035

#6506 of 10338 Re: Ponder this [tayl0rd] by markcincinnati

Mar 01, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: tayl0rd (Mar 01, 2006 10:36 am)
For the 10th year in a row, Audi (and specifically AoA) has had "its best year ever."
 
What I think is being suggested, when you factor in that every 2005 A6 in the US was AWD and EVERY Acura RL was AWD and (here in Cincinnati) 40%+ of the 2006 BMW 5 series are X-drive (so says the purchasing agent at Ohio's largest BMW store which is here in Cincinnati); and coupled with the fact that the owner of the Audi store, the Acura store and the Infinti store claims that the M35X is the most popular M, plus the numbers you cite looked at in toto, well I just can't buy that Audi is losing sales to BMW any more than it ever has.
 
The remarkable thing is the number of AWD drive cars in the LPS class that are [apparently] being sold considering LPS AWD widespread availability is a 2005 CY and 2006 MY phenom.
 
Audi, apparently, thinks it is on a roll.
 
And, yes I know they do fight for the right to be the last on the list each and every month.
 
In Germany, however, Audi and BMW often vie for the top spot, recently BMW has played second to Audi and in the UK, Audis sales have shot up to near US levels.
 
China too has seen Audis sales grow by over 40%.
 
Audi certainly has much to be concerned with from BMW now that BMW has pretty much joined Mercedes with an AWD onslaught "against Audi." But, personally, I think Audis problems if they can be called that have more to do with their voluntary low-profile with respect to marketing themselves as "the first (for 25 years)" AWD LPS or at least near-Premium (historically) car company.
 
They squandered their secret weapon as far as I am concerned.
 
But, as usual, they didn't consult with me.
 
What once were vices are now virtues, if you get my drift.
 
 

#6507 of 10338 Re: They Ain't Gonna Sell [esf] by marleybarr

Mar 01, 2006 (10:54 am)

Replying to: esf (Feb 08, 2006 8:03 pm)
My wife is enthusiastic about the S4 Cabriolet, thinking of actually selling the 2.7T or trading. What is your impression of the S4 concerning handling, braking, acceleration and general reliability up to this point?

#6508 of 10338 Re: They Ain't Gonna Sell [marleybarr] by markcincinnati

Mar 01, 2006 (11:30 am)

Replying to: marleybarr (Mar 01, 2006 10:54 am)
As a suggestion, you may find the answer more readily on the forum specific to the Audi S4.
 
Generally speaking the Audi 4.2 V8 (used in the A6, BTW) is well regarded, a great performer, reliable and . . . wait for it: thirsty!
 
All Audis reliability ratings have improved -- if you are the owner of an older Audi (one with the 2.7T) and you are still shopping the brand, your experience (like my own family's) will probably sway you more than anything else.
 
For example, had you been burned by that rare defective Lexus car you would probably be disinclined to repurchase despite Lexus legendary reliability scores.
 
The new Car and Driver, for instance, paints an unflattering picture of the Acura RL in this regard -- but still concludes the RL worth considering in the Premium Class.
 
Check over on the S4 board, post some questions, see what happens.
 
FWIW, other than the thirst of the beast, I wouldn't hesitate to own an S4, but I would for personal reasons (living in Cincinnati makes soft top cars a contradiction of terms -- weather wise, IMO, i.e.) not consider a drop top.

#6509 of 10338 February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans: by jrock65

Mar 01, 2006 (1:50 pm)

February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans:
 
5 = 4,153
E = 2,310
GS = 2,049
M = 2,000
STS = 1,740
A6 = 1,168
RL = 712

#6510 of 10338 Re: February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans: [jrock65] by docnukem

Mar 01, 2006 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: jrock65 (Mar 01, 2006 1:50 pm)
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that a huge dip in E sales (and STS, too)? When is a new E arriving?

#6511 of 10338 Re: February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans: [jrock65] by markcincinnati

Mar 01, 2006 (2:57 pm)

Replying to: jrock65 (Mar 01, 2006 1:50 pm)
New RL ad:
 
"Buy one, get one Free!"
 
 

#6512 of 10338 Re: February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans: [markcincinnati] by docnukem

Mar 01, 2006 (3:01 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 01, 2006 2:57 pm)
Don't you mean:
 
"Buy a TL and we'll throw in an RL for FREEEEEEE!"

#6513 of 10338 Re: February 2006 Sales – Midsize Luxury Sedans: [docnukem] by markcincinnati

Mar 01, 2006 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: docnukem (Mar 01, 2006 3:01 pm)
That would work too!
 
Wow, though, the RL ought to be a stone cold bargain for one already in stock, I would assume.
 
The RL despite my own biases is a darn nice car and a worthy LPS player -- with the incentives that OUGHT to be out there to move the product, well, how 'bout no money down and $499 for 36 months on a 15K mile per year lease?
 
And, no sec dep either!

#6514 of 10338 Re: They Ain't Gonna Sell [markcincinnati] by marleybarr

Mar 01, 2006 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Mar 01, 2006 11:30 am)
Last Sunday, I drove over to the new $8 million Audi dealership in St. Paul and it certainly is breathtakingly beautiful!The showroom looks just like Audi headquarters in Germany. They have about 50 used and about 80 new Audis for sale on the lot.They claim to now be the largest Audi dealer in the country sitting on about 20 acres with Mercedes and Porsche building their own separate facilities next door coming in 5 years or so.To spend that much on infrastructure and have all that business "faith" for one brand of car does motivate me to atleast seriously consider the Audi brand for my next auto purchase/lease.
 
I wonder how many potential buyers like Mark will question the wisdom of the v-8 or v-10 engine w/ $3+ per gallon coming soon to a station near you?

#6515 of 10338 Re: They Ain't Gonna Sell [marleybarr] by markcincinnati

Mar 01, 2006 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: marleybarr (Mar 01, 2006 3:22 pm)
Diesel for me, please.
 
Our local mini Audi headquarters was over $6,000,000 (we have two dealers not owned by the same folks, too) last year and they sell 50 cars a month.
 
The math doesn't add up in the near term, so I have to conclude that optimism and a sense of more good things to come are at play here, too.

Messages Page 652 of 1035

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